BIC Lighter Shelf Life?
Posted by R_J_esus@reddit | preppers | View on Reddit | 18 comments
I’m starting to add more matches, candles and bic lighters to my home preps. I was curious as to whether these lighters will go bad over time being kept in a drawer? Does keeping them in the sealed packaging extend that shelf life? Are their better brand options for long term storage? Any info is much appreciated!
Huzaifster786@reddit
From my experience, a cricket lighter stored inside a drawer lasts a surprisingly long time as long as it’s not exposed to heat. The thing that actually ruins them faster is leaving them in a car or somewhere that the temperature swings a lot. Keeping them in the sealed packaging doesn’t hurt, but I’ve never noticed a huge difference. I’d just rotate them every year or two and call it good for prepping purposes.
Viking__1911@reddit
I’ve got Bic lighters from close to 8 years ago. I don’t smoke and the like 10 pack has lasted me this long. All of them still have fluid in them and work fine. Moisture can mess up the flint material so in a plastic bag is best. Unsure of any other brand that out lasts them.
R_J_esus@reddit (OP)
I appreciate it. If I can get a few dozen lighters to last me 8 odd years than that’s definitely a worthwhile investment!
KungFuJack@reddit
Come to my house, I have 1200 lighters. My friend thought it would be a good idea to order 1200 lighters with his twitch link and his like avatar, he thought he'd eventually be able to mail all of his followers that wanted one but he can't mail them anymore haha
ParticularGuava3663@reddit
But are they good lighters?
KungFuJack@reddit
They are bics.
Viking__1911@reddit
Right!
deleted_by_reddit@reddit
Even when the gas is gone they still make a spark, as good as any $12 firestarter and a lot easier to get on target too.
deleted_by_reddit@reddit
No lol making a spark and throwing a shower of sparks are two completely different things. Don’t rely on a spent lighter to get a fire going. It won’t work
Bladekke@reddit
Well, a bic would outlast his account.
RaeMiniHopa@reddit
I bought a pack of 5 of long lasting Bic classic lighters about 4 years ago and just tried the whole pack. None worked... The flint roller is frozen on 4, and the 5th, the flipper to release the butane is staying stuck open. About 10 years ago, I used to keep a few with my camping gear and could pretty much rely on them to work for several years. Seems as though something has possibly changed in their manufacturing. For Emergency long-term storage I'd rely on waterproof matches and/or a flint and striker set before trusting disposal lighters to last.
Deliverance2142@reddit
Thank you for the heads up!
Neither_Fennel8781@reddit
I can confirm 100% that Bic lighters last at least 35 years. I opened an old plastic container with my college books and other random items from 1990 when I graduated, It had 2 cheap Bic lighters that still lit after 35 year!! Not sure if having it in a dark basement for all that time had anything to do with it but can confirm.
Dry_Source666@reddit
Thinking to add hundreds of these to potentially trade with. Cash will be useless when SHTF
adoptagreyhound@reddit
The fluid in them does evaporate over time. All depends on storage conditions.
pycckueBnepe9@reddit
Butane has an unlimited shelf life and does not evaporate if the valve is closed. The design of the lighter is completely sealed and the internal pressure is balanced throughout the volume, strengthening the design of the nozzle. Only lighters with a cheap design can vaporize. In fact, self-adjusting valve lighters like bic, cricket and clipper last forever if left unused, as the manufacturer claims on the label.
nporpammict@reddit
what about flints though? I heard they get crumbled or turn into dust over decades (even if you don't use the lighter)
pycckueBnepe9@reddit
Depends on the climate. Place your lighter in an airtight place away from moisture and the flints will last forever.