OK I have two tikki torches on my patio. I am having a problem and cannot find the answer. So I am going to you guys knowing there is someone that knows the answer. The torches burn but sometimes the wick shoots out like a bottle rocket. What in the hell is going on here? Thank you for the help I think it is entertaining to watch but the wife does not think so.
Tikki Torches
- Thread starter BesstR
- Start date
Hot damn! My torches never did that. Is it possible the air in the fuel bottle is heating up and the pressure is driving them out? Seems like something that could happen if the seal is too airtight around the wick, and there's a lot of air in the bottle, but I'm mostly guessing...
-Charles
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-Charles
Sent from my DROID2 GLOBAL using Tapatalk
Herfin' Harg
BoM March 2012
Yeah... that's what I was thinking. If possible, may just want to drill/cut a small hole in the top to vent off any pressure that builds up when you're using it, and just get a little rubber bung to stop it when you're not. (Edit: Just be sure that you're not gonna have any embers/flaming fuel/wick burn-off that is in danger of falling in the hole.)
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usmc-walker
USMC
exactly, air in bottom just heating up just drill a small hole in top of canister or use smaller wick
Sorry, never had a similar problem. And I have no solution except to ask if you are using the correct fuel?
Regarding pressure, if a tiki torch was a sealed system (meaning pressure was not allowed to vent), it would stop delivering fuel to the flame. Since you didn't mention that the torches are going out, I'm guessing pressure is not a problem. In addition, drilling a hole in the top is only going to introduce the potential of water getting into the fuel, which won't be good.
Regarding pressure, if a tiki torch was a sealed system (meaning pressure was not allowed to vent), it would stop delivering fuel to the flame. Since you didn't mention that the torches are going out, I'm guessing pressure is not a problem. In addition, drilling a hole in the top is only going to introduce the potential of water getting into the fuel, which won't be good.
usmc-walker
USMC
pressure has nothing to do with fuel delivery, all it does is absorb the fuel up into the wick.
Herfin' Harg
BoM March 2012
+1 for Boyle's Law!
Mine did this. the flames went out, because there was no liquid fuel left in the canister. As the flames died out on the wick the wick burned down inside the canister, just a bit, trying to get the last bit of fuel. It appeared to ignite the fuel vapors and a small explosion occurred, launching the wick from the canister. Same kind of burn like if you empty a bic lighter into your hand, and light it. Small slow burn, but in a closed container, enough to launch that wick.
Exactly, because it's not a closed system. Being that it's open, there can be no pressure build up. DPrice's solution seems the most logical, but it kind of depends on fuel (seems like tiki torch fuel or kerosene would be less likely to generate enough vapor to light).
Good Luck.
This is really a serious problem. I could picture have kids around and having a flaming wick shooting out of the tiki torch and injuring and kid.
Giving it some thought because I certainly don't want this issue, I think DPrice is defintely on the right track.
The wicks on my torches is a synthetic fiber with a fiberglass type wrap (tiki brand). The wicks fit in the opening fairly tightly. That makes sense in that the flame cannot creep into the fuel container.
I have cheaper brand bamboo torches in the garage that I don't use. They have more of a natural fiber wick.
Is it possible that the wicks of you torch are loose, enabling the flame to creep into the fuel area? Maybe new wicks at walmart for 2 bucks solves your problem.
Giving it some thought because I certainly don't want this issue, I think DPrice is defintely on the right track.
The wicks on my torches is a synthetic fiber with a fiberglass type wrap (tiki brand). The wicks fit in the opening fairly tightly. That makes sense in that the flame cannot creep into the fuel container.
I have cheaper brand bamboo torches in the garage that I don't use. They have more of a natural fiber wick.
Is it possible that the wicks of you torch are loose, enabling the flame to creep into the fuel area? Maybe new wicks at walmart for 2 bucks solves your problem.