Z-plus Torch Flame Zippo Lighter Insert

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Maker : Blazer Products
Website : http://www.blazerproducts.com/lighters/zplus.html
Type : Butane Lighter Insert
Price : ~$12.99
More information about purchasing a Z-plus Zippo Insert…

I personally love that distinctive *click* sound you hear when opening and closing a Zippo. You hear that sound, you instantly know it as a Zippo.

The problem is you love your Zippo lighter, but not smell or taste – it may impart on your cigar while lighting it. Enter the Z-Plus Torch Flame Insert.

The Z-Plus insert is marketed by Blazer Products as a way to bring your old case lighter roaring into the 21st Century in just 2 easy steps. I can personally attest that it is that easy.

Appearance : Rating: ★★★★☆
The top of the Z-Plus insert is chrome, but when removed from the case you can see the plastic butane tank on the bottom half. The insert does a good job of mimicing the Zippo insert once it is installed into the Zippo case.

Z-plus Torch Flame Zippo Lighter Insert

Construction : Rating: ★★★★☆
The Z-Plus insert appears to be well made and it lights on the fist click of the striker every time.

Ease of Use : Rating: ★★★★★
The Z-Plus light insert could not be easier to use. To set it up, tip it upside-down, turn the torch to the lowest setting. Unfortunately, it takes a small screw driver to do this. However, once it is set to your liking, you should not need to adjust it again. Fill it with butane, remove the Zippo insert, and insert the Z-Plus. It is that easy. You could have done it in less time than it took to read this paragraph.

It quickly toasts and lights up most cigars easily. Only the largest of ring gauge cigars require a little more effort.

Value : Rating: ★★★★½
At approximately $12 retail I do not think you can find a better bargain, especially if you already own an older zippo. I did not already own a Zippo, so I purchased one off ebay and I bought the Z-plus at my local cigar shop. My total investment was less than $30.

Overall : Rating: ★★★★½
I really like the Z-plus lighter. I am sure a lot of that has to do with my affection for the Zippo. It does function very well. A few of minor complaints: You can’t leave it lit too long or it goes out, but I have had that problem with other butane lighters as well. When you let go of the ignitor it stays lit for a couple seconds. I have another butane lighter that does the same thing, too. Finally, the fluid reservoir is semi-transparent so it is difficult to tell how much fuel is in it. I’ve been using it for a few months now. Overall, the Z-Plus is excellent and I do not think it can be beat for the money.

Click here to find out more about purchasing a Z-plus

23 thoughts on “Z-plus Torch Flame Zippo Lighter Insert

  1. I’ve had this for about a year. It rapidly stopped working properly : It barely lights and when it does, the flame turns off in less than a second.
    It’s a real crap … at least the one I bought.

  2. Damn. that’s unfortunate bluzz. Of all the butane lighters I’ve had, this one actually has lasted the longest. Close to two years so far and going strong. I’ve been through an easy dozen others.

    Frankly though I use this half the time and a straight zippo the rest. The “flavor in the cigar” fear is a bunch of garbage designed to sell jet lighters.

  3. Worked great for one month than the piezeo died – one month 14 bucks …not worth it

  4. After fighting for years with jet lighters and finally coming to the conclusion that they all suck I have to say that this single lighter insert is the best one I’ve ever used. It’s lasted the longest without having to futzed with. It stands out alone as the only jet I’ll use. Otherwise it’s straight zippos all the way.

  5. I agree, Cigar Chick, but Zippo evidently does not. Z-plus got pulled off the market for a while about a year or so ago while they fought a legal battle with Zippo. Guess they used Zippo’s brand name a bit too freely in their marketing. But the legal battles are resolved and everyone, especially cigar smokers, are happy.

  6. This is a great idea for Zippo

  7. Awesome ! I’m glad it’s working for you.

  8. I received my Z-plus + Zippo yesterday, easily set it up and just lit my first cigar. Works great! Thanks for the tip Stephen.

  9. Hey MB. I am glad it worked out well for you!

  10. I’ve sitting on the fence about this insert for a long time. I have an old Zippo that I got in college and it’s been sitting in a drawer for years. I love that lighter but could not use it on my precious smokes. After I read this review I went out and got one and it is great. I am so happy to have my Zippo back and working. Z-Plus rocks!!!

  11. That’s my experience as well. Heat is not an issue. There really isn’t a downside to this item, unless you’re the CEO of Colibri.

  12. DaveC: No the metal case does not get hot at all.

  13. Great Review. I have always wondered if the heat from the torch would be an issue with an all metal zippo case, but for the price I’ll have to try anyway to find out. Thanks again!

  14. Need to add a link somewhere to accessory reviews (where will this get indexed next month?).

    Also: I think accessories def. have a place on this site. Surprised there are not any other accessory reviews.

  15. Rich that would be really cool having a vintage one. I have the vintage “look” Zippo but it’s not a real vintage. I tried getting them off ebay a couple times but they go for more than I would want to pay. Good luck with it.

  16. I like the idea. My father has a few Zippo lighters from when he served as a Marine during the Korean War. He no longer smokes and they have sat in a box for decades. I think I’ll ask him for them and put at least one back into use with the insert. The others I think I will keep in original condition.
    Thanks for the review!

  17. I love these inserts. I’ve been using them for a couple years. They last a long time for the price. When they break down it isn’t a big deal to throw them away and then replace the insert in my favorite Zippo lighter.

  18. Just a heads up for those of you that like the butane soft flame: Here is an insert I found that is alternative to the oil based insert that originally comes with the Zippo.

  19. John,
    The only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars for construction is that I haven’t had it long enough to know for sure it will last. That’s good to hear about your long term reliability. I’ve heard a lot of bad things about Colibri lately. I would still like to get a nice natural flame butane lighter. They all cost too much money. There is not need to spend $70 or more for a lighter.

  20. After reading the review and all the comments, I think that I’m going to be ordering one as an alternative to my Dunhill.
    Even with the shipping to Europe this will probably be much cheaper than a basic torch lighter available in local cigar shops (40-60 euros).

  21. Glad to hear of this product’s reliability (John’s comment above): I’ve had many a jet (sorry, Colibri) simply conk out…

  22. Glad to see you picked up on this gem. I personally would rate it straight fives across the board.

    Construction — definitely a five, I’ve owned mine for perhaps five years, maybe more, and it has never stopped working. It’s as reliable as the original Zippo itself.

    Value — have you priced a Colibri torch lately? Or maybe a DuPont Extend? A Z-plus insert and a basic brushed chrome Zippo, as mentioned, costs under $30. One-fifth the price of the Extend, and you won’t cry miserably if you misplace or lose it.

    Every cigar shop ought to carry these as a reasonably-priced alternative to more expensive lighters that conveniently give up the ghost right after the warranties expire (yeah, Colibri, I’m talking to YOU!).

  23. I’ve been using these inserts for a couple years as my primary cigar lighter, and have to totally agree. It’s GREAT.
    I find them to be just as or more reliable as much higher priced lighters over time. Plus, you could go through 2 or 3 of these things before spending the same amount of money as a Colibri or Czonka.

    Great performance, sleek form factor, and affordable as can be. Try them out!

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