VT2-23SVC Vapor Torch Kit with Squeeze Valve and Adjustable Pilot, 100,000 BTU Propane Torch, Made in USA for Spot Weeding, Landscaping, Ice Removal, Driveway and Farm Use, 10 ft Hose

I use this to finish burning off stubble of weeds and grass that I have first treated with an herbicide treatment. It is used around walkways, concrete joints, and graveled areas. It works quite well for this. This is not sold as a large, heavy-duty torch, so if you need that, go to a bigger size. We live on 2.5 acres with quite a few graveled areas, sidewalks, and driveways and this is very good for that, but I am not using it to clear things like drainage ditches. And because I am moving around a lot doing quite a bit of spot torch work, I think this model, which allows switching between pilot light mode and full heat with a higher pressure squeeze valve, is great for that purpose. It prevents a lot of wasted gas. There are cheaper torches, some from overseas, but this is well-made and dependable and worth the modest extra expense. There is no specified warranty period on the website: "We warrant all goods to be free of defects in material and workmanship. We repair or replace defective merchandise returned upon authorization." So, this is real lifetime warranty against defects. There is very little to wear out and these are mostly easily replaceable standard parts if service is required. The primary specialized part is the squeeze valve/trigger. The only thing I noticed when i first used it is it easy to accidentally turn off the pilot valve which is part of the squeeze valve assembly while holding and using the squeeze handle. If you do that, you would have to readjust and re-light after using the squeeze valve. It just takes some awareness and getting used to and not holding your hand in a way that moves the pilot valve to the closed position. I also purchased the propane tank dolly separately, which I have also reviewed. Update: After using for a short period, I made a minor modification that I think could be important. I noticed there is no bend/strain relief on the black hose between the propane tank and torch. I know these are standard hoses. But if the torch is stored vertically on the company's propane tank dolly, the end of the hose connected to the torch bends sharply and begins to develop a kink in only a couple of days just from the weight of the hose hanging down. These types of propane hoses really are not designed to have a right angle bend on either end. This is not much of a problem with the hose connection to the tank, but it is definitely a weak point on the connection to the torch handle. Given enough time, the flow of gas could be affected, or worse yet, cause the hose to fail. I was able to solve this by removing the hose from the torch and installing a 4” piece of braided vinyl hose (21’’ OD and 15mm ID) over the hose and slide it into place after reconnecting the hose to the torch. It works perfectly and makes the bend a lot more gradual. I actually installed it on both ends of the hose as long as I had if off. I am sure there is something better out there, like an integral anti-bend spring at the hose ends that are usually installed on gas welding torches in order to avoid this problem. I did give feedback to the company on this, so hopefully, they will consider it and improve the design.

One might not need the capacity of this tool simply to kill weeds, but I can attest that this model works perfectly. I have billions, it seems, of live oak sprouts in my beds. I can occasionally spray with Roundup to kill some, but I don't like to use it continuously. Many of the sprouts are volunteers coming off the roots of the trees and Roundup could eventually harm the tree itself. I didn't have a solution since pulling them would be a life long task. Now I light this tool and give each a quick pass with the flame and they shrivel and die within a day or two. Perfect! It is great for pathways as well. If you have weeds that go to seed, the flame will even toast (pop) many of the seeds. It is easy to handle and I don't even need the flame booster on the handle. Having said all that. I suppose if I was doing asphalt or roofing work this device would work great, as well. The flame boost would have serious impact on any work requiring such heat. Just be careful with the flame. It is powerful. Additional thought: I purchased a 10lb tank from Amazon and use that with the flame torch. It is lighter to carry around and works great. It doesn't last as long, but for me, plenty long for a summer of use. The handle is easy to use and the device easy to light. If I am doing an rocked area or open space where I don't want weeds, I use an application of pre-emergent spray after nuking the weeds. The flame, sort of like a forest fire, doesn't kill all the seeds. So the pre-emergent spray prevents any seeds from sprouting.

