(Cheap) gas torches

[Jimmy]

If you use cheap gas torches for lighting your smoker or vaping OA, there is a series of salutary posts from Sheffield Honey on Twitter.

It's this post and the ones following

 

[user 819]

For those who don't do these SM sites what occurred ?

 

[Parsonage Bees]

Lit smoker with this type of gas torch.
Torch didn't switch off.
Put back in truck.
20min into inspection truck on fire.
Burnt hand badly getting burning kit out and stopping truck burning down.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

you forgot to mention the spare cannisters in the back exploding as well.

 

[madasafish]

Have a elderly 10 years ++ Wickes self lighting blowlamp. Takes a while to cut off gas flow when switched off.
I put it on the ground and nowhere else until it switches off.

(Ditto smokers)

 

[Jimmy]

Thanks for posting with more details

Lit smoker with this type of gas torch.
Torch didn't switch off.
Put back in truck.
20min into inspection truck on fire.
Burnt hand badly getting burning kit out and stopping truck burning down.

View attachment 28536

 

[enrico]

Many a builder/plumber burnt a house down with the same mistake!

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

the torch had been turned off, unfortunately cheap and shoddy so the valve hadn't closed fully leaving a residual flame.

 

[user 819]

I always twist the torch unit off to be sure.

 

[Andymon]

To be fair, problem was the person not ensuring the faulty torch was out properly. Extremely easy to test that the flame is out before packing away.

 

[tonyofarr]

I always make sure the torch is cold before being packed away so it gets left on the ground until I have finished working at the apiary.

 

[frankenstine]

have to say after having all sorts of blowlamps / gas torches. i have to say the only one ill have now is therothenberger superfire ( tbh some of the clones are as good as for a light user )

they seem pricey for a blow torch untill youve had one, yes the gas bottel arnt cheep ether but they are tough i like that for piece of mind and tbh you dont actually use much gas with them, they put out more heat than most torches when turned up as well and that has its uses