June 18, 2011. Paul Hixon
You should never have a tough time finding fuel for tiki torches. Typically it is available in the same stores that sell them, and you will probably have a variety of options available.
Of all the various kinds of fuel out there, the best kind is fuel that contains kerosene. This fuel does not produce much odor and virtually no smoke. This means it is quite safe for your use. In addition, you won’t have a lot of ash to clean up after you burn it.
For those who would rather use fuel that is better for the environment, you should select a biodegradable fuel. If you accidentally spill this kind of fuel on the ground, the area where the spill occurs will not be damaged. Moreover, biodegradable fuel is simple to get rid of after you are finished with it.
There are certain tiki torches that use propane as their main fuel source. This fuel also burns very cleanly without much ash or smoke. Typically, the propane travels to the torch from a tank that is often hidden from view. Unfortunately, this can present a safety hazard if the material that is used to hide the tank gets too close to the flame and catches on fire.
Some other kinds of tiki torches run on electric power. This might be through solar energy or it might be connected to the electrical power that is wired to the house. Some torches run off of batteries as well. The solar and battery powered tiki patio lights are typically not as bright as the hard-wired electrical torches, which means they might not provide sufficient light for your requirements. Also, these torches can run out of power without warning. If you cannot access extra batteries right away this could be a huge problem. Solar powered torches may go out if they did not get enough sunlight throughout the daylight hours. After a solar powered torch goes dark, there is no way to fix it until the sun comes up.
A great aspect to using natural tiki torch fuel is the fact that you will be able to find a brand that detracts bugs. Kerosene and propane both offer mixes that include bug deterrents. Typically, the ingredient that is included is citronella which insects do not like. Unfortunately, many people don’t like it either, so you need to think about your guests likes and dislikes before selecting this option.
Updated June 18, 2011. Published March 4, 2011. Paul Hixon
