I consider myself a somewhat self-proclaimed expert on hand warmers. My father used them in the war in Korea and taught me about them when I was growing up. Then add almost all those years to my knowledge. Without getting all scientific, the Zippo's now have the same cheap catalyst that all Chinese models have. I ordered the mini Chinese versions, and found that they now put out about the same heat as the 12hr Zippo version, which also used the same type catalyst. I ordered 2 just to be sure and I got the same results from both. With my extensive testing (with about 40 that I own) still nothing I've come across beats the old Jon-E warmers from back in the day.
My buddy raves about the peacock stainless hand warmer, said he got 40 hours out of it before. Any experience with that? Im looking to buy one of these stainless warmers
I have owned several Zippos, 15 plus, and have had no luck with them until I found a video by mountainparamaters. I now use an S-Boston which works very well, gets plenty hot, is reliable, has electronic ignition. He also has videos on rebuilding zippo, and other hand warmers. Also has carbon felt and platinum catalyst for sale. You don't want the catalyst touching the wick. Fouling the catalyst is one of the big problems with these things. It doesn't burn the fluid but the catalyst creates an exothermal reaction which produced the heat. Don't let fluid get on the catalyst. I can't stress that enough. Sorry, great review but some misinformation which can ruin the operation of your warmer by ruining the catalyst. Hiod this helps.
Great Review. I've been using the charcoal stick hand warmer for years on my motorcycle rides, and they are good. A couple years ago I bought the Zippo 12 hour (the bigger one) hand warmer, and I can say it is better. It is warmer and lasts all day. With the stick hand warmer (Stansport) the stick lasts a few hours then you have to reload. Right now on Amazon the Zippo is $13.00 (US)
I am an American and I use nothing but the vintage Japanese made peacock hand warmers period I've rebuilt them with real Platinum catalyst but even the old Catalyst from the 50s are great. Nothing is more consistent and hotter in my opinion Edit: also don't wet the burner! It reduces its life. The cotton does not need to touch the burner, in fact you don't want it to period the fumes from the naphtha are what is catalyzed period also using pure naphtha rather than lighter fluid I find creates less of an odor and burns better and more consistently
Take it from me .The Zippo is made in the far east now. I was in Canada last winter and took two Whitbys with me. Even though it got to -20 they never let me down. These are called Whitby from the fishing port of Whitby on the Yorkshire coast of the UK. But these to are made in the far east.
They have made some great improvements in the performance of battery rechargeable hand warmers. They have increased them to 10,000mha with lithium batteries and the operating time has increased to up to 12 hours. Zippo has recently just released a new improved version of it rechargeable battery operated hand warmer.
You can get a Zippo in a smaller 6 hour size, though they are only slightly cheaper. Also, you can add some carbon felt, as that used by plumbers, to increase contact with the wick. Since it won't burn at relatively low temperatures, it does not need to be replaced.
Hello, yes you can. On the Zippo website the 6hr is $2.00 less than the 12hr. I bought the 12hr because you can measure the amount of fuel to last only 6 hours.
When replacing the catalytic burner with a new one on the Whitby, does the white cotton wool in the main section of the unit has to be touching the underneath side of the cat burner for it to work? Is this how its supposed to be?
No, the burner head doesn't touch the cotton. There is a gap. It's the vapours that interact with the catalyst to produce heat. There is no flame and no burning going on.
I have found that any hand warmer works, its that thing in the middle that makes the difference, the burner, some only last a few times, some have lasted 40+ times, the ones that lasted the longest, are the most cost the most, some think to do with platinum,
been using these for years, cheap ones, expenive ones, at the end of the day, its the bit in the middle that counts, the burner, it has Platinum in, i try and get the wadding as close to the heater as posible, I find it works better,
Not really but can be made to fit. The trouble is when you do that the burner is fragile and does not always work. I would just buy the Chinese version, it works well!
have you ever tried turning it upside for a few seconds halfway thru and see if it starts to get hotter..if so then you can devise that it has to do with the fuel saturation at the top where it touches the CB
I took a punt at the far east version last month as it was only £5 delivered after seeing your 1st vid....until I saw this published on Wed 24/2. My delivered version has the similar "style" burner as in your blue version (2:50), but I don't know if the "material" in the burner is any different. Will be giving this it a try this weekend when I'm hiking vs my Whitby that I'd also bought in UK this week.
