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    Home » DIY Projects

    DIY Tiki Torch For Outdoor Ambience

    by Patti Estep · May 25, 2022

    Jump to How-to Card
    Small green wine bottle tiki torch on an outdoor deck.
    Two burning small wine bottle tiki torches over supplies including fuel, bottle and wicks.

    Learn about this easy tiki torch wine bottle craft for your patio, deck, or outdoor porch. It's a pretty tabletop decor piece that you can fill with citronella oil to help keep the bugs at bay.

    Two wine bottle tiki torches lit on a table.

    Tiki torches with citronella oil are popular for deterring bugs, especially mosquitos outdoors during the hot summer months. We have some large torches that you can push into the ground but did you know that you can make some from recycled wine bottles? They are super cute on a table on your patio, deck, or porch.

    This post contains some affiliate links (that means if you make a purchase after clicking a link, there’s no additional cost to you, but I will earn a very small commission. ) i.e. as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

    Two small wine bottles. One with a label and cork and one without.

    My husband received these cute small wine bottles for a company event. I thought that they'd be the perfect size for a tabletop tiki torch.

    Two small wine bottles, citronella burning fuel, and two torch kits including wicks, holders and caps.

    I purchased a simple wine bottle torch kit. However, some people make their own with a copper coupling piece and plumber's teflon tape. You still have to buy a tiki replacement wick and fuel no matter which route you take.

    Pouring torch fuel into wine bottles.

    How to Make a Tiki Torch Wine Bottle

    After cleaning the bottles pour in some torch fuel about 3/4 of the way up.

    To brass wick holders with two rubber gaskets each.

    Next, add the rubber washers to one side of the brass fitting. This will help hold the wick in place.

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    Measuring the height of a wick next to the wine bottle.

    Measure how long you need the wick to be and cut it off about 1/4-1/2 inch from the top of the brass holder. Then place it into the mouth of the bottle and make sure that it fits snuggly in place.

    Two table top tiki torches. One with the cap on the side on one with the cap on top.

    Finally, attach the brass caps to the side of the bottle with the chain and hook. These are used to snuff out the flame.

    DIY Tiki Torch Tips

    • You need to let the wicks absorb the oil for a little while before lighting.
    • You may need to fill the bottle most of the way. However, just know that the wick will displace some of the oil so the amount of torch fluid needed will be less than a full bottle.
    • The manufacturer also suggests adding a few drops of oil to the top before lighting.
    • If you want to make sure that the brass holder fits tightly so that it won't come off if the bottle is accidentally knocked over, play around with the rubber washers to get a good fit.
    • We are using this tiki torch outdoors. However, please keep safety in mind and keep the flame a safe distance from anything flammable.

    One wine bottle tiki torch lit on a table.

    Even though these were made with small wine bottles the same can be created with standard 750ml wine bottles. In fact, you could probably make them with an empty bourbon bottle or other liquor bottles too.

    Small wine bottle tiki torch on an outdoor deck.

    I chose a tiki torch fuel that has citronella oil in it hoping to keep the bugs away but you can use any kind of tiki torch fluid. In fact, I've heard of people making their own homemade recipe using isopropyl alcohol, distilled water, and fragrance. After all, just the glow of the flame and the bottle creates a nice ambiance all on its own.

    Patti signature

    More Wine Bottle Crafts

    • Wine Bottle Glasses
    • Wine Bottle Candles
    • Stained Glass Bottle Art
    Green wine bottle tiki torch on a table.
    Two tiki torch wine bottles lit with flames.
    Print

    DIY Wine Bottle Tiki Torch

    Enjoy this easy homemade tiki torch made with small wine bottles to enjoy outdoors on your patio or porch this season.
    Prep Time15 minutes mins
    Active Time30 minutes mins
    Total Time45 minutes mins
    Course: DIY Projects
    Yield: 2
    Author: Patti Estep

    Equipment

    • Scissors

    Materials

    • Empty wine bottles
    • Wine bottle torch kit
    • Tiki torch fuel with citronella oil

    Instructions

    • Clean the wine bottles and remove labels.
    • Place rubber washers on one side the brass wick holders to fit the bottle snugly.
    • Place the wick inside the holder.
    • Fill the bottle with torch fuel close to the top about 3/4 of the way, leaving room for the wick as it will displace some of the fuel.
    • Measure the correct length to fit the bottle and trim about 1/4- 1/2 inch from the top of the brass holder.
    • Press in the wick holder with the wick into the mouth of the bottle and make sure it fits tightly.
    • Wait for 1 hour to let the wick fill with the fuel.
    • Set the tiki torch somewhere away from anything flammable.

    Notes

    You may want to add a few drops of fuel directly to the top of the wick.
    Wait about 30 minutes for the wick to fill with oil before lighting.
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    About Patti Estep

    Patti is the creator of Hearth and Vine, a home and garden blog filled with projects to inspire your creative side. She loves crafting, gardening, decorating and entertaining at her home in Pennsylvania. When she is not working on a project at home or searching for treasures at nurseries and thrift stores with her girlfriends, you’ll probably find her with family and friends, at a restaurant, or home party enjoying new and different food adventures.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. RANJIT SANDHU

      August 01, 2022 at 9:30 pm

      I have done all that you mentioned inmking the tiki torch using wine bottle. It all worked very well last night. But today the wick only stay lot for a few minutes and went off. I added a like tiki oil to tip and it stayed lit for few minutes only. Bottle if a little over half full. Any ideas? Thanks

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        August 02, 2022 at 7:15 am

        Ranjit, I'm sorry you are having trouble. Apparently, this kit seems to have some issues with staying lit. One suggestion I can offer is trying to trim the wick if it has become dry. 

        Reply

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    Small green wine bottle tiki torch on an outdoor deck.
    Two burning small wine bottle tiki torches over supplies including fuel, bottle and wicks.
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    I'm Patti

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    Small green wine bottle tiki torch on an outdoor deck.
    Two burning small wine bottle tiki torches over supplies including fuel, bottle and wicks.

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