Electric Tiki Torches
Buy the best electric tiki torches selected and recommended by interior designers. By Tara Gosselin.
Fear not when dealing with tiki torches. These...are electric, and light with a push of a button. Have your backyard luau or light them up when having a night swim in the summertime, and never worry about adding more fluid for fuel or whether or not they might accidentally fall over if left unattended. Just click them off when they are no longer needed.
Electric Tiki Torches
Buying Guide
Tara Gosselin
Interior Design Expert
Tara is a San Antonio-based award-winning landscape architect, writer and educator, passionate about eco-friendly solutions and growing her own food. She knows all it takes to help you create a sustainable backyard retreat that combines blissful charm with a modern take on landscaping.
A tiki torch often exuberates a relaxed tropical vibe. On top of that, it can alter the mood for the night into something romantic or magical. The downside with the conventional tiki torch is the open flame; which is always a fire hazard. Thankfully, you can eliminate this problem by opting for an electric tiki torch.
Most of today's electric tiki torches do an excellent job at mimicking the effects of a wick-produced flame. You probably know about this, and that's why you are shopping for one. When buying an electric tiki torch, below are a few of the critical factors that you should consider.
Electric-powered tiki torches often come in 3 different types. There's the battery, solar, and outlet powered. Each has its own set of pros and cons.
- Battery-powered tiki torches have the advantage of being the most economical of the three choices. They usually come with a simple design, and that means you don't have to deal with complicated settings. The downside of battery-powered torches is they run on batteries. Battery operation and replacement can be a source of a hassle, especially if you don't have a spare lying around.
- Outlet-powered tiki torch has the advantage of convenience. Since you only need an outlet to power the torch, you don't have to worry about running out of batteries while using it. However, since you are dealing with wires and a power outlet, the risk of electrocution is always there. Also, managing the wires may be a source of inconvenience.
- Solar-powered is the newest of the bunch. Since it gets its power from the sun which is stored in the built-in batteries, you don't have to deal with battery cells. Also, electrocution is not a big of a risk as the unit only operates at low voltages. Solar-powered tiki torches typically come with a sensor that detects daylight, and they can automatically turn themselves on during night time. On the downside, a solar-powered tiki torch can be very expensive.
These days, electric tiki torches are crafted from different materials. The most common ones include bamboo, plastic, and metal.
- Bamboo is the original material of a tiki torch, and it's still the most commonly used. Bamboo is inexpensive, and that translates to a torch that is more affordable. It's also the "authentic" material, and it's a good choice if your primary objective is projecting authenticity. The downside with bamboo is it's the least durable material compared to plastic and metal.
- Plastic is a flexible material, and that means it can be crafted to appear like a bamboo strip. An adequately treated plastic is also more resistant to the elements compared to bamboo. It also comes in many different color shades. The downside with plastic is it's mostly viewed as an alternative to the original tiki torch design. In other words, it lacks authenticity.
- Metal has the advantage of being very durable. Hence, it can offer excellent value for the money in the long run. You can leave it outside all year round, and you have little to worry about. On the downside, it's expensive compared to bamboo and plastic.
Decorative torches add a distinct style to any outdoor space. They lend something of a tropical island feel, as well as providing e a romantic, soft lighting after the sun starts to set.
However, decorative torches don't just come in that classic Tiki torch style many of us picture. You have many different styles, materials, light types and sizes, which we'll explore below.
Decorative torches have a couple of different options in how you can place them based on their size.
The most common type you might think of is the post type, where the light sits on a tall pole that you drive into the ground. In this style, you might find tall torches that measure around 54 inches high. Choose a post type if you want a classic torch style that provides plenty of functional lighting.
You also have the option of finding shorter decorative torches. These may be around 20 inches tall. Choose a shorter post style decorative torch if you want to line a patio, garden or walkway with subtle accent lighting.
Tabletop pieces also fit into the decorative torch category. These are usually rounded pieces that have a wick at the top. Choose tabletop pieces if you want to add some romantic lighting and style to an outdoor table setting. These can be around 9 inches high by 7 inches wide by 7 inches deep on the larger end for a centerpiece on a table. Smaller varieties might be 6 inches high by 3 inches wide by 3 inches deep.
You'll most likely find two common ways the torch might also light:
Flame torch
These torches have a wick at the top and fuel inside the torch provides hours of burn time. The larger the fill, the more burn time. For instance, a 12-ounce fill may provide up to five hours of burn time. You may find oil or propane and gas torches. Choose a flame torch if you want romantic natural firelight. The wicks tend to be made out of fiberglass so that they never burn away and stay lit no matter the weather.
LED
These days, it is also common to find decorative torches that have LED faux flames inside. These may offer a flickering style behind a red piece to mimic flame. Often, you can find these in solar charge options. Choose LED torches if you are eco-conscious. These also make good additions where fire might be unsafe, such as around plant life in the garden.
Another important consideration is how decorative torches fit in with the overall yard or party theme you are going for. Some of the most common styles include:
Glass
These styles typically have glass that you can see the oil level through. Choose glass if you'd like an easy way to tell if the fill needs adjusting. These also lend a modern look, especially if the glass is clear or a muted shade like light blue. Choose colorful glass for a fun and casual look for a party.
Modern
Many decorative torches go for a modern look. Some may be highly geometric, such as a pyramid shape. These tend to be in sleek metals, such as a silver hardware finish or black painted steel. This is another style you should choose for modern outdoor spaces and up-scale parties.
Classic torch style
These mimic the style used in classic island torches and often have weave patterns on them. Some are actually made from bamboo. Others might be a combination of bamboo and plastic. Classic styles are great for casual backyards.
Island themes
It's also common to find a wide variety of styles that somehow mimic an island theme. You might find the head of the torch is shaped like a pineapple, for instance. Some lean so strong into the island theme that the head of the torch is shaped like a Tiki head. Choose island themes for a tropical party or theme.
Sconce bracket
Another common style in decorative torches is the type of rounded torch that sits in a tonged sconce bracket. These often have some type of metal as a base, like brass, copper or stainless steel. Sconce brackets can go with a variety of home styles, like an industrial style with a lot of metal textures, a rustic style if the metal is hammered or a modern style if the piece has a high sheen.