How to Make a Tiki Lamp

Empty wine bottles can be recycled to make outside lighting.

In 1934 Earnest Raymond Beaumont Gantt (a.k.a. Don the Beachcomber) opened a Polynesian-themed restaurant in Hollywood, California. According to the website QuesTiki, it became known as the first “tiki” bar in the U.S. The Polynesian style decor featured tiki carvings, masks and flaming bamboo tiki torches. You can bring the South Seas culture into your own backyard with tropics-inspired décor, like a tiki torch lamp made from an empty wine bottle.

Things You'll Need

• Empty wine bottle (1-inch-diameter neck)
• 1/2 inch x 3/8 inch copper coupling
• 1/2 inch thread seal tape
• Tiki torch or oil lamp wick (3/8-inch-diameter)
• Small funnel
• Torch fuel
• Plastic ice cubes (nonflammable) or clear plastic gravel
• Wine bottle bucket

Instructions

1. Wrap the thread seal tape tightly around the half-inch end of the coupling to create a smooth, flat surface. Place it into the opening of the bottle to check whether it fits without falling in. Wrap tape around the coupling until you have a snug fit.

2. Push the wick through the bottom of the coupling until it sticks out of the top by one-fourths of an inch. Place a funnel into the wine bottle and pour in the torch oil. Push the coupling and wick into the top of the wine bottle and twist it securely into place.

3. Pour the plastic ice cubes or clear gravel into the wine bucket, filling it halfway. Push the wine bottle torch into the middle of the bucket. Pour more ice cubes or clear gravel around the wine bottle until it is about three-fourths full and looks just like a wine bucket filled with ice.

4. Place the tiki lamp centerpiece on your table. Light the wick with a lighter. Move the wine bottle around in the bucket, until the torch flame shines at the best angle for lighting the table.

Tips & Warnings

• Let the wick absorb the oil for two to three minutes before lighting it.

• Large soda or beer bottles can be used instead of a wine bottle to make the tiki torch lamp.

References

• QuesTiki.com: Tiki Culture
• Gerardot & Co.; Design for Life: Recycled Wine Bottle Tiki Torch; Erik Anderson; August 2009
• Re-Nest: How to Make a Wine Bottle Tiki Torch for Under $4.00
• Greenopolis; Brighten Up Your Yard With Recycled Wine Bottle Tiki Torches; Trish Smith