+PimpMyReel Having used the Far East (FE) and the Whitby (W) side by side, here's my view: FE, Pros: 1. Cheap to buy - around £5 to £6 delivered (2/2016) 2. Available in variety of colours - if appearance is important 3. Sold by numerous sellers on a well known auction site 4. Small, compact & light weight 5. Replacement Catalytic Burner (CB) available from the well known auction site - but bear in mind long delivery time Cons: 1. Delivery could take as long as 8 weeks - its shipped from China / Asia 2. Burns "warm" rather than hot when compared to W - see below Result 3. CB need to be removed in order to fill with lighter fluid 4. Each time the CB is removed from the main unit, it is "disturbed" (as mentioned in vid) Result: This FE item, with the revised type of CB (as shown @ 2.45 and 8.10), DOES NOT burn very well. Item burns "warm", unlike the W which burns "hot". This "warm" is just about adequate. FE item has a weaker CB with smaller reservoir base for fuel. W, Pros: 1. Well made - British brand, so likely to have been thoroughly researched and designed properly from the beginning 2. Works as it should - burns "hot" rather than "warm" of the FE 3. Comes with clear instruction booklet 4. Bigger in size and weight - a bigger surface area giving off "hot" heat and not "warm" heat as in the FE 5. Widely available in UK with quick delivery 6. Black rubber filling 1 way valve - no need to removed CB - this is v important as mentioned in vid 7. Replacement CB available from Whitby - this is likely to be available for some time in the years to come which cannot be guaranteed of the FE item Cons: 1. More expensive than FE - typically around £13 to £14 Result: W works better as it burns "hot" and not just "warm". W has a stronger CB with a larger reservoir for fuel. Conclusion: W advise using "Zippo, Swan or other reputable brands" of lighter fuel in the enclosed booklet, I agree with this as I initally used "Clipper" brand and the CB would not burn in the FE one. Used Zippo (supposed to be more pure) and CB burnt fine. The design of the CB is crucial, as mentioned in the vid. Personally have found that lighting the CB with a gas turbo type lighter, the ones that produce a blue flame like the blow torches found in kitchens for making Creme brulee, is better for the CB in the long run as matches and cigarette lighters produce soot in the flame. I wouldn't advise using a wax candle to light the CB either. You get what you pay for, I agree with PMR's verdict in the vid too. Happy Pimping!
+Poncho Gp That is an awsume review, and I agree with 95%. But; do not use a blow torch lighter to light the catalytic burner, this kind of powerful blue flame will damage the catalytic burner to the point where it will not work. This has been documented in several RUclips videos including my review.
So if removing the catalyst burner to refill it affects the burn rate why not simply drill a hole in the flask body and make a bung solving the problem making it similar to the Whitby design for filling easy mod 🤔
Link Where DO WE BUY THEM?!?!?! like I've looked everywhere, can't find them anywhere, and you can't provide us with more than "Chinese hand warmer" and you've made 2 videos now.
I hear you say the smaller ones burn hotter bc of the smaller surface area. But I thought the bigger ones burn hotter bc of size. Meaning more air space resulting in a better burning results.
and also I th ok nk the main reason I'm different temperatures varying even btwn the same models is pretty simple and caused by 2 things...1)how much fuel is inside..the more saturated it is the more the top of the cotton or whatever absorber is used is wet with fuel....ones that aren't filled all the way take more time slowly absorbing the fuel to the top it doesn't have enough to burn hot..and 2) depends how well the absorber is touching the Catalytic burner..each one is a little different even within same models to how much cotton is touching the CB..
Sorry to burst your bubble but the Whitby Warmer hasn’t been made in Whitby for some time. It’s made in Taiwan. I thought it was made in Whitby. (I live about 30-40 miles further down the coast in Bridlington). Not-withstanding I stilll think they are the best. I don’t use it much. I have one of those that you put the solid fuel rods in but they are not nearly as good as these and the reusable gel clicker type are a waste of time they freeze at about 50 degreesC but start to gelt cold as soon as they are activated.. I only use the Whitby warmer bow.
