On Sun, 21 Aug 2016 21:18:29 +0100, Stewart Robert Hinsley wrote:

On 21/08/2016 20:46, James Wilkinson wrote:
I just watched this, and he claims it kills 90% of weeds instantly. So
why does anyone use weedkiller? Isn't this cheaper, easier, and more
effective?

https://youtu.be/qm_X-XBINCs

It's effectively the same as using a weed wand, except that a weed wand
is more portable, and I would assume is safer.

But I'd have to buy one, I already have a kettle.

The gas for those is many times more expensive than mains gas or electricity to heat water.

Water is poured on MUCH faster than I've seen people using those wands.

Problem one: the risk of spilling boiling water on yourself.

I'm not clumsy, and I don't care for safety.

Problem two: transporting the boiling water to the location of the weeds
- your allotment may be miles from your house.

It's just weeds around my house, so that's fine.

Problem three: It will kill the top growth of weeds. It won't kill the
roots of stuff like dandelion, unless you saturate the soil with boiling
water down to the roots - in which case you're sterilising the soil.

No problem with sterilising the soil, I'm applying it where I want nothing growing. Inbetween pavers on my drive, etc.

I don't imagine it's good for earthworms.

Not my problem :-)

And I suspect that it doesn't
work with clay soils.

Why not? I have clay soil about 4 inches down.

So you need repeated applications.

Which I already have to do with weedkiller. Despite what they say, weedkiller does not last long at all.

(The video claims it kills the roots, but doesn't offer any evidence.)

I'm not so sure burning with gas would be any different. Both are only killing what is on display. But then pouring lots of boiling water on at once could get to the root.

[I've bought a steam cleaner for use in the kitchen. I've been thinking
of trying it on "patio weeds".]