[Deputydave]

Next to my Zippo, the peanut lighter is my favorite because I have it on my person even more than the Zippo. Mainly because I have one on my 'survival' key chain which also contains a AAA flashlight, Tinker SAK, Glo-stick and pocket suspension clip. It is separate from the key chain with my car keys.

I've had several types over the years and have been conducting tests with them over on the SEP forum. I bought one off Amazon back in September of 2024 to try out. EDC Peanut Lighter

I started a test on September 14th of 2024 with a test light every so often. So far I'm up to 101 days and it's still lighting up on the first strike. This demonstrates a good O-ring and a tight seal so the fluid doesn't evaporate.

I feel that it's prudent to have at least one method of 'sure flame' on person for emergency preparedness and this is an easy and inexpensive way to check the box on that goal.

 

[Suburban Angler]

I've got a few from CountyComm and I've been very impressed! Filled one early last year and tossed it in a drawer, every time I've tried it it's lit on the first strike. I keep a Bic in my pocket daily for general use and to light my pipe, but the various size and metals of the peanut lighters certainly feels better in hand!

 

[Aceman]

I really need to investigate these personally...

 

[JK-linux]

Well done. Making fire is a fundamental, and any cheat is a good thing in my book!

 

[MarkCO]

Uses regular butane lighter fluid? Description says LPG, which is propane, n-butane.

 

[Deputydave]

Uses regular butane lighter fluid? Description says LPG, which is propane, n-butane.

Regular Zippo lighter fluid. Or anything that can be used in a Zippo i.e. gasoline, kerosene, denatured alcohol, 91%+ isoprophic alcohol, lamp oil, hand sanitizer and Naptha. Naptha is probably the most cost effective. I bought a 1 qt sized can of Naptha at Home Depot for the price of a small Zippo can. Been using the same can for years now. Naptha is basically the same thing as lighter fluid.

 

[Maccabeus]

Interesting. Never heard of it before.

I used to carry a Zippo for years but got tired of needing to top it off and having it take up valuable pocket real estate.

Instead, I just bought a cheap 50-pack of imitation bics and put a lighter in every car, back pack, tool box, and drawer and still have most of them in reserve.

 

[Aceman]

Interesting. Never heard of it before.

I used to carry a Zippo for years but got tired of needing to top it off and having it take up valuable pocket real estate.

Instead, I just bought a cheap 50-pack of imitation bics and put a lighter in every car, back pack, tool box, and drawer and still have most of them in reserve.

Time and a place for both the Zippo, and the Bics.

There is a fix for the ever-evaporating Zippo.

 

[GLOCK!]

Regular Zippo lighter fluid. Or anything that can be used in a Zippo i.e. gasoline

It seems like gasoline wouldn’t be a great idea…

 

[Maccabeus]

Time and a place for both the Zippo, and the Bics.

There is a fix for the ever-evaporating Zippo.

I suppose. The Zippo was a fun toy and a conversation piece but practically speaking, the bic clones have done everything I need for fire starting for the last few decades since ditching the Zippos.

 

[Deputydave]

I suppose. The Zippo was a fun toy and a conversation piece but practically speaking, the bic clones have done everything I need for fire starting for the last few decades since ditching the Zippos.

If it's of any interest, I did a Zippo Test Thread. My normal EDC Zippo with the evaporation gaskets and ranger band. I was able to hit 81 days before I called the test and did a refill. Quite an inexpensive improvement. Here is an example of a 5-pack on Amazon. I see they have metal gaskets now with a rubber seal as well. I might have to check that out and compare. But 80 days out of a Zippo before needing to refill is pretty good. Keeping in mind that for me it's a prep and not something I'm using several times a day.

Uses regular butane lighter fluid? Description says LPG, which is propane, n-butane.

Here is an old THREAD that has a bunch of videos on alternate fuels for Zippo-style lighters if it's of any interest. I also pack in an extra wick and several flints in the bottom of my Zippo to have spare parts available as a prep.

It seems like gasoline wouldn’t be a great idea…

It's a military thing. G.I.'s use to take out the insert, tie a string around it and lower it into the fuel tank of whatever vehicle happened to be handy. Easy way for a refill. Could be they are still doing it? Good to know it's an available alternate fuel source.

 

[Deputydave]

Just ordered THIS. For $9 I figured it would be interesting to test it against the plastic (or rubber?) one I'm using to see it it's any better.

 

[LApm9]

Interesting. Never heard of it before.

I used to carry a Zippo for years but got tired of needing to top it off and having it take up valuable pocket real estate.

Instead, I just bought a cheap 50-pack of imitation bics and put a lighter in every car, back pack, tool box, and drawer and still have most of them in reserve.

I did this a while back. When testing the lighters after a couple of years, I found that the sparking rod had deteriorated and the lighter was useless. For some reason, the sparking element in my "woods and field" Zippo does not deteriorate...maybe because the lighter fluid vapors displace O2 inside the case?

My "woods and field" Zippo goes with me when I go off the beaten path. I seal the gap in the case with a piece of electrical tape, as it is only used for emergency stuff, not smoking.

 

[Bosch]

I've got the larger County Comm one in copper. I think one of the best uses for liquid fuel lighters is to pack them full of cotton balls/petroleum jelly and toss the liquid fuel away.

It doesn't last anywhere as well as a Bic.

At least with my method you always have viable tinder to light a fire using the striker. Don't even have to test it. It will always work.

 

[Deputydave]

It doesn't last anywhere as well as a Bic.

A Bic is a good option. There are a couple of drawbacks though; butane lighters 'can' be difficult to light if the temp is under 40 degrees. The other consideration is that once a disposable is out of fuel (or the fuel leaks out) it's done. You still have the flint of course. Refillable butane is an option but again the fuel is limited. A Zippo style has all the alternative fuel sources as listed above.

 

[Planter21]

All I remeber about Zippos is they used to burn/irritate my thigh where the fluid leaked while it was in my pocket. I never did like those things.

 

[Abbeville]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Same here, sure would irritate you.
There was nothing the smell of firing up the first Camel of the day...

 

[Villuj_idiot]

It seems like gasoline wouldn’t be a great idea…

Depends on what you’re trying to accomplish. Neat prank on guys who leave their lighters unsecured.

Never blew up, but it got too hot to hold quicker than you’d think.

 

[Big Bird]

These peanut lighters are a novelty. They have no capacity to hold lighter fluid and dry out very quickly. Cool idea but little real utility. Your'e much better off with a cheap Bic lighter as one of your options. They don't dry out and will almost always light even when wet. They will store almost indefinitely. At best those peanut things need to be refilled every couple weeks even if you never use them.

It was 23 degrees this AM in the duck blind and my partner forgot his lighter needed to light some cigarettes and had no problem using the little Bic I keep in my blind bag.

Full size Zippos are a different animal but still dry out if not used and need constant attention in terms of fuel. I have a zippo with a zippo butane insert that I use for cigars and it's a great lighter but not cheap compared to a bic lighter.

YMMV

 

[Deputydave]

They have no capacity to hold lighter fluid and dry out very quickly. Cool idea but little real utility...At best those peanut things need to be refilled every couple weeks even if you never use them.

Have to disagree. A good peanut lighter with an O-ring can last past a year or more. Ferfal had one that went for a year or two. And my own tests went quite long. I had a test thread a while back on the peanut lighter and it was 6+ months IIRC.

Full size Zippos are a different animal but still dry out if not used and need constant attention in terms of fuel.

Read above and you'll see the links to the Zippo test where I got 81 days on my Zippo with the gasket and ranger band.