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<!doctype html><html lang="en"><head><title data-rh="true">So you want a flamethrower. 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in</span><div><div class="l" aria-hidden="false"><a class="af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar iq ab q" data-testid="publicationName" href="https://medium.com/root-ventures?source=post_page---byline--76289ad2338b--------------------------------" rel="noopener follow"><p class="bf b bg z jf jg jh ji jj jk jl jm bk">Root Ventures</p></a></div></div></div><div class="h k"><span class="ir is" aria-hidden="true"><span class="bf b bg z du">·</span></span></div></div><span class="bf b bg z du"><div class="ab ae"><span data-testid="storyReadTime">3 min read</span><div class="jn jo l" aria-hidden="true"><span class="l" aria-hidden="true"><span class="bf b bg z du">·</span></span></div><span data-testid="storyPublishDate">Jan 30, 2018</span></div></span></div></span></div></div></div><div class="ab cp jp jq jr js jt ju jv jw jx jy jz ka kb kc kd ke"><div class="h k w fg fh q"><div class="ku l"><div class="ab q kv kw"><div class="pw-multi-vote-icon fj je kx ky kz"><span><a class="af ag ah ai 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18 0 9 9 0 0 1-18 0m9-10C6.477 2 2 6.477 2 12s4.477 10 10 10 10-4.477 10-10S17.523 2 12 2m3.376 10.416-4.599 3.066a.5.5 0 0 1-.777-.416V8.934a.5.5 0 0 1 .777-.416l4.599 3.066a.5.5 0 0 1 0 .832" clip-rule="evenodd"></path></svg><div class="j i d"><p class="bf b bg z du">Listen</p></div></button></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="bm" aria-hidden="false" aria-describedby="postFooterSocialMenu" aria-labelledby="postFooterSocialMenu"><div><div class="bm" aria-hidden="false"><button aria-controls="postFooterSocialMenu" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="Share Post" data-testid="headerSocialShareButton" class="af fk ah ai aj ak al me an ao ap ex mf mg lt mh mi mj mk ml s mm mn mo mp mq mr ms u mt mu mv"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="24" height="24" fill="none" viewBox="0 0 24 24"><path fill="currentColor" fill-rule="evenodd" d="M15.218 4.931a.4.4 0 0 1-.118.132l.012.006a.45.45 0 0 1-.292.074.5.5 0 0 1-.3-.13l-2.02-2.02v7.07c0 .28-.23.5-.5.5s-.5-.22-.5-.5v-7.04l-2 2a.45.45 0 0 1-.57.04h-.02a.4.4 0 0 1-.16-.3.4.4 0 0 1 .1-.32l2.8-2.8a.5.5 0 0 1 .7 0l2.8 2.79a.42.42 0 0 1 .068.498m-.106.138.008.004v-.01zM16 7.063h1.5a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v10a2 2 0 0 1-2 2h-11c-1.1 0-2-.9-2-2v-10a2 2 0 0 1 2-2H8a.5.5 0 0 1 .35.15.5.5 0 0 1 .15.35.5.5 0 0 1-.15.35.5.5 0 0 1-.35.15H6.4c-.5 0-.9.4-.9.9v10.2a.9.9 0 0 0 .9.9h11.2c.5 0 .9-.4.9-.9v-10.2c0-.5-.4-.9-.9-.9H16a.5.5 0 0 1 0-1" clip-rule="evenodd"></path></svg><div class="j i d"><p class="bf b bg z du">Share</p></div></button></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><p id="3e77" class="pw-post-body-paragraph mw mx gu my b mz na nb nc nd ne nf ng nh ni nj nk nl nm nn no np nq nr ns nt gn bk">Elon Musk’s the Boring Company recently went viral selling a flamethrower for $500. This was exciting news — as a lifelong pyro (I have channeled my pyromania into making soy candles and baking, because, you know, adulthood), an affordable flamethrower is something I’ve always kept an eye out for. And $500 is <em class="nu">groundbreaking</em> pricing.</p><figure class="ny nz oa ob oc od nv nw paragraph-image"><div role="button" tabindex="0" class="oe of fj og bh oh"><div class="nv nw nx"><picture><source srcSet="https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:640/format:webp/1*I8UCAwDnr3vigQlHlE09_Q.png 640w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:720/format:webp/1*I8UCAwDnr3vigQlHlE09_Q.png 720w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:750/format:webp/1*I8UCAwDnr3vigQlHlE09_Q.png 750w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:786/format:webp/1*I8UCAwDnr3vigQlHlE09_Q.png 786w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:828/format:webp/1*I8UCAwDnr3vigQlHlE09_Q.png 828w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:1100/format:webp/1*I8UCAwDnr3vigQlHlE09_Q.png 1100w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:1400/format:webp/1*I8UCAwDnr3vigQlHlE09_Q.png 1400w" sizes="(min-resolution: 4dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 50vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 4) and (max-width: 700px) 50vw, (min-resolution: 3dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 67vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 3) and (max-width: 700px) 65vw, (min-resolution: 2.5dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 80vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2.5) and (max-width: 700px) 80vw, (min-resolution: 2dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 100vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2) and (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" type="image/webp"/><source