Mini Dragon Propane Torch Product Review: Weed Control Without Chemicals
Got weeds which are hard to dig out and eliminate? Especially the ones in patios and walkways? The Mini Dragon Propane Torch is the perfect tool for this.
Weeds growing in the cracks of a driveway or between the stones of a path or patio are the most difficult weeds to get rid of. And you want to get rid of them as they can damage the stones and create bigger cracks if left to grow large. Plus they are just plain unsightly!
You can’t dig them out. Sure you can get the top part and maybe part of the root if you are lucky. For the shallower rooted weeds you might be able to get the whole root, but be sure to do this at the right time.
There are also other methods. Boiling water, either by itself or with a concoction of salts, vinegars and other kitchen staples added can be used to varying levels of effectiveness.
However the other option is to cook the weeds with a concentrated flame. And that’s where the Mini Dragon Propane Torch comes in.
Let’s have a look at how you flame weed with a weed torch and why you should add one to your weed control tool set.
Safety first!
The advice on this post is based on the instructions I received with the flame weeder I have, as well as my own experience using the weeder. And some common sense!
Note that you are responsible for reading all instructions that came with the torch. Yes, that includes the first few pages (!) of cautions and warnings. Some may seem obvious and common sense but read them anyways so that you are aware of the weed torch’s capabilities and restrictions.
We’re dealing with fire after all and explosive gases. You don’t want to take any chances and either injure yourself or others or cause property damage. Safety first at all times.
Don’t rush, don’t be distracted and don’t do flame weeding if you are upset, tired, drunk, drugged or otherwise don’t feel you can concentrate on what can be a dangerous task.
Also obey all fire restrictions regarding open flames, especially in summer. You can be fined if you use the flame weeder when there are restrictions in place.
There are more safety tips below in each section. Please DON’t skip over them!
How it works
Take some greens and place them in a pot or wok or frying pan on your stove and the moment you add heat they will wilt. The weed torch works in a similar way, wilting your weeds.
It actually boils the water in the cells of the weed. When the water boils it explodes the cells and causes the plant to atrophy. You can see this happen before your eyes. Many weeds can’t survive if you kill off the top growth and if the root gets cauterized at the top.
It used to be a common tool to use but when herbicides became popular in the 1960s, weed torches all but disappeared. They are making a resurgence now with the concerns about and in some regions outright bans on using herbicides.
Buying
There are different sizes of weed torches. The size you buy will depend mainly on how large the area is that you will be torching.
With something that uses an explosive gas and a hot flame, you want to purchase from a reputable manufacturer. Avoid the really cheap knockoffs as these may not be properly safety tested and may not comply with your country’s and region’s safety regulations.
Here are my three recommendations for small, medium and large areas:
