Customer Reviews

Zippo 121361 MPL Multi-Purpose Lighter, Black

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This lighter comes adjusted with a small maximum flame for safety reasons but can easily be readjusted for a larger flame. Loosen the small set screw on the side of the flame adjustment knob. Notice the marks on the bottom of the knob for correct orientation. Remove the knob. Turn the fluted shaft very slightly (1 detent) counterclockwise. Replace the knob, test, and repeat until you get the size flame you want. Be careful, this lighter can shoot out a six inch flame. The fluid should be full when this is done to prevent over adjusting. This is a very dangerous product but quite useful for lighting candles and lanterns.

I use lighting devices like this every day to light candles at our bed & breakfast establishment. I was excited when I saw that Zippo had put one on the market because I was aware of Zippo's reputation for elegantly designed, reliable lighters. I have been disappointed to discover that although the thing looks pretty and appears to be well-made, it is clumsy and awkward to operate. The safety button is in the wrong place to be comfortably depressed while striking the lighter. Compared to other devices of this type, the Zippo does not have much distance between the flame and your hand making it difficult to light wicks that are down inside jar-type candles. Also, the fuel-level indicator is nearly impossible to see making it difficult to know when the thing needs re-filling. I am much happier with way cheaper such devices that are more versatile, user-friendly, and ergonomically designed.

What I hate about most household lighters is how flimsy and cheaply made they are. To be honest I am a bit of a worrywart and I am very uncomfortable with throwing the disposable lighters away for fear of starting a fire. Scoff if you like but it's not out of the realm of possibility.

What I love about this Zippo household lighter is how durable and long lasting it is. I don't have to throw it away, just refill it. It's of a metal design, not plastic and has a very convenient safety function (you have to depress a button on the underside of the lighter while flicking the switch on the upper side with your thumb). While it might not be as versatile, the extension of the flame from your hand is only about 4 or 5 inches, the quality is light years ahead of the plastic brands.

I have three of these lighters and they have all worked poorly. Low to non-existent flame, no matter how adjusted. BUT I discovered the Amazon review that talks about adjusting the flame. This is slightly more than turning the black knob on the base. You must pull off the knob, and loosen a screw slightly, and then turn the adjuster one little click counter-clockwise, tighten the screw up and then put the black knob back on. Now try it. I was ready to send them all back to ZIPPO in one big box with 1 $5.00 check and hpe for the best, but it is now not necessary.

All are working and all are working better than they ever have.

IF YOURS IS WORKING POORLY TRY THE ADJUSTMENT.

I bought the Classic MPL, after I used it for a few times, the flame became so small that it can hardly light up a candle. Even if you adjust to the max, it is still the same.

I returned it and get a replacement. Well, it has the same problem.

The only time that the flame is good enough to lid a candle is when you just filled up the butane gas. After a few click, the same problem happen agaqin

Thew design is beautiful. Sleek and modern look. Well, maybe it will worth lots of money when it become antique.

Skip this problem. It has problem.

I have a larger version of this Zippo lighter that is probably 5 or 6 years old and had the same problem. The solution was to remove the adjusting knob by pulling straight back and replace it in a slightly different position.

This new lighter is different in that it has a stop that is made of brass. This is a small brash washer with nub that rests against one of two stops molded into the end piece that the adjustment knob sits in. If you remove the black adjustment knob you will find a fluted brass tube that surrounds the gas filler tube. Grasp the black adjustment knob firmly and pull it out of the end piece or shroud. I take my thumb nail and pry the knob up a bit to get it started. Once you remove the knob you will find the fluted brass tube that adjusts the flame. At the bottom of that fluted tube you will find the brass washer with the nub probably resting against one of the stops. On mine there were 2 very small rubber O rings that hold the brass washer down. Using a very small screw driver I pried the 2 O rings off which gave me access to the brass washer. This is also fluted and slides over the brass tube. Taking a small, thin screwdriver I was able to pry this washer up and off the brass tube. This was a slightly tedious process and took time. At this point you could probably toss the washer, reassemble the adjustment mechanism and have an overly adjustable lighter. I chose, however, to reinstall the brass washer but rotate it a few flutes which, after reassembling, made the lighter vastly more adjustable but still within limits. After placing the brash washer I had some trouble getting the O rings back on but inserting both jaws of a needle nose pliers I was easily able to stretch them over the brass tube and push them down over the washer.

I hope this helps and my instructions are not too awkward. It was a bit of a tedious process but very doable and resulted in having a lighter that is much more adjustable and able to throw a several inch long flame.

Jim

I had been using $1.00 refillables for a few years, but decided to upgrade to this Zippo, thinking that the heavy duty construction would ultimately reduce my environmental impact (it comes with a lifetime warranty is states boldly on the package!). Since I use lighters in various places, I bought three of them, for $35.00! I figured, $35.00 is well spent if they will last me a long time and I won't have to produce as much garbage.

However, these lighters are very poor quality. All three of mine were operating poorly in less than a year, and within 18 months, two are now garbage, and the third lights about one of every 10 attempts.

Why worry you ask? Just take 'em back under warranty right? Problem is, Zippo wants $5.00 in shipping and handling fees to accept the return, and by the time you've paid your own shipping (plus insurance and tracking as Zippo suggests), your almost in for the cost of a new lighter. It seems Zippo has it worked out pretty well for themselves.

I am incensed that I shelled out $35.00 for this terrible product, and have ended up making more garbage than I would have with my cheapo $1.00 models, which used to last me about two years each. In my opinion Zippo's warranty is a come-on, and I fell for it hook line and sinker. It is one thing to make a lousy product, it is another to hook people in with what amounts to being a useless warranty.

I recommend you look elsewhere, unless you don't mind shelling out all that money for what amounts to a disposable lighter.

I haved had the same problem as the previous reviewer. Low to near non-existent flame, even on high. I added more fuel, but to no effect.

Leave this one alone.

I was having problems with this lighter not lighting/very small flame until I pulled off the knob and broke the flame height safety device by accident.

Would someone please explain more clearly how to adjust the flame height without breaking anything? When you pull of the black knob, there are two screws beneath it and two metallic curbs that restrict the range of adjustment on the flame via a small nubbin at the base of the filling spout. I kept trying to move the nubbin but I think I did something that caused the nubbin to break off. So now I can get a super tall flame and turn the black knob around and around. I worry it's not as safe now. I didn't mean to break the nubbin. How was I suppose to adjust the flame height without breaking the nubbin?

Also, what does the screw on the outside of the black knob do?

Had been disappointed with every lighter like this I'd ever bought... This one was the exception.

Sturdy construction... feels and performs worthy of wearing the name "Zippo"

Only criticism of the unit:
The ignition switch is a little awkward to use and requires you to hold the unit far closer to the end where the flame comes out than I'd like. So say if you're trying to light of of those tall prayer candles which has burned three quarters of the way down, you'll find it difficult to light it with this lighter. (*note - "difficult", not impossible).