It is so weird. The one way valve is the best feature and well thought out yet the instructions call it a rubber bung that you have to remove to fill. I’m sure this would put undue wear on it and it would leak and potentially be dangerous.
STRANGE. My Zippo 6 hour version lasts 8 hours with Zippo petrol, but only 3 hours with Swan fuel. They do tell you to use Zippo fuel, but I thought that was a con, it isn't !
Peacock I think it's either South Korea or Japanese were the ones that invented it. why not try those guys? I have used them I love them. And from my experience removing the catalyst is no problem. why would it be a problem? Taking it off and putting it back on why would that mess it up? They are consumable in your not screwing with the element. The catalyst in the peacock look like the Chinese version. That's probably where they stole the design from cause they look like them as well made from stainless. Try the original they stole the design from. Removing that to fill it up being a problem makes no sense,..But their not a 5er
Peacock is the original. Japanese. China cloned it. Than Zippo cloned it. So the Zippo also is a knock of. I have most of these, different types and brands. Cheapest 3 euro (China Kawasaki). Most expensive 50 euro (peacock). Peackock price in Holland is pretty high. It's indeed ALL ABOUT THE BURNER. You have to be lucky with these. I have 6 Peacock warmers. Two of them burn realy realy hot. Sometimes I have to take it out of my pocket because it gets too hot! The same is with the cheap Chinese and expensive American (Zippo) clones. Some burn warm. Some not even warm. Some realy hot. I don't know why the burners are so different performing. I don't think it's a problem taking the burner off. Just take them off only touching the sides just like some manuals say. I never destroyed one. Love these hand warmers. When I go fishing in winter I take 6 or 8. I put them in my boots and my 'special' vest. I sewed extra pockets in the front and back of the vest to put the hand warmers in!!! Ciao.
Personally I think it comes down to the age and quality of the catalyst. I have several Jon-E's (which I prefer) and one of them barely warms, another one will burn me right through the bag and all the rest are about "normal." There's no way of knowing how old they are (not date markings), but the one that barely warms has been around a while judging by the wear. The one that burns me is an old asbestos catalyst.
sour mash I bought a zippo labeled “manufactured to Zippo Quality Standards in Taiwan”. It has the zippo warranty and specifies to contact zippo in Bradford, PA for any warranty issues.
Спорт
I consider myself a somewhat self-proclaimed expert on hand warmers. My father used them in the war in Korea and taught me about them when I was growing up. Then add almost all those years to my knowledge.
Without getting all scientific, the Zippo's now have the same cheap catalyst that all Chinese models have. I ordered the mini Chinese versions, and found that they now put out about the same heat as the 12hr Zippo version, which also used the same type catalyst. I ordered 2 just to be sure and I got the same results from both. With my extensive testing (with about 40 that I own) still nothing I've come across beats the old Jon-E warmers from back in the day.
My buddy raves about the peacock stainless hand warmer, said he got 40 hours out of it before. Any experience with that? Im looking to buy one of these stainless warmers
The peacock beats
I have owned several Zippos, 15 plus, and have had no luck with them until I found a video by mountainparamaters. I now use an S-Boston which works very well, gets plenty hot, is reliable, has electronic ignition. He also has videos on rebuilding zippo, and other hand warmers. Also has carbon felt and platinum catalyst for sale. You don't want the catalyst touching the wick. Fouling the catalyst is one of the big problems with these things. It doesn't burn the fluid but the catalyst creates an exothermal reaction which produced the heat. Don't let fluid get on the catalyst. I can't stress that enough. Sorry, great review but some misinformation which can ruin the operation of your warmer by ruining the catalyst. Hiod this helps.
Great Review. I've been using the charcoal stick hand warmer for years on my motorcycle rides, and they are good. A couple years ago I bought the Zippo 12 hour (the bigger one) hand warmer, and I can say it is better. It is warmer and lasts all day. With the stick hand warmer (Stansport) the stick lasts a few hours then you have to reload. Right now on Amazon the Zippo is $13.00 (US)
Solid information. thanks!
Great review. I sent for the Whitby before I saw your review so I'm glad it came out on top!
