Zippo lighters require some care when refueled. The liquid fuel used is slow to evaporate—thus, the lighter’s famous windproof performance—and can damage surfaces in addition to posing a fire hazard. It is also a skin irritant so caution must be exercised immediately after refueling the lighter, particularly by individuals with sensitive skin. 

The insert within the lighter’s case contains cotton covered by felt. Though there is a hole in this felt, the lighter is best filled by pulling it back to expose the cotton. This helps prevent over-saturating the cotton with fluid. Hold the lighter upside down, preferably over a sink and definitely not over a finished surface which may be damaged by the fluid. In most cases, some fluid will drip down the wick during refueling so expect there to be a bit of a mess. 

Squirt a bit of fluid into the reservoir, let it soak for a few seconds and then repeat the process until the cotton is saturated. Remember to give the fuel a while to be absorbed. Putting too much fuel in quickly makes a huge mess which may not be realized until the lighter is placed into a pocket. Once the lighter is filled, put the felt back in place and return it to the lighter. Be sure to let the lighter sit for a while to make certain that any extra fuel has a chance to evaporate. The lighter may well emit a larger than normal flame on the first light after refueling, so be aware of this when turning the flint wheel for the first time. 

Zippos are enormously durable and reliable lighters and they offer a nice alternative to the wasteful, unreliable and cheap disposable lighters that crowd the market. There are butane lighters, however, such as Nibo lighters, which offer a nice, mess-free alternative to liquid-fueled lighters. Which one is best depends upon the user. 

While the butane models are attractive and durable, there is something about the look and feel of liquid-fueled lighters which makes them irresistible to some individuals. If one desires an equally environmentally-friendly and non-disposable alternative, however, considering a butane model is a good idea. They have a style all their own, come in a variety of designs and can provide a service life that is comparable to their liquid-fueled predecessors. As is the case with Zippos, price does translate to quality.