How To Properly Change Zippo Wick & Cotton With More Room For Fluid

[@Zippofanatic77outdoors]

Have any questions ask below !

[@swedenharmonica2076]

QUESTION! My Zippo from 2017 needs like 6-10 turn on wheel before lighting. Even if fuel and all works and all is re-filled. Is the Wick old? Even if its long and I cut of the top, it doesn't work. Always got first strike before and also always first strike on my new zippo ... change-intervalls on cotton and Wick?

[@voidfalse]

@@swedenharmonica2076 Try cleaning the flint wheel. It becomes dirty and dull with usage. Resulting in a smaller sparks from the flint. Pour a bit of fuel and brush with ear stick. Secondly, try to use genuine flints. Chinese ones are producing smaller sparks as well

[@auaggoldbug4151]

Where do you get cotton bacon. can't find it on amazon? I liked & subbed

[@Zippofanatic77outdoors]

@@auaggoldbug4151 thanks buds. Umm I’m not sure I got it at the local vape store. If the one by u doesnt have it just get a different brand. It all comes from the same factories generally.

[@muzafferodemis6909]

@@voidfalse Bradford zippo ne produit pas de silex, les veritable silex de la marque zippo viennent de Chine également.

[@ElectroPig]

Suggestion: TO keep the wick from fraying on insertion, try dipping a TINY BIT of the very end of thw wick in a lit candle. While it's still hot (warm enough to be moldable, anyway) roll it until there's no "stray hairs" to catch while oyu're trying to stuff it in the appropriate hole. Should dip the absolute minimum that you can in...but wax'll burn off once it's lit, so that MAY help speed the process a tiny bit...or a LOT, with how often you need to do it. d;o)

[@Th3Mafia]

this video, with its depth and level of science (even tho minimal) was very hard to find. my search was "zippo packing wick", glad i found it, explaining what ppl do, what zippo does, and this alternate method... very nice, good production, thank you

[@Zippofanatic77outdoors]

@@Th3Mafia thanks ! Sorry for the late reply This one never showed up in my feed. But I happened to be responding to one and found it

[@calvin659]

Awesome. Your method of sandwiching the wick between the two cotton strips just feels better and more efficient than the standard snaking method.

[@Zippofanatic77outdoors]

Yeah really soaks that wick better with this method

[@E.L.RipleyAtNostromo]

I have 35 Zippos collected since 1982 and feel like a dummy for not knowing about this before! Makes so much sense. I’ll look for the cotton bacon stuff and try this myself with my main EDC lighters anyway, if not the collectible ones. Great how to tutorial, thanks! P.S. I do always keep a spare flint under the bottom felt pad, so in that regard it’s helpful. I’m thinking about following your steps, but cutting that bottom felt pad in half to make it thinner, as I like having something there to keep the spare flint in place. On the filling, I always fill until it’s slightly overfill, then turn it down and squeeze the case sides until a couple drops fall, then it’s perfect and won’t leak, but the sandwich bag is a great idea. Actually I have a bunch of small plastic bags that would be perfect for this if I cut off their bottom 3/8” and cover all four sides of the insert, and I think would last multiple refills.

[@Zippofanatic77outdoors]

Thanks man. Yeah that’s a good idea to trim the felt down. But the sandwich bag does hold the flint in there. I also tuck the flint a little between the cotton and case. Doesnt move around in there. Also I don’t use sand which bags either I’ve actually graduated to freeze bags. The are so thick and durable that I actually use it over and over again for about 5-6 months

[@E.L.RipleyAtNostromo]

@@Zippofanatic77outdoors Great idea, thanks! I have boxes of small quart freezer bags so will grab a couple of those. The other thing you just taught me, that seems so obvious now, is that I would regularly let the wick get dried out and frayed when the lighter ran dry and it would get wrecked over time, so should have been topping off more often with a couple of drops of fluid on the wick. Now I just need to find a pouch, like you I think the belt leather ones are too heavy. I have hundreds of feet of paracord and lots of buckles, so will see if I can figure out how to make one.

