Wine Guide and Guest Blogger, Ashleigh Campbell tells you how to make your own DIY tiki torches with your leftover wine bottles from summer sipping. This is the perfect end of summer craft for summer nights at home.
I just love sitting outside on my patio in the summer evenings, sipping some wine, making s’mores and hanging out with friends. What I don’t love about summer nights is getting bit by every bug out there. Regular tiki torches are great, but I love making my own wine bottle tiki torches with old Traveling Vineyard wine bottles. These are really easy to make and a nice way to save a bottle that has a special meaning or a cute label that you love.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- A clean, empty wine bottle
- 1/2″ Teflon Tape
- 1/2″ x 3/8″ Copper Coupling
- TIKI Replacement wick
- TIKI torch fuel
- Aquarium Gravel (any color of your choosing)
Step 1. Prep Your Torch
Fill your wine bottle half way with aquarium gravel. The wick won’t reach to the bottom of the wine bottle so the gravel helps prevent them from falling down to the bottom of the bottle and reduces the amount of tiki torch fuel you will need to use. Pro tip: using a funnel helps get the gravel in the bottle without making a mess.
Step 2. Fuel Up
Carefully fill the remainder of the wine bottle with tiki torch fuel, about 2 cups per wine bottle.
Step 3. Create Your Wick
Insert the wick into the large end of the coupling until there is about 1/2″ sticking out from small end of the coupling. Wrap the coupling with Teflon tape until the coupling is securely placed on the wick.
Step 4. Add the Wick
With the coupling secured on the wick, now insert into your wine bottle until it fits snug in the opening. Be sure your wick is securely placed in your bottle before lighting.
Step 5. Finishing Touches
Once seated inside of your bottle, the wick will absorb fuel and keep your torch burning. Note: It’s best if you wait a few minutes before initial lighting so the wick can absorb the fuel for maximum length of burning.
Step 6. Enjoy!
Pour a glass of wine and enjoy a bug-free evening outside!
