Zippo Lighter Fluid Substitutes - The Firearms Forum

johnlives4christ · 08-31-2010, 12:04 AM

I am wondering what i can use to power a zippo lighter other then lighter fluid.

i want to know some different things for survival reasons, so that way if i have to improvise, i'll have the knowledge to do.

i wonder about the charcoal lighter fluid stuff, i imagine it will work. i would guess that it's basically the same thing as lighter fluid, but less refined. anyone know how this would work?

i know i can use rubbing alcohol in a pinch. does anyone else have any ideas?

~john

jack404 · 08-31-2010, 12:10 AM

a mix of 20% parrafin oil and gasoline works ( parrafin drops the burn rate a bit but dont inhibit the ignition )

kerosene will work but stinks

av gas is great but smell like kero

johnlives4christ · 08-31-2010, 12:22 AM

i actually just tried the rubbing alcohol... it would not ignite in the lighter. not sure what parrafin oil is. ive heard of though.

kerosene is easy to come by, the smell doesnt bother me any. will give that a try in a few minutes,

whats av gas?
thanks for the idea jack

johnlives4christ · 08-31-2010, 12:46 AM

i tried kerosene, it didnt work either. wouldnt not ignite.

ofitg · 08-31-2010, 02:03 AM

John, I wonder if Coleman Camping Fuel (aka "white gas") would work?

Coleman fuel and lighter fluid are both classified as types of naptha -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naphtha

Big ugly · 08-31-2010, 02:05 AM

Ronsol has a lighter fluid, as far as house hold chemcals, give WD40 a try, you never know

jack404 · 08-31-2010, 02:48 AM

NO WD it'll KILL YOU!!! the active stuff is a BIG CARCONAGENIC (sp?) when burned .. ( toxic as heck i think cyanide or something like it )

some bloke did it after VN less than a year later he was full of cancer

av gas is aviation fuel a hyped up kerosene ( dunno how they hype it up )

chopper fuel ask snake driver i bet all his guys used chopper fuel for there zippo's

johnlives4christ · 08-31-2010, 03:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ofitg

John, I wonder if Coleman Camping Fuel (aka "white gas") would work?

Coleman fuel and lighter fluid are both classified as types of naptha -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naphtha

i've seen that, and, just like the charcoal starting fluid i think it would work. dunno... guess i could just buy some and try it.

carver · 08-31-2010, 03:47 AM

Denatured alcohol. I use it in the old WWII German mess kits. It does have an oder, but it's safe enough when used with caution.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denatured_alcohol

Denatured alcohol is ethanol that has additives to make it more poisonous or unpalatable, and thus, undrinkable. In some cases it is also dyed.

Denatured alcohol is used as a solvent and as fuel for spirit burners and camping stoves. It is also known as methylated spirits, especially in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Because of the diversity of industrial uses for denatured alcohol, hundreds of additives and denaturing methods have been used. Traditionally, the main additive is 10% methanol, giving rise to the term 'methylated spirit'. Other typical additives include isopropyl alcohol, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, and denatonium.

johnlives4christ · 08-31-2010, 04:11 AM

acetone and MEK are solvent retardants for lacquer and other finishes.

i tried the alcohol in my lighter. i could not get it to ignite though. i put a match to the wick and it did light, but would not stay lit for any length of time.

the same with kerosene.

why would it not light. both lighters i tried (1 for alcohol and 1 for kerosene) have been used with fluid before.

~john

doug66 · 08-31-2010, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnlives4christ

i've seen that, and, just like the charcoal starting fluid i think it would work. dunno... guess i could just buy some and try it.

It works

Alpo · 08-31-2010, 08:29 AM

John, Zippos work because the fumes from the flammable liquid ignite from the sparks. Kerosene does not give off enough fumes to work. Neither does alcohol.

Lighter fluid is naphtha. Charcoal lighter, at least the brand sold by Gulf, is also naphtha, and it says on the label that it is “lighter fluid”. Well, I just looked, and it does not say that on the label, now. http://outdoor-living.hardwarestore....id-279919.aspx

Paraffin is what the British call kerosene. In this country it is wax. Usually sold as “Gulfwax”. http://www.amazon.com/Royal-Oak-972-...3260781&sr=8-2

There are two types of oil lamps in this country. Oil lamps and oil candles. The main difference is the shape of the wick. Oil lamps, and that includes lanterns, use a flat wick, between ½ and 1 inch wide. Oil candles use a round wick. Lamp oil is, basically, kerosene, although sometimes it has a color or scent added to it. Candlelamp oil is kerosene with paraffin added to it.

