How to Refill a Zippo Lighter
Purchase lighter fluid., Open the lid of the Zippo and extract the insert., Set aside the Zippo's outer case., Turn the metal box of the insert upside down to reveal the felt bottom., Lift the felt backing with a paperclip to expose the loose cotton...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Purchase lighter fluid.
You can use any type of lighter fluid, but do not use lighter fluid intended for charcoal of barbecuing. /images/thumb/6/6e/Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-1-Version-2.jpg/v4-550px-Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-1-Version-2.jpg /images/thumb/6/6e/Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-1-Version-2.jpg/v4-300px-Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-1-Version-2.jpg Lighter fluid can be obtained at most drug stores and home improvement stores.
High-quality Zippo brand lighter fluid is suggested for optimal performance. -
Step 2: Open the lid of the Zippo and extract the insert.
Firmly grip either side of the flint wheel with 2 fingers.
Hold the bottom of the Zippo lighter with your other hand and pull up on the metal to free the insert of the lighter from its case. /images/thumb/7/79/Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-2-Version-2.jpg/v4-550px-Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-2-Version-2.jpg /images/thumb/7/79/Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-2-Version-2.jpg/v4-300px-Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-2-Version-2.jpg The flint wheel is the grooved circle that you turn with your thumb to create a flame.
The metal box should come out fairly easily, but if you've never removed the insert from the case before you may have to tug a bit. , Put it somewhere safe for the time being. /images/thumb/9/97/Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-3-Version-2.jpg/v4-550px-Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-3-Version-2.jpg /images/thumb/9/97/Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-3-Version-2.jpg/v4-300px-Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-3-Version-2.jpg , It should read "Lift to fuel." /images/thumb/c/c3/Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-4-Version-2.jpg/v4-550px-Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-4-Version-2.jpg /images/thumb/c/c3/Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-4-Version-2.jpg/v4-300px-Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-4-Version-2.jpg , A simple, unbent paperclip, lodged in the tiny hole, will easily lift up the backing. /images/thumb/6/6c/Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-5-Version-2.jpg/v4-550px-Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-5-Version-2.jpg /images/thumb/6/6c/Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-5-Version-2.jpg/v4-300px-Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-5-Version-2.jpg , If you've purchased a large lighter fluid canister, you may want to transfer some to a smaller squirt bottle in order to control how much fluid you release into the lighter. /images/thumb/7/74/Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-6-Version-2.jpg/v4-550px-Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-6-Version-2.jpg /images/thumb/7/74/Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-6-Version-2.jpg/v4-300px-Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-6-Version-2.jpg , Repeat this step for as many times as needed to completely saturate the cotton. /images/thumb/5/5d/Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-7-Version-2.jpg/v4-550px-Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-7-Version-2.jpg /images/thumb/5/5d/Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-7-Version-2.jpg/v4-300px-Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-7-Version-2.jpg , Place the metal box back into its case. /images/thumb/7/7c/Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-8-Version-2.jpg/v4-550px-Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-8-Version-2.jpg /images/thumb/7/7c/Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-8-Version-2.jpg/v4-300px-Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-8-Version-2.jpg Push down on the metal.
Apply gentle pressure to ensure it's secure. , Wash your hands in the meantime to ensure that no more lighter fluid remains on your hands. /images/thumb/c/ca/Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-9-Version-2.jpg/v4-550px-Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-9-Version-2.jpg /images/thumb/c/ca/Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-9-Version-2.jpg/v4-300px-Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-9-Version-2.jpg , Add more lighter fluid to the cotton if the Zippo does not light after three tries. /images/thumb/4/4d/Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-10-Version-2.jpg/v4-550px-Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-10-Version-2.jpg /images/thumb/4/4d/Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-10-Version-2.jpg/v4-300px-Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-10-Version-2.jpg -
Step 3: Set aside the Zippo's outer case.
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Step 4: Turn the metal box of the insert upside down to reveal the felt bottom.
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Step 5: Lift the felt backing with a paperclip to expose the loose cotton underneath.
