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Allotment Stuff => The Basics => Topic started by: Grandma on September 01, 2007, 16:18:28

Title: Weed burner
Post by: Grandma on September 01, 2007, 16:18:28
I'm thinking of getting one - can anyone tell me if they're any good, please?
Title: Re: Weed burner
Post by: little-weed on September 01, 2007, 16:37:52
Hi Grandma
I know my lidl is having some in on Monday £9.99 + £1.99 for the gas  and many more good offers on gardening equipment so I will be there at daybreak and hope to get a bargain I have not used them before but at that price It's worth a try

little-weed :0)
Title: Re: Weed burner
Post by: Grandma on September 01, 2007, 17:07:47
Little-weed! That's what put the idea in my head too! Can't go wrong for a tenner, really! I think everyone at A4A is going to be at Lidl's tomorrow!  ;) Hope you pick up some bargains!
Title: Re: Weed burner
Post by: Palustris on September 01, 2007, 17:45:28
They are useful in that they fry the seeds of the weeds, but they are a rather expensive way of weeding an area. When you need refills Wilkinson's do them as cheap as anywhere.
Title: Re: Weed burner
Post by: tim on September 01, 2007, 17:52:32
Do so agree - best use is for the cracks in paving etc.

And DON'T try to crisp up the weeds - just wilt them.
Title: Re: Weed burner
Post by: Grandma on September 02, 2007, 08:37:03
Thanks Eric and Tim. I really wanted it to attack the weeds - (mainly grass) - in paving cracks and where paths meet border-edgings. Hadn't thought about it killing the seeds but that's a big bonus with the grass.  :)

Just one more question, please. I don't have any lawned areas, just low-maintenance gravel/ pebbles/etc. Someone has told me not to use a weed burner there as some stones can actually 'explode' when heated!!!  :o What do you think?
Title: Re: Weed burner
Post by: tim on September 02, 2007, 10:42:28
For the time that the flame is on them, I very much doubt it.
Title: Re: Weed burner
Post by: Pumper on September 02, 2007, 13:40:58
They're really good for lighting the barby at arms length as well  ;)
Title: Re: Weed burner
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on September 02, 2007, 14:03:55
Stones can certainly crack, I don't know about explode, if they're seriously heated. You're not talking about vapourising the weeds though, and if you applied that much heat you'd destroy your soil along with them. Just scorch them enough for them to die slowly from their burns.
Title: Re: Weed burner
Post by: powerspade on September 05, 2007, 20:56:52
I use a parafine blow lamp its cheaper than gas
Title: Re: Weed burner
Post by: Palustris on September 05, 2007, 21:27:09
But you have to bend down with a blow lamp!
Title: Re: Weed burner
Post by: Grandma on September 06, 2007, 08:48:05
Well.........I got one! And I think it's wonderful! So easy to just walk along the path singeing everything and it made short work of the forest of wheat and oat seedlings that were growing in the gravel under my bird table!

And, yes, Eric - all done without any painful bending, kneeling or squatting.  :) Even if I'd used a whole gas canister - (which I didn't) - it would have been well worth the £1.99.

(Had to be a bit careful, though - everything is so dry here that each little weed instantly became a crackling mini-bonfire   :o. Just carried a little watering can in the other hand so no disasters!)

Great tool - would recommend highly.
Title: Re: Weed burner
Post by: Lauren S on September 06, 2007, 14:18:43
Ha ha, Grandma, you ought to change your name to *Firebird* now.

;D  ;D  ;D

Lauren
Title: Re: Weed burner
Post by: Larkshall on September 06, 2007, 23:50:41
Quote from: powerspade on September 05, 2007, 20:56:52
I use a parafine blow lamp its cheaper than gas

I've got an old Sheen X300 in the shed, the pump packed up so I fitted a schraeder valve and pump it up with a footpump.