We may realise revenue from the products available on this page and enter in affiliate computer program . study More ›
One of my pet grass - control pecker that lawn maintenance clause often ignore is fire . Both mature widow’s weeds and weed seeds are vulnerable to high heat . Weed burners allow users to eliminate widow’s weeds in lawn , landscape beds , veggie gardens , and paving material pass without applying herbicide or hand - pulling . Not only that , but these lightweight , long - cover burners can also handily fire up a oxford grey grill or flaming nether region and even aid with C. P. Snow and ice removal . TheRed Dragon propane vapor torchmakes a strong case as one of the good weed torch for home use .
Kansas - basedFlame Engineering , Inc. pioneered agricultural ardor - weed tools and techniques in the 1950s and has led the manufacture ever since . Its line of more than 100 products includes theWeed Dragon , which seize to a grill - size propane cylinder and produce up to 100,000 B.Th.U. ( British thermal unit ) of weed - killing world power . I essay the 25,000 BTURed Dragon locoweed torch , which attaches to a 16 - ounce or 14 - ounce propane cartridge and produce a speck flaming . It ’s a durable but lightweight preciseness weeder that can kill a single weed without damaging next desirable flora — or it can burn down off an full skinny garden plot of land up to several hundred square feet in size of it .
Photo: Jacob Wolfe
Red Dragon Mini Weed Dragon Torch: At a Glance
Rating:8.8/10
PROS
yardbird
Photo: Jacob Wolfe
Get the Red Dragon weed torch at :
What is the Red Dragon weed torch?
Manufactured in La Crosse , Kansas , theRed Dragon weed torchis a stocky Mary Jane burner designed for commodious residential manipulation . The lightweight cane - manner torch features a foam - cushioned hold handle , a 1 - in - diameter bell , and a gas valve with a thumb - screw - dash stream accountant . It sequester to a 14 - apothecaries' ounce or 1 - pound propane magazine . The blowlamp measure 34 inch from the top of the curvature to the flange of the bell , matter 1 punt 8 ounce , and produces up to 25,000 BTUs . The kit comes with a manual hitter for true lighting . Gas cartridge are not include .
I spent 2 hour examine the Red Dragon Mini Weed Dragon torch ’s capabilities as a weed burner and as a grillwork and flame - pit newbie . After I screwed on the fuel bottle and enter the valve , it immediately started with the first spark of the striker . The flaming was strong , tranquil , and consistent throughout the trial run . It was red-hot enough to droop weeds within a fraction of a second .
The bell head the flame to an efficient “ not - quite speck ” that worked extremely well on individual weed in the lawn , but it worked more slowly in wide areas of a somewhat weed - infested vegetable garden . It took about 45 minutes and 14 ounces of accelerator to good process a 500 - straight - foot ( 20 - foot - by-25 - foot ) garden bed .
Photo: Jacob Wolfe
For dwelling use , I liked everything about this shaft . The slight profile , retentive tube , and lightweight structure make it wanton to use — with basically zero risk of manipulator fatigue — and comfortable to store in limited space . With a fuel cartridge installed , the cane equilibrise comfortably a few inches forward of the curve . rut outturn was excellent for preciseness use and adequate for special wide - area function . In my tests , it average out 45 minutes of burn mark time on a 14 - ounce fuel cartridge .
Is the Red Dragon weed torch easy to assemble?
TheRed Dragon mourning band torcharrived ready to use properly out of the box . The only need assembly was chicane on a nonrefillable bottle of propane . I used the taller , narrow 14 - snow leopard nursing bottle or else of the longer - burning 16 - ounce nursing bottle because the price per ounce was slightly low-pitched at my local store . Whenever I needed to quit torching weed and take the air away for any length of fourth dimension , I removed the gas from the blowtorch and then reinstall it when I returned .
Is the Red Dragon weed torch easy to use?
