Review on Z Plus Torch Flame Lighter Insert by Jamie Bolen

For the price this is a pretty good lighter. I smoke a pipe so my lighter gets a lot of use and I don't expect a lighter to last forever. I get about a year of use before the spark cam fires. That's longer than I've gotten from some much more expensive lighters. In fact, the loop on the Zippo body usually wears out before the second Z-plus dies. As with any lighter, it will last longer with a little care. First, small holes become clogged over time. If it ignites at all, the flame detaches from the membrane and becomes unstable. A bit of cotton wrapped around a toothpick and soaked in alcohol softens the dirt while a quick blast of compressed air cleans it. Second, air collects in the fuel tank, limiting the amount of gasoline it can hold and making it difficult to ignite. Bleed the lighter every 3 or 4 refills. Add some butane, then press the fill valve with a small object until the hissing stops, then fill normally. Third, if it refuses to fire, keep an eye on the spark. In 90% of cases the problem is a build up of debris at the base of the electrode or an insulation failure at the electrode causing the spark to jump to the side rather than the center of the holes. Clean the lighter with alcohol. If this doesn't work, use a gemstone clip or thin wire as an applicator, apply a small drop of liquid electrical tape to the base of the electrode and allow to dry. With this I have extended the life of my Z-plus by several months.