data-testid="og" srcSet="https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:640/1*I8UCAwDnr3vigQlHlE09_Q.png 640w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:720/1*I8UCAwDnr3vigQlHlE09_Q.png 720w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:750/1*I8UCAwDnr3vigQlHlE09_Q.png 750w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:786/1*I8UCAwDnr3vigQlHlE09_Q.png 786w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:828/1*I8UCAwDnr3vigQlHlE09_Q.png 828w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:1100/1*I8UCAwDnr3vigQlHlE09_Q.png 1100w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:1400/1*I8UCAwDnr3vigQlHlE09_Q.png 1400w" sizes="(min-resolution: 4dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 50vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 4) and (max-width: 700px) 50vw, (min-resolution: 3dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 67vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 3) and (max-width: 700px) 65vw, (min-resolution: 2.5dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 80vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2.5) and (max-width: 700px) 80vw, (min-resolution: 2dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 100vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2) and (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px"/><img alt="" class="bh md oi c" width="700" height="763" loading="eager" role="presentation"/></picture></div></div><figcaption class="oj ff ok nv nw ol om bf b bg z du">The Boring Company “flamethrower” ad</figcaption></figure><p id="0471" class="pw-post-body-paragraph mw mx gu my b mz na nb nc nd ne nf ng nh ni nj nk nl nm nn no np nq nr ns nt gn bk">When I saw the actual ad, I was disappointed. Not only is the Boring Co “flamethrower” (BCF) not an actual flamethrower, it is about 400% more expensive than it should be.</p><p id="027f" class="pw-post-body-paragraph mw mx gu my b mz na nb nc nd ne nf ng nh ni nj nk nl nm nn no np nq nr ns nt gn bk">See, the BCF is actually a mundane gardening torch (useful for clearing stubborn weeds without bending your back) inside a toy gun, sold as a “flamethrower”. While it looks like Boring Co invested in some custom injection molds for the BCF, it’s almost certainly the same OEM as the <a class="af on" href="https://www.evike.com/products/68300/" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" target="_blank">CSI S.T.A.R. XR-5 FG-1508 Advanced Bottle Rifle</a> toy. And the “flamethrower” part of the BCF can be purchased on Amazon for $40–60 by searching for <a class="af on" href="https://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dtools&field-keywords=gardening+torch&rh=n%3A228013%2Ck%3Agardening+torch" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" target="_blank">“gardening torch”</a>.</p></div></div><div class="od"><div class="ab cb"><div class="ly oo lz op ma oq cf or cg os ci bh"><div class="ny nz oa ob oc ab kv"><figure class="lu od ot ou ov ow ox paragraph-image"><div role="button" tabindex="0" class="oe of fj og bh oh"><picture><source srcSet="https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:640/format:webp/1*glSJSZK1O-3KUn5WdEoXgA.png 640w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:720/format:webp/1*glSJSZK1O-3KUn5WdEoXgA.png 720w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:750/format:webp/1*glSJSZK1O-3KUn5WdEoXgA.png 750w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:786/format:webp/1*glSJSZK1O-3KUn5WdEoXgA.png 786w, 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role="presentation"/></picture></div></figure><figure class="lu od oy ou ov ow ox paragraph-image"><div role="button" tabindex="0" class="oe of fj og bh oh"><picture><source srcSet="https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:640/format:webp/1*StwbGQp7butiuquz72OwFw.png 640w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:720/format:webp/1*StwbGQp7butiuquz72OwFw.png 720w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:750/format:webp/1*StwbGQp7butiuquz72OwFw.png 750w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:786/format:webp/1*StwbGQp7butiuquz72OwFw.png 786w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:828/format:webp/1*StwbGQp7butiuquz72OwFw.png 828w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:1100/format:webp/1*StwbGQp7butiuquz72OwFw.png 1100w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:1110/format:webp/1*StwbGQp7butiuquz72OwFw.png 1110w" sizes="(min-resolution: 4dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 50vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 4) and (max-width: 700px) 50vw, (min-resolution: 3dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 67vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 3) and (max-width: 700px) 65vw, (min-resolution: 2.5dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 80vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2.5) and (max-width: 700px) 80vw, (min-resolution: 2dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 100vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2) and (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 555px" type="image/webp"/><source data-testid="og" srcSet="https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:640/1*StwbGQp7butiuquz72OwFw.png 640w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:720/1*StwbGQp7butiuquz72OwFw.png 720w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:750/1*StwbGQp7butiuquz72OwFw.png 750w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:786/1*StwbGQp7butiuquz72OwFw.png 786w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:828/1*StwbGQp7butiuquz72OwFw.png 828w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:1100/1*StwbGQp7butiuquz72OwFw.png 1100w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:1110/1*StwbGQp7butiuquz72OwFw.png 1110w" sizes="(min-resolution: 4dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 50vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 4) and (max-width: 700px) 50vw, (min-resolution: 3dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 67vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 3) and (max-width: 700px) 65vw, (min-resolution: 2.5dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 80vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2.5) and (max-width: 700px) 80vw, (min-resolution: 2dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 100vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2) and (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 555px"/><img alt="" class="bh md oi c" width="555" height="1522" loading="eager" role="presentation"/></picture></div></figure></div><div class="ab kv"><figure class="lu od oz ou ov ow ox paragraph-image"><picture><source srcSet="https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:640/format:webp/1*8kyMX_1wNnBTC7vKfFv6nQ.jpeg 640w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:720/format:webp/1*8kyMX_1wNnBTC7vKfFv6nQ.jpeg 720w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:750/format:webp/1*8kyMX_1wNnBTC7vKfFv6nQ.jpeg 750w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:786/format:webp/1*8kyMX_1wNnBTC7vKfFv6nQ.jpeg 786w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:828/format:webp/1*8kyMX_1wNnBTC7vKfFv6nQ.jpeg 828w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:1100/format:webp/1*8kyMX_1wNnBTC7vKfFv6nQ.jpeg 1100w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:792/format:webp/1*8kyMX_1wNnBTC7vKfFv6nQ.jpeg 792w" sizes="(min-resolution: 4dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 50vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 4) and (max-width: 700px) 50vw, (min-resolution: 3dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 67vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 3) and (max-width: 700px) 65vw, (min-resolution: 2.5dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 80vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2.5) and (max-width: 700px) 80vw, (min-resolution: 2dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 100vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2) and (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 396px" type="image/webp"/><source data-testid="og" srcSet="https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:640/1*8kyMX_1wNnBTC7vKfFv6nQ.jpeg 640w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:720/1*8kyMX_1wNnBTC7vKfFv6nQ.jpeg 720w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:750/1*8kyMX_1wNnBTC7vKfFv6nQ.jpeg 750w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:786/1*8kyMX_1wNnBTC7vKfFv6nQ.jpeg 786w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:828/1*8kyMX_1wNnBTC7vKfFv6nQ.jpeg 828w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:1100/1*8kyMX_1wNnBTC7vKfFv6nQ.jpeg 1100w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:792/1*8kyMX_1wNnBTC7vKfFv6nQ.jpeg 792w" sizes="(min-resolution: 4dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 50vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 4) and (max-width: 700px) 50vw, (min-resolution: 3dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 67vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 3) and (max-width: 700px) 65vw, (min-resolution: 2.5dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 80vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2.5) and (max-width: 700px) 80vw, (min-resolution: 2dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 100vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2) and (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 396px"/><img alt="" class="bh md oi c" width="396" height="470" loading="eager" role="presentation"/></picture></figure><figure class="lu od pa ou ov ow ox paragraph-image"><picture><source srcSet="https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:640/format:webp/1*CMijHieTjc9jCgB7TYDttQ.jpeg 640w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:720/format:webp/1*CMijHieTjc9jCgB7TYDttQ.jpeg 