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Need help with weed burner

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Judy Mayberry
Judy Mayberry Posts: 2,015
in EggHead Forum
I've had two Greenwood self-igniting weed burners from Harbor Freight that didn't work. I really didn't want to bother with a striker but I'll probably have to settle for that. Please tell me what brand works well, how many BTUs I need to light charcoal, and where to buy it online or in a store.
Judy in San Diego
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  • bud812
    bud812 Posts: 1,869
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    I have this one that I got at Lowes. It does not have a real big flame but it works just fine. Runs off of the small propane bottles & they last a pretty long time.


    Not to get technical, but according to chemistry alcohol is a solution...

    Large & Small BGE

    Stockton Ca.

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  • bboulier
    bboulier Posts: 558
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    I bought a Bernzomatic 19425 "self - igniting" torch.  The "self-igniting" feature failed after about three tries.  When it failed, I just used a Scripto or Weber lighter to fire it up.  Works great.
    Weber Kettle, Weber Genesis Silver B, Medium Egg, KJ Classic (Black)
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  • tonkaegger
    tonkaegger Posts: 35
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    I have this, and it is great:

    https://www.amazon.com/Red-Dragon-VT-2-23-000-BTU/dp/B00004Z2FP/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1468557328&sr=8-2&keywords=red+dragon+weed+torch

    Twin Cities, Minn. XL BGE, cheap barrel smoker and old Weber kettle

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  • blasting
    blasting Posts: 6,262
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    I agree with @tonkaegger.  Red dragon is good quality.  I have the 500,000 btu model which I had for other purposes.  The 100,000 model is probably more sensible for lighting an egg.


    Phoenix 
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  • Skiddymarker
    Skiddymarker Posts: 8,522
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    I have the Greenwood, without striker and it works fine for burning weeds. I have used it to light briquettes but find that for lump it is way overkill. The Bernzomatic torch and MAP is ideal, 30 to 60 seconds to start lump without showering half the neighbourhood in sparks and embers. 
    Delta B.C. - Whiskey and steak, because no good story ever started with someone having a salad!
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  • tarheelmatt
    tarheelmatt Posts: 9,867
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    I have the self ignite one, but bought a striker because those self ignition assemblies aren't durable. Lasted less than 6 months. 

    That being said, I don't mind the striker. I just have a little Sterlite container out with the eggs that have the striker, gloves, spacers, erc. 
    ------------------------------
    Thomasville, NC
    My YouTube Channel - The Hungry Hussey
    Instagram
    Facebook
    My Photography Site
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  • jtcBoynton
    jtcBoynton Posts: 2,814
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    I went with the BernzOmatic JT850 garden torch.  It is smaller, more compact than a full blown weed burner. Lights lump just fine.

    Southeast Florida - LBGE
    In cooking, often we implement steps for which we have no explanations other than ‘that’s what everybody else does’ or ‘that’s what I have been told.’  Dare to think for yourself.
     
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  • Carolina Q
    Carolina Q Posts: 14,831
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    Skiddymarker said:
    The Bernzomatic torch and MAP is ideal... 
    MAP-Pro gas is unnecessary. Propane is fine, for a fraction of the price. You do need the MAP torch head though as it works better when inverted.

    I hate it when I go to the kitchen for food and all I find are ingredients!                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

    Michael 
    Central Connecticut 

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  • tarheelmatt
    tarheelmatt Posts: 9,867
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    jtcBoynton said:
    I went with the BernzOmatic JT850 garden torch.  It is smaller, more compact than a full blown weed burner. Lights lump just fine.

    Hmm.. Except for the propane tank that sits on the ground/deck, I'd say this is more cumbersome than the weed torch.  That thing is longer than your table.  
    ------------------------------
    Thomasville, NC
    My YouTube Channel - The Hungry Hussey
    Instagram
    Facebook
    My Photography Site
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  • Focker
    Focker Posts: 8,364
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    The length is nice, keeps you away from the sparks. 
    So easy to light on those damp and humid days where the paper towels and starters fail to light.

    Keep mine, along with safety glasses, ready to go on the wall of the kitchen.

    When I light, I keep it going and weed around the house and fence.  

    Brandon
    Quad Cities
    "If yer gonna denigrate, familiarity with the subject is helpful."