Jet fuel is kerosene with naphtha added to it. The fumes from the naphtha help the kerosene to ignite easier.

Coleman fuel is unleaded gasoline that is more highly refined than the stuff you put in your car. It probably will work.

Regular gasoline, I am told, will work, but I’ve never tried it.

Naphtha can be found in the paint section at hardware stores. Comes in quart and gallon cans.

Old Grump · 08-31-2010, 10:48 AM

One of our missile room boys carried two lighters, one with the ships emblem on it filled with AV gas and a plain sided one with lighter fluid. When somebody asked for a light they got the lighter with the av gas. The flame was about 6" high and got a great reaction from anybody who didn't expect it. I lit my cigar with it once and ruined the taste of the cigar. Kind of blew his mind that I didn't jump back when it flared up but my buddies had already warned me about it. It's good to report aboard as the new guy and know people already aboard. It was worth the cigar to see the look on his face when his little prank didn't get the desired reaction.

todd51 · 08-31-2010, 10:59 AM

To expand on Alpo's post check out this link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naphtha#Other_applications

Since your concern is survival you may already have set aside a Coleman Lantern, camp stove and similar items. The link seems to indicate the Coleman Fuel would work for your Zippo. Why not just stock up on some gallon cans of that fuel as it would also be available for you stove, lantern or etc.

Helix_FR · 08-31-2010, 12:06 PM

Just like Carver I was going to say denatured alcohol. That what they use in the burners for chaffing dishes at restaurants. Burns clean and efficiently.

johnlives4christ · 08-31-2010, 01:52 PM

okay, lots of info to take in. thanks everyone for your replies.

alpo, thats for explaining that paraffin is kerosene. so i could mix kerosene and gas like jack said and make lighter fluid.

i've heard of using just straight gas but i've heard it burns too hot, the flame would be to big, which isnt a problem but the problem would stem from the flame being too hot and burning out the wick prematurely.

i will try the charcoal fluid first i think... and perhaps the gas/kerosene mix sometime soon.

my reason for all of this is just to gain some knowledge of what can be used should i ever need to improvise.

i will try the coleman oil to see if it works also. my thoughts are that it will burn too hot and not be as safe, or efficient as regular lighter fluid.

zb338 · 08-31-2010, 02:38 PM

My old man was an officer on a tanker in WW2. Lighter fluid was
hard to come by. He used anything that they were carrying. If
he had a choice he used white gasoline or aviation gasoline. He
had to keep samples of the cargo so he used those.

Zeke

199er · 08-31-2010, 02:40 PM

Quote:

i've heard of using just straight gas but i've heard it burns too hot, the flame would be to big, which isnt a problem but the problem would stem from the flame being too hot and burning out the wick prematurely.

Have used mogas (army regular octane fuel) in VN & Germany in a 'pinch'.........it lights quick and burns high, 4-or 6 inches as I recall. So if you try regular gas, let some of it evaporate out of the zippo before lighting it. Also, shorten the wick and stand 'upwind' when you light it to prevent the flame from burning you.

The Coleman fuel sounds like a sound suggestion....if you use it I would recommend using the same precautions as I mentioned with the regular gas.

Under no circumstances use any MEK..............this is highly highly flamable and will ignite like Napalm.

johnlives4christ · 08-31-2010, 03:23 PM

i've never seen any MEK other then as an ingredient in reducer for finish.

199er · 08-31-2010, 05:21 PM

Quote:

i've never seen any MEK other then as an ingredient in reducer for finish.

That's it!! I used to do just that with it and used it as a degreaser as well. Also have used it to remove grease, glue, and other residues from my hands.............actually makes your hands feel cool when you use it. It's nasty stuff!!! Used to get it in 50 gallon barrels.

