Anyone ever used a weed wand?

Larumbelle

I have been offered a weed wand for a fiver. I'm a little sceptical as to whether there's any point. Reading up on it they say it 'alters the structure of the plant' - isn't this just a fancy way of saying it burns it?! And it seems like an almighty waste of fuel to me. On the other hand nuking stuff with a flame flower sounds more fun than digging! Anyone got any experience of actually using one?

JWF

I've never used one but always think they'll struggle to kill any weeds like docks or dandelions where there is a big root. I'm not sure about the impact on seeds during the nuking process either, as it would be difficult to make sure you kill them rather than just make them ping off the plant due to the heat - I guess some plants might be ok and other not so good.

emmilou

My hubby has one and loves it. I think it makes him feel manly a bit like barbeques its a fire thing from caveman times lol
It does work but on the other hand we still have weeds! I don't think its too enviro friendly tho but then neither is weedkiller.
So sorry thats a bit like sitting on the fence and not much help really is it? :rolleyes:

Mojisola

We have one and it works really well for weeds in paths, block paving and the patio.

The flame is very hot - almost invisible in bright light - some people weed in the evening so that it shows up better. All you have to do is pass the flame quickly over the weeds and the heat bursts all the cell walls. Because it's so quick, it's quite economical. Over the next day the weeds shrivel up and disappear.

Davesnave

I have one and I don't like it, but that's probably because I've got proper he-man weeds rather than some puny bit of groundsel! It is good at lighting the barbecue though. I'd imagine it would be a good option for weeds in block paving etc, but it won't kill dandelion or any other deep rooted perennial weed, just maim them.

One of my main gripes, apart from the fact that it doesn't work like the flamethrower in old versions of Grand Theft Auto, is that it resents being used in anything other than the semi-vertical.,tip down position. This gets worse as the gas runs down.

Mojisola

Sounds as if you would have more fun with a macho Flame Gun -
https://www.mower-magic.co.uk/acatalog/HandHeld_Flame_Guns.html

We used one of these when we were commercial growers and it was very effective but rather scary!

Davesnave

Mojisola wrote: »

Sounds as if you would have more fun with a macho Flame Gun -
www.mower-magic.co.uk/acatalog/HandHeld_Flame_Guns.html

We used one of these when we were commercial growers and it was very effective but rather scary!

Yes, absolutely. Didn't know they still made Sheen flame guns. I's going on my Christmas toy list! Thanks.:T

Larumbelle

Davesnave wrote: »

...apart from the fact that it doesn't work like the flamethrower in old versions of Grand Theft Auto...

Aw, sheesh, you mean it doesn't?! As I said, that was part of the attraction Woohoo, fire!

Thanks for everyone's inputs, I think for a fiver I may as well give it a shot. It might come in handy for new weeds coming up in my newly-hoed 'bare patch' as that won't be cultivated for a few weeks.