Butane inserts for Zippo lighters.

[LatinoHeat]

So, my wife got me this beautiful Zippo lighter for father's day, engraved and everything.  However, I don't like how the fuel evaporates from these guys.  I like the how Bics keep their fuel until YOU use it up, and not until it just disappears.  Plus, it always seems to be gone at the most inopportune time.  I read online how you can buy the Butane inserts, and it looks like a great idea.  I know they are made in China, so I'm just wondering if they are any good?  I know I can just buy a Zippo Blu, but I like the one my wife got me.  It has sentimental value.  So, my question again, has anyone used one of these inserts?  Are they worth the fifteen dollars it costs to buy them?  Are they just gonna crap out on me in a week?  It says the fuel never evaporates, which I like.  It also says it is refuelable.  Any reviews?  Experiences?  Disclaimers?  Anything? 
Anybody? 
Anyone? 
Someone? 
Anyone?

[american lockpicker]

I seem to remember there being a really good japanese insert but its not availible in the states

[Benner]

Nick has a couple, but sadly he isn't around ATM.

[jzmtl]

I seem to recall seeing one that looks like a regular zippo insert, start butane flow when cap is open and light it with flint. Can't recall where I found it.

If you find a non-jet good one lemme know too, I have the same problem with zippo, want to carry it but fluid evaporates too fast.

[Tinnie]

I seem to recall seeing one that looks like a regular zippo insert, start butane flow when cap is open and light it with flint. Can't recall where I found it.

If you find a non-jet good one lemme know too, I have the same problem with zippo, want to carry it but fluid evaporates too fast.

The 2 I know of is the county-comm one (Z-Light or something) and the Thunderbird insert which is the non-jet flame one.

[Spork, Lord of Lime Jello!]

I seem to remember there being a really good japanese insert but its not availible in the states

This might be the tank you are thinking of - - I'd like to get a couple myself.

[prime77]

I'm just curious how long do you guys average between refills? Does the fluid evaporate that fast?

[Leatherman123]

I think it dries up in like a week or so. I'm not positive.

[Anthony]

I don't use mine daily (although I carry it daily), and I fill it about once a month.  Every few days I'll click it on and off a few times to judge how the flame is...flaming.  If it starts burning low I add more fluid.

Maintaining a Zippo isn't a big concern for me.  If they were bogus lighters that just stopped working every other day they would have died out long ago!

[jzmtl]

I'm just curious how long do you guys average between refills? Does the fluid evaporate that fast?

Naptha last two weeks, but the less smelly zippo fluid only last a week. Not to bone dry but the cotton balls are dry to touch.

[american lockpicker]

I seem to remember there being a really good japanese insert but its not availible in the states

This might be the tank you are thinking of - - I'd like to get a couple myself.

Yep, thats it.

[RaptorMan]

Ive looked into the inserts but I really havent followed thru with getting one. I have a cheap "survival" butane lighter I take hunting.

[Magic Bus]

Interesting idea there although I don't think the fuel in mine evaporates too quickly. It's probably not hot enough here generally.

[PyroJames]

For blue torch inserts, Z-Plus (made by Blazer) is excellent.  For non-torch flame, Thunderbird is the best but I hear it's a bit snug on a regular Zippo and even harder to fit on the thicker "armor casing" Zippos.

It really depends on how much you use your Zippo but if you use your Zippo everyday, a butane charge could last anywhere between 2-4 weeks.  If your zippo is purely for emergency use/or you don't use it at all, a butane charge can last longer.  Some of my torch lighters haven't been refilled in 6 months and they're still full.  The ones I EDC lasts on average a month before I recharge them.

NutznBoltz on here has a traditional flame butane insert (Thunderbird, I think) and he loves it.  Perhaps he can post his thoughts on it.

[jzmtl]

Ohh, I found it, they even have reasonable international shipping!

https://www.tobacco-barn.com/p-7881-thunderbird-lighter-insert-by-vector-kgm.aspx

[LatinoHeat]

For blue torch inserts, Z-Plus (made by Blazer) is excellent.  For non-torch flame, Thunderbird is the best but I hear it's a bit snug on a regular Zippo and even harder to fit on the thicker "armor casing" Zippos.

