The weed bur ner from Vanorell made a good overall impression in our test. The weed burner burns off unwanted plants, such as those growing between paving stones, from above so that they dry out over the following days. The weed burner is operated with gas from commercially available cartridges, four of which areincluded in the scope of delivery. The long handle makes it easy to work standing up. Practical tests have shown it to be easy to use and the weeds are quickly burnt off. Unfortunately, the weed burner can be a source of danger if used incorrectly. There are no corresponding safety instructions or suitable operating instructions.
Advantages
✅ Four gas cartridges included
✅ Easy handling
✅ Comfortable weed removal while standing up
✅ Ergonomic handle
✅ High performance
✅ Quick ignition with piezo igniter
Disadvantages
❌ No proper instructions for use available
❌ No safety instructions available
❌ Source of danger if used improperly
❌ No indication of e-mail and telephone number
The first impression
The packaging and labeling
ℹ️ Here we take a closer look at packaging. Sustainability is becoming an increasingly important factor. In addition, adequate protection of the product must of course also be ensured.
| Criterion | Remark | Score achieved* |
|---|---|---|
| Product protection | Shipping carton damaged, contents undamaged, weed burner without proper product packaging | 50 points |
| Sustainability Packaging | No unnecessary packaging waste, but the item could have been packed more compactly | 80 points |
| Packaging convenience | Packaging was easy to open, but scissors or knife needed to open the cable ties | 90 points |
| Total | 73 points |
*The maximum score is 100 points
The Vanorell weed burner was delivered in a long shipping box. Apparently, the box was damaged or inadequately sealed during transportation, as the post office repacked the box with its own parcel tape. We were also informed that we should contact the post office if the contents were damaged or missing. However, apart from one dented area, the box was undamaged.
Inside the box was the weed burner and the corresponding gas cartridges. Contrary to all fears, the contents were complete and undamaged. The box is generously sized so that the contents had room to slide around. A smaller box with a more clever arrangement of the contents would have been possible. No filling material was used.
Instead of product packaging, a cardboard label printed on both sides serves as an insert for the weed burner. This is attached to the handle of the weed burner with cable ties and is attractively designed on the front. Scissors or a knife are required to remove the cable ties. A tight-fitting film made of transparent plastic serves as product packaging for the gas cartridges. This holds the cartridges together and at the same time reveals the contents. The gas cartridges are also wrapped in bubble wrap to protect them from damage caused by loose parts in the box. This means that the part of the package filled with flammable gas is well protected against damage.
After unpacking
Package contents and instructions
ℹ️ Most people’s first impression after unpacking is immediately memorable. Are the contents of the package complete and does the manufacturer make it as easy as possible for me to use the product straight away?
| Criterion | Remark | Score achieved* |
|---|---|---|
| Package contents & scope | Ready-to-use weed burner with four gas cartridges | 100 points |
| Instructions for use | Technical data and isolated instructions for use available, but not for safety | 20 points |
| Contact information | Can be found on the box label, e-mail and telephone number would have been desirable | 70 points |
| Total | 63 points |
*The maximum score is 100 points
The weed burner set consists of five parts: The weed burner itself and four gas cartridges with bayonet fitting and 227 g butane gas as contents. The weed burner is supplied fully assembled and is ready for use immediately after connecting a gas cartridge.
The weed burner does not come with traditional instructions for use. However, there is a brief description of the advantages of the weed burner and a list of areas where the weed burner can be used on the back of the cardboard label. The technical data is also listed.
In our opinion, operating instructions would have been absolutely essential. This relates in particular to safety when handling an open flame, for which there are no instructions. Although there are safety instructions on the gas cartridges, these only refer to the gas cartridges themselves and, above all, to their storage.
The operation of the weed burner, on the other hand, is largely self-explanatory, apart from connecting the gas cartridge. Although there are very brief instructions on the gas cartridges for connecting them to a consumer, the mechanism of the weed burner works differently. As gas can also escape if handled incorrectly, proper instructions would have been desirable here too.
