Ok, now that we’ve dispensed the world’s most obvious wisdom, let’s get serious. Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) includes many solvents, cleaners and flammables which your city or county doesn’t want seeping into its ground water and doesn’t want to inadvertently ignite as the hot muffler of a bulldozer passes over the ruptured container in which it was stored before being tossed in a heap at the city dump. If it is flammable, corrosive, reactive or toxic and you use it around the home, it probably qualifies as HHW. You might note that the oil from your tiki torches falls into at least one of those categories.

This, of course, begs the question of how to safely dispose of tiki torch oil. Tiki torch oil, often a kerosene based product, is generally accepted at any recycling and disposal center that accepts used motor-oil, kerosene and diesel fuel. Your local landfill likely has such a facility but be sure to check for hours of operation before heading out. Some facilities only accept drop-offs a few times a month. Your county website probably has information relating to safe disposal of HHWs. Look for a page devoted to waste management, disposal or recycling.

Another source may be your local gas station or mechanic. Any place where oil is changed is subject to very strict disposal regulations. It isn’t a given they’ll be willing to accept your oil, though, so best to call ahead and ask.

While we’re on the subject, you will have to drive the oil to your chosen disposal center and that brings up a concern of its own. Ensure that the container in which you are transporting your tiki torch fuel is tightly closed and secured against tipping or spilling. If you smell the oil as you’re driving, roll down your windows and, for the love of Pete, DON’T SMOKE! Finally, should your container tip over and spill (I did warn you to secure it) then you should visit our post with tips on cleaning up tiki torch oil spills.

For all the joy and beauty of tiki torches on a warm summer evening, remember that your fun comes with a tiny inconvenience. You are responsible for the world around you. Check your local disposal options and, please never EVER just dump your oil on the ground. Mother Nature thanks you.

The key elements in lighting a tiki torch are the fuel, the wick, air and the source of flame. I’m going to assume you already know this is an instance where you need fire to make fire and that you aren’t trying to light your torch in an oxygen-free environment. With that in mind we’re left with the wick, fuel or both to concern us.

If you’ve just filled a tiki torch with fuel and inserted the wick, it may not light because it hasn’t soaked up fuel yet. Give it a little bit of time to do so and try again. Also ensure the wick is long enough to take and hold a flame and make sure you’re using fuel designed for a tiki torch and not an alternative which may not absorb well into the wick.

Finally, and this is often the surprise reason for why a tiki torch won’t light - If you previously used one brand of fuel in your tiki torch and have since switched to a different fuel type or brand, your wick may clog (for lack of a better word) and not feed the fuel (and, hence, won’t light). Be sure, whenever you change fuels or fuel brands, also insert a new wick.

Hope that helps you with your tiki torch woes, Rick.

The problem with tiki torch fuel spills is that, not only does the stuff do a great job of staining concrete, it does an even better job of leaving behind a horrid smell if spilled on upholstery. The more common lament is an outdoor spill but it’s more frustrating when the problem is a tip-over while transporting the stuff in a car. So to answer this question we’re going to tackle both indoor and outdoor tiki torch fuel spills.

Clean up tiki torch oil spills from concrete - If you’ve spilled oil-based tiki torch fuel on brick or concrete, promptly soak up as much of the oil as possible using paper towels. If you want to use cloth towels, be prepared to throw them away as they will be ruined. Rags, likewise, should be thrown away as they will be impregnated with a highly flammable oil and represent a tremendous fire hazard if stored in a closed environment. One more point - don’t step on the paper towels to compress them into the oil. While you may soak up oil more quickly, you’ll also leave your shoes reeking to high heaven of oil (particularly bad if you then track it into your house).

Once the puddle has been removed as much as possible, pour kitty litter over the entire spill area and allow it to soak up any remaining oil. Give it several hours in hopes that as much of the oil will leech into the litter from the concrete as possible. Use a broom to sweep up the litter and discard it.

If you’re left with a tiki torch oil stain, use a commercial driveway cleaner designed to clean up automotive oil in an effort to remove any remaining discoloration. Whatever product you purchase, ensure it is safe for the surface you wish to treat.

Clean up tiki torch oil from car upholstery - As with a concrete spill, use paper towels to soak up as much of the oil as soon as you possibly can. You may need to remove the upholstery and dab at the padding underneath as well.

