Zippo Butane Double Torch Insert

I love my Zippo. There, I said it. Specifically, my Tree of Life design, a lovely bit of pocket art that feels properly timeless. The unmistakable “clink” when you flip it open, the whiff of lighter fluid, and that solid, reassuring heft, it’s as nostalgic as it is functional. Or at least, it was functional… when it actually has fuel in it.

You see, for all its old-school charm, the standard Zippo insert burns through lighter fluid like a Defender OCTA burns through petrol, even when it’s not in use it loves to evaporate. Leave it in your cubby box or pocket for a week and come back to find it bone dry, usually just when you're trying to light a stove in sideways rain while camping in the Lakes. Typical.

Then there’s the flame, it stays lit in the wind (as it should being windproof), but it dances about like it’s had six pints and a curry. On a breezy day it zips and zags around with gay abandon, so getting it to light a particular spot (like the corner of your firelighter or the exact wick of a candle) can be more guesswork than precision. You'll often find yourself playing a game of "will it catch?" while slowly melting your knuckles. Which is why the Zippo Butane Double Torch Insert piqued my interest.

You retain the same classic Zippo body, but with a fancy modern insert that ditches the lighter fluid for butane gas and swaps the gentle flickering flame for two angry blue torches that could weld your bonnet shut. Sounds ideal, doesn’t it?

Hot Stuff
Let’s start with the positives, because there are quite a few. First off, it slots straight into your existing Zippo shell. So, I get to keep my lovely Tree of Life design (and all the sentimental waffle that goes with it) while upgrading the guts to something a bit more practical for modern muddy life.

Then there’s the flame itself. Instead of a flickering yellow whisper, you get two jet-like blue torches that roar into life with a press of the button. Although it isn’t windproof, It can still laugh in the face of gusty hilltops and stubborn BBQs.

Refilling is a doddle too. No more faffing about with smelly fluid that ends up all over your fingers. A quick squirt of butane and you’re good to go.

Final Flame Verdict
The Zippo Butane Double Torch Insert is a cracking bit of kit. It breathes new life into your beloved Zippo without the faff of fluid evaporation, and it works in windier conditions where the original would sulk and sputter. It’s ideal for outdoorsy types who want reliability, and let’s be honest, it looks proper cool when you whip it out to light the BBQ like a pyro magician.

So, if you're fed up with your Zippo being dry when you need it most, this insert’s well worth the upgrade. Just watch your eyebrows.

More at: Whitby & Co Zippo Butane Insert
Price: £17.90