Design for Life: Recycled Wine Bottle Torch
In any of my design work, whether for clients or for myself, I’m most proud when I can find a solution that’s highly creative and effective while keeping resources to a minimum. This is totally inexpensive (around $5-bucks). Plus it’s a great way to recycle a bottle.
It’s been a record year for mosquitoes here in Indianapolis, Indiana and I’d been wanting to add some Tiki-esque torches to the patio to combat the little buggers, as well as provide some ambiance in the evenings. After searching the world over to find a torch that was affordable and atypical I came to the conclusion that unless I wanted wicker or bamboo, I would need to become a bit more resourceful. A glance into my recycling bin and an aimless stroll through the local hardware store provided me with this clear solution.
- Empty Wine Bottle (You can use any bottle you like as long as it’s glass and the neck is 1” in diameter. Be clever!)
- Teflon Tape 1/2”
- Copper Top Plate Connector (threaded for 3/8”-16 thread rod)
- 1” Split Ring Hanger (threaded for 3/8”-16 thread rod)
- 1/2” x 3/8” Copper Coupling
- 1/2” Copper Cap
- Two Hex Nuts (threaded for 3/8”-16 thread rod)
- Two #10 x 1” Zinc Plated Wood Screws (if your mounting it to wood)
- 3/8”-16 Zinc Plated Threaded Rod (I bought a 3’ rod and cut it down to 8, 4-1/2” rods with a hacksaw.)
- Tiki Replacement Wick
- Torch Fuel (For safety reasons, only use fuel made specifically for outdoor torches. i.e. Tiki brand)
Helpful Tools: Channellocks, adjustable wrench, hacksaw, power screwdriver, and a funnel. For those having trouble locating the top plate connectors they can be found online: Copper, Galvanized, Stainless Steel, Iron
Safety Note: This is for outdoor use only. Tiki brand recommends that the wick never be set higher than 1/4-inch, and I recommend that you exercise the same discretion and common sense that you would with any small open flame. Never leave your torches unattended.
Building Instructions
The Hanger
- Decide where you want to mount your Recycled Bottle Torch. Position the Top Plate Connector on your mounting surface and mark the holes for where the screws will go. It’s easier to keep it level if you pre-drill your screws first.
- Once you have your Top Plate Connector mounted you can screw in the 3/8”-16 Rod until it stops. Channellocks are helpful for this part.
- Thread the two Hex Nuts on to the Rod and tighten one all the way down at the point where the Rod meets the Top Connector Plate. Leave the other Hex Nut at the front end so it can be used to secure the Split Ring Hanger.
- Thread on the Split Ring Hanger just enough so that the Rod is flush with the inside of the ring. Turn the 2nd Hex Nut counter-clockwise to snug it up against the Split Ring Hanger.
If you’d prefer your hardware to keep its shiny, unweathered look you can always give it several coats of clear polyurethane before you mount it. Personally, I think a weathered patina will add a nice element of character.
The Bottle
- Carefully and tightly wrap the 1/2” end of the Coupling with your Teflon Tape. You’ll want to keep each wrap nice and clean so that it creates a smooth, even surface. Continue building up the tape until it fits very snugly into the opening of your bottle. You obviously don’t want it to fall in.
- Insert the Wick into the Coupling until it sticks out about 1/4-inch or less. The Tiki brand replacement wicks are about 3/8” in diameter so they fit really well. Once they absorb the torch oil they’re even tighter.
- Unscrew the Split Ring Hanger on one side and position the bottle neck into the ring.
- Flip the front half of the ring back into place and tighten down the Hanger evenly on both sides. You may need to loosen the other side to make sure both sides are an even tightness. (Don’t over tighten the Hanger. You don’t want to break the glass.)
- Use a funnel to fill the bottle with your favorite torch oil. (I use Tiki’s BiteFighter because it’s clear and seems to do a good job of keeping the mosquitoes away.)
- Insert the Coupling & Wick into the top of the bottle and twist it snugly into place. Give the Wick a few minutes to absorb the oil before you try to light it.
- I typically just blow my torches out. Use the Copper Cap to keep the Wick dry when you’re not using your torch.
Good Luck!
-Erik
The data and information contained herein are being furnished for informational purposes only. Upon the express condition that each user shall make his or her own assessment of appropriate use and appropriate shipping, transfer, and storage of materials and procedures for this Recycled Bottle Torch. Erik Anderson and Gerardot & Company discaim any liability for damage or injury which may result from the use of the above data, or it’s use for any specific purpose, even if that purpose is known to Erik Anderson and Gerardot & Company.
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37 Responses to “ Design for Life: Recycled Wine Bottle Torch ”
August 12th, 2009
Sarah Writes:
Brilliant!
August 12th, 2009
sharon Writes:
That is so kick A**! Love it! Thanks for the great idea!
August 12th, 2009
Bruce Stewart Writes:
Love this! I am definitely going to build a couple of these for our yard. Thanks for posting such clear instructions and details!
