OT - Tiki torch FIRE

KiterTodd

Luckily only the lawn, could've easily been the house...

So, I've been a Tiki torch fan for over 20 years.  When I was in a townhouse, I always had a couple on my deck.  In a house, I have about 5 attached to decks and when I have a backyard party I stake 5-10 of them around my yard to guide people from the patio to the campfire and oyster table. I prefer this natural light to turning on the house flood lights.

If you have used tiki torches for a while, you know that they transitioned from plastic bottles to metal bottles to half size metal bottle.  I preferred the full size plastic bottles as they have enough fuel to last a full night (long party) and they bottles last for years.  The metal cans seem to rust out after two years and leak fuel.  I always assumed the metal cans were a ploy by the manufacturer to get me to buy new torches, but maybe it was a safety issue. 

So, 20 years in to many tiki torch lightings, I look up into my yard from the firepit Saturday night and see this...




We noticed the bamboo around the torch brighter than usual, and then it very quickly turned into the entire stake on fire and flaming pieces and fuel on the grass below.   It was a non-issue because this was on my lawn.  Took some pictures, hit it with the garden hose, back to the party...

...but this could have just as easily been on my deck.  That's f&cking scary.

As best I can figure, this was one of my two remaining torches that still had my old favorite plastic bottle.  Somehow the outer bamboo casing caught fire, this melted the bottle and it was game over.  At least, that's what I hope happened.  I'd like to make sure this never happens again. I have since thrown out my remaining plastic fuel bottle.

It's not that I ever leave my house with torches lit, or go to bed with them going, but over the years I have certainly left them burning on the deck unattended...  going in the house for errands, late night party moves inside, etc.  This happened fast...  Less than a minute.

So, just a warning to not trust your house to these $4 torches.   While it is of course common sense, to many it also seems pretty unlikely that this could occur due to the metal guard up top and the short wick.  It wasn't windy the night this happened.  Perhaps there was fuel/oil on the metal guard that didn't ignite until 3 hours after I lit the torch.

This concludes my TIKI public service announcement!   

xfire_ATX

I had this happen to me ~20 years ago, same thing it was in the landscaping but it was near an old fence that could have easily gone up.  I made the assumption that it someone leaked some fuel on the Bamboo while filling/ inserting and a breeze got it lit.

Never used them afterward though.

StillH2OEgger

Glad it wasn't worse for you or your property. Thanks for the PSA.

JethroVA

thanks for the warning

northGAcock

Man you are fortunate. Like you, I burn tourches around my back yard. I have never used the bambo ones, but have a simple alternative for you to consider in the future. It is made out of copper plumbing parts, and works like a charm. Here is a picture. Easy to replicate. My guess is it is a bit safer....however a flame always comes with risk. 

These are are at least 25 years old. 



I just refilled earlier today....no canisters, just remove the top and pour the fuel into the cylinder. I should have pushed the wick down a bit, but you get the idea. 

bgebrent

Scary.  Nice psa brother.

Spaightlabs

Another good reason not to use these in the living room.

GATraveller

Racist. Make sure you're careful at the next rally.

kindaquick14

Thanks for the warning!  We have torches, but haven't used them for some time.  We just moved to a house with a deck and I ordered tiki fluid to use next year when in season.  Was thinking about putting the torches around the perimeter of the deck, but now I'm not sure.  We'll have to be careful!

KiterTodd

GATraveller said:

Racist. Make sure you're careful at the next rally.

northGAcock said:

Man you are fortunate. Like you, I burn tourches around my back yard. I have never used the bambo ones, but have a simple alternative for you to consider in the future. It is made out of copper plumbing parts, and works like a charm. Here is a picture. Easy to replicate. My guess is it is a bit safer....

Wow, those look great.  I'll have to walk around home depot and see what looks similar today.  These days, a copper pipe that big would be pretty expensive!

northGAcock

KiterTodd said:

GATraveller said:

Racist. Make sure you're careful at the next rally.

northGAcock said:

Man you are fortunate. Like you, I burn tourches around my back yard. I have never used the bambo ones, but have a simple alternative for you to consider in the future. It is made out of copper plumbing parts, and works like a charm. Here is a picture. Easy to replicate. My guess is it is a bit safer....

Wow, those look great.  I'll have to walk around home depot and see what looks similar today.  These days, a copper pipe that big would be pretty expensive!

If you can afford an egg....you got this.

DaveRichardson

I've seen some skinnier versions of the copper pipe torches.  Now you've got me wanting to solder again!!!!

HeavyG

If tiki torches are something one uses a lot then there are lots of better quality choices available (some costing a few hundred dollars each).

These look nice and seem reasonably priced and likely to last many years:

http://www.woodlanddirect.com/Outdoor/Tiki-Torches/Cone-Style-Torch-with-Beachwood-Stake

KiterTodd

HeavyG said:

If tiki torches are something one uses a lot then there are lots of better quality choices available (some costing a few hundred dollars each).

These look nice and seem reasonably priced and likely to last many years:

http://www.woodlanddirect.com/Outdoor/Tiki-Torches/Cone-Style-Torch-with-Beachwood-Stake

Thanks for the idea.  Honestly didn't know there were options out there as I've never seen anything but the cheap "Tiki" branded ones that are sold everywhere.   I'll look around, they'd make good Christmas list additions.