(Assuming a butane lighter would be "best")What brand & model lighter will retain virtually all its fuel and stay immediately-useable for years & years?About 5-6 years ago, no longer able to get what I consider decent strike-anywhere kitchen matches, I got a couple of Bic butane lighters for the trailer. Doing my occasional winter check for signs of vermin I happened to look at the lighter on the stove (essentially new, maybe used 10-12 times) and saw that it was less than half full. So I dug out the other (still-in-package) lighter and it also had lost at least half its fuel.What's the "Prepper" answer for a lighter or matches (not just a spark-maker)?

There are refillable grill/stove/cigarette lighters available and there are cans that hold a fair amount of butane for refilling them. You stick the nozzle on the can in a hole in the end of what you are refilling and press to refill.SeeHERE

Chances are the flint will oxidize and turn to dust first.Same goes for those little "Survival" kits you scrape with a knife to get a spark. They eventually crumble to dust.Find some matches and store them well.

I toss mine every year and get a new one. Not expensive.

Diamond "Strike Anywhere" matches are readily available. I dip them in melted wax and they last for many years.

Shelf Life of Butane Lighters? ("Prepper" Question?)

dcmac214
Explorer
Jan 15, 2017
Tnx, all. Like the refillable lighter idea, sounds like what we're looking for.
westend
Explorer
Jan 13, 2017
Stick matches dipped in wax and stored in a metal cylinder are an old standby. The least mechanical is a magnifying glass but you do need Sun. I carry an old Zippo and a can of lighter fuel. That seems to work most of the time.
Community Alumni
Jan 13, 2017
dcmac214 wrote:
(Assuming a butane lighter would be "best")
What brand & model lighter will retain virtually all its fuel and stay immediately-useable for years & years?

About 5-6 years ago, no longer able to get what I consider decent strike-anywhere kitchen matches, I got a couple of Bic butane lighters for the trailer. Doing my occasional winter check for signs of vermin I happened to look at the lighter on the stove (essentially new, maybe used 10-12 times) and saw that it was less than half full. So I dug out the other (still-in-package) lighter and it also had lost at least half its fuel.

What's the "Prepper" answer for a lighter or matches (not just a spark-maker)?

I can not be sure that 1/2 full or empty is not normal. I have found the BIC lighters some half buried in the ground cleaned them up a little and threw them in the Jeep I check them sometimes and they still work even after a couple years. Can not really hang on to them for too long because I usually run across some camper or smoker that lost or forgot his lighter and will give them the one I found. Some of the survival stores or REI, Cabelas, Bass Pro will have fire starters and some of the old style hardware stores, ACE and True Value will have the good matches.

JimR
Cameo_Phil
Explorer
Jan 13, 2017
Try a Google search for strike anywhere matches or refer to the below link. They are available.

Strike Anywhere Matches
Fizz
Explorer
Jan 12, 2017
For a basic never fail survival pack my motto has always been keep it simple and low tech, something that will not fail. No electronics. No moving parts. You can add whatever you want but make sure you have that basic never fail core.
Trackrig
Explorer II
Jan 12, 2017
Dutch_12078 wrote:
Diamond "Strike Anywhere" matches are readily available. I dip them in melted wax and they last for many years.

Can you still find these? I've been looking for three years in Anchorage, AK and can't find them anymore. I haven't looked stateside because they don't want you carrying them on the airplane.

Bill
coolbreeze01
Explorer
Jan 12, 2017
I don't think the lighters have a shelf life. Mine last for years. As mentioned, strike anywhere matches are available, even at Wally.

The shotgun shell storage idea is a good one.
NYCgrrl
Explorer
Jan 12, 2017
MrWizard wrote:
Like it was said... For butane get quality bb lighter and refill cans
The cans will hold butane longer than the lighter

This.

My favorite refillable butane lighter is a Zippo with a flexible neck. Costs about $15.00-20.00.
Want matches as a back up? UCO makes some nice ones and REI sells them.
Did a little research and found this was the style of matches I prefer by UCO:

https://www.rei.com/product/836483/uco-long-burn-matches
Kind of sad that an essential product like matches needs so much thinking before purchase. Sometimes I can find Diamond kitchen matches in local supermarkets but not that often. And the striker has become too flimsy although a glued on piece of medium grade sandpaper helps.
MrWizard
Moderator
Jan 12, 2017
Like it was said... For butane get quality bb lighter and refill cans
The cans will hold butane longer than the lighter
wildtoad
Explorer II
Jan 12, 2017
I'd simply make an annual check list of items that may deteriorate and either check and replace or just replace. Store the new one for survival needs and use the old one for daily activities.