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Create Your Own Tiki Torches For Your Summer Luau
By Jessica
Brylan
 It seems that having a Luau is going
to be a hot item this year. But before everyone wants to run
out and buy Tiki torches for their backyard, I thought I would
teach everyone how to make them.
First, you will need to get the right supplies. Now, as always
if you are creative and inclined to do your own crafts then
you can probably figure out your own design. But, this is
going to be a simple design that looks great nonetheless.
Things You Need to Make Tiki Torches
Once you get your supplies, which you can easily find online
if you just Google the items you need, go outside on your
deck and kick off your shoes. This process is not going to
be a grueling one. And if you get yourself a cup of coffee
or a nice glass of tea, you'll be done in no time and ready
to show off your work.
The Bamboo Poles
You'll need about a five foot length of Bamboo for each Tiki
torch you want to make. So, if you buy ten foot length poles
then you'll be fine simply cutting them in half. Using your
saw, make one foot cuts in one end of the pole so that you
have at least six separate sections. This is where you'll
make your weave and the Sunjel Gel Fuel will sit.
#1 Gauge Round Reed
Close to the end of your cuts, tie a 4" diameter of
round reed. This will serve as a base for your weave and where
your Sunjel Gel Fuel will sit. It's better if you tie the
reed on the inside of the six separate sections so that you
have a stronger base. Cross two lengths of round reed through
the bamboo sections and around your base reed so that it strengthens
the base and there won't be any slippage at all. Tie it off
at the end with your tie on the inside of the torch area.
Tie another length of round reed just above the 4" base
tie. The opening will be approximately 8" so that you
can easily place your Sunjel Gel Fuel inside your torch. Place
the reed once again on the inside of the torch. Again, cross
two lengths of round reed through the bamboo sections and
around the base reed.
The final tie of round reed will be at the top of the torch
area. It will also be an 8" diameter just like the tie
at the bottom. Now you can see the torch area start to take
form. The next thing to do is begin weaving your rawhide strips.
Rawhide Strips
Just above your bottom round reed rung, start weaving rawhide
strips through the bamboo sections. As in weaving, alternate
the rawhide strips with each strip you weave. That creates
your design so that it really begins to look like a Tiki torch.
It will take about eleven rawhide strips to complete your
weave and then you are nearly done.
You can simply stick the torch in the ground about a foot
and your torch will stand just fine. But, there are other
designs you can create as well. I've seen the bottoms of the
bamboo cut as well to create a four to six leg base that will
help the torch stand. Of course, in that case you will want
to begin making your torch with a longer length of bamboo.
As always, you can create any design you want. So, simply
plan what you want and follow through. Diagonal designs are
beautiful. Taller torches are just fine. Anything goes when
you put your mind to the craft and make it happen.
If you've done everything right, you are ready to set your
Sunjel Gel Fuel down in the torch and light it. Most Tiki
torches you will buy have a metal insert with a unique top
that has a wick. You don't need that when you place a can
of Sunjel Gel Fuel inside the torch. It's a metal can that
will burn safely. And if you place Citronella Sunjel in the
torch, you can even keep the bugs away.
You'll have a beautiful Tiki torch flame that you will love
showing off because you made it yourself. Now, have a luau and invite all your friends. You'll be the life of the party.
And the Summer Ideas Report I wrote and give away as a gift
to anyone who wants it will show you how to plan for the rest
of the luau as well.
Jessica Brylan has been a student of construction all her
life, under her father who retired in 2004. Her passion turned
to interior design and strangely evolved into becoming a fireplace
expert. You can read her latest report, Summer Ideas when
you visit Ventless
Gel Fireplace Reports and sign up for the newsletter while
you're there.
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