Zippo

[Perique]

Hello fellow pipe smokers. I searched, but there were far too many hits to read through.

So here’s the question: are Zippo pipe lighters a good way to go or do they impart a lighter fluid flavor to the tobacco? I’ve been a Zippo guy for decades on the Rollie side of my tobacco enthusiasm, never used them for cigars due to concerns about imparting fluid flavor, but what’s the consensus for pipes? Figured I should check in with the brain trust.

thanks in advance.

 

[Casual]

I don’t get enough of a fluid taste to notice. Zippos are the best all-weather lighter I’ve found.

 

[dcon]

The butane insert avoids the lighter fluid taste. I have, and occasionally use, both styles. You can, just let the fluid models burn a few seconds before lighting the tobacco and it usually negates any fluid taste.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I like them myself.

 

[cigrmaster]

I hate using a Zippo lighter as the flame is much to unwieldy. It is difficult to control and tough to get to the bottom of the bowl. I prefer the flame of my IM Corona Pipemasters as they also have a nice tamper and a nice sized fuel tank.

I have a Zippo with the pipe insert and use it once a year maybe.

 

[workman]

If you let it burn just a second or two before drawing, it doesn't impart any flavor. If you don't, the gasoline flavor only lasts a puff or two anyway. No big deal.
I use them exclusively, with or without the pipe insert, they're great.

 

[eugenepark]

If you let it burn just a second or two before drawing, it doesn't impart any flavor. If you don't, the gasoline flavor only lasts a puff or two anyway. No big deal.
I use them exclusively, with or without the pipe insert, they're great.

+1. You can usually smell when the naphtha odors have burned off which means the flame is "clean" to use.

I have one of the Zippo Pipe Lighters and it can't be beat outdoors or in a breezeway, but a butane one like my Ronson Pipe Lighter is more "accurate".

 

[Ctbill]

Zippos are great.
They impart a slight flavor for a nanosecond.
You need to refill ‘em.
You’ll change the flint occasionally.
They ARE windproof.
They last forever, and are guaranteed as such.
The butane insert is nice, but you give up all Zippo goodness - just use a Bic.
I do not work for Zippo...?

 

[bullet08]

I hate using a Zippo lighter as the flame is much to unwieldy. It is difficult to control and tough to get to the bottom of the bowl. I prefer the flame of my IM Corona Pipemasters as they also have a nice tamper and a nice sized fuel tank.

I have a Zippo with the pipe insert and use it once a year maybe.

I had to trim my wick to adjust the flame height. More manageable now.

 

[bullet08]

Bic then Zippo. But I'm cheap and used all my Bic.

 

[jmill208]

I use a Zippo often. It always lights, even in nasty weather. I don’t notice any fuel taste. Just wait a couple seconds and light up.

 

[warren]

I use a normal Zippo. Some can and apparently some can't.

 

[workman]

Zippos are great.
They impart a slight flavor for a nanosecond.
You need to refill ‘em.
You’ll change the flint occasionally.
They ARE windproof.
They last forever, and are guaranteed as such.
The butane insert is nice, but you give up all Zippo goodness - just use a Bic.
I do not work for Zippo...?

One of mine broke, actually. The lid fell off. It was a nice excuse for buying another ?

 

[workman]

I use a normal Zippo. Some can and apparently some can't.

Shh! Let's keep it secret ?

 

[workman]

+1. You can usually smell when the naphtha odors have burned off which means the flame is "clean" to use.

I have one of the Zippo Pipe Lighters and it can't be beat outdoors or in a breezeway, but a butane one like my Ronson Pipe Lighter is more "accurate".

I'm smoking outdoors a lot and I'm not one to complicate life unnecessarily. My Zippos work fine, indoors and out.

 

[jpmcwjr]

There's an odor just when the lid is opened. But it dissipates. I use them when there's a wind over a few knots. Otherwise, refillable butanes.
They are the quintessential American lighter; Nostalgic, too.

 

[anotherbob]

Hello fellow pipe smokers. I searched, but there were far too many hits to read through.

So here’s the question: are Zippo pipe lighters a good way to go or do they impart a lighter fluid flavor to the tobacco? I’ve been a Zippo guy for decades on the Rollie side of my tobacco enthusiasm, never used them for cigars due to concerns about imparting fluid flavor, but what’s the consensus for pipes? Figured I should check in with the brain trust.

thanks in advance.

no fluid taste unless you really over fill the thing. And it works incredibly well with pipes. Never trust a bic in my opinion.

 

[anotherbob]

One of mine broke, actually. The lid fell off. It was a nice excuse for buying another ?

if you send it to their factory they'll repair it for free.

 

[tradition]

Use Zippo Lighter Fluid...no taste at all.

 

[Perique]

I used to always smoke inside. Pipesmoking, IMHO, is best inside (on an easy chair, in front of a fire - yeah, I know, stereotypical. But that was my world) Then moved to a log home and really didn’t want to ghost the entire place. So have a smoking porch that’s kind of a tweener between inside and outside. But the breeze is messing with my preferred lighting method: kitchen matches. Looking for an alternative.