Bobitis · 08-31-2010, 05:51 PM

Why not just get a magnesium flint and striker?
Save your dryer lint (or use cotton balls) and mix it with vaseline and store in a ziplock. It's free for the most part, and much safer.

Shave some magnesium on top of the balls, add some wood shavings on the side, strike the shavings and your good to go.

JLA · 08-31-2010, 07:58 PM

everclear!!! that stuff'll light anything on fire. plus if you get lost in the wild and lose hope, you can eat your lighter to take the edge off of the thought of dying helplessly in the wilderness...

have a nice day

Marlin T · 08-31-2010, 10:31 PM

I have a question about the whole Zippo idea.

Personally I would/am going with torch lighter idea.

I always keep an extra can of lighter fuel and one charge lasted quite a long time when I was smoking a pack a day. In other words one can lasted a month or so.

The wind doesn't really effect the flame, well unless of course you put it out the car window at 55

The flame I do believe is hotter than a regular flame.

You don't have to worry about the fuel evaporation problem, or chemical burns on your legs right under your pockets.

BUT I have read some outstanding tip, thanks everybody.

jack404 · 09-01-2010, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLA

everclear!!! that stuff'll light anything on fire. plus if you get lost in the wild and lose hope, you can eat your lighter to take the edge off of the thought of dying helplessly in the wilderness...

have a nice day

NOOOOOOOOOOO

SACRILEGE !!!!

ofitg · 09-01-2010, 03:04 AM

Jack, do they sell Everclear there in Australia?

I can't say whether it would work in a zippo, but I know it lit me up a few times...

08-31-2010, 12:04 AM	#1
johnlives4christ Former Guest Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,828	Zippo Lighter Fluid Substitutes I am wondering what i can use to power a zippo lighter other then lighter fluid. i want to know some different things for survival reasons, so that way if i have to improvise, i'll have the knowledge to do. i wonder about the charcoal lighter fluid stuff, i imagine it will work. i would guess that it's basically the same thing as lighter fluid, but less refined. anyone know how this would work? i know i can use rubbing alcohol in a pinch. does anyone else have any ideas? ~john -->

08-31-2010, 12:10 AM	#2
jack404 Former Guest Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Australia Contributor Posts: 17,622	Re: Zippo Lighter Fluid Substitutes a mix of 20% parrafin oil and gasoline works ( parrafin drops the burn rate a bit but dont inhibit the ignition ) kerosene will work but stinks av gas is great but smell like kero

08-31-2010, 12:22 AM	#3
johnlives4christ Former Guest Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,828	Re: Zippo Lighter Fluid Substitutes i actually just tried the rubbing alcohol... it would not ignite in the lighter. not sure what parrafin oil is. ive heard of though. kerosene is easy to come by, the smell doesnt bother me any. will give that a try in a few minutes, whats av gas? thanks for the idea jack

08-31-2010, 12:46 AM	#4
johnlives4christ Former Guest Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,828	Re: Zippo Lighter Fluid Substitutes i tried kerosene, it didnt work either. wouldnt not ignite.

08-31-2010, 02:03 AM	#5
ofitg Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Contributor Posts: 1,447	Re: Zippo Lighter Fluid Substitutes John, I wonder if Coleman Camping Fuel (aka "white gas") would work? Coleman fuel and lighter fluid are both classified as types of naptha - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naphtha

08-31-2010, 02:05 AM	#6
Big ugly Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Knoxville Tennessee Contributor Posts: 2,603	Re: Zippo Lighter Fluid Substitutes Ronsol has a lighter fluid, as far as house hold chemcals, give WD40 a try, you never know __________________ "You say the Devil made do it with a smile. Raisin' hell and howlin at the moon. Well I'm gonna put your @$$ back in line. I'm gonna scare the Devil out of you." BlackBerry Smoke Song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R513dA4peMg Nothing is "proof" against a truly talented fool. Swanshot

08-31-2010, 02:48 AM	#7
jack404 Former Guest Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Australia Contributor Posts: 17,622	Re: Zippo Lighter Fluid Substitutes NO WD it'll KILL YOU!!! the active stuff is a BIG CARCONAGENIC (sp?) when burned .. ( toxic as heck i think cyanide or something like it ) some bloke did it after VN less than a year later he was full of cancer av gas is aviation fuel a hyped up kerosene ( dunno how they hype it up ) chopper fuel ask snake driver i bet all his guys used chopper fuel for there zippo's Last edited by jack404; 08-31-2010 at 02:58 AM..

