Introduction: How to Prepare Your Zippo for Survival Kit
If someone ask you if zippo is good to put in survival kit you
would probably say – no it isnt ,put bic instead of zippo
Zippo is good if you are about to use it at harsh weather ,but
fuel evaporates
Usualy zippo fuel evaporates in week or two if you are not using
it
But still you can put them into your survival kit if you prepare
your zippo just like i did
Step 1: You Will Need:
You wont need anything expensive :
-Zippo lighter
-Zippo lighter fluid (to refill it)
-Zippo flints or Swan extra longs (to reflint it and put extra flints under felt pad)
-Zippo wick (to put new wick if the old is burned out)
-Small watertight container (to put extra fuel)
-Inner tube - 26x2.00 fits perfectly (to seal zippo)
-Scissors (to cut inner tube)
Step 2: Changing the Wick
You can skip this step if your wick is still good (not too short or
burned)
Its easy to change wick you just need to take out the
insert ,remove all rayon balls,pull old wick out,put new in and
put rayon balls in
Step 3: Reflinting
You can use flints from disposable lighters but i prefer (and zippo) to use genuine zippo flints also i read that swan extra longs are good but a haven t tried them
You need to remove insert, unscrew the small screw (golden) and inside is spring,then watch if any flint fall out (old flint) and then just put new flint in and screw it
Step 4: Refilling
Refilling zippo is really easy
You need to raise the felt pad and put fuel in (count to 10)
Then wait minute or two for fuel to sit down
Step 5: Extra Flints
Well i dont need to write about this , you just need to put 2-3
flints under the felt pad (if you run out of fuel you can still use
them for making sparks for starting fire)
Step 6: Extra Fuel
You need a small watertight container to keep extra fuel
You need to wash the container and put fuel in (for zippo and to
start fire)
Step 7: Sealing Zippo
Now you are gonna need the scissors and inner tube (26x2.00)
You are need to cut the inner tube so it will cover the part where zippo opens
When you are need to use it you just put the tube a little bit down so you can open it ,and after that restore it
With this „hack“ my zippo fuel last about 3-4x longer and its also waterproof ,and when im not using it ,it can be stored for lifetime (i didnt use my zippo for 3 monts and fuel was still in it)
17 Comments
10 years ago on Introduction
When I used to smoke (over 35 years ago) I remember getting bad burns on thigh after refilling a lighter. Your idea to use a 'rubber band' sealer may have prevented this problem. Good 'ible.
Reply 10 months ago
I tried the Thunderbird insert. Almost impossible to adjust flame to safe level. The company was disinterested in addressing this issue.
Reply 7 years ago
Riiight i wondered what gave me that rash there!
7 years ago
Why has no one brought up the Thunderbird zippo insert, Its the equivalent to a zippo-Bic hybrid. Looks like a zippo, fuel never evaporates. Lifetime warranty, still refillable, 15$ people... amazon
Reply 7 years ago
I know i wanted to always buy that but didnt have paypal so i forgot
I might buy now when i have
Reply 1 year ago
I tried two Thunderbird inserts. Both proved impossible to satisfactorily adjust and actually proved quite dangerous because the flare-up. The manufacturer was not interested in addressing this issue.
10 years ago on Introduction
If your keeping flints under the felt make sure they're coated. I've had uncoated flints dissolve under the felt into powder.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
do the zippo brand refill flints have the coating you are talking about? Is it safe to put those ones under the felt? Thanks!
9 years ago on Introduction
Good man usually better to repair then replace when it come to survival. Spare parts just take up less room than a whole replacement.
10 years ago on Step 7
Great advice! Thank you!
10 years ago on Introduction
its been about 3 weeks now and my inner tube is starting to rub off onto my hands a bit i know i can replace the inner tube any way thank you for a great way to store my zippo
10 years ago on Introduction
Great idea!
10 years ago on Introduction
This was worth it for the inner-tube idea alone!
Great KISS principle instructable. Thanks.
10 years ago on Introduction
Sweet! Thanks!
10 years ago on Step 7
Good idea :)
10 years ago on Introduction
i like the ronson flint cards they dont loose the flints like the zippo holder does.
10 years ago on Introduction
Do you read the Backwoodsman Magazine? Looks like the tip sent in by Scott Martin in the Nov/Dec issue on page 10, albeit with a few extra hints and tips. I like the extra steps you've taken.
Qa