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tiki torch alternative fuel ideas |
tiki atomica
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Jan 13, 2008
Posts: 20
From: everywhere,anywhere,nowhere
|  Posted: 2009-05-04 6:06 pm Permalink
With the cost of common citronella-scented tiki torch oil close to $10/gal (up almost 4 bucks since last spring)... I was wondering if anyone has had success with any less costly fuel alternatives.
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Tipsy McStagger
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Nov 21, 2004
Posts: 3388
From: HELL
| Posted: 2009-05-04 7:49 pm Permalink
you may want to consider cutting back on using those torches as frequently as you do......you don't have to light them every night 
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tiki atomica
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Jan 13, 2008
Posts: 20
From: everywhere,anywhere,nowhere
| Posted: 2009-05-04 8:48 pm Permalink
and face the wrath of the gods?... not on your life. the torches must be lit. perhaps I will cut back on the quantity lit however and see how that goes over. still... there has to be a lower cost fuel alternative out there. my inner tiki tells me so.
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"A civilized nation can have no enemies, & one cannot draw a line across a map... a line that doesn't exist in nature & say that the ugly enemy lives on one side & good friends on the other." -Thor Heyerdahl (1914-2002) Norwegian adventurer
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MadDogMike
Grand Member (3 years) 
Joined: Mar 30, 2008
Posts: 6390
From: The Anvil of the Sun
| Posted: 2009-05-05 05:52 am Permalink
Maybe you can make "Bio-Tiki Fuel" out of used Chinese Restaurant fryer oil and leftover bacon grease 
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The Gnomon
Grand Member (5 years) 
Joined: May 01, 2007
Posts: 1276
From: MD-DC-VA
| Posted: 2009-05-05 06:29 am Permalink
http://www.buytikitorches.com/category/tiki-torches-oil
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Limbo Lizard
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 24, 2006
Posts: 604
From: Aboard the 'Leaky Tiki', Dallas
| Posted: 2009-05-05 08:25 am Permalink
Check prices for kerosene.
Another possibility is low odor mineral spirits (paint thinner), from Home Depot, Walmart, etc. Burns very clean:
Kerosene Lamp info
Also, Jet A fuel, for about $4/gal.
Low sulfur diesel would work, but I'd just get a small amount and test it in one torch, to see if it's too smokey or smelly for your purposes.
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Mr. NoNaMe
Tiki Socialite
Joined: May 10, 2006
Posts: 1866 | Posted: 2009-05-05 08:39 am Permalink
Start shopping for torch fuel in August as the stores start to put in "back to school" merchandise. That is when garden/patio supply goes 50%-75% off. Tiki is a seasonal sale for major retail outlets.
The stores know that no one lights tiki torches after Labor Day.
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Limbo Lizard
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 24, 2006
Posts: 604
From: Aboard the 'Leaky Tiki', Dallas
| Posted: 2009-05-05 09:04 am Permalink
Quote:
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On 2009-05-05 05:52, MadDogMike wrote:
Maybe you can make "Bio-Tiki Fuel" out of used Chinese Restaurant fryer oil and leftover bacon grease
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I think you're onto something , Mike...
We could use BioWillie in our torches:
"BioWillie brand biodiesel has a similar operating performance to regular diesel yet burns with a natural vegetable aroma -- without the familiar black soot and smoke. Some even say the exhaust smells like french fries!"
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[ This Message was edited by: Limbo Lizard 2012-11-07 07:02 ]
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Son-of-Kelbo
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 03, 2004
Posts: 590
From: NOHO, CA
| Posted: 2009-05-05 11:14 am Permalink
Anyone know how to make 'em smell like bacon...? Yum.
I do like the "veggie-fuel" direction, tho. Wondering seriously (or as serious as I can be) if there's any possibility "scenting" 'em so they don't smell like french fries. (We already have all the wildlife we need at our BBQs -- the generous aroma of french fries would just lure more of the uninvited kind, possibly including extra neighbors, to the Cosmic Tiki Hut here.)
There may be a real market for this idea... I love me torches, but when the breeze turns impish they sure smell like a bus. Any alternative that's cleaner, cheaper, and still keeps "The Marabunta" at bay would be welcome indeed...!
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tiki atomica
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Jan 13, 2008
Posts: 20
From: everywhere,anywhere,nowhere
| Posted: 2009-05-05 7:56 pm Permalink
As I expected of this fine tiki nation... a plethora of excellent concepts & ideas.
MadDogMike and his Bio-Tiki concept is brilliant.
I think this tiki fuel thing is a very un-done topic & deserves the attention of our best tiki minds.
Like many in the tiki clan I light my torches every night... so I'm sure I am not alone at feeling the pinch of high tiki oil prices.
Mahalo for all the aiwaiwa ideas. Keep em' coming.
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Bay Park Buzzy
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 07, 2006
Posts: 2713
From: West Bay Park, San Diego, CA
| Posted: 2009-05-05 8:55 pm Permalink
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/grd/1155534401.html
When you call, ask if they have any vintage tiki mugs too.
Buzzy Out!
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tikitony
Grand Member (6 years) 
Joined: Aug 18, 2002
Posts: 851
From: Ventura, CA
| Posted: 2009-05-05 9:44 pm Permalink
BioTiki Fuel. Ah ha, you guys are speaking my language here! So, 100% veg oil from my local taco shack does not burn so hot in the torch. It just fried my wick... no pun intended. If you mix half used veg oil with torch fuel, it does burn and gives off a nice smell. Depending on how thick the used veg oil is from your local fryer, you may need to mix more torch fuel, diesel, or kerosene.
Also, if you are lacquering, or staining, the best paint thinner for cleaning those brushes is veg oil. Since I have a ready supply of used veg oil left overs from my car, I've been trying it on everything. I've even stained a few tikis with it.
I've also mixed rubbing alcohol with the used veg oil and that works. I use the rubbing alcohol for my volcanos. They burn for about an hour with 90 proof rubbing alcohol and a little longer if I mix in veg oil.
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cheekytiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Mar 09, 2004
Posts: 1088
From: The Haole Hut, London, UK
| Posted: 2009-05-06 04:12 am Permalink
Hey Tony, I know some of the guys out in Indo soak their carvings in baths of Veg oil, once fully penetrated, no more cracking.
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Dundie
Member
Joined: Oct 25, 2012
Posts: 2
From: Dundie Crisp
| Posted: 2012-11-05 08:57 am Permalink
Seeing the interest in alternative fuels.... Loving this new Green Organic Sustainable Lamp oil for tiki torches and lamps from Firefly Fuels its the Firefly SAFE & GREEN Eco-Friendly Lamp Oil & Tiki Torch Fuel Check it out!! www.fireflyfuel.com
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VanTiki
Grand Member (5 years)
Joined: Nov 25, 2005
Posts: 901
From: Hawaii
| Posted: 2012-11-06 2:03 pm Permalink
Amazing timing on this thread!
I've been researching how to light up our yard at night. I LOVE tiki torches - but I'm not a fan of a) the fuel, b) having to light them, and c) the fire hazard (I'm thinking propane gas type - I know they are safe - but I don't want anyone getting silly and then getting burned). I've opted to setup a bunch of simulated flames around the yard using a little microprocessor board, some LEDs, and code from here:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Realistic-Fire-Effect-with-Arduino-and-LEDs/
I like this because I can make mysterious blue, green, and purple flames as well. I'm planning on housing the LEDs some old lanterns and runway lights I've collected. Will post pics when done (someday). I plan on setting the whole thing up to run on solar, with a photocell that turns them off and on automatically.
Henrik "VanTiki"
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