Zippo Classic Black Crackle Windproof Lighter (236) in El Paso

The Zippo Black Crackle (model 236) is the windproof, refillable brass lighter that built the entire Zippo legend. Its textured matte-black coating is not just a color choice, it is the finish that carried the brand through World War II and turned a small Bradford, Pennsylvania company into an American icon. You get a lighter that lights in wind, refuels in seconds, and is covered for life by Zippo. We carry it across our El Paso, Texas shops, and you can check the live availability on this page to see which store has one in stock right now.

The finish that built a legend

The Black Crackle finish dates to World War II. From 1933 to 1942 Zippo cases were brass and chrome, but when wartime demand pulled brass into the military effort, Zippo switched to steel cases and coated their uneven surface with a thick black material that baked into a crackled texture. That practical fix became the brand’s signature. Today Zippo recreates the look with a specially formulated powder-coating process, so the 236 keeps the same rugged, slightly grippy hand-feel that resists fingerprints and hides everyday wear. If you want a black lighter that looks the part of a working tool rather than a polished showpiece, this is the original.

Built windproof, built for a lifetime

Every Zippo 236 is built around the same windproof design Zippo has used for decades. Flip the lid for the unmistakable Zippo click, and the chimney shields the flame so it stays lit in wind that would kill a disposable. The case is solid brass under the crackle coating, the action is all metal, and the insert is fully serviceable. Best of all, it is backed by Zippo’s lifetime guarantee, summed up by the brand as “it works or Zippo fixes it free.” If the mechanism ever fails, you send it to Zippo and they repair it at no charge. We sell the lighter; Zippo stands behind the repair for as long as you own it.

Fueling and maintaining your 236

Like all Zippos, the 236 ships empty for safe handling, so plan to fuel it before first use. To fill it, lift the insert out of the case, raise the felt pad, and slowly saturate the packing material with fluid until it reaches the top of the packing, then wipe your hands before lighting. It is engineered to run best on Zippo premium lighter fluid. Two consumable parts keep it going for years: the flint, which an everyday user replaces every few weeks, and the wick, which lasts much longer. We stock both, so grab a pack of replacement flints and keep a replacement wick on hand for when the old one finally chars down.

Pick one up in El Paso

El Paso Smoke Shops operates 10 locations across El Paso, Texas, and our Hosts handle and fuel these lighters every day, so we can point you to the right consumables when you buy one. The 236 is stocked at select stores rather than every shelf, so check the live availability on this page to see which El Paso store has it before you drive over. Online checkout is coming soon; for now this lighter is sold for in-store purchase to Guests 21 and older with valid ID.

If you want one lighter that captures what Zippo is about, the Black Crackle 236 is it: windproof, refillable, lifetime-guaranteed by Zippo, and wrapped in the exact finish that made the brand famous. Add a can of fluid and a few flints, and it will be lighting for decades. Check the live stock above and pick yours up at an El Paso Smoke Shops near you.