Picking the right torch is really just a matter of preference but you might find yourself amazed at the assortment of styles, materials, functions and prices available. Especially the prices.
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.