Let the Tiki Torches Guide light your way | Fuel for tiki torches

 As mentioned in Tiki Torches and Safety, not all tiki torches are filled with the familiar oil. There are other options which may be more suited to your needs and even options with oil which may burn cleaner or provide additional benefits.

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.