720w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:750/format:webp/1*CMijHieTjc9jCgB7TYDttQ.jpeg 750w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:786/format:webp/1*CMijHieTjc9jCgB7TYDttQ.jpeg 786w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:828/format:webp/1*CMijHieTjc9jCgB7TYDttQ.jpeg 828w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:1100/format:webp/1*CMijHieTjc9jCgB7TYDttQ.jpeg 1100w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:1000/format:webp/1*CMijHieTjc9jCgB7TYDttQ.jpeg 1000w" sizes="(min-resolution: 4dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 50vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 4) and (max-width: 700px) 50vw, (min-resolution: 3dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 67vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 3) and (max-width: 700px) 65vw, (min-resolution: 2.5dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 80vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2.5) and (max-width: 700px) 80vw, (min-resolution: 2dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 100vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2) and (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 500px" type="image/webp"/><source data-testid="og" srcSet="https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:640/1*CMijHieTjc9jCgB7TYDttQ.jpeg 640w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:720/1*CMijHieTjc9jCgB7TYDttQ.jpeg 720w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:750/1*CMijHieTjc9jCgB7TYDttQ.jpeg 750w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:786/1*CMijHieTjc9jCgB7TYDttQ.jpeg 786w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:828/1*CMijHieTjc9jCgB7TYDttQ.jpeg 828w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:1100/1*CMijHieTjc9jCgB7TYDttQ.jpeg 1100w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:1000/1*CMijHieTjc9jCgB7TYDttQ.jpeg 1000w" sizes="(min-resolution: 4dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 50vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 4) and (max-width: 700px) 50vw, (min-resolution: 3dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 67vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 3) and (max-width: 700px) 65vw, (min-resolution: 2.5dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 80vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2.5) and (max-width: 700px) 80vw, (min-resolution: 2dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 100vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2) and (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 500px"/><img alt="" class="bh md oi c" width="500" height="500" loading="eager" role="presentation"/></picture><figcaption class="oj ff ok nv nw ol om bf b bg z du pb fj pc pd">Gardening torch stock photos</figcaption></figure></div></div></div></div><div class="ab cb"><div class="ci bh fz ga gb gc"><h1 id="fd08" class="pe pf gu bf pg ph pi pj pk pl pm pn po pp pq pr ps pt pu pv pw px py pz qa qb bk">Let’s take a step back: what is a flamethrower? How is it different than a torch, and why does it matter?</h1><p id="8d1c" class="pw-post-body-paragraph mw mx gu my b mz qc nb nc nd qd nf ng nh qe nj nk nl qf nn no np qg nr ns nt gn bk">Fundamentally a flamethrower has to, well, throw flame. It does this by</p><ol class=""><li id="02c1" class="mw mx gu my b mz na nb nc nd ne nf ng nh ni nj nk nl nm nn no np nq nr ns nt qh qi qj bk">igniting a fuel and</li><li id="99b1" class="mw mx gu my b mz qk nb nc nd ql nf ng nh qm nj nk nl qn nn no np qo nr ns nt qh qi qj bk">shooting the burning fuel with an inert propellant gas such as carbon dioxide or nitrogen</li></ol><p id="2f33" class="pw-post-body-paragraph mw mx gu my b mz na nb nc nd ne nf ng nh ni nj nk nl nm nn no np nq nr ns nt gn bk">In contrast, a torch only lights fuel and can only effectively burn whatever is immediately near it, like a pesky weed.</p></div></div><div class="od"><div class="ab cb"><div class="ly oo lz op ma oq cf or cg os ci bh"><div class="ny nz oa ob oc ab kv"><figure class="lu od qp ou ov ow ox paragraph-image"><div role="button" tabindex="0" class="oe of fj og bh oh"><picture><source srcSet="https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:640/format:webp/1*4MGapVhhcyFETsBzHb7YbQ.png 640w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:720/format:webp/1*4MGapVhhcyFETsBzHb7YbQ.png 720w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:750/format:webp/1*4MGapVhhcyFETsBzHb7YbQ.png 750w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:786/format:webp/1*4MGapVhhcyFETsBzHb7YbQ.png 786w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:828/format:webp/1*4MGapVhhcyFETsBzHb7YbQ.png 828w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:1100/format:webp/1*4MGapVhhcyFETsBzHb7YbQ.png 1100w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:1520/format:webp/1*4MGapVhhcyFETsBzHb7YbQ.png 1520w" sizes="(min-resolution: 4dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 50vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 4) and (max-width: 700px) 50vw, (min-resolution: 3dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 67vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 3) and (max-width: 700px) 65vw, (min-resolution: 2.5dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 80vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2.5) and (max-width: 700px) 80vw, (min-resolution: 2dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 100vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2) and (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 760px" type="image/webp"/><source data-testid="og" srcSet="https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:640/1*4MGapVhhcyFETsBzHb7YbQ.png 640w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:720/1*4MGapVhhcyFETsBzHb7YbQ.png 720w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:750/1*4MGapVhhcyFETsBzHb7YbQ.png 750w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:786/1*4MGapVhhcyFETsBzHb7YbQ.png 786w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:828/1*4MGapVhhcyFETsBzHb7YbQ.png 828w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:1100/1*4MGapVhhcyFETsBzHb7YbQ.png 1100w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:1520/1*4MGapVhhcyFETsBzHb7YbQ.png 1520w" sizes="(min-resolution: 4dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 50vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 4) and (max-width: 700px) 50vw, (min-resolution: 3dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 67vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 3) and (max-width: 700px) 65vw, (min-resolution: 2.5dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 80vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2.5) and (max-width: 700px) 80vw, (min-resolution: 2dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 100vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2) and (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 760px"/><img alt="" class="bh md oi c" width="760" height="1125" loading="eager" role="presentation"/></picture></div></figure><figure class="lu od qq ou ov ow ox paragraph-image"><div role="button" tabindex="0" class="oe of fj og bh oh"><picture><source srcSet="https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:640/format:webp/1*aaWMbh7vN49WXbQcnziQjw.png 640w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:720/format:webp/1*aaWMbh7vN49WXbQcnziQjw.png 720w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:750/format:webp/1*aaWMbh7vN49WXbQcnziQjw.png 750w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:786/format:webp/1*aaWMbh7vN49WXbQcnziQjw.png 786w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:828/format:webp/1*aaWMbh7vN49WXbQcnziQjw.png 828w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:1100/format:webp/1*aaWMbh7vN49WXbQcnziQjw.png 1100w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:482/format:webp/1*aaWMbh7vN49WXbQcnziQjw.png 482w" sizes="(min-resolution: 4dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 50vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 4) and (max-width: 700px) 50vw, (min-resolution: 3dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 67vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 3) and (max-width: 700px) 65vw, (min-resolution: 2.5dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 80vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2.5) and (max-width: 700px) 80vw, (min-resolution: 2dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 100vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2) and (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 241px" type="image/webp"/><source data-testid="og" srcSet="https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:640/1*aaWMbh7vN49WXbQcnziQjw.png 640w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:720/1*aaWMbh7vN49WXbQcnziQjw.png 720w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:750/1*aaWMbh7vN49WXbQcnziQjw.png 750w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:786/1*aaWMbh7vN49WXbQcnziQjw.png 786w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:828/1*aaWMbh7vN49WXbQcnziQjw.png 828w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:1100/1*aaWMbh7vN49WXbQcnziQjw.png 1100w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:482/1*aaWMbh7vN49WXbQcnziQjw.png 482w" sizes="(min-resolution: 4dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 50vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 4) and (max-width: 700px) 50vw, (min-resolution: 3dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 67vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 3) and (max-width: 700px) 65vw, (min-resolution: 2.5dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 80vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2.5) and (max-width: 700px) 80vw, (min-resolution: 2dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 100vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2) and (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 241px"/><img alt="" class="bh md oi c" width="241" height="996" loading="eager" role="presentation"/></picture></div><figcaption class="oj ff ok nv nw ol om bf b bg z du qr fj qs pd">The excellent X15 flamethrower by throwflame.com, next to the BCF torch — huge difference in range. Also, <em class="qt">horrible trigger discipline and personal protective equipment discipline in the Boring Co pic…</em></figcaption></figure></div></div></div></div><div class="ab cb"><div class="ci bh fz ga gb gc"><p id="823e" class="pw-post-body-paragraph mw mx gu my b mz na nb nc nd ne nf ng nh ni nj nk nl nm nn no np nq nr ns nt gn bk">A true flamethrower such as the excellent <a class="af on" href="http://throwflame.com" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" target="_blank">X15</a> has two tanks: a fuel and a propellant tank. The BCF has a tiny fuel tank (good for a few seconds of fire), and no propellant tank. Effectively, it’s a big lighter.</p></div></div><div class="od"><div class="ab cb"><div class="ly oo lz op ma oq cf or cg os ci bh"><div class="ny nz oa ob oc ab kv"><figure class="lu od qu ou ov ow ox paragraph-image"><div role="button" tabindex="0" class="oe of fj og bh oh"><picture><source srcSet="https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:640/format:webp/1*vgmDWfGsww8_JFBCOnC3Ug.png 640w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:720/format:webp/1*vgmDWfGsww8_JFBCOnC3Ug.png 720w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:750/format:webp/1*vgmDWfGsww8_JFBCOnC3Ug.png 750w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:786/format:webp/1*vgmDWfGsww8_JFBCOnC3Ug.png 786w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:828/format:webp/1*vgmDWfGsww8_JFBCOnC3Ug.png 828w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:1100/format:webp/1*vgmDWfGsww8_JFBCOnC3Ug.png 1100w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:876/format:webp/1*vgmDWfGsww8_JFBCOnC3Ug.png 876w" sizes="(min-resolution: 4dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 50vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 4) and (max-width: 700px) 50vw, (min-resolution: 3dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 67vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 3) and (max-width: 700px) 65vw, (min-resolution: 2.5dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 80vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2.5) and (max-width: 700px) 80vw, (min-resolution: 2dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 100vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2) and (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 438px" type="image/webp"/><source data-testid="og" srcSet="https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:640/1*vgmDWfGsww8_JFBCOnC3Ug.png 640w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:720/1*vgmDWfGsww8_JFBCOnC3Ug.png 720w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:750/1*vgmDWfGsww8_JFBCOnC3Ug.png 750w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:786/1*vgmDWfGsww8_JFBCOnC3Ug.png 786w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:828/1*vgmDWfGsww8_JFBCOnC3Ug.png 828w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:1100/1*vgmDWfGsww8_JFBCOnC3Ug.png 1100w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:876/1*vgmDWfGsww8_JFBCOnC3Ug.png 876w" sizes="(min-resolution: 4dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 50vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 4) and (max-width: 700px) 50vw, (min-resolution: 3dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 67vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 3) and (max-width: 700px) 65vw, (min-resolution: 2.5dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 80vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2.5) and (max-width: 700px) 80vw, (min-resolution: 2dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 100vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2) and (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 438px"/><img alt="" class="bh md oi c" width="438" height="640" loading="eager" role="presentation"/></picture></div></figure><figure class="lu od qv ou ov ow ox paragraph-image"><div role="button" tabindex="0" class="oe of fj og bh oh"><picture><source srcSet="https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:640/format:webp/1*a4HANx-ghgBoEAmN__ezuw.png 640w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:720/format:webp/1*a4HANx-ghgBoEAmN__ezuw.png 720w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:750/format:webp/1*a4HANx-ghgBoEAmN__ezuw.png 750w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:786/format:webp/1*a4HANx-ghgBoEAmN__ezuw.png 786w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:828/format:webp/1*a4HANx-ghgBoEAmN__ezuw.png 828w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:1100/format:webp/1*a4HANx-ghgBoEAmN__ezuw.png 