Forestry Suppliers Sure-Seal Double-Bottom Drip Torch by SureSeal

After working as a wildland firefighter for many years, I bought land of my own and have been clearing and burning. This has been an invaluable tool. It works as perfectly and consistently as the models we used on the fire line. Could be the same as I never paid attention to the brand... Highly recommend it.

Works great.

I do a lot of controlled burning with a fairly large crew, and the most common drip torches are the Panama brand. I like the Panama torches better in use because they can be ordered with a longer than standard wand (15" instead of 12") which allows a taller person like me to get the tip of the wand to touch the ground without stooping. However, I don't know if I was at a burn yet, where someone didn't have to replace the lid gasket on one. The design of the Panama allows for overtightening, and ruining the gasket, and at $6-$8 a pop, plus shipping, that is not a good thing. One guy bought a couple of the Sure-Seal torches, and after several years, is still on the original gaskets. The design of the Sure-Seal prevents gasket damage from ham-handed users. The torch stays lit just as well as the Panama's, and the build quality seems pretty close the same, the main difference is that the Sure-Seal body is aluminum, and the Panama's is steel. That makes the Panama heavier, but in theory, more durable. However, the Sure-Seal has a double bottom, and the Panama does not, meaning that after years of use and riding around, if something wears through the single bottom layer of the Panama torch, it will leak. The Sure-Seal has a double bottom, and even if a hole is worn through the bottom layer, the layer above is the one that actually seals the fuel in, meaning no leaks. The lighter weight makes it easier to use. There isn't much difference when full, but as you use up the fuel, the lighter weight becomes more noticeable. I also like how the wand stores inside of the body of the torch, to prevent any damage to it. To use, you simply unscrew a sealing plug from the bottom of the stem, and put it in its storage position (won't get lost as it is tethered with a small chain), remove the lid with attached stem, fill with fuel, and re-install the lid with the stem in the operating position. The lid is secured with a large lock-ring, which tightens the lid down against the gasket and seals it. The design is such, that the gasket is recessed so it is not easily damaged, and cannot be overtightened and damaged the way the gasket on the Panama torch can. All you need to do now to use, is open the air vent, invert so fuel gets on the wick, light it, and go. The ONLY improvement I can suggest, would be to make both the tank and the stem about 1 1/2 to 2 inches longer, to give it that little bit extra length, then it would be ideal for me to use without ever having to stoop. (Increase the length of the canister as much as the stem, so it still fits to stow inside, I REALLY like that feature). At 6 feet tall, I may be taller than average, and people around 5'9" or 5'10" don't have that problem, though. At half the cost of the Panama, a real bargain. 90% of the time, having the wick a little ways off the ground is OK, but occasionally in short grass, we need to 'drag' it almost at ground level to get good ignition. It is easy to choke up a bit, so just a little more reach would be an improvement for tall people, and not really a liability for everyone else. However, that doesn't happen very often, so it really is a minor quibble, but still is there, none the less.

The fuel can works as advertised - we have 17 acres and do a controlled burn each year. This thing is awesome and super easy to use.

Just like the one Granddad had. I have no complaints!