Knowledge Base

Starting in the mid-1950s, a date code was stamped on the bottom of every Zippo lighter made. What began as a quality-control tool has become an invaluable way for collectors to date a lighter and confirm it's genuine.

Current date code system: a letter and two-digit number identify the month and year of manufacture — letters A through L represent the month (A = January, B = February, and so on), and the two digits are the year, e.g. 24 for 2024.

Q: How do I maintain my wick?

When your wick becomes black from carbon, pull it up with tweezers until clean wick appears — approximately 1cm. Trim the end even with the chimney height. Do this once or twice a year. Replace the wick once it's been trimmed more than two or three times.

Q: How do I fuel my windproof lighter?

Hold the lighter in one hand and remove the insert with the other. Lift the felt pad to reveal the packing material and saturate it slowly with genuine Zippo lighter fuel — never overfill, and stop when fuel reaches the top of the packing. Wipe the lighter and your hands dry before igniting, and make sure there's no spilled fuel nearby before lighting it.

Q: Fuel got on my skin — what do I do?

Wash the area immediately. If irritation persists or worsens, see a doctor.

Q: How do I re-flint my windproof lighter?

Using a flat-head screwdriver, coin or paper clip, remove the screw and spring at the end of the fuel chamber. Remove the old flint from the tube, drop in a new genuine Zippo flint, and replace the spring. Screw it back in lightly until it's turned as far as it will go. If the wheel binds after the new flint is inserted, turn the wheel backwards a few times.

Q: My butane lighter stopped working — what can I do?

Zippo butane lighters come with a lifetime warranty. Contact us and we'll help get it repaired or replaced.

Please don't mail your lighter to us — shipping regulations restrict shipping of filled or previously-filled butane lighters.

Having an issue with a windproof lighter, insert, hand warmer, or any other Zippo product? Our team is here to help with troubleshooting, repairs, and replacements.