Chris Thompson
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Matt and I were talking about Zippo lighters a while back. Later on Matt did some research on converting a Zippo to burn isopropyl alcohol. One site suggested it could be done with switching the wick out. Other articles suggested it couldn’t be done. Well Matt wanted to know why exactly if would not work.
Recently we picked up a Zippo at our local hardware store for $10.99. We used 91% isopropyl alcohol. Do not bother trying to use 70% isopropyl because it will not work. You must use the 91%. Everclear at the liquor store would work as well but it is a lot more expensive.
The original Zippo wick was removed using some hemostats. Needle nose pliers will work. In this case the wick was pulled out the top. It would be easier to pull the Zippo wick out from the bottom. To do this you have to take the lighter out of the case and remove the felt bottom like you would do if filling it. Remove all the cotton using pliers or similar. Behind the cotton is the wick and you can remove it from there.
Waxed Hemp Candle Wick Test
The first replacement wick Matt tried was made from the waxed hemp wick we use for making bug candles for the patio. He quickly discovered that the wax kept the alcohol from absorbing so the lighter would not ignite. Perhaps if the wick were just unwaxed hemp, the results would have been better.
Old White Cotton T-Shirt Wick
As a farm wife I love creative uses of white cotton t-shirts once they reach the point where they need retired. Matt and I go through a lot of white cotton shirts working outside.
For the wick, Matt just cut a small strip of cotton and twisted it up to make a wick. It looks really big. You could braid a few thinner pieces together for a wick that doesn’t flop around as much.
This wick seemed to absorb the alcohol a lot better than the waxed hemp wick did! It would light occasionally.
Making the wick hole bigger
Matt drilled out the wick hole with 1/8″ drill bit. This allowed for better flow of alcohol into the wick and better ignition rates. The problem is that drilling out the wick hole broke the arm that keeps the Zippo lid closed. There is no way to go back to using a Zippo wick again once you take your conversion this far.
Also Read: Preppers Guide
So can it work?
Technically, yes, you can convert a Zippo to burn alcohol but the drawbacks of doing this are great enough that we don’t feel it is really worth it unless you have to do it in a survival situation.
9 Responses to “Converting A Zippo to Burn Alcohol: Can it be done?”
I have used perfume in a Zippo and it works but it evaporates faster than regular lighter fluid. I also suggest using a perfume you like because that’s what your Zippo will smell like for a LONG time.
Yeah all those mods you made were completely pointless and ruined a perfectly good Zippo. You didn’t have to do anything to it, just fill any otherwise functional Zippo with pure methanol, or 91% isopropyl alcohol and it will work. I use rubbing alcohol in mine a lot because it’s cheap and I have a lot of it on hand, and I often forget to buy actual lighter fluid. I think it’s probably healthier too, definitely healthier for you than methanol which is toxic and will absorb through your skin.
I used 99% ethanol and have no issues. It lights up fine. No adjustments made. But just as someone else commented. The ethanol evaporated quickly and didn’t last more than a few days before needing to be refilled. Finding a way to prevent evaporation would be more the challenge than anything else. Tested on 2 zippos. Lights each time first strike.
Have you tried Coleman fuel?
yes, i have. Coleman fuel or any camping “white” gas will work in a zippo. it is also MUCH cheaper than zippo or ronsonol lighter fluid. the experiment with ethanol was more about seeing if it could be made to work in an emergency than saving money though. the reality is we ruined a perfectly good zippo and hardly got any fire.
what about denatured alcohol?
If a cotton tee works as a wick, why wouldn’t the original Zippo cotton wick work? I’m confused.
Interesting
Back in the day when I used a Zippo, alcohol worked fine… no adjusted wick or anything just metho, it just didn’t last as long as lighter fluid though.