Paint thinners are made from various chemical compounds, including acetone and naphtha, both of which work well as Zippo lighter fuel alternatives. Both are petroleum naphtha products and are therefore virtually interchangeable. As with acetone, it does produce a larger and somewhat smokier flame but burns very effectively.Ĭoleman Fuel, or white gas, is very similar to Zippo lighter fuel. While this produces a strange crackling sound, it burns consistently and safely.īeing very similar to lighter fuel, gasoline is one of the best alternatives. Readily available everywhere, see it on Amazon. While the plastic bottle makes it easier to chuck into your bug-out bag, it doesn’t resolve the weight issue. 7 Zippo Fuel Alternatives That Actually Work #1 Ronson Lighter FuelĬontaining the same compounds as Zippo lighter fuel, this will work just as well as the original.

You also need some evaporation to make the lighter work, but too much would render the lighter useless in a matter of hours. While you want the fuel to be flammable, you don’t want it to explode. The key to finding an appropriate alternative is balance. Combustibility – the fluid’s ability to catch fire and burn.Any liquid with a flashpoint of less than 100☏ is considered flammable. Flammability – the compound’s ability to support combustion.Flashpoint – the temperature at which the fluid gives off enough vapor to cause it to ignite.Three features determine whether or not a fluid will work as an alternative to Zippo fuel. If you want your Zippo to be versatile, you need to find an alternative source of fuel. This substance evaporates at temperatures of around 70℉, quickly rendering your lighter empty and ineffectual.Ī bulky tin of lighter fluid would help your lighter live longer, but it will also weigh you down and take up valuable space in your bug-out bag.

Zippos burn a lighter fluid made up of a petroleum distillate or synthetic isoparaffinic hydrocarbon known as naphtha. Keeping a Zippo full of fuel, however, is a challenge. Lightweight and versatile, it’s easy to light even in high winds, stays lit without you holding it, and it’s robust enough to withstand any survival experience.

A Zippo lighter is a useful addition to any EDC kit.

Common zippo problems