How to Flame Weed - The Beginner's Guide
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 ก.ค. 2020
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In this video I will be showing you how to properly flame weed. I will be going over the benefits in a moment, but first I will start with the safety and operation of the torch used for this. This is a propane torch that connects to 20lbs propane tank such as what is used on a BBQ. The end of the torch where the flame is will become very hot. This is an area you do not want to touch when the torch is off, you’ll need to allow it to cool off before it’s put away. The supply pipe goes back to the control valve, you can hold onto the valve base or the pipe as both of these areas stay cool. The hose connects the wand to the tank, always make sure it’s in good condition & no damage is present. The fitting which connects to the tank is a left-hand thread. Make sure the valve is closed on the torch, then connect the line. Being that this is a left-hand thread, to tighten it, you’ll need to turn it counterclockwise.
Amazon links for various products used in the video for both USA and Canada:
USA
Large propane torch: amzn.to/3jnAx1V
Small propane torch: amzn.to/2Lu4JvK
Flint striker: amzn.to/3a01GoF
Canada
Large propane torch: amzn.to/3ruKa1G
Small propane torch: amzn.to/3jnkFMV
Flint striker: amzn.to/3cMps98
Open the valve slowly & you should see the hose move as it builds up with pressure. You can use a spray bottle with a soap & water mix to inspect for any leaks on any connections. Once the pressure builds up for a moment, then open up the valve on the tank fully. Once the pressure is build up in the line & the tank valve is fully opened, only open the valve a small amount on the torch, then using a torch striker, light the propane.
The flame size can be adjusted by the valve on the torch, the bigger the flame, the hotter it’ll be. However with a bigger flame, the quicker the supply of propane will be used up.
To shut off the flame, it can be turned off by the torch valve, but if you’re done with the torch, what I prefer to do is burn off the gas in the line by turning off the tank first. Allow the flame to get extremely small, then turn off the torch valve & disconnect the line.
This can be used in large areas such as on sand, soil, clay, & even on paving stones, gravel, etc. When the torch is on, adjust the flame to your preference, hold the end about 4” away from the ground at an angle, the distance will depend on how the flame is set. This method can be used on both weeds & grass, it’s best to do this on days after a recent rain where the ground isn’t excessively dry as this can be a fire hazard. Have a watering can, hose, or fire extinguisher close by just as a safety precaution.
I work in an outward direction, pushing the flame forward. Always keep the flame away from the hose & tank. This is a great natural way of controlling weeds, you don’t have to deal with any harsh chemicals & it’s a common method used in organic farming. The flame only needs to be held for less than a second over the weed to kill the above-ground portion of the weed. You should nice the leaves of the plant change color & finish.
I prefer to burn the top portion of the plant fully, this heats the ground enough where a shallow root system becomes damaged as well. It’s best to do this when the plants are still young as the root system won’t be as big, therefore they’re easier to burn. With only the top portion of the plant damaged & not completely burned, this does have the potential of killing the root system as the leaves aren’t able to absorb light to form develop the plant, this is called photosynthesis. Depending on the vegetation you’re burning & what quality of burn is done, this will affect how quickly plants grow back. This torch is rated for up to 500,000 btu which makes working over a large area somewhat quick. A 10' by 10' area usually takes about 10 minutes.
If you are working around areas such as trees, shrubs, or even grass such as here. Water can be applied to the vegetation you don’t want damaged, keep in mind that heat does travel upward, so it can damage anything above the flame area. The torch can be set to a lower setting, then direct the torch away from the area you don’t want damaged, & follow through with pushing it away.
For spot burning, using a small handheld torch that screwed onto a tank would be my preferred method. With the torch, this has a right-handed thread. Open the valve to a low setting, then using the striker, ignite the flame. This will have more of a concentrated flame that works great on individual plants & can achieve up to 1000 °C or about 1800 °F.
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Amazon links for various products used in the video for both USA and Canada:
USA
Large propane torch: amzn.to/3jnAx1V
Small propane torch: amzn.to/2Lu4JvK
Flint striker: amzn.to/3a01GoF
Canada
Large propane torch: amzn.to/3ruKa1G
Small propane torch: amzn.to/3jnkFMV
Flint striker: amzn.to/3cMps98
I’m doing yard work for a lady this weekend and she has a weed torch for a gravel area and I’ve never used one so thank you for having this video. Btw killer kicks bud! 😉
No problem, happy to help!
Thank you for presenting the use of a weed burner and its safety tips so well. I am less hesitant to try this now that I have watched your video.
You're very welcome!
Thank. Good cadence and info. I had little propane tanks I should have kept instead of selling at yard sale 🤦♂️
Very informative well put, love the step by step.