No matter what conventional cleaner you try at this point, you’ll be left with the horrid lingering odor of tiki torch fuel. Two home remedies that people rave about are baking soda and coffee grounds (a trucker’s favorite solution).

For the baking soda solution, pour the product liberally over the area of the spill and leave it there. You may want to go as long as a week before vacuuming the baking soda up to let it fully absorb any remaining oil and odor. This is the best solution if you are concerned about stains from coffee grounds.

If you’re not worried about stains (and those who have tried this swear there are none) you can opt for the much lauded coffee ground solution. For this clean up, your next step is to dampen the entire area with water, then pour coffee grounds over the entire stain and let them soak for several hours (better yet, overnight). Next, vacuum the coffee grounds up and discard.

 And that’s how you clean up tiki torch fuel spills, folks. Of course those aren’t the only ways, I’m sure. If anybody out there has any other suggestions, please do leave a comment to let me know. Also, if you use any of the above methods, please let me know your results. Happy Torchin’!

Fall is a beautiful time of year. Leaves turn to brilliant colors and paint the canopy overhead in licks of flame coloring to match the fire from our torches. But they also drift down into our yards where they become dry, brittle and extraordinarily flammable.

This is the time of year when you should be particularly careful with your open flame tiki torches and particularly cautious about your overhead environment. It just takes one leaf falling onto your torch, catching fire and then drifting down to accumulated leaves on the ground to lend your party a whole level of excitement you hadn’t been counting on.

If entertaining outside in the fall with tiki torches, ensure leaves are raked, collected and removed from around your torches to prevent the scenario above. Also consider what would happen should your torch be knocked over. Is there a reasonable amount of space between the likely spill area and accumulating leaves?

Finally, what may have been an adequate overhead environment for a tiki torch in the spring and summer may be less so in the fall. Dry leaves may be caught in branches overhead and more prone to combustion. Revaluate your tiki torch placement and err on the side of caution.

The turning of the seasons may not be enough to drive the truly macho among you indoors just yet. But consider the advice above and enjoy your tiki torches safely!

But wait! Not so fast! Just because Mother Nature is ready to give up on the balmy beach feel is no reason for you to throw in the towel too. With just one small addition, those tropical illusions you’ve been enjoying can stretch a month or two longer. It’s time to add a fire pit to the festivities.

A fire pit, you say? Gee, wouldn’t that require some major renovations to my patio? Not at all. Fire pits or outdoor fireplaces don’t have to be brick, stone and mortar affairs, though those built-in versions are certainly wonderful. If you’d rather have something less permanent (and less labor intensive) occupying space on your patio, temporary versions are the way to go.

Much like tiki torches with options from classic bamboo to elegant cosmopolitan designs, fire pits and outdoor fireplaces can be purchased with any theme or garden design in mind. High end versions such as the model pictured to the left can even serve a dual purpose, providing comfortable warmth in cold weather and/or serving as a table complete with a lazy Susan for entertaining during warmer weather when the fire pit isn’t needed. Keep in mind that the granite Fire Stone model definitely qualifies as high end and is priced accordingly.

Also like tiki torches, you have options in fuel sources. Some fire pits are designed to accommodate wood or coal but for those for whom that would be an inconvenience, propane and natural gas versions are available. Consider, for example, the Napoleon Patioflame pictured to the left. This model creates the illusion of a natural rock fire pit with burning wood but it’s all smoke and mirrors, folks. This model burns gas!

Prices on fire pits can run from disturbingly high to pleasantly affordable depending on design and fuel source. In all likelihood, there’s a model out there in your price range. Combine one of these pits, a few tiki torches, outdoor lounge chairs, some blankets and some good company and you’ll extend your events and still be creating lasting memories long after your neighbors have locked themselves away in hibernation.

After receiving the news that the surgery went fine, we decided to celebrate despite feeling emotionally strung out. I mixed a couple pina coladas, lit the tiki torches and we each settled into our patio loungers and enjoyed the play of the firelight on the pond. Our cares slowly faded away.

Now you may be thinking the rum in the pina coladas was mostly to thank for the easing of our worries and there is some truth to that, but I believe in cumulative effect. As I said in Planning events with tiki torches, the flickering flame needs only a few additional props to really set a mood. In our case, tiki torches plus pina coladas took us a way to a better time and place, our honeymoon. And that, coupled with the good news the vet gave us, let our cares drift away.