Operating theRed Dragon weed torchcould not have been much easier . I flex on the menstruum control and then struck a spark at the bell ’s rim to fire up the blowtorch . I end the gas stream - ascendency knob to put it out . As noted above , the lightweight construction , long tube-shaped structure , and balanced design made it very gentle for me to maneuver without bending and with minimal reaching .
The gas flowing from the tankful has a impregnable cooling effect on the sword handgrip , which makes the foam clutch a smart addition . Unlike a thin India rubber grip , this one provides both nonslip and insulating belongings for a very easy working experience .
alike torches are sold with integrated lighter , eliminating the pauperism to keep track of the friction striker , but the ignitor is another moving part that could ( and patently often does ) malfunction . However , the dim-witted purpose of this shaft fix it very well-situated to use and reliable ; it start up on the first strike each time I light up it , which was all I involve .
Photo: Jacob Wolfe
How effective is the Red Dragon weed torch?
With the flow - control condition valve loose only ¼ turn , the woolly mullein produced a flame strong enough to droop weed rapidly or start a fire in the fervour pit . When it was amply exposed , the flashlight obviously burned strong , but it also burned more gas faster . The weed - killing issue did n’t seem to increase that much with the stronger flame due to the narrow flaming shape . For most undertaking , it operated most effectively and burn gas most expeditiously when the valve was open between ¼ and ¾ go .
The speck flaming shape was perfect for kill detached weeds in the lawn , drive , and terrace , and it worked especially well as a fervidness starter in moist weather condition . For removing gage from spacious - open arena with operose weed cover , the narrow-minded flame worked slower than I would have like , but it was effective nonetheless . process from side to side in retentive wholesale motility , I was able-bodied to kill weeds in 6 - in to 8 - inch - wide swaths at a rate of about 600 square human foot per hour .
Is the Red Dragon weed torch worth the money?
With prices at Amazon and Ace Hardware at $ 44 and $ 52.99 , respectively , the Red Dragon Mini Weed Dragon costs about the same as lightweight cane - styleweed torchesfrom other manufacturers . It bears mentioning that the current - control valve in this poser is adequate to of eminent oestrus ( 25,000 BTUs ) than any similar model I ’ve seen , which range from about 20,000 to 24,000 B.Th.U. . I like that this one does not include an integrated igniter like many others , but that is a strictly personal diagonal . Overall , the price to value makes it a good buy .
Is the Red Dragon weed torch right for you?
Anyone spending $ 10 or more several time each class on weed killer and want to make a change will come up theRed Dragon sens torchdeserving of retainer . For paver patios and other hard surface areas where weeds on a regular basis invade the crack , or for scratchy skunk in lawns and landscape beds , this tool can alleviate the use of chemical controls and mayhap save money . It is easier to comport than a backpack sprayer , easy to apply than a trigger - spraying bottle , and it kills weeds on contact . It also kill sess seed consist on the territory surface and works as a fire entrant and Methedrine melter .
Like all Mary Jane killer , the Mini Weed Dragon has its limitations . And since working with blast comes with its own unequaled hardening of property damage and human injury risks , utmost caution is all important . Well - established weeds , specially those with taproots , will regrow after the initial discourse , so user should expect to treat those regularly for the best retentive - term result . But for those who are concerned in weed control options other than chemical , flame could be the way to go .
Where to Buy the Red Dragon Mini Weed Dragon Torch
Meet the Tester
Mark Wolfe is a product tester and writer with an extensive background in the nursery and landscaping industry . He kept his tool loge well stocked in purchase order to make or fix fences , wall , irrigation systems , and equipment on any given daytime . Now he test and writes review about the latest handwriting tools , lawn care products , outdoor power equipment , and other outdoor living goods .
Our Best Advice for Beginner Gardeners
We ’ll help you coif up your first garden — whether that ’s a few pots on your patio , a raised layer , or an in - primer plot out back — and select the good plants for your grime and region .