The contact details can be found on the weed burner’s cardboard label. These include the company name and the corresponding address. We would also have liked to see a telephone number and an e-mail address on the box label, for example. The gas cartridges also show the company name and address of the importer, which is not the same as the manufacturer of the weed burner.
The first time in your hand
Product processing and appearance
ℹ️ Before we start the practical test, we take a close look at the product processing. How high quality are the materials used? Is the look and feel satisfactory?
| Criterion | Remark | Score achieved* |
|---|---|---|
| Visual appearance | Simple design, functionally sensible structure | 100 points |
| Processing | Good workmanship without defects, appropriate choice of materials | 90 points |
| Stability | Good overall stability, apart from the valve wheel, the attachments are also stable and firmly connected | 90 points |
| Sustainability of the product | Good quality indicates a long service life, but weeds can also be removed without fossil gas | 50 points |
| Total | 83 points |
*The maximum score is 100 points
The weed burner essentially consists of a long rod with a nozzle for the flame outlet at one end and a handle at the other. The rod is made of silver-colored metal and has an outer diameter of 10 mm. The handle is made of sturdy, black plastic and is comfortable and stable to hold thanks to ergonomic finger recesses.
The holder for the gas cartridge and the rotary knob for adjusting the fuel mass flow via a valve are located directly under the handle. Like the handle, the rotary knob and the locking mechanism for the holder are made of black plastic. The valve itself and the core of the cartridge holder, on the other hand, are made of metal. The valve is painted silver to match the rod. The gas is fed through the hollow rod to the outlet nozzle.
The piezo igniter is screwed on approximately in the middle of the rod. This consists of a black plastic housing with a red button. The flame is ignited by pressing the button. The ignition spark can be heard as a loud clacking sound even without a gas cylinder connected. The required pressure on the button is easy to exert, but at the same time high enough to prevent accidental pressing.
About ten centimeters in front of the nozzle, the rod makes a slight bend. This directs the flame at the right angle towards the floor when the user intuitively and comfortably holds the rod away from them.
The flame outlet nozzle for the flame is located at the lower end. This is surrounded by a cylindrical metal protective shield with a diameter of 32 mm. The protective plate has four openings distributed around the circumference to supply the flame with air.
The total length of the weed burner is 80 cm, 13 cm of which is accounted for by the handle. The weed burner is stable and can hardly be bent by hand despite its long overall length. The attachments are firmly connected to the pole and do not wobble. Only the valve adjustment wheel has some play and there is a risk of it coming loose from the valve shaft. Otherwise, the workmanship is good. Although the design and choice of materials are functional, this is not a problem for a product of this type.
The gas cartridges with bayonet lock are a commercially available model that is also used in camping stoves, for example. The cylinders are approximately 20 cm high with the valve cap and have a diameter of 6.5 cm. The valve cover can be easily removed. Underneath is a self-closing valve integrated into the cartridge, which can be connected directly to the weed burner.
This is what our practical test showed
Does the manufacturer keep its advertising promises?
ℹ️ Our practical test is the most relevant and therefore the most important. Here, the product has to undergo a wide range of criteria and tests. We check the functions and product promises of the test article.
| Criterion | Remark | Score achieved* |
|---|---|---|
| Usability | Easy to use thanks to uncomplicated ignition, adjustable flame and quick cartridge replacement | 100 points |
| Performance | High maximum output, works very well even under partial load, specified running time only achievable under partial load | 90 points |
| Comfort | No lighter required, weed burner can be used comfortably while standing | 100 points |
| Security | Dangerous jet flame if used improperly, safety instructions missing; safe piezo remote ignition instead | 20 points |
| Total | 78 points |
*The maximum score is 100 points
For the practical test, we first connect one of the gas cartridges. To do this, the cartridge is pressed against the holder and rotated by around 30 degrees until it stops. The cartridge is replaced by turning it in the opposite direction. In the next step, the valve is opened slightly with the rotary knob, which is immediately noticeable by an audible hissing of the escaping gas. By pressing the igniter, the gas is ignited directly and a flame emerges from the nozzle.