It really depends on how much you use your Zippo but if you use your Zippo everyday, a butane charge could last anywhere between 2-4 weeks.  If your zippo is purely for emergency use/or you don't use it at all, a butane charge can last longer.  Some of my torch lighters haven't been refilled in 6 months and they're still full.  The ones I EDC lasts on average a month before I recharge them.

NutznBoltz on here has a traditional flame butane insert (Thunderbird, I think) and he loves it.  Perhaps he can post his thoughts on it.

I've found Bic lighters ater years of having lost them.  They still worked.  I'm not a smoker, just carry it as a just in case thing, you know?  And the Zippo was a Father's day gift from the wife, so it's cool to be able to carry it and show it around.  If I lost said Zippo, and found it a few years later, with the Butane insert, do you think it will work?  it is sealed tight like the Bics?

[PyroJames]

I've found Bic lighters ater years of having lost them.  They still worked.  I'm not a smoker, just carry it as a just in case thing, you know?  And the Zippo was a Father's day gift from the wife, so it's cool to be able to carry it and show it around.  If I lost said Zippo, and found it a few years later, with the Butane insert, do you think it will work?  it is sealed tight like the Bics?

The build quality on the Z-plus and Thunderbird are pretty good and they will definitely last a long time if you hardly use your Zippo at all.  They're definitely much better than the traditional naptha-based Zippo inserts.

[LatinoHeat]

Ok, so I went to a gun and knife show today in Orlando, and was kind've disappointed.  I am not a big gun guy.  I have one, a Colt 45 semi automatic 80 series government model, and that's all I really need.  I usually go for the other things they have there.  Knives, survival gadgets, books, etc.  Mostly guns at this show.  Oh well, such is life.  However, I did find a Zippo dealer, and they had the Z-Plus butane inserts, so I bought one.  It is great!!  I love this thing.  I have never owned a butane lighter before, so i am unfamiliar with them.  It's cool that you can light it sideways and upside down.  Will come in real handy when out in the sticks.  I loved this thing so much that I went back, bought a whole nother Zippo for my wife (a pink matte finish one) and another Z-Plus insert.  She absolutely loves it.  She's been playing with it since I gave it to her like it's a balisong.  I gotta learn how to do that.  Anyway, I just wanted to say I got the insert and so far so good.  It doesn't light and stay lit like a regular Zippo.  It works like a Bic.  Once you let go of the button, the light goes out.  Not a big deal for me.  Also, the spring in the back that shuts the lid is not as tight as on the regular Zippo inserts, but not too bad either. 
Very cool little product.

[PyroJames]

Ok, so I went to a gun and knife show today in Orlando, and was kind've disappointed.  I am not a big gun guy.  I have one, a Colt 45 semi automatic 80 series government model, and that's all I really need.  I usually go for the other things they have there.  Knives, survival gadgets, books, etc.  Mostly guns at this show.  Oh well, such is life.  However, I did find a Zippo dealer, and they had the Z-Plus butane inserts, so I bought one.  It is great!!  I love this thing.  I have never owned a butane lighter before, so i am unfamiliar with them.  It's cool that you can light it sideways and upside down.  Will come in real handy when out in the sticks.  I loved this thing so much that I went back, bought a whole nother Zippo for my wife (a pink matte finish one) and another Z-Plus insert.  She absolutely loves it.  She's been playing with it since I gave it to her like it's a balisong.  I gotta learn how to do that.  Anyway, I just wanted to say I got the insert and so far so good.  It doesn't light and stay lit like a regular Zippo.  It works like a Bic.  Once you let go of the button, the light goes out.  Not a big deal for me.  Also, the spring in the back that shuts the lid is not as tight as on the regular Zippo inserts, but not too bad either. 
Very cool little product.

