How to Use Tiki Torches to Light up Your Backyard
Are you looking for ways to spice up your backyard in time for that night party? Or maybe you just want something unique for a cool ambiance for family dinners. You can’t go wrong with tiki torches.
Tiki torches are pretty cool and can make your backyard stand out. Tiki torches come in different shapes and sizes and are quite easy to make. You can get ideas from materials already present in your home.
Some common tiki torches ideas include whisky bottle torches made from empty whisky bottles, wooden frame tiki torches and calabash-inspired tiki torches. These tiki torches can give you the backyard of your dreams with the nice ambiance it brings.
Because tiki torches deal with flammable fluids and open fire, it can become dangerous if not properly set up, used, or stored.
Tiki torches can also chase away mosquitoes and other insects when used with citronella.
Here are ways to use your tiki torches safely and enjoy a lit and beautiful backyard.
1. Set up Your Tiki Torches At Least 6 Feet Away From Each Other
Placing your tiki torches at least 6 feet away from each other will leave enough room for people to move freely between them without getting caught up in flames.
Because tiki torches deal with open flames, the possibility of getting your hair or clothes caught up with fire is high if the torches are not spaced properly. It will also reduce the possibility of accidentally knocking off a torch.
2. Refilling a Tiki Torch Safely
Before refilling a tiki torch, make sure the flame is out and the touch is cool. Carefully rotate the wick’s ring to expose the fuel chamber. Make use of a metal or plastic funnel to pour in the fuel.
Replace the wick’s ring and secure it safely. You should check around for accidental spills on your lawn. Clean it off by soaking the spilled fuel with kitty litter then use a cleaner that can handle oil and grease to suck it up.
3. Keep Tiki Torches Away from Overhangs and Flammable Materials
Tiki torches should not be placed near overhangs like trees, wires, or ropes as they can easily cause a fire outbreak.
You should also keep tiki torches away from flammable materials like gas cylinders, wooden materials, and papers. Ideally, a space of about 6 to 8 feet away from wood and your building will keep the flame in check.
This is very important as the breeze can blow the flame to a nearby flammable material and cause a fire.
4. Ensure there is Proper Ventilation
Never place a tiki torch indoors or in a location with poor ventilation like an enclosed patio. Not only does the flame look cool dangling outdoors, but it is also safer as the chance of a fire outbreak is low.
This is an outdoor torch and should remain that way due to its open flame structure.
5. Proper Storage of Fuel and Torches
After refilling, keep the fuel in a cool dry place away from kids and pets. Properly storing the torches when not in use is critical.
If you decide to store the torch with the unused fuel inside, make sure the torch is standing upright without the possibility of tipping over and spilling the fuel.
It is ideal to store the torch in an insulated place, but where this is not possible, you can store the torch outside as long as the climate will not be too hot to dry the fuel or too cold to freeze the fuel.
You should also store the torch away from kids and pets.
6. Extinguishing the Flame
Most tiki torches come with snuffer caps that help you put out the flame. To use this cap, place the snuffer over the wick and flame. The flame will slowly die out.
You should open the snuffer cap once the flame is out for the wick to cool. You can then close it with the cap to protect the wick from rain and extreme weather conditions.
How to Use Tiki Torches : Summary
Tiki torches may be ancient, but their style is unending. They light up your backyard and bring a calm ambiance to your home, giving you the perfect arena for night parties, dinners, and bbq party games. Tiki torches are open flame torches with flammable fluids, so extreme care needs to be taken to ensure safety.
