Zippo Hand Warmer - storagea
Posted by The1uniquesnowflake@reddit | preppers | View on Reddit | 13 comments
How long until the fluid become inert if its poured inside and left alone in storage?
I fill them up and use them for the days its brutal cold. But would love to have one or two just ready to go when needed. Suggestions on storage methods for this? Risks? Fumes? Bad idea?
Intervein@reddit
I actually cut a bit of bicycle tire-tube to wrap around the top part of mine. It allows me to control when the flake goes out by being able to smother it and also keeps it from evaporating nearly as fast.
You can always do some upgrades to the wick to then in part use different fuels, etc. But all in all the tube and then wrapping it in the felt bag and also putting it in a Ziploc has saved a bunch of fuel for me.
TheSensiblePrepper@reddit
The problem with those lighter fluid based warmers, just like their lighters, the fluid will eventually evaporate and be useless. It's a "use it or lose it" situation with traditional lighter fluid products. That's why I tend to stay away from them.
That is why the electric and chemical ones are so popular. You don't have that issue.
FeelLikeBatman@reddit
I keep a can of fluid in my center console, and my zippo usually lasts me 3-4 days (a week in some cases) if I’m not playing with it all the time.
Zippo lighters and hand warmers are great for the sex factor but you have to be willing to sacrifice the extra space and time to be prepared to fill on the go or introduce it into your routine.
For preparedness, I keep chemical hand warmers and bic lighters with duct tape wrapped around them in my truck bag, but for regular use I just prefer the aesthetics and ergonomics of zippo stuff
TheSensiblePrepper@reddit
That's why I use butane lighters. Fill it and never have an issue with it evaporating. The ONLY issue is if the light gets below freezing. Then you just hold the lighter in your hand for a few minutes before using it.
civildefense@reddit
Try lighting a fuse in the wind with a zippo and a bic
FeelLikeBatman@reddit
Yeah, no argument there. I also keep a butane insert on hand so I can toss it in the shell if I don’t have time for a refill. Zippo fluid storage just needs to be included if you prefer that method of hand warming for whatever reason
TheSensiblePrepper@reddit
Agreed. Which is why I don't use them. Plug I smoke cigars and a pipe and zippo fluid is very dirty.
The1uniquesnowflake@reddit (OP)
How do those electric ones work - is it just an overheated battery inside? They seem kinda shady to me.
Radtoo@reddit
They use resistive heating, often with a PTC element which self regulates. Some may use a thermometer and microcontroller to regulate.
TheSensiblePrepper@reddit
No, it's an electric heating element that is powered by a lithium battery. They have actually come a long way in the last 4-5 years.
I personally have a Pull Over that heats itself from a battery pack. Boy do I love this thing when I am out hunting.
Radtoo@reddit
There is also the other old option with coal sticks in an unburnable box with air ports. It smells more but this is still dense heat energy for a hand warmer emitted over some hours.
civildefense@reddit
Maybe Zippo Aluminum Fuel Canister
A bit pricy but you can get similar stainless containers on temu or whatnot. They make nice warmers in Korea, I suspext
CPhill585@reddit
Left out on the counter a few days at most, they dry out relatively quick. I use them when hunting I keep a lighter, the measuring bowl, fluid, and the warmer in a zip lock. You can fill one and light it in like 3 minutes, how much time are you trying to save?