[@Zippofanatic77outdoors]

@@E.L.RipleyAtNostromo I have a tutorial on how to make a zippo pouch with paracord , they turned out very nice.. Yes keeping the wick saturated it a must.

[@E.L.RipleyAtNostromo]

@@Zippofanatic77outdoors Good deal, I'll look for that video. By the way, I see all these seals and barriers to buy made out of plastic or metal with an o-ring to keep the fluid from evaporating, but I see they take up more cotton space at the bottom and I don't see that they'd work any better than the freezer bag cutout. (?) Did you ever try one of those? For now I'm going to see how long the freezer bag section increases my usage.

[@weaver4907]

I watched this video like 10 times already lol waiting for my Armor High Polish to arrive, I engrave it so it might take some time and I was taking a long time to make a decision on what to engrave on it...finally ordered it today...will take some time to arrive... Damn excited for my zippo lol, Gonna order cotton bacon too!. I am from Malaysia by the way. So lucky you are living in the USA...to send zippos for repair from here you have to send to Zippo Malaysia and pay a hefty shipping cost for them to ship to USA..I should buy a house in USA and stay there lol. It's not my first zippo. I have a lot that i bought from Ebay 10 years ago. But none were armors...I Had an armor but lost it...this time I will make sure I don't lose anymore Zippos lol. For me it's always Armor...i must use Armor...Armor or bust :D.

[@Zippofanatic77outdoors]

Armors and 41’s all day everyday

[@weaver4907]

@@Zippofanatic77outdoors now it's like 15 times...still debating whether to remove the cotton behind the flint tube...saw a video of someone did that, he use cotton bacon too. He did the alternate S shape not like yours tho but you did say it's a matter of preference but later said you have heard it's better down and up than side to side...so is it really a preference then since one is better :D?

[@deadstickdave9479]

Always great to have more tutorials for newcomers, and a sweet treat seeing more of the armor rose Goldie

[@Zippofanatic77outdoors]

Haha thanks buds. Yeah It’s been requested more than once the last couple weeks plus I wanted my new insert up to par

[@scottmcintosh2988]

My dad was in the 82nd Airborne Rangers a paratrooper he had that mess Kit knife just like yours !!!

[@Zippofanatic77outdoors]

God bless your dad 🫡

[@masonr1666]

Let me add a trick I saw on another video: you can put the insert upside-down in the case while filling, it helps to prevent messes. If the fuild starts coming out in the wick area, it will be in the case once you turn the insert 180⁰. Also, it gives you another hand while you are filling it.

[@Zippofanatic77outdoors]

Yeah very well known technique. I don’t use it though just extra steps.

[@nokiamaploader]

I would be happy to find this cotton brand here in Brazil! Thank you very much for the tip!

[@Zippofanatic77outdoors]

Use wool !

[@martinstojanovic2123]

Good tips, I was about to redo the cotton myself and turn the wick upside down, thanks for the video

[@Zippofanatic77outdoors]

Thanks Martin ! Glad to help

[@nokiamaploader]

Nice job!

[@Zippofanatic77outdoors]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@tascoadhd7605]

sweet mate thanks the pipe insert looks sick with the armor rose

[@Zippofanatic77outdoors]

No probes buds ! Did u see the custom rose gold I made today ? Posted a short

[@tascoadhd7605]

The wolf candy skull? i like it mate even in the the pink before u custom it i kinda liked that pink on the gold

[@Zippofanatic77outdoors]

@@tascoadhd7605 yeah that’s rose gold buddy. Most durable finish zippo makes

[@wrkane]

Hi Mike, first that rose gold and gold insert is wicked. I have to get one of those pipe inserts because I have the gold Chinese Dragon 🐲. Second thanks for doing this video, it's time I move to Cotton Bacon and adjust my wicks!