The next time you have a rough day, turn things around by setting a mood. Mix up some pina coladas (with or without alcohol), light up the tiki torches and settle into a better frame of mind. One word of advice… don’t use pre-mixed concoctions. Build yourself a much better pina colada from scratch. You won’t be disappointed. Visit Recipezaar.com for their perfect Island Pina Colada recipe. The only thing I personally change is go a hair lighter on the rum and add ice before blending (about 2 cups for a 2 person serving).

An event could be as simple as a small, intimate gathering of close friends sipping mojitos on the deck or backyard patio. This is one of my personal favorites as, again, the flickering light sets the perfect mood for reminiscing about fond memories, cuddling with that special someone or sharing hopes and dreams for bright futures. Yes, the mojitos certainly help move things along but the event is just that much more complete with tiki torches.

Backyard, evening barbecues also go well with tiki torches. We suggest placing citronella torches further out around the perimeter of the gathering and torches without insect repelling fuels - perhaps smaller table-top or low profile tiki torches - closer in to provide that wonderful light. The citronella-fueled torches at the edges will help keep insects at bay but won’t overwhelm your guests with the smell (which some find unappealing) due to their more distant placement. Read our section on Fuels for tiki torches to help you select a clean-burning fuel for those torches which will be closest to your guests.

Another great mood-inspiring idea is to light pathways through your garden with pathway tiki torches. These can be small oil-burning models that sit low to the ground or your regular tall varieties. The lit pathway invites guests to explore your yard or garden and can be laid out in such a way as to guide guests to features you’d like to show off such as a small fountain or garden bench where they can sit and chat. Just remember, if using torches to mark paths, ensure enough distance between the torch and the pathway guests will travel to avoid anybody dragging a dress, pant leg, clothing or hair through the flame!

Finally, plan theme events that incorporate tiki torches. Think tropical and exotic. A luau is always fun. Greet guests at the door with real flower leis (great job for your kids if you have any). Sea shells and/or tropical flowers can be arranged on tables to further enhance the mood and indoor palm plants can spend a sultry evening outside with your guests to add to the illusion. Guests should be asked to wear garish Hawaiian shirts or dresses if they have them. If they don’t, whatever would pass for relaxing clothes for the beach will suffice. Of course, don’t forget the tiki torches! Include food and drinks to round out the ambiance such as pineapple, coconut, grilled pork, chicken and fish. For some luau recipes, visit Cooks.com! If you can pipe some music outdoors, pick some soothing island background tunes and lull your guests into almost believing they really are on an island in paradise.

Ultimately, your imagination and some tiki torches are all you need to help you plan an unforgettable evening for friends or family - something they’ll thank and remember you for.

If you opt for oil-burning tiki torches you could choose any of several options. Clean burning oils produce less sooty smoke. Other oil options with citronella repel insects, always a popular choice at any outdoor function, but have a scent not all people find appealing. For the cleanest burning oil for tiki torches, choose paraffin based oils which are completely smoke free. There are even purely biodegradable oils available, convenient should you spill.

If you opt for oil-burning tiki torches, the most common offering on the market, remember that you should select the oil you want to use and stick with it or purchase additional wicks. Switching between oils but using the same wicks can lead to wick-clogging and a poor flame. Always use one wick for one type of oil and change out the wick if you wish to burn a different type of oil.

You might elect to go with propane model torches. Gas torches offer a clean burn. Varieties are available to accommodate a miniature propane canister or you can select a model that accepts a standard sized propane tank the likes of which you would attach to a propane grill. The downsides to these models are that you will want to hide the generally unappealing white propane tank (potted plants work well for this) and that it isn’t that easy to tell when you are running low on fuel until the flame begins to sputter and die. You also can’t opt for an insect repelling gas.

Electric tiki torches, either in-ground wired, battery operated or solar powered are a third option. Each has pros and cons. Wired outdoor lighting will require careful advance planning and requires a permanent placement. This will limit your creativity should you want to make a change at a later time. Battery operated tiki torches have the benefit of mobility but sacrifice brightness. Solar powered tiki torches also offer mobility but produce a dimmer light and are useless if placed in a shaded yard or if they didn’t have a chance to charge before your party due to overcast weather.

