The Lighter Company

Do you have to use zippo fluid to fill a zippo lighter.?

I am getting a new zippo, and I was wondering how to fill it, becouse the come empty. I looked online and saw people filling zippos with just lighter fluid like you would use for a charcoal grill. Is this true or will I have to buy the zippo fluid.

Public Comments

1. I've used Zippo for 35 years now. Yes, charcoal light fluid will work. However it has a tendency to evaporate quicker than normal Zippo lighter fluid.
2. I don't think you can use charcoal lighter fuel, but you don't have to use the specific Zippo brand. You can use Ronson or any comparable brand.
3. no, you can use almost anything as lighter fluid in a zippo(i had a friend that used some unwanted aftershave!) but make sure you buy enough as most zippo's run out of gas after about 2 weeks even if you use zippo fuel (and even if you don't light it!). but if you want my advice, i'd say ditch it and just use a normal lighter as zippo's, like most american products, only has the appearance of quality. most of them don't even light in the wind!
4. Used Zippos for years, the only suitable substitute I know of for lighter fluid is Naptha. I do not think I would use charcoal lighter fluid, it is petroleum based.
5. my father in law uses colman lighter fluid,you know like what is burned in the colman lanterns and stoves when you are pitching a tent.sure does have a pretty blue flame
6. I have used Zippo since 1975 and I will use anything that burns in it. But, yeah the zippo branded fluid is better for you.