[@Zippofanatic77outdoors]

That’s a nice zip. Also I just want to add any wicking vape cotton works. Doesnt have to be specifically cotton bacon. It’s all the same

[@AG-jr2il]

Thats a new way ... Mmm looking foward to try it

[@Zippofanatic77outdoors]

Works amazingly really holds the fluid and makes it last your gonna enjoy it bro

[@Markonacr250r]

I’m doing it the s shape not the vertical shape you do. And I do the same s shap with the cotton. I’m about the 100% copy your way and the black gasket is doing better in a 41 insert. But I may try to oring the gasket or line the inside with a bag befor I put the gasket on. Or wrap the felt with a bag. Few ways to skin a cat but I think you came up with the best way to pack

[@Markonacr250r]

I am also running the felt under the gasket. I feel like it hold fluid and Replenishes the cotton

[@Zippofanatic77outdoors]

Haha yeah if your into cat skinning. Yeah Mark there’s always gonna be someway to improve better and better. I’ve only laid the foundation to expand peoples minds

[@Markonacr250r]

@@Zippofanatic77outdoors you are the reason my minds been expanding into zippos

[@Zippofanatic77outdoors]

@@Markonacr250r haha thanks man. They are a fun little hobby. Lots of customizing to be done people havent touched on.

[@lyndondejesus7764]

Can I use ordinary cotton

[@Zippofanatic77outdoors]

U can use the cotton in your zippo. Unroll the balls into strips I have a video on that

[@skibbiethegamecat9057]

Great information, here are a couple questions I have as I am new to this. Why EDC a pipe insert? I guess it’s not too very different from a regular one, and if you happen to use a pipe all the time then I guess that explains it. And then about the bag trick, that is indeed a cheap and proven hack for saving fuel, but if you wanted to spend the extra monies and get the rubber cap replacement for the foam pad, are those worth it at all? Thanks for helping a newbie understand things

[@Zippofanatic77outdoors]

Yeah I like to hit pipe or bong honestly I’m also just testing the durability of the gold plated insert. Sometimes I everyday carry them cause I think they look cool and have more functions really. Kinda higher wind resistance too when turned sideways. Yeah no problem buds I love helping and answering questions. Thanks 🙏

[@Zippofanatic77outdoors]

Just use the bag trick. Then u gotta buy new rubbers all the time. Sandwich bags are already infinite supply in my house.

[@sevenfoldist666]

I can confirm this method WORKS. i have nothing more to say, other than this method WORKS. i got 5-6 days per fill, compared to 3-5 days with the rayon they gave out of the box.

[@Zippofanatic77outdoors]

Yeah buddy ! Do u use bag trick too?

[@sevenfoldist666]

@@Zippofanatic77outdoors i don't even use the bag trick, and it lasts me that long. The knowledge that you provide is immense, brother👍🏻

[@Zippofanatic77outdoors]

@@sevenfoldist666 haha probably get a day or two more with bag trick. Also stop the insert from sliding up all the time

[@sevenfoldist666]

@@Zippofanatic77outdoors I'll try it, Mike 👍🏻 With this trick, my black ice elephant never let me down, thank you very much for this 👍🏻

[@Zippofanatic77outdoors]

@@sevenfoldist666 no probs buds in a live right now if interested

[@zvonkobasarac7634]

Removing rayon balls with cotton makes the Zippo even more useful to have. Even without fuel you could start a fire by taking the cotton out and lighting it with your empty Zippo. It is a nice resource to have when outdoors. Nice video, like that wolf design.

[@Zippofanatic77outdoors]

Yeah when your in a pinch nothing better to have then a zippo. Thanks I finished it and posted the final product on my shorts feed. It looks awesome

[@weaver4907]

what if I to this and remove the "lift to fill" pad (idk what it's called) but dont put the sandwich bag? It's that a big NO NO and I have to put the "lift to fill" without the bag?...hmmhard to find such bag and it seems you can only use one bag twice as you need to use the "corner" of the bag?