With the piezo igniter, the burner can be ignited in just a few seconds. In most cases this works straight away, sometimes it takes several clicks. It is important to open the valve only slightly so that the gas flow is in the middle area. This is where the weed burner ignites most reliably. If the rotary knob is set to the stop, ignition is usually unsuccessful. The weed burner can also be easily switched off by turning the rotary knob all the way down. The flame will continue to burn for a few seconds as there is still gas in the rod. However, no new gas flows through the cartridge.
At full power and with a full gas cartridge, a consumption of approx. 7 g/min was measured. This corresponds to a heat output of 5 kW. This means that one gas cartridge is sufficient for an operating time of half an hour. The resulting flame produces an audible hiss and is not visible in sunlight. Only when the flame is directed at weeds does it visibly light up yellowish and the weeds are immediately charred . At dusk, the flame is visible and has a bluish glow. Here you can see that the outlet nozzle of the weed burner works well. The flame burns evenly and emerges from the nozzle in a straight line. This makes it easy to aim and destroy the weeds in a targeted manner. The flame only needs to be directed at the weeds for a few seconds to burn them completely. The long handle allows you to work comfortably while standing.
The valve can be easily adjusted using the rotary knob and the weed burner can also be operated at partial load . The weed burner works very well even with a reduced flame. The burning time of one to three hours specified by the manufacturer can thus be achieved. Shortly before switching off, the exit speed of the combustion gas from the nozzle is so low that a straight flame is no longer produced. The hissing of the flame also disappears. The flame flickers yellowish and rises upwards at the edge of the heat shield around the nozzle.
It is important that the weed burner is always operated with the nozzle pointing towards the ground. If the weed burner is turned upside down, the gas flows in liquid form into the rod and thus to the nozzle. As the density of liquid gas is considerably higher, much more gas is available for combustion. The result is a jet flame that can reach a height of over one meter. To avoid such a malfunction, we would have liked to have seen operating instructions and safety information . If used incorrectly, the weed burner poses a considerable potential danger.
The weed burner from Vanorell works reliably, is easy to use and burns the weeds quickly. Ignition via the piezo igniter is convenient and the user does not have to handle a lighter near the flame. However, the weed burner can be a source of danger if used incorrectly. Unfortunately, there are no corresponding safety instructions.
Price/performance ratio
and ratings from consumers
ℹ️ Finally, we look at how the product compares to the competition. Can it keep up with the competition in terms of price and quality? Would we generally recommend buying it? We also examine consumer ratings and check whether the critical and positive reviews are actually justified.
| Criterion | Remark | Score achieved* |
|---|---|---|
| Price / performance ratio | Good quality in the lower price segment | 80 points |
| Rating cut | 3.9 out of 5.0 on Amazon | 45 points |
| Total | 63 points |
*The maximum score is 100 points
On the Amazon platform, consumers rate the product with an average of 3.9 stars. A common complaint is that the flame is too weak or diminishes or that the gas cartridge holder does not work properly. Neither of these were found in our test. Many customers like the fact that the weed burner is easy to use and reliably destroys weeds. We were able to confirm this in our practical test.
Prices of up to €49.99 are charged on the Internet for equivalent products. Very inexpensive products are available from as little as €19.99. The weed burner from Vanorell is currently in the lower price segment with a price of €27.99. The price ratio is reasonable for the quality and scope of the product.
Overall result
| Weighting | Score achieved* | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. packaging & labeling | 10% | 100 points |
| 2. package contents & instructions | 10% | 100 points |
| 3. product processing & appearance | 20% | 100 points |
| 4. in the practical test | 40% | 90 points |
| 5. price/performance & consumer ratings | 20% | 80 points |
| Total | 87 points |