08-31-2010, 03:47 AM	#9
carver TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: DAV, Deep in the Pineywoods of East Texas, just west of Shreveport, LA Contributor Posts: 11,271	Re: Zippo Lighter Fluid Substitutes Denatured alcohol. I use it in the old WWII German mess kits. It does have an oder, but it's safe enough when used with caution. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denatured_alcohol Denatured alcohol is ethanol that has additives to make it more poisonous or unpalatable, and thus, undrinkable. In some cases it is also dyed. Denatured alcohol is used as a solvent and as fuel for spirit burners and camping stoves. It is also known as methylated spirits, especially in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Because of the diversity of industrial uses for denatured alcohol, hundreds of additives and denaturing methods have been used. Traditionally, the main additive is 10% methanol, giving rise to the term 'methylated spirit'. Other typical additives include isopropyl alcohol, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, and denatonium. __________________ Y'all be safe now, ya hear! Lamentations Chapter 5: 1. Remember, O LORD, what is come upon us: consider, and behold our reproach. 2. Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens. 3. We are orphans and fatherless, our mothers [are] as widows. 5. Our necks [are] under persecution: we labour, [and] have no rest. 16. The crown is fallen [from] our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned! 21. Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.

08-31-2010, 04:11 AM	#10
johnlives4christ Former Guest Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,828	Re: Zippo Lighter Fluid Substitutes acetone and MEK are solvent retardants for lacquer and other finishes. i tried the alcohol in my lighter. i could not get it to ignite though. i put a match to the wick and it did light, but would not stay lit for any length of time. the same with kerosene. why would it not light. both lighters i tried (1 for alcohol and 1 for kerosene) have been used with fluid before. ~john

08-31-2010, 08:29 AM	#12
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,662	Re: Zippo Lighter Fluid Substitutes John, Zippos work because the fumes from the flammable liquid ignite from the sparks. Kerosene does not give off enough fumes to work. Neither does alcohol. Lighter fluid is naphtha. Charcoal lighter, at least the brand sold by Gulf, is also naphtha, and it says on the label that it is “lighter fluid”. Well, I just looked, and it does not say that on the label, now. http://outdoor-living.hardwarestore....id-279919.aspx Paraffin is what the British call kerosene. In this country it is wax. Usually sold as “Gulfwax”. http://www.amazon.com/Royal-Oak-972-...3260781&sr=8-2 There are two types of oil lamps in this country. Oil lamps and oil candles. The main difference is the shape of the wick. Oil lamps, and that includes lanterns, use a flat wick, between ½ and 1 inch wide. Oil candles use a round wick. Lamp oil is, basically, kerosene, although sometimes it has a color or scent added to it. Candlelamp oil is kerosene with paraffin added to it. Jet fuel is kerosene with naphtha added to it. The fumes from the naphtha help the kerosene to ignite easier. Coleman fuel is unleaded gasoline that is more highly refined than the stuff you put in your car. It probably will work. Regular gasoline, I am told, will work, but I’ve never tried it. Naphtha can be found in the paint section at hardware stores. Comes in quart and gallon cans. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

08-31-2010, 10:48 AM	#13
Old Grump Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Little hut in the woods near Blue River Wisconsin Posts: 2,290	Re: Zippo Lighter Fluid Substitutes One of our missile room boys carried two lighters, one with the ships emblem on it filled with AV gas and a plain sided one with lighter fluid. When somebody asked for a light they got the lighter with the av gas. The flame was about 6" high and got a great reaction from anybody who didn't expect it. I lit my cigar with it once and ruined the taste of the cigar. Kind of blew his mind that I didn't jump back when it flared up but my buddies had already warned me about it. It's good to report aboard as the new guy and know people already aboard. It was worth the cigar to see the look on his face when his little prank didn't get the desired reaction. __________________ "When once a republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil."~~- Thomas Jefferson Roman Catholic, Life Member of American Legion, VFW, Wisconsin Libertarian party, Wi-FORCE, WGO, NRA, JPFO, GOA, SAFand CCRKBA