Performs just as advertised and expected. Simple straightforward design works well, promises reliability over years of use. My applications for this product are (so far) weed control, and SSB (shou sugi ban) wood-charring technique, for preserving wooden planks against sun & weather. Have used it for a few hours for both, works exactly as anticipated. This 100,000 BTU model is the smaller one (there is a 500,000 BTU monster,) but 100,000 BTU is already a very large amount of heat. As an example: It is possible to do a light surface browning (no char) on one side of a piece of 8-foot 2x10" douglas-fir lumber (green/moist) in under a minute. Full black charring of same area in 2 minutes or less. Weeds don't stand a chance against this tool. The key for effective & efficient weed control: don't *burn the weed to ashes,* all you need to do is just *heat* it till the leaves boil briefly. This pops the cell membranes and then the water in the plant leaks out & evaporates, from the base & roots up. The plant then dies from dehydration. It takes less than a second of exposure to the full blast from the weed-dragon torch to achieve this heat level for most weeds. Charring / black / ash = no! wasting propane and you're sealing off the plant from the water loss that is what actually kills it. The squeeze-handle is worth every penny of the extra cost for the safety, efficiency, and convenience it adds.

Update 07/05/23 Lasted 3 years of light, warm weather usage. Appears nozzle at the tip of the wand has rusted out. Does not appear nozzle is designed to be replaced by owner. The rest of the burner components look great, but it is now useless… The burner uses rust resistant brass on most key components. Would have appreciated something more rust resistant for the nozzle. Or a design that allows the owner to replace it.., Original Review Works. Easy to use. Bought to clear brick walkway and gravel driveway. Takes 2 to 3 applications to get down to bare surface. 1st pass just to make grass and weeds wither. 2nd pass (a week later) to burn off withered brown grass & weeds, and to wither any green material missed the 1st pass. 3rd pass (another week later) to burn off withered material from 2nd pass. You can try to burn down to bare surface in 1 pass, but it will take a lot of extra time and propane to go directly from green state to ash. Also, recommend raking area clear of dead leaves, pine needles and grass before burning. And have a water hose ready to go. Search YouTube for “how to use” videos. Useful tool. But like a chainsaw, be extremely careful. You’ll probably need to move if you set the neighborhood on fire. And 3rd degree burns are forever...

Outstanding value. Extremely effective at controlling grass in our 350 ft. gravel driveway. If possible, order the cart for the 20 pound propane cylinder which rolls along with you, is very stable and makes the torch use much, much, easier to use. The dual variable fuel control is the best way to order/use this torch. Just crack the small round valve barely enough to hear the hiss of the propane, and light. There will be a small flame and if you can adjust it from a tiny pilot light to something much larger, but the best way is to adjust for a small flame. This is your pilot light. Then the variable control lever allows you to vary the flame from your preset pilot light to an impressive blast that caused my wife to go "WOW!" when I demonstrated it. Several cautions: Make sure the fuel regulator's little "house" is up, or it can freeze, even in summer, and the torch will quit working. Make sure the regulator fitting is fully seated in the propane tank, wiggle it a little to be sure it is fully seated and check for leaks before lighting. This fitting has left hand threads and you need to pull back on the hose while turning the nut counterclockwise or it will not start threading. When finished, if you disconnect the torch from the propane tank, use the included yellow cap to cover the regulator fitting to keep dust/dirt out of it. Ensure during use that the hose does not cross over previously burned areas where it can be damaged by glowing embers, etc., and do not use in mulch beds or to burn grass growing in lots of pine needles. Mature weeds take more time, maybe 3-5 seconds, but as another reviewer mentioned - you do not need to completely incinerate it, unless that in itself is the satisfaction you are looking for. All you need to do is use enough heat/flame to brown the leaves. I realize the grass will recover in a week or two but this is, environmentally speaking, far safer than using toxic chemicals when you have well water, and if you don't have well water, simply to prevent ground water contamination.

Awesome! 👌 I just connected it and used it. Terrible weeds are now gone!! Works very well as described. Best of all its 🇺🇸 made 💪!!

I try to keep my home & yards are chemical free as possible. I've had two epileptic dogs in the past, & always wonder if the weed killer had anything to do with it. The Weed Dragon takes all that worry away. I love it! I'm 5'2", 125lbs, & it is just the right size for me to handle. I put the propane bottle in a (horse) manure cart & away we go. After about an hour of burning, you will start to feel the weight of the torch, but that's a good thing, a sign that it's well made & will last more than one season. I'm still on my first bottle of propane, burning about 45 minutes to an hour per session, for 4 sessions now. No problem with lighting it, nor keeping it lit. Having a large piece of acreage, I still use chemical on perimeter fences & where the dogs don't go, but everywhere else I'm able to burn, including ditches, which prevents chemical runoff in the main water ways. I wish I had discovered this method of weed control decades ago.

Very disappointed - worked for 10 minutes - then only yellow flame - no high pressure blue flame. Followed directions- hooked up to two different tanks. I’m getting a replacement - I want this to work - I will keep everyone informed on how my replacement works