Bruce
August 12th, 2009
kelley@myislandwedding Writes:
saw your stuff on design sponge and think it’s just fabulous! i must try this myself!
thanks!
-kelley
August 12th, 2009
marisa Writes:
i <3 this idea!!!
August 13th, 2009
espritdeflera Writes:
LoVe IT!!
August 13th, 2009
Jessica Writes:
Nicely done! I am definitely going to try this!!
August 13th, 2009
Beryle Woolbright Writes:
LOVE IT……thanks for the refreshing & unique idea.
August 13th, 2009
Lisa Writes:
Awesome idea - they look great. I definitely want to try this for our deck out back! Thanks for the inspiration!
August 13th, 2009
Kathy at MerrimentDesign.com Writes:
I love functional design that solves a problem and makes life a little prettier. From a fellow Hoosier, thanks for sharing your creativity!
August 13th, 2009
Paul (guest) Writes:
I was so inspired by the simple elegance of your design I went out and downed a bottle of wine and started building right away. Well, maybe I should have waited a little…hey, eyebrows will grow back right. I rarely comment, but I liked your work. Kudos.
August 13th, 2009
Samantha Writes:
I love this and want to make some but I can’t find the Copper Top Plate Connector anywhere! Is there a place I can order it from or am I just looking in all the wrong hardware stores?
August 13th, 2009
Melissa Writes:
So pretty and so neat-o!
August 14th, 2009
Stephanie Writes:
BRILLIANT!! Frankly much better looking than the wicker ones. I’d prefer these at my parties, as I got to see one of the wicker ones malfunction and set the deck ablaze at one I recently attended…
August 14th, 2009
Mary M Writes:
Looks marvelous! BUT, how do you raise the wick when it burns down? Pull it with pliers?
August 14th, 2009
Brian Writes:
Very nice. I might try it with a drilled-out cork in place of the teflon tape.
August 14th, 2009
Nolan Writes:
Samantha,
I, too, had trouble locating the Copper Top Plate Connector (CTPC). Fortunately my craft partner had the brilliant insight that a second split ring hanger could be substituted. Just use half of one as a wall mount. Of course asking different Lowes employees to help locate a CTPC has its charms as well.
August 14th, 2009
Judie Writes:
I am a tiki-torch-aholic, always on the lookout for a new, innovative one - this is it! Spectacular, and as someone else said, thank you for posting such clear instructions and details!
August 14th, 2009
shar Writes:
wow, absolutely brilliant! Thank you!
August 14th, 2009
Dan Wagoner Writes:
Simply genious!
August 14th, 2009
Manuel Herrera Writes:
Brilliant idea and nice pictures!
August 14th, 2009
Erik Writes:
OK folks, for those of you having trouble locating the top plate connectors you can find them online at:
Copper, Galvanized, Stainless Steel, Iron
August 14th, 2009
matthew.harrison.smith@gmail.com Writes:
new life for my skyy bottles! cheers mate.
August 14th, 2009
TaLona Writes:
Absolutley the best idea i have seen for torches and so much more unique. I hate having the same old thing all the time and this solves it for me. I can use bottles till i get tired of them and then recycle them and then find new shapes and colors and start over. THANKS SO MUCH for a great idea and great directions.
August 15th, 2009
Patti Belk Writes:
Great Idea, I can’t wait to try it out. Thanks for the info.
August 15th, 2009
Debbie Writes:
Oh so brilliant! Thanks for sharing and the great instructions.
August 15th, 2009
Scott McKittrick Writes:
Excellent Idea! Those look so cool.
August 16th, 2009
Allan David Writes:
This is a very brilliant idea to recycle bottles in an elegant way. Love your idea and waiting to try it out.
August 16th, 2009
Tim Writes:
Is there any special reason why you used copper? You might be able to do it for even less if you used galvanized steel. I love the torch, it looks awesome and the instructions are very informative.
August 16th, 2009
George Gina Writes:
That’s lovely! Great ideas, that really looks awesome, especially with the blue bottle.
August 16th, 2009
directory Writes:
I come to your site because it keeps me entertained and aware of new things.
August 16th, 2009
Jerod Husvar Writes:
Wow… Off to the hardware store I go… :)
August 16th, 2009
Amy Writes:
On my way to the hardware store now….
September 15th, 2009
Taylor Purcell Writes:
This is really great idea to make best from waste.
December 17th, 2009
Daymon Johnson Writes:
Just came across this, and honestly, it’s about asbrilliant of a repurposing idea as I’ve ever seen!
I built about 15 of these, and hung them on 24″ centers along my fence, and it looks better than I could have imagined it would have. It gets complimentad all the time!
Great idea, and thanks!
December 20th, 2009
Ryan Barnes Writes:
Just made this as a gift for a wine-snob friend. Thanks for the great idea!
January 3rd, 2010
Randy Comeau Writes:
This is a great way to also be Green! Recycle your bottles this way instead of throwing them out! I’m going to try and make one of these myself this next summer!
Your Thoughts?