08-31-2010, 10:59 AM	#14
todd51 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Central, Ohio Contributor Posts: 2,572	Re: Zippo Lighter Fluid Substitutes To expand on Alpo's post check out this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naphtha#Other_applications Since your concern is survival you may already have set aside a Coleman Lantern, camp stove and similar items. The link seems to indicate the Coleman Fuel would work for your Zippo. Why not just stock up on some gallon cans of that fuel as it would also be available for you stove, lantern or etc. __________________ Retired Praefectus Vigilum NRA Endowment Member

08-31-2010, 12:06 PM	#15
Helix_FR TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Imperial, MO Posts: 3,624	Re: Zippo Lighter Fluid Substitutes Just like Carver I was going to say denatured alcohol. That what they use in the burners for chaffing dishes at restaurants. Burns clean and efficiently. __________________ Only cowards shoot with their eyes closed.... helixgunsmith.com

08-31-2010, 01:52 PM	#16
johnlives4christ Former Guest Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,828	Re: Zippo Lighter Fluid Substitutes okay, lots of info to take in. thanks everyone for your replies. alpo, thats for explaining that paraffin is kerosene. so i could mix kerosene and gas like jack said and make lighter fluid. i've heard of using just straight gas but i've heard it burns too hot, the flame would be to big, which isnt a problem but the problem would stem from the flame being too hot and burning out the wick prematurely. i will try the charcoal fluid first i think... and perhaps the gas/kerosene mix sometime soon. my reason for all of this is just to gain some knowledge of what can be used should i ever need to improvise. i will try the coleman oil to see if it works also. my thoughts are that it will burn too hot and not be as safe, or efficient as regular lighter fluid.

08-31-2010, 02:38 PM	#17
zb338 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Recently moved to Pennsylvania. Posts: 286	Re: Zippo Lighter Fluid Substitutes My old man was an officer on a tanker in WW2. Lighter fluid was hard to come by. He used anything that they were carrying. If he had a choice he used white gasoline or aviation gasoline. He had to keep samples of the cargo so he used those. Zeke

08-31-2010, 03:23 PM	#19
johnlives4christ Former Guest Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,828	Re: Zippo Lighter Fluid Substitutes i've never seen any MEK other then as an ingredient in reducer for finish.

08-31-2010, 05:51 PM	#21
Bobitis Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 6,612	Re: Zippo Lighter Fluid Substitutes Why not just get a magnesium flint and striker? Save your dryer lint (or use cotton balls) and mix it with vaseline and store in a ziplock. It's free for the most part, and much safer. Shave some magnesium on top of the balls, add some wood shavings on the side, strike the shavings and your good to go. __________________ ^.^ A point in every direction is the same as having no point at all

08-31-2010, 07:58 PM	#22
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,317	Re: Zippo Lighter Fluid Substitutes everclear!!! that stuff'll light anything on fire. plus if you get lost in the wild and lose hope, you can eat your lighter to take the edge off of the thought of dying helplessly in the wilderness... have a nice day __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

08-31-2010, 10:31 PM	#23
Marlin T Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: New Mexico Posts: 7,857	Re: Zippo Lighter Fluid Substitutes I have a question about the whole Zippo idea. Personally I would/am going with torch lighter idea. I always keep an extra can of lighter fuel and one charge lasted quite a long time when I was smoking a pack a day. In other words one can lasted a month or so. The wind doesn't really effect the flame, well unless of course you put it out the car window at 55 The flame I do believe is hotter than a regular flame. You don't have to worry about the fuel evaporation problem, or chemical burns on your legs right under your pockets. BUT I have read some outstanding tip, thanks everybody. __________________ "But the simple truth--born of experience--is that tyranny thrives best where government need not fear the wrath of an armed people." Judge Alex Kozinski - United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit It is the duty of the patriot to protect his country from its government. - Thomas Paine Did you read todays GOOD shooting? >>>KEEPANDBEARARMS.COM <<<

09-01-2010, 03:04 AM	#25
ofitg Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Contributor Posts: 1,447	Re: Zippo Lighter Fluid Substitutes Jack, do they sell Everclear there in Australia? I can't say whether it would work in a zippo, but I know it lit me up a few times...