Customer Reviews

Bernzomatic 19425 JT850 Self-Igniting 20,000 BTU Outdoor Torch

5 star:		(80)
4 star:		(29)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Overall this product has met my expectations. It is well constructed and ergonomically sound. It works quite well at destroying small emerging weeds on bare ground, gravel and in between bricks. For larger weeds I find pulling is still a better option than the torch. The product is less effective when used in or around flammable ground cover or tender vegetation because of the resulting collateral damage.

If you are comparing the torch against the ease and effectiveness of chemical weeding products (Ortho Weed be Gone, etc.) you will be disappointed in this product's relative performance. If you are comparing this product to other "organic" weeding methods (pulling, high concentration vinegar, etc) you will be satisfied with the relative performance.

This flame weeder is well designed. It's light & maneuverable, ignites with one click of the button, and a small canister of propane keeps it going for 'hours'. The flame covers a path about 3" wide, so it goes slowly over large areas, and since one's neck gets stiff after awhile, several minutes at a time is long enough. Safety and applicability issues: flame is extremely hot, can singe shoes or start a groundlevel brush fire~~and applicability: works best on small (1" high), newly emerged weeds (wilts/kills with a brief pass of the flame). Established grass clumps laugh at it, though, and re-sprout within days, even if 'cooked' and blackened. Same with deeper rooted plants (dandelions). For weed control on compacted gravel, in cement cracks, etc., it is a godsend. In Spring, needs to be repeated every few days as new weeds emerge, because it won't be so effective once they've developed deeper roots.

Little did I know how much a middle aged guy needs his own flame thrower, but this Bernzomatic JT850 Trigger Start Outdoor Torch fills the bill. Be certain to get the trigger start version to avoid fiddling with matches when there are rampant weeds attacking your patio, driveway, or sidewalk.

The tool makes a satisfying roar when you are roasting weeds AND there is no bending over as with an Oriental, odd-shaped hoe-like instrument scraping out the little devils. I haven't tried it on ice yet, but I'm sure it will do a good job. Beware of using it on asphalt or mulch because your next call may be to the fire department.

I have already purchased one for my brother-in-law--a difficult person to buy for--and won't he be surprised when he opens it on Christmas morning.

My wife says we can use it for browning creme brulee...we'll see.

Joseph G. Hagloch

Iused to use a "jury rigged" inverted propane cylinder and attached nozzle afixed to a metal rod for the purpose of burning small unsightly weed seedlings, which would regularly pop-up between my driveway pavers and patio blocks. The problew with my "jury-rigged" set-up was that the inverted propane cylinder eventually allows liquid propane to seep into the torch nozzle and either created dangerous flare-ups or just caused the flame to extinguish. Also, the stock propane nozzles used for brazing/soldering would constantly "flame-out" due to the flame coming in close proximity to the pavers and would therefore cause the flame to blow-out/extinguish itself. The Bernzomatic JT850 Self-Igniting Outdoor Torch is engineered to maintain an upright cylinder position, eliminating all the inherent problems found with my "jury rigged" set-up mentioned above. Now, this tool is the right tool for the right job! Once you screw on the propane cylinder the tool is perfecly balanced and easy to handle. Open the valve, click the quartz ignition switch and you have a "jet-like afterburner flame" which will not flame-out and along with a accompanying satisfying roar, makes quick work of any weeds which dare to have poped-up between the bricks. Once you get the weeds eliminated and under control, maintenance is easy and actually fun? My entire circular driveway is now pristeen and weed-free and when new weeds appear, they are quickly eliminated, with just a momentary application of the searing flame. I belive, in additon to killing the visible part of the weed, the seed is also damaged by the heat as well, so new weeds appear less and less often. If you have pavers, or sidewalks, or even a cracked weed-prone concrete or asphalt driveway then I would definitely reccomend this tool. It is a quality piece, safe to operate (usual open flame cautions apply) and I actually look forward to the weed extermination exercise! I had considered a "knock-off" cheaper model, but luckily I stumbled upon a few owner reviews on those models, which complained of "flare-ups" and other inherent problems with the cheaper tool and decided to go for the more expensive "Bernzomatic JT850 Self-Igniting Outdoor Torch" and I am glad I did! Buy this product with confidence and look no further! If small weed elimination/maintenance is your goal, then this is definitely the tool you want to have in your arsenal! You'll be "weed free" in no time and you might even "enjoy the hunt" when they dare to return? Enjoy!

A flame weeder is not for burning weeds, merely holding the torch close to the weed dessicates and kills it.

(...) lists their Frequently Answered Questions about this product:

* Can I replace the igniter on my torch?
No. We do not recommend that users replace igniters.

* Do you sell replacement igniters?
No. We do not recommend that users replace igniters.

Well duh. I guess everybody asks this after a year or maybe two if you don't use it very much.

The little sparker thing is bound to wear out a lot faster than the big metal valve and burner.

But it all goes into the landfill.

Sheesh. Ronson could do a better job of this, at least you can replace their dang flints.

These piezoelectric sparkers ought to cost about (...). Off to search the Chinese websites (sigh)

I liked the concept, but when the apparatus failed to ignite after short use Benzomatic Customer Service was of little help in resolving the problem. The individual contacted kept saying it could not be the igniter, and offered no other assistance. It still doesn't work because it won't ignite.

Arrived timely. Simple to use. Very effective. Description should clearly include an igniter is built onto the unit.

While I've burned a few weeds with mine, my primary use is to start the charcoal in my outdoor cooker. I don't like food that tastes like lighter fluid, and I don't use charcoal briquettes for the same reason as they are a mixture of softwood sawdust, wheat chaff and coal tar binder, none of which is good for eating.

The BernzoMatic torch will start natural lump charcoal and produce coals ready to cook within 15 minutes. Even on the Kamado extruded coconut charcoal I use, which is hard as a rock and won't light in a chimney with newspaper, I can light the fire and be cooking inside of 20 minutes.

I have been using this unit for 2.5yrs now and it has been trouble free and reliable. It is well balanced with the propane tank mounted which means it can be used without fatigue. Great product whatever you use it for.

After years of bending to dig weeds out of our gravel driveway I spotted this new "toy" for my husband. It's wonderful! Ease of operation and light in weight make it a must-have for anyone wanting to rid weeds from a gravel driveway or walkway.