[@Zippofanatic77outdoors]

Don’t have to cut corner every time. Can just use the entire bag lol cut out a rectangle. Also use whatever u like doesnt matter. Keep the felt

[@weaver4907]

@@Zippofanatic77outdoors Thanks for the reply...so if you don't use the sandwich bag then use the felt..if you use the bag then no need felt I suppose? Ah good to know you can use a whole bag and not just the corners lol. I am thinking not using felt but also not using the bag..maybe not advisable to do this?

[@scottmcintosh2988]

Try wool I hear it is better than cotton bacon ! We used wool to cauk boards in wooden boats with wool an Iron and a Cauking Hammer !

[@Zippofanatic77outdoors]

I have wool specific to the zippo coming in the mail. Stick around for the review

[@Marcus_Smith04]

What’s an alternative to the candy bacon as I can’t get candy bacon anymore in Australia anymore what else would you recommend

[@Zippofanatic77outdoors]

I dunno only ever used this.

[@scottmcintosh2988]

Wool

[@hasogolcu]

so ur just using 2 bottoms of sandwich bag?

[@alloy2172]

Would organic cotton work in replacement for cotton bacon? I couldn’t find cotton bacon at any of my local smoke shops and neither on Amazon. Came across this Japanese cotton that is one long strip. The strip itself is not as thick as one of your average strips of bacon but 2 strips can pack a side.

[@Zippofanatic77outdoors]

Yeah that’s stuff will work fine my man. Any Japanese wicking vape cotton will work.

[@hundun5604]

Make the tip of the wick a bit wet, so that it doesn't open up. It helps with inserting it again.

[@lowammo]

Thats what she said

[@dan.ervatti]

nice chase , where i find this model ?

[@Zippofanatic77outdoors]

Rose gold armor deep carve. I have an unboxing video with link and skew number

[@Kaizo256]

I got little confused because i saw another video of you fixing zippo loose hinge and i noticed I'm not subscribe to it but i checked the videos is 2yrs ago so i checked the community there i find that that channel is got hacked before i just want to share this

[@joevonwolfenstein21]

You are an oficianado ; defiantly! I like you style and your taste in Zippos and wrist watches. Nice watch! I used to be a faithful Zippo™ user untill I started using butane liters. I notice you showing a butane Zippi™ and wonder : where may I obtain one and how does one maintain those Zippos™?

[@Zippofanatic77outdoors]

Thanks joe ! Lol u can many different types of butane inserts right from zippos website. Just make sure u use good quality butane. They don’t run very well on ronson or zippo butane.

[@joevonwolfenstein21]

Hay, great! Thanks for the tip and the informative videos!

[@Zippofanatic77outdoors]

@@joevonwolfenstein21 no problem ! Anytime my man

[@HickLif3]

Did you ever get around to doing the ultimate zippo insert video you mentioned on your other channel? I f you did I can't find it. With the different zorro insert parts put into one

[@Zippofanatic77outdoors]

Lol hey buds no I never ended up making that thing. After all my tests I learned that insert would be a waste of time. Because just by packing my insert properly and using the sandwich bag trick will last just as a long as a completely sealed insert. A zippo insert will only hold 1.5 weeks of fluid to a full time user like me. So my bag trick and packing method does the same thing as a completely sealed insert 1.5 weeks

[@HickLif3]

@@Zippofanatic77outdoors awesome! That’s a better answer anyways. Cheaper and less work

[@Zippofanatic77outdoors]

@@HickLif3 yes exactly what I thought ! Lol

[@KingXoron]

Where can I find cotton bacon for my Zippo lighter inserts?

