It works but you'd need to buy a can of zippo lighter fluid to put in it. I always used the zippo brand (seemed to last longer in the zippo lighters). You can find the lighter fluid for sale at the zippo.com website or eBay. Or if you want to use a cheaper brand, I'm sure you could find the lighter fluid in a lot of stores (depending on where you live) Also, if you plan on using this for years and years to come (and it will work a lifetime) you'd need more wicks Eventually.