Burning Weeds (not what you think)

[Jlpgumbo]

Has anyone ever used a propane gas weed burner? I saw it online and it seems like a good way of dealing with the chore of killing weeds on my gravel driveway on my summer property. They have smaller 1lb tank models with small flames up to larger 20lb models that have the ability to cover larger areas. I hate using weed killer as I am near a creek and my well. Any thoughts? Thanks

 

[m75rlg]

I have one. It works for spot treatment of a few weeds more quickly and efficently than mixing up, spraying, and cleaning up the sprayer for that.

If trying to kill a wider spread of weeds I still prefer to spray.

It will start a fire and or overheat your leg if you are not very careful! (I wouldn't want to wear polyester trousers while using it.)

https://www.harborfreight.com/propane-torch-with-push-button-igniter-91037.html

 

[Bald1]

Yes the harbor freight propane roofers torch is what I use to maintain driveway at my cabin. 2-3 times a yr. I usually spray weeds with pump up sprayer one weekend and torch next weekend. Surprisingly it takes a lot longer to burn green weeds and grass. Even with that.

 

[meaneyedcatz]

I typically spray, wait then burn. Green weeds don’t burn quickly as Bald1 stated.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Weed killer or burner if the chem's don't work.

I got mine to de-ice the drains and in front of the garage door
that might freeze up the electric door, when the weather is below 28*
for a long time and causes problems.

I have also been known to use the leaf blower to turn the BBQ charcoal
fire, ready in just 7 minutes !!

Tools are a great thing, in a man's hands !!

 

[Tom Beavert]

Remember to walk backwards, rubber soles on hot gravel is not good for them. Or leather for that matter.
Tom B.

 

[SweetMK]

I have the weed burner,,
don't bother with the one pound attachment,,
You will be surprised how few weeds can be damaged with a pound of propane.

Get the one that connects to a 20 pound propane bottle (like the grill tank)

The larger one can get a LOT done.
OH, YEA,, if you get the weed burner, spend the extra $5 and get the push button ignite model.

When burning weeds, if a gust of smoke gets pushed back to the air inlet, the weed burner gets put out. NO oxygen, NO fire.

I also have a slightly different propane torch.
It is a #6 sized TurboTorch, which also runs off a 20 pound propane bottle.

This pic shows the #6 tipped torch heating two 1" diameter solid steel rods.
No oxygen, just air, propane, and the TurboTorch,,

This torch uses WAY less fuel than the weed burner.

 

[sophie]

I don’t have a propane weed burning torch, but I do have a true story to tell you.
I have a good friend who lived out in the county and decided to borrow a propane weed burner from his neighbor and burn the weeds and sticker burrs around his 2 story 20’ X 30’ barn. The barn was barely 2 years old in 1988 and the roof was a real wood shake roof. He had all his reloading equipment, shotgun, rifle, and pistol equipment on the second floor and many hand guns and long guns also. It was light wind and he caught the barn on fire by accident and being in the county the Fire Trucks didn’t get there very fast because of the location and would not approach the building until powders and bullets exploding slowed down. By then it was a total loss and next day it was a sad sight to see and the revolver, long gun frames laying there among the rubble with just bare frames and nothing else left was a sad sight. He didn’t have a fireproof gun safe at that time. The lower floor was full of power tools, saws, and etc. everything lost. Sad situation. He hasn’t burned anymore weeds or stickers since.

 

[SAFireman]

I don’t have a propane weed burning torch, but I do have a true story to tell you.
I have a good friend who lived out in the county and decided to borrow a propane weed burner from his neighbor and burn the weeds and sticker burrs around his 2 story 20’ X 30’ barn. The barn was barely 2 years old in 1988 and the roof was a real wood shake roof. He had all his reloading equipment, shotgun, rifle, and pistol equipment on the second floor and many hand guns and long guns also. It was light wind and he caught the barn on fire by accident and being in the county the Fire Trucks didn’t get there very fast because of the location and would not approach the building until powders and bullets exploding slowed down. By then it was a total loss and next day it was a sad sight to see and the revolver, long gun frames laying there among the rubble with just bare frames and nothing else left was a sad sight. He didn’t have a fireproof gun safe at that time. The lower floor was full of power tools, saws, and etc. everything lost. Sad situation. He hasn’t burned anymore weeds or stickers since.

Yup, this ^

Please, please, be careful, read the local fire weather. We had a young family who lost a nice house on Wed due to a HVAC contractor and sweating pipes.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Good for burning marsh

 

[NYlakesider]

I have one and it has about a 12' hose connecting it to the 20 size propane tank. Bought it at Tractor Supply about 6 years ago.

It does a decent job of burning weeds and anything else you get too close to. Definitely utilize your peripheral vision so you can keep a good look at your fire line.

