Myth test1 productsFlashlights & Lighting
Lighter Fluid: The Test Results
A head-to-head test of 1 lighter fluid options with the measured results for each. See how they ranked and watch the full test video.
Ranked first
Zippo lighter fluid
Price shown in test: about $75 a gallon
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The measured results
Every number below is read straight from the test. Scroll sideways to see all measurements. Products are listed in the order they finished.
| Product | Claim | Safety Data Sheet | Fuel Amount Used | See Through Engine Test | Generator Load Test | Go Kart Test | Overall Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Zippo lighter fluidabout $75 a gallon | product packaging claims a clean-burning, fast ignition fuel source | 50 to 100% distillates, 25 to 50% naphtha, flash point less than 20.3 F or -6.5 C | two cans, 24 oz total, added to the fuel tank | burned cleanly with lots of blue flame at low RPM per the video chapters, described as a clean combustion compared to gasoline's bright yellow/orange flame with very little blue | ran two space heaters at full power on a 4,000 W generator (chapters show over 3,000 watts and 24.4 amps total), monitored with a kilowatt meter for volts, amps, watts, and hertz | used in the go-kart engine to check for spark knock; transcript does not state an explicit spark knock outcome for this fuel | by far the best burning fuel tested as a gasoline substitute in this test, performing extremely well |
How it was tested
- safety data sheet composition review
- combustion clarity/flame color in a see-through engine at low, medium, and high RPM
- heavy load test on a generator (running two space heaters)
- spark knock test in a go-kart engine
- carbon build-up assessment
Data notes and caveats
Single-subject test: winner field nulled per spec (nothing to win against); Verdict subject: Zippo lighter fluid; Verdict quote: It was by far the best burning fuel we've tested today as a gasoline substitute, performing extremely well