While the light from electric torches can create an ambiance all its own, they don’t match the flickering mystique of an oil or gas burning torch. On the other hand, all three electric models do offer the benefit of safety (no flame) over their open flame competition.

First, ensure there are no tree limbs or other overhangs near your torches. Trim back any low branches of relocating your tiki torch isn’t an option and keep the wick (and by extension, the flame) short. If you can’t hold your hand over the flame at the height of the branch or overhanging object then you have a fire risk.

Also consider objects near the flame. Wind gusts will bend the flame from your tiki torches and could ignite nearby branches or flammable objects. Again, the best option here is to ensure your tiki torches are placed with ample room to the sides and above.

Freestanding tiki torches, not unlike a standing house lamp, can be toppled. If you have rambunctious pets or children, ensure they aren’t playing around the torch particularly while it’s lit. When not in use, standing tiki torches can be moved to a less trafficked area so children and pets can play without risk of toppling an unlit torch and spilling the oil everywhere.

Remember that children are fascinated by flames. Invest the time to talk to your kids about the risks and dangers to ensure they have a healthy respect for your tiki torches. Regardless how attentive they may seem, keep a close eye on children when hosting a tiki torch party and remind your guests to do the same.

Also consider the height of you tiki torches. Some come with fairly short posts, placing the flame near head height for many adults and within reach of curious little hands. Try to get torches with longer posts so that the flames will be above head height and less likely to catch and ignite hair or clothing. Buy extensions for torches with short posts or bypass them all together if you don’t think you can extend them or manage the safety of your guests around them.

Remember that the oil or gas used in your tiki torches is highly flammable. Clean up spills promptly and store the fuel in a cool, dry, safe place away from direct sunlight. Read the warning labels carefully so you know what to do in the event that you come in contact with the oil.

Consider that there are alternatives to open flame oil and gas torches. If you can’t ensure the safety of your guests, children or pets or find yourself worrying endlessly about the risks, consider electric tiki torches which don’t produce an actual flame. The look and feel is decidedly different, but better safe than sorry.

Finally, recognize irrational fear. Your tiki torches are no different than large candles or a fire in a fireplace. They demand caution, respect and common sense but aren’t something you need to spend every waking moment panicking about particularly when they’re unlit. Just provide adequate warning to your guests that there will be open flames outside and give children, yours and theirs, the attention they demand.

Most casual backyard occasions will be more than adequately served by the prolific bamboo or rattan tiki torches we’re all familiar with. While affordable and perfectly functional, these trusted standbys are just the tip of a surprisingly large iceberg.

Modern offerings include assortments of brass, steel, aluminum, copper and glass (to name a few). Tiki torches come in different functional varieties, too. Your choices can include the familiar post style you simply stick in the ground or self-standing models with bases for those patios without any convenient bare-ground elements. Tiki torches also come in hanging varieties, path, table-top models or even wall mounted versions.

For all the assortment, it’s the astounding decorative selections that will most interest a prospective buyer. In choosing the right tiki torches for your setting, consider the overall “theme” of your yard. Mine, for example, is dominated by a low shade tree, several planting areas and a small pond with a waterfall. With tiki torches lit at night, my yard takes on a positively jungle feel despite being situated at the edge of the urban/suburban transition line.

A setting like mine described above is well served by more “primitive” tiki torches such as rattan or bamboo. In my case, I stumbled across a whimsical set of torches with a distinctly Aztec temple feel to them and they play well (and get a laugh). They’d be painfully out of place in a high-end, backyard kitchen design with granite patios and a contemporary look. For that you’d be well served by steel, brass or copper models with more crisp, modern forms.

In addition to shapes and styles, modern tiki torches also come in several “fuel” flavors. Oil based are the most common but you can also find propane or electric models. The electric models can even be used indoors!

I also mentioned price. The more you deviate from those readily available bamboo and rattan models, the more you’re likely to pay. Simple styles could cost as little as $10-$15 at your local hardware store but if you have the money to throw around on some high-end stylish tiki torches, you could easily spend over $100 USD for a single patio or lamp style torch.

Whatever your setting or stylistic preference, there are certain to be tiki torches out there that will compliment your environment and turn a daytime hangout into an “outdoor room” nobody wants to leave. The Tiki Torches Guide recommends that you just match your choices to the mood you want to set and you can’t go wrong.