[@Zippofanatic77outdoors]

Got mine at a local vape shop

[@camogrrl]

How about you wrap some thread around the end of the wick and poke it through the hole in the top so that when you need to put wick thru the hole in the top you can pull it through with the thread

[@papabearsnook]

Nice... im going to try this on my insert

[@Zippofanatic77outdoors]

U won’t regret it

[@sickaroony]

This guy sounds kinda canadian... **sees JP Wisers mat** oh fuck yeah bud

[@Zippofanatic77outdoors]

Hahaha damn right !

[@michael4382]

I'm convinced that fuel is lost more through the wick hole than through the bottom of the insert. The wick is always far to easy to insert and remove. I'd suggest a tighter fitting wick (not too tight) would reduce evaporation through the wick hole.

[@tylerkingsmore5372]

Do you think the bag trick would work with a little bit of electrical tape

[@Zippofanatic77outdoors]

Yeah people have commented it

[@pequenioedgarito3067]

Greetings. What is the rationale behind not using the outer felt?????? Zippo put it there for a reason as part of their engineering design. It serves a purpose.

[@ZeddZul]

He said at the beginning. Its a waste of space. More cotton means more fuel. Then he uses a bag at the end of the insert to help lock in the fuel vapors

[@dylandepuy3715]

Need a zippo tool kit video

[@Zippofanatic77outdoors]

Was thinking about it

[@cemetery895]

Yeah I only packed my main Zorro insert with the cotton bacon, I left the others alone until I need to repack them. I guess instead of my knives I could just use the nail file on my Leatherman so I don't mess up my edge.

[@Zippofanatic77outdoors]

Yeah even a thin piece of plastic works. Doesnt have to be steel

[@dan.ervatti]

thanks for this ! cheers from Rio

[@Zippofanatic77outdoors]

No problem Daniel ! ❤️ from 🇨🇦

[@usmczippoguy7947]

I have problems getting it into the hole also. Isn’t it such a good feeling once it’s in?

[@Zippofanatic77outdoors]

The rivet hole is all stretched out now

[@voidfalse]

After repacking the wick vertically, my Zippo became self extinguishable. The flame starts up with little explosion and fire in the lid and then the flame slowly diminishes (in about 5 seconds)

[@Zippofanatic77outdoors]

That’s only happening because u packed cotton to tight somewhere. It’s gas lock

[@voidfalse]

@@Zippofanatic77outdoors Well, will repack again after fuel runs out. BTW I'm using 4 rayon balls instead of 5 as you've shown in another video. Dunno how I could pack it too tight with less material than it was before

[@stefanhnavetsea1588]

I hears Kapok is the best natural oil absorbent fiber, I wonder if it will outperform organic cotton, because kapok fiber is more vibrous and naturally hydrophobic because it has more fat in it but they absorb oil much better than cotton, in asia where I live its pretty easy to get, as kapok is still used as batting material to fill up pillows and mattresses. I hear scientists plan to use kapok to clean ocean from oil because of that same property as they're naturally water resistant yet oil absorbing so they will not get saturated with water and drowning to the bottom like a ball of cotton would but will instead absorb oil only on the ocean surface and keep on floating. wouldn't this property sound awesome for lighter fluid tank, it will not absorb air humidity but instead maximizing its absorption on oil fuel while non clumping and stay fluff, in fact my grandpa used it in his generic flint and wick lighter with separate lid in the 80-90s with kerosene or unleaded petrol whatever fuel he had stored in a bottle for general cleaning purpose around the house and the kapok there inside the cannister was non clumping and he never needed to replace them for years. I have his lighter on my drawer I think that yellowy fibers inside is kapok

[@testdrive6869]

This really works great. I have been using this since i've got my zippo and had seen it on your older video. Thanks for sharing this good stuff with us all.

[@Zippofanatic77outdoors]

Thanks buds ! Yeah no prob as long as there’s good info out there

[@GotNoLoveForYou]

Something about plastic at the bottom of my zippo 🥴🤢🤮

[@colt5189]

The plastic bag trick. You'd probably be better off buying small plastic bags. May have to buy a variety pack to figure out the best size.