Gas powered weed killer

JohnB47 · 13 May 2022 at 11:09AM

Do gas powered weed killers actually work?

I'm thinking of buying one that comes with 8 butane gas cylinders for £26 but I'm wondering if they actually do the job.

I want to keep weeds down on my block paved driveway and brick paved patio.

The reviews on the retailer site seem good but I'd like independent views.

Misslayed · 13 May 2022 at 11:20AM

Mr. M is zapping our paved drive with one bought in Aldi/Lidl (I forget which) as I type. He likes it - no bending. We've found it works better if you spray with weed killer a few days before so you're burning dry weeds not green, which just takes longer.

JohnB47 · 13 May 2022 at 12:00PM

Misslayed said:

Mr. M is zapping our paved drive with one bought in Aldi/Lidl (I forget which) as I type. He likes it - no bending. We've found it works better if you spray with weed killer a few days before so you're burning dry weeds not green, which just takes longer.

Thanks. My other half is very much against using weed killer - hence the thoughts about a gas powered device.

I've read that you don't have to actually incinerate the weeds, just burn them enough so that they die over a few days. Is that so?

stuart45 · 13 May 2022 at 12:08PM

I made the mistake of trying to fry them and used up too much gas. Just a few seconds to make them wilt is enough.

Spinybif · 13 May 2022 at 12:59PM

Your not supposed to burn them, a few seconds causes water in cells to turn to steam which ruptures them and plant dies. Allow to whither and then brush up after a few days.