More homeowners are buying a propane weed torch to take out pesky weeds without herbicides. Do the Weed Dragon and other weed burners work as well as the manufacturers claim?
A weed burner works by using a propane flame to heat the moisture in the weed’s leaves and stems until the plant literally boils to death. The parts consist of a tubular wand with the flamer at the end, and a fitting to attach to a propane tank. High-end models have a backpack or cart for a larger propane tank, a hose to attach to the wand, and a bell-shaped fitting for the business end of the torch.
The cheap weed burners are just a length of metal tubing shaped like a “J” with a fitting for a 1-pound propane tank and a handle. Typically sold as a “weed burner/ice melter” combination, the manufacturers don’t mention these units’ BTU rating for a reason: they’re not powerful enough to do any serious weeding with. They also rip through those little disposable propane tanks like a hot knife through butter, which isn’t a good use of your money.
To really do any serious weeding, you need a weed torch rated at a minimum of 100,000 BTU. The leading brand for these units is Weed Dragon, but users report that the generic knock-offs work reasonably well. If you buy an off brand of weed torch, inspect it carefully, because equipment failure around propane and fire can have tragic consequences. If you’re buying online, you’re better off sticking to the name brand, which is priced reasonably and available through a variety of online stores.
There are two ways to fuel a good weed torch. You can use a standard 20-pound propane tank attached to a cart or dolly,
Contrary to what you might have read, burning the weed down to ash is the wrong way to use a weed torch. The right way is to direct a split second of heat at the weed so that it wilts, bleeding moisture out of the entire root structure. This only really works on weeds that are less than four inches tall. If you have an unsightly tangle in your back yard, you’re better off mowing it with a string trimmer or other clipper device and getting after it with the flamer next spring when the shoots are new.
Important safety precautions with a weed burner include keeping a fire extinguisher and/or garden hose close by in case things get out of hand, and not working during periods of drought when it’s easy to start grass fires. If you’re working around desirable plants and shrubs, be careful using the torch, as it’s easy to kill the wrong plants if you don’t keep a safe distance. And do not under any circumstances use a torch on poisonous plants such as poison ivy, because the burning vapors can get into your lungs.
Follow these precautions and you’ll be the master weed killer in your neighborhood with your weed torch—minus toxic herbicides and loud, cranky string trimmers.
Not using herbicides is important to me, as I prefer a greener environment. You give good tips on how to do the job right and what tools to use. For someone like me who does not even use a gas or electric powered lawn mover because of the smell and noise this is akin to a custom made weed killing system. Thanks
This is a great idea especially if you have children and/or pets. Also, if there are any critters around your garden, they could do without the toxic brew which is so often in our environment
I think you’ve got everything covered in this post to help people get away from using pesticides which I believe is very important.
Great Job!
Jim
Great post,
I live in western Oregon in the US. We get a lot of weeds and knocking them down every summer is a big problem. We also have several pets, big and small, so pesticides is a big no-no. I started using a propane weed burner and I really like it. The burner doesn’t take much propane each time and if I do it before things dry out too much I don’t start any big fires. Good luck with your propane weed eater.
Wow. I just wonder how creative people really are. Who would have thought of literally and figuratively burning your worries. But I think a person should really be careful when using them. I personally wouldn’t use them since I am afraid of fire but it looks like a good solution nonetheless.
Do those propane hand held gas burners for weeding work ie kill the weed. Only the packaging said something about causing the weed to dry out killing it. However the shop assistant said the root could live on to produce new growth.
@Daniel: the powerful ones work great. Just give the weed a small blast so it wilts, and the wilted leaves will suck all the moisture out of the roots, killing the whole plant. Hovering over the weed and burning it to a crisp doesn’t work because the roots stay moist.