Friday, October 8, 2010

How To Refill A Zippo

By Ryder Sabot

Some individuals maintain that liquid-fueled lighters impart an unpleasant taste to any tobacco product with which they come into contact. This is entirely a matter of opinion but, to remedy the situation, there are several different grades of lighter fluid on the market that advertise themselves as being free of any unpleasant flavor. For those who aren't ready to move to a high-end butane lighter, such as a Nibo, these fluids can help mitigate any risk of ruining a good cigar or pipe.

Of all the lighter fluids available, those sold at grocery and discount stores are the most likely to give a foul, petroleum taste to tobacco. Smokers generally avoid these fuels. They are adequate for utility use but, in general, better-quality fuels also burn more efficiently which makes them a superior choice all around. Even from the aspect of keeping a lighter clean and functioning, they offer advantages in that there are fewer impurities with which the lighter may become fouled.

Squirt a bit of fluid into the reservoir, let it soak for a few seconds and then repeat the process until the cotton is saturated. Remember to give the fuel a while to be absorbed. Putting too much fuel in quickly makes a huge mess which may not be realized until the lighter is placed into a pocket. Once the lighter is filled, put the felt back in place and return it to the lighter. Be sure to let the lighter sit for a while to make certain that any extra fuel has a chance to evaporate. The lighter may well emit a larger than normal flame on the first light after refueling, so be aware of this when turning the flint wheel for the first time.

Refill lighters over a sink. This makes sure that there is no fire hazard posed by spilled fluid and also makes sure that the fluid doesn't damage any surfaces with which it may come into contact. When the lighter is filled and ready, be sure to rinse out the sink and to clean up any surfaces. Of course, never leave lighter-fluid soaked rags laying about. Rinse them out and wash them as soon as possible.

After refueling, give the lighter a while to sit before putting it into a pocket. Some fluid may leech out of the lighter after it's filled and this can irritate the skin and damage clothing and, of course, poses a fire hazard. Once the lighter has been allowed to sit, test it for proper operation to make sure all is well.

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