Torch Systems Reviews

I think my first trigger start Bernzomatic torch (not sure if exactly the same model)lasted about 15 years. Wife gave me a TS3000 for XMAS to replace it. I had to return it and cannot recommend the TS3000 since you have to manually turn the gas on and off. The TS4000 allows for one handed operation with gas flow and ignition controlled by a single knob. Squeeze..its on...release its off. I cannot imagine performing a large plumbing job without this tool.

Never have I lived and worked so well now that I possess possibly the best propane torch ever invented. My life is now a bit more painless and more secure.Many thanks to the the creators of the Bernzomatic ts4000.
Truth to tell, I have used the old type of torches for many years. I have always felt a little uncomfortable using them. The torches are top heavy and when in use, working, it has always been troubling finding a place to sit the torch when lit that would not accidently fall over. At last I am free from finding a stiker to light it.I can easily turn it off and just lay it down. The additional safety feature of the torch, only being on when needed, and the effeciency of not burning any more fuel than one needs makes this tool one that every craftsman should own.This new design is well worth the money.

I have used this for hours of troublefree use. For electrical use where one needs avoid anything with "coil heat" of any kind, this one needs special mention, and congratulations on a wonderful design. And for a general purpose pen solder iron its good, there's a lot of heat on the tip.
On the other hand, and the only drawback I have, is once someone manages to damage the solder iron heat mantle the solder tool is gone. There were inexpensive packs of new tips offered, but of late I haven't been able to find these.
I'd rather see Bernzomatic offer the replacement tips to enable users to lengthen the available life of the tool. These tools could be made to last many years if one is careful in use and in storage. However, I still need this tool and am currently unable to use it because of the lack of replacement parts( solder tips), I'd love to get the life out of this tool.
I've only used mine for soldering, but the other tips would benefit anyone needing a pen type tool.
I hope this review offers some useful information to anyone needing ideas from someone satisfied with this tool's design.
Many thanks all!

I use this cart to keep this part of my garage organized. I like to work on projects on the weekends but my wife hates the mess. Alt least with this she will think that I am getting more organized:) But it is a good cart.

I'm not quite sure what I was expecting this torch to do for me in the way of weeding our yard, which is the primary reason I bought one. I suppose I envisioned it instantly torching away weeds of all sizes.
Overall it gets the job done but it does take some concentrated effort to burn up your average sized weeds. The trigger start works quickly and effortlessly. The torch is very easy to use and is the right length for tackling the job w/o having to bend over at all. Which is good because you do have to hold the flame on weeds for several seconds to burn them up. For touch-up jobs around the yard it's fine, but if you have significant weed problems I recommend going with a spray solution if possible. It will burn nearly any weed given enough time, just doesn't turn them to ash quite as quickly as I expected or hoped it would.

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.

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

Sometimes you can hit the button once and it works instantly and other times you have to sit there hitting it over and over again before it will ignite the propane. your luck may be different though.....

First, let me say that I'm probably not using this for the same thing most people do. I use the natural wood charcoal in the grill and use this to get the coals going. It takes about 5 minutes and no problems. My only complaint is the quality of the units. I'm on my second torch head because the first one died on me. It was always tricky to get it to light up with the trigger and now I have to light it with a match and the flame sort of just pours out rather than shooting the flame like it should. So I got another one. The newer one is much better, lighting easily with the trigger and the adjustable flame is fine, but it continues to leak gas for a full minute or so after I shut it off. It eventually burns out and it's really no problem for me, but doesn't seem like it should really work that way. But it's a product that works great for what I need and I'd buy another one in a minute if this one died. If you need dependability and precision, I'd look elsewhere, but for a reasonable price, this meets my needs fine.

What a disappointment! It is much more than just heat. A long and very hot fire comes out of the end. We passed it over the weeds slowly as the directions indicate and nothing happened. Holding the fire on the weed until it singed and almost burned or did burn seemed to work better. Also, you can only use this in a very pristine area. No pineneedles, small leaves or mulch. The instructions say to carry a fire extinguisher with you as you work. We were working in an area that had small pieces of old leaves around rocks,etc that we could not rake all away. We kept starting fires in that area and having to put them out with water. We used a lot of butane (expensive) and a week later many of the weeds, though burned on the top, are sprouting new soots from the roots.

This is a affordable weed burner, not as nice as an infrared burner, but at less than half the cost, it is a great deal. It is not necessary to burn the weed, just heat it till the color of the leaves change, wait a few days and the weed will be dead. It works better if the ground is wet and the weed is turgid (full of water). Plus it is fun to watch them die and a lot healthier that spaying chemicals everywhere.

I purchased this to help control weeds in my garden without using chemicals. Works great. You do have to use care since it is an open flame but if you follow the instructions and put a call into their customer service line for tips you'll have great success. You do have to flame several times over the season but way easier and quicker than pulling weeds. I've had my torch for almost a year and have used it for many other things. It worked great for ice removal off of my steps and my husband uses it for heating up the block on his tractor and starting pit fires. I can't wait until next Spring so I can start killing those unwanted weeds.