 

[SweetMK]

Yup, this ^

Please, please, be careful, read the local fire weather. We had a young family who lost a nice house on Wed due to a HVAC contractor and sweating pipes.

I moved to my current home in 1982,,
my neighbor, Bobby, at the time was an older fellow,,
MANY times he warned me about burning brush, etc,,
I mean he warned me at least twice a year,, EVERY year,,

He passed about 2 decades after we moved there,,
After he passed, another neighbor told me about how my neighbor Bobby had been burning some brush, the fire got away from him, and the county fire department came out and put the fire out.

Bobby was a VERY frugal man,, it turns out that the county charged him over $500 back in the 1970's to extinguish the fire,,,
THAT was the reason Bobby warned me about burning brush,,
The $500 probably really got to him,,
enough that he had to lecture me ~twice a year about the dangers of fire.

 

[NYlakesider]

I moved to my current home in 1982,,
my neighbor, Bobby, at the time was an older fellow,,
MANY times he warned me about burning brush, etc,,
I mean he warned me at least twice a year,, EVERY year,,

He passed about 2 decades after we moved there,,
After he passed, another neighbor told me about how my neighbor Bobby had been burning some brush, the fire got away from him, and the county fire department came out and put the fire out.

Bobby was a VERY frugal man,, it turns out that the county charged him over $500 back in the 1970's to extinguish the fire,,,
THAT was the reason Bobby warned me about burning brush,,
The $500 probably really got to him,,
enough that he had to lecture me ~twice a year about the dangers of fire.

We have been under a seasonal burn ban for about the last month and have about 3 weeks till it expires. (Course if conditions warrant it can be extended) I do not know about charges to put out a fire, but if the fire start was by illegal burning the sheriffs department will hand you some legal paper!

 

[Narragansett]

Yup, this ^

Please, please, be careful, read the local fire weather. We had a young family who lost a nice house on Wed due to a HVAC contractor and sweating pipes.

Hello Prudential

Bet the owner off the HVAC company loved getting that call

 

[4barrel]

Round up is safer and when it dries cattle and horses can eat the grass and it kills the roots. I've used it since '84. 2 1/2gallons is $60 and 1 1/2 oz. per gallon kills weeds. I pull my 15 gallon sprayer behind a riding mower. Don't use if wind is blowing. It takes 5-6 days to turn brown. It gives my wife something to do when I'm at the range.

 

[jeffrefrig]

Along with paying attention to all things that can turn a small fire into a conflagration, please pay a little attention to any snakes that are out enjoying a nice sunny day. They kill bugs & small furry destructive animals, and most aren't poisonous.

 

[SAFireman]

I moved to my current home in 1982,,
my neighbor, Bobby, at the time was an older fellow,,
MANY times he warned me about burning brush, etc,,
I mean he warned me at least twice a year,, EVERY year,,

He passed about 2 decades after we moved there,,
After he passed, another neighbor told me about how my neighbor Bobby had been burning some brush, the fire got away from him, and the county fire department came out and put the fire out.

Bobby was a VERY frugal man,, it turns out that the county charged him over $500 back in the 1970's to extinguish the fire,,,
THAT was the reason Bobby warned me about burning brush,,
The $500 probably really got to him,,
enough that he had to lecture me ~twice a year about the dangers of fire.

Yup, it can become pretty costly. The ticket from the sheriff will run 500-2000, THEN we add the cost of the response -> $500 for the first truck for the first 15 minutes, plus each tool, person, and additional truck. There may be additional liabilities of it crosses off of your property onto someone else's place as well.

I have seen claims that you wouldn't believe even for an accidental fire.

It makes my tractor and brush hog seem really cheap to operate

Stay safe.

 

[Jebus35745]

Didn’t read most of the replies but burning weeds around the base of vegetable plants is good way to keep the weeds away. My garden is covered with a tarp with holes in it so I don’t have to weed a whole garden. The few plants I have are growing in the holes. Makes life simple and no chemicals. Round Up is used every where else, Larry

 

[grover99]

"Round up is safer and when it dries cattle and horses can eat the grass and it kills the roots. I've used it since '84. 2 1/2gallons is $60 and 1 1/2 oz. per gallon kills weeds. I pull my 15 gallon sprayer behind a riding mower. Don't use if wind is blowing. It takes 5-6 days to turn brown". This is the system I use 15 gal sprayer pulled behind lawn tractor. However year before last I used Buckneer weed killer from the local CO-OP farm supply. 2 1/2 gallons for $38 and works just as well. Last year price was $60 for one gal. COVID don't you know. Haven't checked the price this year yet. Just checked price for this year and it is down a lot. $44 for 2 1/2 gallons. Makes 45 gallons of spray which should last me for the year.

 

[SMSgt]

Ever notice how the first thing to sprout after a wildfire is the weeds?