Congrats Johnny!  Yeah, it works like a Bic.  IMO, torch lighters are so much better than traditional flame lighters.  I've got about 15 different torch lighters myself (mainly because I smoke cigars) and I love playing with all of them.  My favourites are the triple-flame torch lighters.  They burn up butane like a monster but they're neat to have.

If you ever feel the need to change things up a bit, you can always buy the traditional flame butane insert and swap that in your zippo whenever you want. 

[LatinoHeat]

Yeah, I still have the traditional flame insert PJ.  I just put it away.  My wife's Zippo's traditional insert is put away as well.  We both have the Butane, but you never know.  Plus I have a bunch of wicks and flints, plus a whole bottle of Traditional lighter fluid, so I'm keeping them.  I'm just really digging these Butane Inserts.  Very neat.

[PyroJames]

Yeah, I still have the traditional flame insert PJ.  I just put it away.  My wife's Zippo's traditional insert is put away as well.  We both have the Butane, but you never know.  Plus I have a bunch of wicks and flints, plus a whole bottle of Traditional lighter fluid, so I'm keeping them.  I'm just really digging these Butane Inserts.  Very neat.

Yes but if you want a traditional flame but not use lighter fluid, you can buy a Thunderbird insert for your Zippo.  It looks and operates just like a traditional Zippo insert except it uses butane and not messy/smelly lighter fluid.

Here's the link for the Thunderbird:
http://www.vectorkgm.com/catalog/thunder/thunderbird.html

[LatinoHeat]

Oh!  Holy cow!!  That's awesome!!  I didn't know about these!!  I gotta see how the ones I have work out, but that is awesome.  What's the difference, though?  Those aren't Butane flames, those are regular flames on the Thunderbirds.  I thought Butane is blue and hotter?  How does that work?

[PyroJames]

Butane is just the gas that lighters use.  There's a lot of lighters that uses butane and has a traditional flame.  What creates a certain type of flame on a lighter is the butane valve/nozzle.  On a torch lighter, the valve is multi-chambered so that the butane is forced to spray out through the smaller, multiple nozzles and this makes the flame burn hotter (and be blue in colour).  Disposable Bic lighters also use butane but instead, have a single valve so this creates a traditional flame.  

[LatinoHeat]

Ahh, got'cha.  Always learn something new on this site.

[Dizos]

One problem I have had with the Z-Plus is it failed to light at higher elevations.  I really like the idea of the Thunderbird, I will have to try one. 

[LatinoHeat]

How high are we talking here, Dizos?  Also, are you sure it didn't light?  I have noticed that, if I light my zippo outside, the bright light makes it hard to see the blue flame, but it's there.

[Nutznboltz]

I have the Thunderbird butane insert and it's great. Better looking than the traditional Zippo insert imo ( chrome finished chimney )and uses butane to boot.  I don't smoke so a fill up literally last over a year for me. 
I got mine from TabaccoBarn , be careful when ordering one as they have a pipe version as well.  It has a hole on the side of the chimney where the flame comes out from as opposed to the top like the traditional lighters.  The pipe version can also be used as a regular flame on top lighter by removing a tab but it doesn't look original to a zippo.  I think the one to get is called the cigar version. 

[Dizos]

How high are we talking here, Dizos?  Also, are you sure it didn't light?  I have noticed that, if I light my zippo outside, the bright light makes it hard to see the blue flame, but it's there.

I bought two and tried them at ~7000 feet and they definitely didn't light, but I know what you mean about the invisible flame. I gave them away.  Later after I moved to sea level I bought another and have since EDC'd it.  It has been reliable except for one time on a hike at about 4000 feet when it failed. 

[PyroJames]

Most butane lighters don't work at high altitudes.  Luckily, some lighter companies do make torch lighters for outdoor adventurers that may rely on a working lighter in extreme environments.  Colibri and Brunton both make great torch lighters that can withstand high altitudes.

[nuphoria]

I've been using a z-plus insert for burning the ends of paracord etc... had no probs with it at all except it does tend to burn the fuel up fast!

I love the look of the Thunderbird ones for EDC - does anyone know if there's anything like that available for the smaller, slimmer Zippos?