Zippo Fluid vs Butane Cold Weather Test

Two Zippo lighters, one standard and one with Thunderbird butane retrofit insert, tested at ~10°F.

[@hobo1452]

Unless you are running around the tundra naked with your Zippo taped to your forehead, it will probably be in your pocket, which means it will be a lot warmer. That's how I carry mine in the winter with a Thunderbird insert, and it lights first time every time.

[@gideonkloosterman]

Actually that is exactly what I do, that's why I use matches.

[@manletopia4801]

Why you gotta make fun of a man's fetish like that?

[@hobo1452]

@@manletopia4801

[@lecsu131]

I smoke in my garage and right now it's 46 F (8 Celsius). If i forget my Zippo in the garage I have to try to light it 6-7-8 times before it lights whereas a normal butane lighter lights up instantly. That's also the reason for searching this topic :) so you confirmed it's not me, my lighter or the fluid, it's just the way it is.

[@daspiper8941]

I use always have used Zippo Lighter Fluid in my Zippo Lighters over the past 45 years. I've been using Xikar Purofine Butane and Colibri Premium Butane in my Butane Lighters. I will be trying the Vector Premium Butane next. To date I like both the Xikar and the Colibri Fuels.

[@barrylarry3782]

Yeah I live in an area where it is much colder than this test.i carry a zippo because it works in cold temps. I do not know the issue here. But I never have this issue at all. 1st or second strike at most

[@Eugenetra7]

Well, it works ok when it's warm. But as soon as it gets cold, no chance. I couldn't lit a cig after taking it from my pocket once, had to warm it for some time.

[@MybeautifulandamazingPrincess]

My dad smokes and I hate that he smokes cause I want him to be healthy and live a long time But earlier today I sneaked one cigarette from his pack and I smoked it just to experience it for once and know how it tastes like, I did that after relaxing in my turbo bathtub cause in movies people smoke after having sex and being relaxed (sorry if saying that was inappropriate), I tried sucking in the cigarette and I saw it burning but I didn’t feel any smoke in my mouth and I coughed a lot, i almost didn’t feel a taste, only after smoking the cigarette I felt a taste in my mouth that was kinda good and then I drank coffee (I’m 14 years old) It was very weird experience

[@ThatOneAnnoyingPubPlayer]

@@MybeautifulandamazingPrincess You were trying to taste smoke.

[@MybeautifulandamazingPrincess]

That One Annoying Pub Player Youre not supposed to do that ? I dont know how to smoke cigarette :|

[@rtxf]

@@MybeautifulandamazingPrincess I might be 7 m9nths late but a couple things Cigarettes are nasty imo but I'l help you out anyways You suck it in like a drink from a straw but not as strong. Then you inhale in into your lungs try it with some air added to your inhalation. Now calmly breathe it out. Try to be calm with everything you do here. The first couple cigs you won't really feel anything except for dizzyness maybe but try not to make it a habit. You're better off smoking a joint from time to time then smoking every day just to feel a bit tired for a couple minutes.

[@Crusty_Otter]

You left the cap open too long before striking it. Close it up for a few seconds, open it again and strike it - it should start without issue.

[@mobsyr5232]

You kept the zippo lid open on cold test.

[@arkPirate]

cool stuff i was confused but now i know

[@collecter3456]

You might want to turn the zippo upside down, so the fluid saturates the wick, otherwise you are just sparking cotton. I have learned that, as I keep my zippo upright just how you kept yours. After I smack the lighter on my hand upside down, it will light first time. Heat makes the fluid evaporate faster.

[@lecsu131]

will try this, thanks!

[@ClawHeHeNum]

yeah i live in a house with no insolation so yeah looks like it works

[@nickbrown3571]

Good to know but I wonder how they work outside in the winter

[@mnstrnrgy]

I haven't had a problem with either of these lighters (standard & butane insert) as long as I keep them in a pocket. Even in very cold weather, they'll both work fine if you keep them warm.

[@nickbrown3571]

Basically, I have to keep them on my person? Thanks for the quick reply

[@mnstrnrgy]

On the plus side, they warm up quickly. So even if you don't keep them on you it only takes 20-30 seconds in your hand to warm them enough to light normally (as in the video). Butane stays liquid below ~32F so warming it a bit will make it "boil" which creates the gas you need. Naphtha (lighter fluid) will evaporate enough to create vapors to burn even at freezing but it'll be more efficient if it's warmer (which is why the standard Zippo worked better after a little warming)

[@nickbrown3571]

Yeah, I noticed how steady the flame was once it took to the spark. I have been considering in getting a zippo but really trying to understand the pros and cons of each. I've had a butane lighter before, it did not last very long and the rubber O-ring wore out fairly quickly and not replaceable.

[@junholee3906]

good job!

[@ranagxo]

Does this man know that he has more than 17k views

[@darylsmith9076]

He does. It's an older post, but has been viewed quite a few times! Thanks for watching!

[@a.t.a.f.s932]

Zippo Legend ✊✊✊

[@rachitgautam2206]

🔥🔥 I live in india and this Thunderbird butane insert is not available in here. I will be happy to pay, if anyone can get me the Thunderbird butane insert.

[@ajaysarathythee]

can get you one !

[@rachitgautam2206]

@@ajaysarathythee price?

[@tikkidaddy]

Zippo now makes jet and soft flame butane inserts. For the jet flame the dual torch is less prone to clog but uses more fuel . Soft flame uses spark wheel with standard Zippo flint. ZLF is $70 a gallon US. I use off brand white gas transferred into a 12 oz Zippo can, a gallon provides around 400 fills per 9 mil of fluid ...standard capacity for the small aluminum Zippo fuel canister . For outdoor camping etc the Exotac TitanLight is a great option for a liquid fuel lighter that won't evaporate. As long as you can read and follow directions...ie...don't overfill and wipe off lighter and hands BEFORE striking just like a Zippo, you're good. Lighter fluid can migrate up under the o ring sealed cap. Turn the Titan light UPSIDE down, open bottom cap, open top cap, replace any migrated fuel, screw on bottom cap. I've used about 6 ozs of fluid in the Exotac in 2 years

[@darylsmith9076]

I like the Zippo soft flame insert with two (minor) caveats (compared with the Thunderbird insert): 1. You've got to keep the valve button depressed (as with a Bic lighter), and 2. it's not very wind-proof (the Thunderbird is much closer to the original Zippo's wind-resistance). Other than that and being a bit pricy, it's a nice insert. Totally agree re: the Exotac. Great lighter and the fuel can sit for months without drying out. Great lighter for camping!

[@tikkidaddy]

Yessir, that is the single problem with the peanut lighters is wind resistance. They have no wind screen. If there is fluid they WIILL light, not leak or evaporate , but you basically treat em like a match😂.

[@tikkidaddy]

When I go out, I have an aluminum pill bottle capsule container that carries 4 O rings, an extra pin and wick, and believe it or not the flint springs from a dead mini Bic that can be used in a "whoops" emergency in the Titanlight for a flint spring. You can carry enough replacement parts, cotton and all in one of those larger ones to keep the Exotac TL running for years outdoors provided you have fuel😂. I'm disabled, so RELIABLE sure fire is an absolute must for me