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Step 6: Squeeze the lighter fluid can once into the loose cotton.
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Step 7: Wait 5 seconds
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Step 8: then squeeze the can twice more into the cotton.
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Step 9: Close the felt protector.
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Step 10: Let the Zippo sit and absorb the fluid for 1 to 2 minutes.
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Step 11: Light the Zippo.
Detailed Guide
You can use any type of lighter fluid, but do not use lighter fluid intended for charcoal of barbecuing. /images/thumb/6/6e/Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-1-Version-2.jpg/v4-550px-Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-1-Version-2.jpg /images/thumb/6/6e/Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-1-Version-2.jpg/v4-300px-Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-1-Version-2.jpg Lighter fluid can be obtained at most drug stores and home improvement stores.
High-quality Zippo brand lighter fluid is suggested for optimal performance.
Firmly grip either side of the flint wheel with 2 fingers.
Hold the bottom of the Zippo lighter with your other hand and pull up on the metal to free the insert of the lighter from its case. /images/thumb/7/79/Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-2-Version-2.jpg/v4-550px-Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-2-Version-2.jpg /images/thumb/7/79/Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-2-Version-2.jpg/v4-300px-Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-2-Version-2.jpg The flint wheel is the grooved circle that you turn with your thumb to create a flame.
The metal box should come out fairly easily, but if you've never removed the insert from the case before you may have to tug a bit. , Put it somewhere safe for the time being. /images/thumb/9/97/Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-3-Version-2.jpg/v4-550px-Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-3-Version-2.jpg /images/thumb/9/97/Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-3-Version-2.jpg/v4-300px-Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-3-Version-2.jpg , It should read "Lift to fuel." /images/thumb/c/c3/Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-4-Version-2.jpg/v4-550px-Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-4-Version-2.jpg /images/thumb/c/c3/Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-4-Version-2.jpg/v4-300px-Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-4-Version-2.jpg , A simple, unbent paperclip, lodged in the tiny hole, will easily lift up the backing. /images/thumb/6/6c/Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-5-Version-2.jpg/v4-550px-Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-5-Version-2.jpg /images/thumb/6/6c/Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-5-Version-2.jpg/v4-300px-Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-5-Version-2.jpg , If you've purchased a large lighter fluid canister, you may want to transfer some to a smaller squirt bottle in order to control how much fluid you release into the lighter. /images/thumb/7/74/Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-6-Version-2.jpg/v4-550px-Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-6-Version-2.jpg /images/thumb/7/74/Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-6-Version-2.jpg/v4-300px-Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-6-Version-2.jpg , Repeat this step for as many times as needed to completely saturate the cotton. /images/thumb/5/5d/Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-7-Version-2.jpg/v4-550px-Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-7-Version-2.jpg /images/thumb/5/5d/Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-7-Version-2.jpg/v4-300px-Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-7-Version-2.jpg , Place the metal box back into its case. /images/thumb/7/7c/Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-8-Version-2.jpg/v4-550px-Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-8-Version-2.jpg /images/thumb/7/7c/Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-8-Version-2.jpg/v4-300px-Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-8-Version-2.jpg Push down on the metal.
Apply gentle pressure to ensure it's secure. , Wash your hands in the meantime to ensure that no more lighter fluid remains on your hands. /images/thumb/c/ca/Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-9-Version-2.jpg/v4-550px-Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-9-Version-2.jpg /images/thumb/c/ca/Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-9-Version-2.jpg/v4-300px-Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-9-Version-2.jpg , Add more lighter fluid to the cotton if the Zippo does not light after three tries. /images/thumb/4/4d/Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-10-Version-2.jpg/v4-550px-Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-10-Version-2.jpg /images/thumb/4/4d/Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-10-Version-2.jpg/v4-300px-Refill-a-Zippo-Lighter-Step-10-Version-2.jpg
About the Author
Virginia Murray
A passionate writer with expertise in crafts topics. Loves sharing practical knowledge.
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