Tiki torches come in a variety of styles and are made from a wide array of materials, including bamboo, cane, ceramic, aluminum and copper.
Traditionally made from bamboo, tiki torches originated in the Polynesian culture and have since become popular in contemporary society.
Often used at island-themed parties to enhance the ambiance and create a tropical atmosphere, tiki torches are also utilized as decoration on a patio or around a pool. They can transform a simple patio into an island paradise.
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If you are new to the use of tiki torches, read on to find out exactly what they are, why you should choose them over other forms of patio lighting, their disadvantages, how to ensure they are used safely, which fuel to choose and a mini buying guide.
But first take a look at our top picks for tiki torches in the areas of cheap, bronze, stainless steel, elegant, solar powered and make your own.
Top Picks
Cheap – Classic Bamboo Tiki Torches
Inexpensively priced at around $6 you can buy this traditional bamboo tiki torch with a refillable fuel canister, fiberglass wick and a fire retardant finish. These would be the perfect patio lights addition to a luau.
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Bronze – Set Of Two 36? Deck Torches
These affordable and attractive dark bronze tiki torches can burn for between 6 and 8 hours with their 12 oz oil canister. And they really are dark bronze, not the light color they appear in the picture. They are sturdily designed and rust resistant to a degree although you should probably put them indoors over the winter. They come with c-clamps to allow for easy fitting deck lighting. Buy a few pairs to deck out your deck!
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Stainless Steel – Pack Of Two 65? Cylinder Shaped Tiki Torches
For a more contemporary style stainless steel tiki, this pack of two tall torches will add sophistication to your outdoor space. The fiberglass wick lasts forever and the snuffer cap is attractive. Just wipe off any oil drips from the stainless steel before lighting.
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Elegant – Set Of 2 Strathwood Pewter Finish Torchieres
For the ultimate in elegance, these two 72? rust-resistant, funnel shaped lamps add stylish functionality to your patio or deck. The lamps sit in black iron curved brackets which sit atop black iron stands.
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Solar Tiki Torch – Paradise Lighting
These solar patio lights combine the native tiki look with modern lighting. They offer you the tropical island feel without having to use open flames or burning oil. The solar batteries charge during the day and give out between 6-8 hours of realistic, flickering amber LED light at night. The frosted enclosure makes it look as though a candle is held within. Just make sure they are placed somewhere that gets full sunshine during the day.
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Make Your Own – Copper Wine Bottle Torch Kit
If you’re interested in making your own tiki torch, this kit takes any empty wine bottle and turns it into one. It comes complete with a five foot copper coated stake that can be height adjusted, a dual prong base for extra stability, a long lasting reusable wick and copper bottle plug. The only problem is you’ll have to drink some wine, to get an empty bottle!
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What Are Tiki Torches?
Measuring about five feet in height, outdoor tiki torches are decorative poles topped with a fuel reservoir and wick. The stem of a tiki torch is hollow and can be sunk into the earth or put in a pot for more temporary use. The fuel reservoir itself is typically either a metal or plastic container that holds lamp oil, paraffin oil or citronella oil, housed in a woven holder. The bottle’s lid, which is equipped with a metal top and an attached cap, holds a bound cord wick which hangs down into the tiki fuel. To extinguish the torch, the metal cap is placed over the burning wick. Usually, the cap stays closed over the wick when the torch is not being used in order to protect it from dampness.
Why Choose Tiki Torches
Tiki torches should feature somewhere in your patio lighting plans. They can be placed anywhere as they do not need any electric power source, they can be moved around easily, they produce natural rather than artificial light and give that tropical island or party feel to your outdoors. You don’t even need a garden to use them as you can just anchor them in deep plant pots and place them around your patio or deck.
Disadvantages Of Tiki Torches
The main disadvantages of tiki torches arise from them using real flames. Obviously this can be dangerous if safety precautions are not followed.
Tiki Torch Safety
- Ensure your tiki torches are fixed well into the ground so that they cannot topple over. Push them firmly into soft earth and use large rocks to keep them secure.
- Keep the wick trimmed so that there is less opportunity for any spilled fuel to catch fire.
- Only fill the fuel container to about two thirds of its capacity, again to reduce the potential problem of spilled fuel.
- Do not place tiki torches near to anything flammable, including trees with overhanging branches, bushes, people, kids or pets. Keep them a safe distance from the area you plan to be using.
- Ensure you have a working fire extinguisher to hand. Accidents do happen so it never hurts to be prepared.
Which Tiki Torch Fuel To Choose
Your choice of fuel will to some extent be determined either by where your tiki torch will be situated, the type of torch, what is available to you and what your intended use for the torch is.
Paraffin oil/kerosene – is an odorless, smokeless oil so will allow your tiki torches to provide light without interfering with yours or your guests enjoyment.
Citronella – is used when you want to repel any unwanted bugs which is quite often, making it the most popular fuel. Even if not used for lighting, tiki torches with Citronella are often found being utilized just for this purpose. It does have a mild lemony smell though.
Gas – gas powered tiki torches can be found but the fact that they need to be connected to a tank makes them less than ideal. They do have the advantage of being able to burn more or less continuously, but do require more maintenance to keep clean.
Solar power – in recent years, modern tiki torches have evolved, using solar energy rather than an open flame. These more eco-friendly, convenient torches use a solar panel that converts sunlight into energy, thereby charging the batteries and producing light. Because there is no fire, solar tiki torches can be placed anywhere in the yard and withstand a windy evening. However, solar-powered tiki lights tend to emit a dimmer light than that of their traditional counterparts.
Tiki Torches Buying Guide
There a plusses and minuses associated with each of the different types of tiki torch but here are a few things to consider before purchase:
Material – Bamboo and cane, while inexpensive, tend not to last as long as their sturdier metal counterparts. Aluminum, on the other hand, is prone to rusting over time. Copper weathers well, changing its patina over the years, and becoming uniquely antique in appearance.
Price – Tiki torches vary in price depending upon the style and material used in their construction. Bamboo models are typically inexpensive, starting at under $5 while more expensive models, like aluminum or copper, can cost up to $40.
Design – This will generally be dependent upon your personal taste and what other lighting or furniture you already have on your patio. Don’t forget to consider table top versions as well as the tall stake variety.
Features – Most tiki torches come with snuffer caps, but consider other features that may be on offer such as adjustable heights, extra anchoring prongs for stability etc.
Fuel – Ensure you can use your preferred fuel in the torch that you choose.
Number – How many do you need? Make sure you know where you are going to place them before you buy them and then buy them all in one go as you may not be able to get matching ones later on.
Get Your Tiki Torches Now …
Tiki torches add a warm weather atmosphere to the outdoors. You can consider them for an early evening beach wedding, to illuminate your garden’s entry ways or pathways or as party props for a jungle theme or oceanside luau. They are the perfect way to set the mood and tone, while providing ambient lighting at the same time. As the tiki torch flames dance and flicker in the warm, evening breeze, you can almost hear the gentle sounds of waves lapping the beach. If you’re one of the fortunate few that live in the tropics, then this scenario is probably second nature to you. For the rest of us, however, we have to live through our imaginations, with our backyard tiki torches.