I am an American and I use nothing but the vintage Japanese made peacock hand warmers period I've rebuilt them with real Platinum catalyst but even the old Catalyst from the 50s are great. Nothing is more consistent and hotter in my opinion
Edit: also don't wet the burner! It reduces its life. The cotton does not need to touch the burner, in fact you don't want it to period the fumes from the naphtha are what is catalyzed period also using pure naphtha rather than lighter fluid I find creates less of an odor and burns better and more consistently
Take it from me .The Zippo is made in the far east now. I was in Canada last winter and took two Whitbys with me. Even though it got to -20 they never let me down. These are called Whitby from the fishing port of Whitby on the Yorkshire coast of the UK. But these to are made in the far east.
Just bought 2 of the whitby, thank you so much.
They have made some great improvements in the performance of battery rechargeable hand warmers. They have increased them to 10,000mha with lithium batteries and the operating time has increased to up to 12 hours. Zippo has recently just released a new improved version of it rechargeable battery operated hand warmer.
I have the zippo on order
Didn't zippo actually re-released old electric one in different shape but same paramd like ~5000mah but higher price?
You can get a Zippo in a smaller 6 hour size, though they are only slightly cheaper. Also, you can add some carbon felt, as that used by plumbers, to increase contact with the wick. Since it won't burn at relatively low temperatures, it does not need to be replaced.
Hello, yes you can. On the Zippo website the 6hr is $2.00 less than the 12hr. I bought the 12hr because you can measure the amount of fuel to last only 6 hours.
Thank you for this review!
You are very welcome
Electronic hand warmer videos coming this winter
Awesome review thanks
Hello you brit boi, I have a question. Anybody know the actual lifetime of the zippo? like do they last a lifetime?
Thanks for sharing, im just learning
When replacing the catalytic burner with a new one on the Whitby, does the white cotton wool in the main section of the unit has to be touching the underneath side of the cat burner for it to work? Is this how its supposed to be?
No, the burner head doesn't touch the cotton. There is a gap. It's the vapours that interact with the catalyst to produce heat. There is no flame and no burning going on.
How many burns does the butterfly get before the catalyst is knackered?
Thank you very much. What do you think about the whitby in comparison to the peacock? The cathalytic burner is different..
Whitby
I've got an old Jimmy hand warmer. The catalyst isn't a sort of woolly felt. It's more like a weaved metallic tube.
I seen this one too, it's like a piece of metal spring 2 of them. How do these work out?
So Whitby is better because you don’t have to remove the cat the fill it? What about heat? Is it hotter than the Zippo?
I have found that any hand warmer works, its that thing in the middle that makes the difference, the burner, some only last a few times, some have lasted 40+ times, the ones that lasted the longest, are the most cost the most, some think to do with platinum,
been using these for years, cheap ones, expenive ones, at the end of the day, its the bit in the middle that counts, the burner, it has Platinum in, i try and get the wadding as close to the heater as posible, I find it works better,
Any links to some of these? Like that blue and red ones?
Where do you buy Whitby hand warmers?
Does the chinese burner fit on the zippo? My zippo burner broke so im looking for a cheap alternative
Not really but can be made to fit. The trouble is when you do that the burner is fragile and does not always work. I would just buy the Chinese version, it works well!
I've had a Whitby for years It's never let me down. fill it up solid 12hrs heating no problem.
What about the jack pyke style . Whole thing is made of stainless steel.
Where I chan buy the chinese hand warmers?
Where i can buy whitby hand warmer online?
have you ever tried turning it upside for a few seconds halfway thru and see if it starts to get hotter..if so then you can devise that it has to do with the fuel saturation at the top where it touches the CB
have you ever tried the catalyst from the zippo on the cheap model or vice versa?
Yes, they don't work.
Could you modify the Chinese ones to take a one way valve?
Yes you can. There's a video of that. By drilling a hole and plugging it with a piece of rubber.
Can you post the links for the Chinese hand warmers?
PLease do post some links! coz i found only the butterfly version, and not these smaller handstoves
This is what I'm looking for too any luck
I took a punt at the far east version last month as it was only £5 delivered after seeing your 1st vid....until I saw this published on Wed 24/2. My delivered version has the similar "style" burner as in your blue version (2:50), but I don't know if the "material" in the burner is any different. Will be giving this it a try this weekend when I'm hiking vs my Whitby that I'd also bought in UK this week.
Will be great to hear what you think after your test.