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  • Tony_T
    Tony_T Posts: 303
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    I still like my Looftlighter :)
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  • whta
    whta Posts: 62
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    Heck, I've been using 90 proof rubbing alcohol all this time....Wonder if I need to look for something else?
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  • Skiddymarker
    Skiddymarker Posts: 8,522
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    Carolina Q said:
    Skiddymarker said:
    The Bernzomatic torch and MAP is ideal... 
    MAP-Pro gas is unnecessary. Propane is fine, for a fraction of the price. You do need the MAP torch head though as it works better when inverted.
    Agree that MAP is overkill if used only as a fire starter, in my case I use two or three cylinders a year (14oz size at $10 each) mostly for plumbing renovation work. MAP is much faster/easier for plumbing than propane IMO. The 4000 series torch does work very well when inverted. 
    Delta B.C. - Whiskey and steak, because no good story ever started with someone having a salad!
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  • Carolina Q
    Carolina Q Posts: 14,831
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    Skiddymarker said:
    Carolina Q said:
    Skiddymarker said:
    The Bernzomatic torch and MAP is ideal... 
    MAP-Pro gas is unnecessary. Propane is fine, for a fraction of the price. You do need the MAP torch head though as it works better when inverted.
    Agree that MAP is overkill if used only as a fire starter, in my case I use two or three cylinders a year (14oz size at $10 each) mostly for plumbing renovation work. MAP is much faster/easier for plumbing than propane IMO. The 4000 series torch does work very well when inverted. 
    Not so much overkill as overpriced. I always understood that the old MAPP was significantly hotter than propane, but that MAP-Pro was not. I try to do as little plumbing as possible. :)

    I hate it when I go to the kitchen for food and all I find are ingredients!                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

    Michael 
    Central Connecticut 

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  • jtcBoynton
    jtcBoynton Posts: 2,814
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    tarheelmatt said:
    jtcBoynton said:
    I went with the BernzOmatic JT850 garden torch.  It is smaller, more compact than a full blown weed burner. Lights lump just fine.

    Hmm.. Except for the propane tank that sits on the ground/deck, I'd say this is more cumbersome than the weed torch.  That thing is longer than your table.  
    It fits into the cabinet where I store my egging supplies. Easier to take out to the egg than carrying around a large propane tank (which doesn't store well in the cabinet).  I keep my egg and supplies on a screened covered porch. I move it outside into the open for cooking. For me, this torch is less cumbersome than the larger weed burner and tank.


    Southeast Florida - LBGE
    In cooking, often we implement steps for which we have no explanations other than ‘that’s what everybody else does’ or ‘that’s what I have been told.’  Dare to think for yourself.
     
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  • Skiddymarker
    Skiddymarker Posts: 8,522
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    Carolina Q said:
    Skiddymarker said:
    Carolina Q said:
    Skiddymarker said:
    The Bernzomatic torch and MAP is ideal... 
    MAP-Pro gas is unnecessary. Propane is fine, for a fraction of the price. You do need the MAP torch head though as it works better when inverted.
    Agree that MAP is overkill if used only as a fire starter, in my case I use two or three cylinders a year (14oz size at $10 each) mostly for plumbing renovation work. MAP is much faster/easier for plumbing than propane IMO. The 4000 series torch does work very well when inverted. 
    Not so much overkill as overpriced. I always understood that the old MAPP was significantly hotter than propane, but that MAP-Pro was not. I try to do as little plumbing as possible. :)
    PEX makes plumbing ultra moron proof, even for guys like me, but almost always there is a need to cut and cap some copper. MAP-Pro works much faster to heat a fitting than propane - have no idea if it does actually burn hotter or if it is just the torch head. 
    Friend with a KJ is on his third season with a Bernzomatic MAP-Pro that he only uses for starting lump, he claims he will switch to the 1/4 price propane cylinders if the MAP ever expires.  :)
    Delta B.C. - Whiskey and steak, because no good story ever started with someone having a salad!
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  • billt01
    billt01 Posts: 1,528
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    Focker said:
    The length is nice, keeps you away from the sparks. 
    So easy to light on those damp and humid days where the paper towels and starters fail to light.

    Keep mine, along with safety glasses, ready to go on the wall of the kitchen.

    When I light, I keep it going and weed around the house and fence.  

    make a pizza or 2 , doya?!
    Have:
     XLBGE / Stumps Baby XL / Couple of Stokers (Gen 1 and Gen 3) / Blackstone 36 / Maxey 3x5 water pan hog cooker
    Had:
    LBGE / Lang 60D / Cookshack SM150 / Stumps Stretch / Stumps Baby

    Fat Willies BBQ
    Ola, Ga

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  • Ladeback69
    Ladeback69 Posts: 4,482
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    I have been thinking of getting one of these, but I just spend $10 on starter sticks that I get about 30 cooks out of or more and if I need to get it hot fast I use my leaf blower.  Still may get one though.
    XL, WSM, Coleman Road Trip Gas Grill

    Kansas City, Mo.
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  • Focker
    Focker Posts: 8,364
    edited July 2016
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    billt01 said:
    Focker said:
    The length is nice, keeps you away from the sparks. 
    So easy to light on those damp and humid days where the paper towels and starters fail to light.

    Keep mine, along with safety glasses, ready to go on the wall of the kitchen.

    When I light, I keep it going and weed around the house and fence.  

    make a pizza or 2 , doya?!
    A few. 
    But one of them came with the Blackstone.  =)
    Brandon
    Quad Cities
    "If yer gonna denigrate, familiarity with the subject is helpful."

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