The Best Weed Torches

Removing weeds from your yard is never an easy job. Spending long periods hunched over your garden beds, pulling up weeds is not fun, and it puts a hurt on your back. Luckily, there is a great tool for the job called a ‘weed torch.’

A weed burning torch is a highly effective tool which burns the weeds and does not allow them to regrow. There are some obvious dangers with this method and there have been some people who’ve set fire to their homes. Remember that fire is a hazard and should be treated with respect and caution.

Using a weed torch is better than chemical weed killers and even manually removing weeds

It’s not hard to see how a weed torch is better for your garden than chemical weed killers but better than manual removal? The act of manual removal may actually cause more damage than you think, this is because when you remove the weed you end up leaving a bare patch of dirt on the ground. This then exposes the dirt to sunlight which raises the temperature of the soil and bakes the biological organisms which were thriving there.  

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One of the principles of regenerative agriculture is to armor your soil. Farmer and author Gabe Brown goes into great detail about this in his book ‘Dirt to Soil‘.

When using a weed torch, you destroy the plant but don’t disturb the ground. Therefore, the weed plant dies and is thus recycled back into the ground as it decomposes. The weed will not grow again but it’s carbon will deposit itself into the soil for other plants to use. 

There are a few things to know about weed torches, they are not all created equal. Keep reading to find out which are our favorites and what you should look for in a weed torch.

This guide breaks down the various types of weed torches so you can make an informed, confident decision and select the best weed burner for your needs.

In a rush? Here are our top picks!

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If you’ve ever tried browsing for garden supplies, you may have been struck by analysis paralysis.

Picking the best tools can be exhausting, so we’re here to help. Here are the best weed burners on the market today.

What to look for when buying a weed torch.

Propane cylinder bottle size

Propane cylinders come in a few different sizes. The typical size for a weed torch is a 14-ounce bottle. You can also use a 1-lb propane bottle like those sold for Coleman stoves. These small propane bottles are appropriate for smaller gardens of about ½ an acre. 

There are also 20-lbs propane cylinders. These larger propane bottles last longer but are difficult to move around because of it’s size and weight. To use a 20-lbs propane cylinder with your weed torch, you’ll need a dolly or a carrying backpack to move it easily. 

Keep in mind that you can easily refill the smaller propane bottles from a large 20-lbs cylinder using a propane refill adapter. Using a refill adapter is super simple. Simply hook everything up then open the valve on the 20-lbs cylinder. You’ll be able to tell when the transfer is complete when there is no longer a ‘hissing’ gas sound. Then shut-off the valve and undo all the connections. Your smaller propane bottle is ready for use.

Igniter (automatic or manual)

There are two ways to ignite a propane torch. One is an automatic internal ignition source which requires no external heat source. The other method is by using an external heat source, such as a flint striker, to ignite the flame. 

If you’ve never used a flint striker, you may want to only consider models with an internal ignition source. This will ensure you don’t need to place any of your body parts close to the flame and can keep yourself from injury. 

Using a flint striker is inherently dangerous and requires some practice to master. There are lots of videos to show you how to safely ignite these types of weed torches. 

Shroud

Some weed torches have a shroud like cover at the end. This is to better direct the heat flames of a weed torch. This becomes especially useful when killing weeds among other sensitive plants. Though it is not a perfect design, you can direct the flame much more effectively.

How to use a weed torch

It is best to use a weed torch after a light rain. This causes the ground to become slightly wet and minimizes the risk of a fire spreading from your garden or yard. 

To kill a weed with a weed torch, you need only place the flame on the plant for a few seconds. It is not necessary to char the plant, but you do need to visibly damage all appendages of the plant. 

Do not use a weed burner on a mulch covered garden bed. The mulch can catch fire and cause embers to develop which can pose a danger long after you’ve packed up the weed torch for the day. Extinguish all flames immediately to prevent large fires from breaking out.

What flame size do I need for a weed burner?

First, you should always look for a weed burner which has an integrated flame regulator (valve) installed. All the weed burners recommended in this post have a regulating valve installed to control the flame size. 

There is no right or wrong flame size but you’ll know when the flame is too much because your propane bottle runs out too quickly. You’ll also know when the flame size is too small because it takes too long to kill weeds and the flame may even blow out easily. A good rule of thumb is being able to destroy weeds about 6 inches away from the nozzle in about 5 seconds. 

Do not burn poison ivy

Do not burn plants or brush piles that may contain poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac. Inhaling smoke from burning plants can cause severe allergic respiratory problems (source).

What is a weed burner?

A weed burner, or a weed torch, is a propane torch used to kill weeds with fire. The tool consists of a propane cylinder attached to a long metal necked handle which has a torch on the end. The best weed torches are auto igniting which remove some of the dangers of use.

Does a weed torch really work?

Yes, weed torches work very well. Flame weeders are highly effective at killing weeds in your garden. Your goal is to burn the center bulb of the weed to completely kill the weed. This will cut the roots off from the above ground plant and prevents any further spread.

Does a weed burner kill roots?

Yes, a weed burner kills the plant and therefore the roots cannot grow any further. After torching a weed, the plant will not propagate any more. The plant will die and decay in place. 

However, if a plant has many different roots, like a wild black berry vine, it may be more difficult to cull this plant with a weed torch. You’ll need to burn every node on which there are roots. 

Why are these burners rated in BTUs?

A BTU, or British Thermal Unit, is the amount of energy required to heat one pound of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit. It is the conventional set of units used to measure heat output. 

Safety

There are quite a few recorded incidents of people setting their house on fire while using a weed burner like these. Please use caution and follow all safety guidelines per the manufactures recommendations. Please don’t set yourself or your house on fire.