Met guy had one. Looked cool. Bought one and thought better see how to use it. Thanks
Thank you for being very detailed in your presentation
Glad it was helpful and thank you!
Most informative and helpful of all the many videos on this topic that I’ve watched.... now I’m done and go do the weed killing. Thanks so much!
Excellent video thank you
Great helpful video!
Great vid, thanks!
Very helpful thank you
I use these flame torches for weed control around my pool patio and driveway pavers. For areas where an open flame isn't a viable option, I use 30 percent vinegar and dish soap. Works great. Thank you for the video !
So you use 30% vinegar do you put it in a 1 gallon spray pump?
how much of the vinegar do you put in the spray pump, how much soap do you use and do you add water?
@@johnnixon6545 I pretty much use it straight with just a quick squeeze of dish soap. Weeds do not like it!
@@ranger2316 Awesome sir thank you for that
Very helpful, thank you.
You're welcome!
Thank yo so much for this!
Good video thumbs up!
Thank you!
I just bought a propane torch, and I'm wondering what fitting do I need to connect the hose to the propane tank. I thought I would just had to connect the hose to the tank but it doesn't fit. What size do I need or how do I find it at the store? Thanks
What about using on black soil? I have a garden area on a hill where I can't use mulch to suppress the weeds. Do you think there a risk to soil catching on fire?
Good ol’ ecksetera. I love my torch.i dig out lawn weeds but I’m too old to tame wild areas. I have a big yard. It’s too good to waste growing weeds.
Love this video but could you do one on weeds 2ft tall with this method or is this not a viable option new to gardening and have a jungle to tame lol.
I have large areas of creeping bell flower intermingled with my lawn grass. Anyone who is familiar with the weed can attest to how ridiculously resilient it is. The root systems go deep and spread far. Would this method be effective on wiping it out for good?
Great video, but I'm afraid the weeds at my house need something more like the XL18.
my experience is you really need to burn weeds dry or they’ll be back in 2 weeks.
Seeds are quite resistant to heat and there are thousands of them on and in the ground already, this is the hardest part about weed control… there isn’t really a sure way to destroy the seeds, especially when the wind blows them from somewhere else!
I can smell propane coming out of the the hose connection to the torch. I rubbed dawn dish soap around the connection and see some bubbles. Is that normal or is it dangerous to use?
For spot burning, what us the equipment i need to get?
Weeds along structures (garage, home, deck, etc), any extra precautions?
Spray the structure down with water and I would recommend also using a steel barrier, just move it along as you're weed burning.
Thanks for the content.
Keep up the good work.
בס'ד
Thank you!
The check valve is only activating because you have no regulator between the tank and the torch You should have a high pressure regulator 0.5 - 4 bar it is a safety priority. For your information : The regulator controls the gas flow from the tank's valve to the torch. It also acts a barrier between the torch and the high pressure of the tank. Without the regulator or with an improperly functioning regulator the gas tank and torch are serious safety hazards.
OMG!!!! THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENT!!!! I am not a regular propane tank user but am smart enough to ask questions. I could not find a logical answer to my question "do I need a regulator for my weed burner".
From your reply it sounds as thiugh I should ALWAYS use a regulator when using a "big" tank.
Thanks again!! Taking two minutes to share your wisdom is much appreciated!!
✌
Regarding spot burning, which flame setting is more efficient: a blue (hotter) or yellow (cooler) flame?
Blue Is much hotter. It has more oxygen and therefore doesn't put off a dancing yellow flame but more of a rocket engine style conical flame. This happens when you either pump up the propane flow and/or open up the baffles. In this case the baffles are welded so I believe you would achieve a blue flame by turning the flesh control knob to a higher setting
Edit: FLAME. Not flesh!
How do you burn weeds that are next to exposed roots of plants/trees that you want
Thx!
Weeds that have come up through mulch?? Any suggestions?
Double layer of weed mat with more mulch ontop. A very thick layer.
Also under your car and caravan!!
no wrench needed. hand tight is good
Never mind the pipe too much.
For that large area you were clearing you'd be better off just throwing out rock salt.
Keeps areas vegetation free longer as nothing will grow.
It’s bad for the environment and ground water, that’s what weed burning tries to eliminate.
You’ll never grow anything in that area again.
Be prepared to burn propane like water. A full tank of propane that you use for your grill will last about an hour. Makes me rethink using chemicals more affordable
It burns less than you think it does.
I torch weeds at my beach house where I have large areas covered with gravel. It is a little scary at first, but with common sense and focus on safety, you should not have a problem. I do not go near any combustible structures as a precaution.