+PimpMyReel Forgot to ask, could the Far East catalytic burner head be replaced with the Whitby one? Does it fit?
+Poncho Gp
I think you'll find the size is slightly different and it will not want to fit but can be persuaded
+PimpMyReel
Having used the Far East (FE) and the Whitby (W) side by side, here's my view:
FE, Pros:
1. Cheap to buy - around £5 to £6 delivered (2/2016)
2. Available in variety of colours - if appearance is important
3. Sold by numerous sellers on a well known auction site
4. Small, compact & light weight
5. Replacement Catalytic Burner (CB) available from the well known auction site - but bear in mind long delivery time
Cons:
1. Delivery could take as long as 8 weeks - its shipped from China / Asia
2. Burns "warm" rather than hot when compared to W - see below Result
3. CB need to be removed in order to fill with lighter fluid
4. Each time the CB is removed from the main unit, it is "disturbed" (as mentioned in vid)
Result:
This FE item, with the revised type of CB (as shown @ 2.45 and 8.10), DOES NOT burn very well. Item burns "warm", unlike the W which burns "hot". This "warm" is just about adequate. FE item has a weaker CB with smaller reservoir base for fuel.
W, Pros:
1. Well made - British brand, so likely to have been thoroughly researched and designed properly from the beginning
2. Works as it should - burns "hot" rather than "warm" of the FE
3. Comes with clear instruction booklet
4. Bigger in size and weight - a bigger surface area giving off "hot" heat and not "warm" heat as in the FE
5. Widely available in UK with quick delivery
6. Black rubber filling 1 way valve - no need to removed CB - this is v important as mentioned in vid
7. Replacement CB available from Whitby - this is likely to be available for some time in the years to come which cannot be guaranteed of the FE item
Cons:
1. More expensive than FE - typically around £13 to £14
Result:
W works better as it burns "hot" and not just "warm". W has a stronger CB with a larger reservoir for fuel.
Conclusion:
W advise using "Zippo, Swan or other reputable brands" of lighter fuel in the enclosed booklet, I agree with this as I initally used "Clipper" brand and the CB would not burn in the FE one. Used Zippo (supposed to be more pure) and CB burnt fine.
The design of the CB is crucial, as mentioned in the vid.
Personally have found that lighting the CB with a gas turbo type lighter, the ones that produce a blue flame like the blow torches found in kitchens for making Creme brulee, is better for the CB in the long
run as matches and cigarette lighters produce soot in the flame. I wouldn't advise using a wax candle to light the CB either.
You get what you pay for, I agree with PMR's verdict in the vid too. Happy Pimping!
+Poncho Gp
That is an awsume review, and I agree with 95%. But; do not use a blow torch lighter to light the catalytic burner, this kind of powerful blue flame will damage the catalytic burner to the point where it will not work. This has been documented in several RUclips videos including my review.
Where do you buy the ultra small chinese hand warmers?
I purchased mine on Ebay.
So if removing the catalyst burner to refill it affects the burn rate why not simply drill a hole in the flask body and make a bung solving the problem making it similar to the Whitby design for filling easy mod 🤔
Like the video I uploaded on mods for petrol lighters....
@@PimpMyReel not seen that 1 may have to watch it you got a link please 👍
Bonjour zippo is it better than chinese item ?
Link
Where
DO
WE
BUY
THEM?!?!?!
like I've looked everywhere, can't find them anywhere, and you can't provide us with more than "Chinese hand warmer" and you've made 2 videos now.
3 videos
Where's the Whitby made ?
Had several of both. The Chinese metals corroded faster. Got a Korean war issue Zippo that still goes on good.
I hear you say the smaller ones burn hotter bc of the smaller surface area. But I thought the bigger ones burn hotter bc of size. Meaning more air space resulting in a better burning results.
and also I th ok nk the main reason I'm different temperatures varying even btwn the same models is pretty simple and caused by 2 things...1)how much fuel is inside..the more saturated it is the more the top of the cotton or whatever absorber is used is wet with fuel....ones that aren't filled all the way take more time slowly absorbing the fuel to the top it doesn't have enough to burn hot..and 2) depends how well the absorber is touching the Catalytic burner..each one is a little different even within same models to how much cotton is touching the CB..
Sorry to burst your bubble but the Whitby Warmer hasn’t been made in Whitby for some time. It’s made in Taiwan. I thought it was made in Whitby. (I live about 30-40 miles further down the coast in Bridlington). Not-withstanding I stilll think they are the best. I don’t use it much. I have one of those that you put the solid fuel rods in but they are not nearly as good as these and the reusable gel clicker type are a waste of time they freeze at about 50 degreesC but start to gelt cold as soon as they are activated.. I only use the Whitby warmer bow.
It is so weird. The one way valve is the best feature and well thought out yet the instructions call it a rubber bung that you have to remove to fill. I’m sure this would put undue wear on it and it would leak and potentially be dangerous.
Zippos are made more durable and better now
STRANGE. My Zippo 6 hour version lasts 8 hours with Zippo petrol, but only 3 hours with Swan fuel. They do tell you to use Zippo fuel, but I thought that was a con, it isn't !
So far as I can see, Whitby & Co have nothing to do with Whitby, and they sell Zippo handwarmers as well as Whitby handwarmers. No factory in Whitby.
Nice job, poindexter... but where can I get one....
New design of Zippo burners look like the Chinese burners :-(
You're a good salesman on whitby but my zippo last more than 12 hours for one refill!
Zippo are Taiwan not China but not Bradford PA. ether & they are $12.00 free ship Zippo has new burner looks not like yours
I'd rather buy something at a price of 20 and have it for 20 years than buy something for 5 and have it for less than 5 years. Get what you pay for.
I would rather have something that works good, price not important.
Peacock I think it's either South Korea or Japanese were the ones that invented it. why not try those guys? I have used them I love them. And from my experience removing the catalyst is no problem. why would it be a problem? Taking it off and putting it back on why would that mess it up? They are consumable in your not screwing with the element. The catalyst in the peacock look like the Chinese version. That's probably where they stole the design from cause they look like them as well made from stainless. Try the original they stole the design from. Removing that to fill it up being a problem makes no sense,..But their not a 5er
sold ordered 1
S-boston is my favorite brand. I think it's South Korean.
Peacock is the original. Japanese.
China cloned it. Than Zippo cloned it. So the Zippo also is a knock of.
I have most of these, different types and brands. Cheapest 3 euro (China Kawasaki). Most expensive 50 euro (peacock). Peackock price in Holland is pretty high.
It's indeed ALL ABOUT THE BURNER.
You have to be lucky with these. I have 6 Peacock warmers. Two of them burn realy realy hot. Sometimes I have to take it out of my pocket because it gets too hot!
The same is with the cheap Chinese and expensive American (Zippo) clones. Some burn warm. Some not even warm. Some realy hot.
I don't know why the burners are so different performing.
I don't think it's a problem taking the burner off. Just take them off only touching the sides just like some manuals say. I never destroyed one.
Love these hand warmers. When I go fishing in winter I take 6 or 8. I put them in my boots and my 'special' vest. I sewed extra pockets in the front and back of the vest to put the hand warmers in!!!
Ciao.
Thank you for your input.
Personally I think it comes down to the age and quality of the catalyst. I have several Jon-E's (which I prefer) and one of them barely warms, another one will burn me right through the bag and all the rest are about "normal." There's no way of knowing how old they are (not date markings), but the one that barely warms has been around a while judging by the wear. The one that burns me is an old asbestos catalyst.
No Jon E? You left out the best handwarmer there is, LIMEY
There is always one, oh god can't stop laughing....
I'm American and I think the zippo warmer sucked :-P
Zippo copy's the Chinese burners now, well they are all made in china anyways lol
theres alot of fake zippo products out there,any real zippo is made in Bradford PA. i think the best hand warmer is the old school jon-e
sour mash
I bought a zippo labeled “manufactured to Zippo Quality Standards in Taiwan”. It has the zippo warranty and specifies to contact zippo in Bradford, PA for any warranty issues.
On the REI website when you look up the Zippo hand warmer it clearly states "imported"...
The Zippos are made in Canada..Not China
Yes my one from 2012 with older better burner was made in Taiwan. So are my newer ones.
Lord Jock
Genuine Zippo with warranty. Made in Taiwan.
Only Zippo, Chinse crap not worth to buy.