Turn Old Glass Bottles Into Citronella Torches

These beautiful citronella torches take less than 10 minutes to make and do a great job of keeping away those pesky bugs.
Handmade Glass Bottle Tiki Torch

DIY Glass Bottle Citronella Torch

These beautiful citronella bottle torches take less than 10 minutes to make and do a great job of keeping away those pesky bugs.

Photo by: Mike Faulkner

Mike Faulkner

Materials Needed:

  • glass bottle with opening similar to a wine bottle
  • citronella torch fuel
  • citronella torch wick replacement
  • 1/2″ x 3/8″ copper coupling
  • 1/2″ flat steel washer
  • hot glue gun
  • small funnel

Clean Bottle

Wash inside and outside of bottle with warm water and dish soap. Remove any packaging stickers by running under hot water for 30 seconds, then easily peel off. Dry thoroughly.

Tip: Use a sticker removal product to remove tougher adhesive, then wash again with soap and water.

How to Make a Glass Bottle Tiki Torch

DIY Glass Bottle Citronella Torch Step 1: Clean Bottle

Wash the inside and outside of your bottle with warm water and dish soap. Remove any packaging stickers by running under very hot water for 30 seconds, then easily peel off. For tougher adhesive, use a sticker removal product until all glue is removed, then wash with soap and water again. Dry thoroughly.

Photo by: Photography by Mike Faulkner

Photography by Mike Faulkner

Glue on Washer

Run a thick line of hot glue around bottle opening (Image 1). Working quickly to ensure proper adhesion, attach washer to hot glue (Image 2). Center washer over opening (Image 3).

Tip: If copper coupling sits in bottle opening without slipping, the washer is unnecessary and you can skip this step.

Add Fuel

Use a small funnel to slowly pour citronella torch fuel into bottle until 3/4 full. 

DIY Glass Bottle Tiki Torch How-To

DIY Glass Bottle Citronella Torch Step 3: Add Fuel

Use a small funnel to slowly pour citronella torch fuel into bottle until 3/4 full.

Photo by: Photography by Mike Faulkner

Photography by Mike Faulkner

Prepare Wick

Slip copper coupling, with larger (1/2-inch) end facing up, onto wick. 

DIY Glass Bottle Tiki Torch How-To

DIY Glass Bottle Citronella Torch Step 4: Prepare Wick

Slip copper coupling onto end of wick with larger (1/2-inch) end facing up.

Photo by: Photography by Mike Faulkner

Photography by Mike Faulkner

Insert Wick

Squeeze end of wick to ensure no stray fibers get caught on bottle opening (Image 1). Slowly twist wick down into bottle until copper coupling rests on lip of washer (Image 2). Leave about a 1/2 inch of wick exposed (Image 3).

Light It Up & Enjoy

Using a stick lighter or long match, light your beautiful new citronella torch, sit back and relax! When you’re done, simply put out the flame with a torch snuffer and store indoors or in a covered area between uses.

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