1100w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:1126/format:webp/1*a4HANx-ghgBoEAmN__ezuw.png 1126w" sizes="(min-resolution: 4dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 50vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 4) and (max-width: 700px) 50vw, (min-resolution: 3dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 67vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 3) and (max-width: 700px) 65vw, (min-resolution: 2.5dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 80vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2.5) and (max-width: 700px) 80vw, (min-resolution: 2dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 100vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2) and (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 563px" type="image/webp"/><source data-testid="og" srcSet="https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:640/1*a4HANx-ghgBoEAmN__ezuw.png 640w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:720/1*a4HANx-ghgBoEAmN__ezuw.png 720w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:750/1*a4HANx-ghgBoEAmN__ezuw.png 750w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:786/1*a4HANx-ghgBoEAmN__ezuw.png 786w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:828/1*a4HANx-ghgBoEAmN__ezuw.png 828w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:1100/1*a4HANx-ghgBoEAmN__ezuw.png 1100w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:1126/1*a4HANx-ghgBoEAmN__ezuw.png 1126w" sizes="(min-resolution: 4dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 50vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 4) and (max-width: 700px) 50vw, (min-resolution: 3dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 67vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 3) and (max-width: 700px) 65vw, (min-resolution: 2.5dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 80vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2.5) and (max-width: 700px) 80vw, (min-resolution: 2dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 100vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2) and (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 563px"/><img alt="" class="bh md oi c" width="563" height="777" loading="eager" role="presentation"/></picture></div><figcaption class="oj ff ok nv nw ol om bf b bg z du qw fj qx pd">Left: real flamethrower with fuel and propellant tanks; Right: the BCF torch with a tiny tank</figcaption></figure></div></div></div></div><div class="ab cb"><div class="ci bh fz ga gb gc"><p id="6207" class="pw-post-body-paragraph mw mx gu my b mz na nb nc nd ne nf ng nh ni nj nk nl nm nn no np nq nr ns nt gn bk">In fact, torches are so common that we realized we had a dusty one in the <a class="af on" href="http://root.vc" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" target="_blank">Root Ventures</a> office we once used to light a pizza oven and kill some weeds. I’ve mapped the main parts of this torch to the BCF.</p><figure class="ny nz oa ob oc od nv nw paragraph-image"><div role="button" tabindex="0" class="oe of fj og bh oh"><div class="nv nw qy"><picture><source srcSet="https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:640/format:webp/1*YkcWqe87YEw7Q__ptvQtsw.png 640w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:720/format:webp/1*YkcWqe87YEw7Q__ptvQtsw.png 720w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:750/format:webp/1*YkcWqe87YEw7Q__ptvQtsw.png 750w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:786/format:webp/1*YkcWqe87YEw7Q__ptvQtsw.png 786w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:828/format:webp/1*YkcWqe87YEw7Q__ptvQtsw.png 828w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:1100/format:webp/1*YkcWqe87YEw7Q__ptvQtsw.png 1100w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:1400/format:webp/1*YkcWqe87YEw7Q__ptvQtsw.png 1400w" sizes="(min-resolution: 4dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 50vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 4) and (max-width: 700px) 50vw, (min-resolution: 3dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 67vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 3) and (max-width: 700px) 65vw, (min-resolution: 2.5dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 80vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2.5) and (max-width: 700px) 80vw, (min-resolution: 2dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 100vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2) and (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" type="image/webp"/><source data-testid="og" srcSet="https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:640/1*YkcWqe87YEw7Q__ptvQtsw.png 640w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:720/1*YkcWqe87YEw7Q__ptvQtsw.png 720w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:750/1*YkcWqe87YEw7Q__ptvQtsw.png 750w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:786/1*YkcWqe87YEw7Q__ptvQtsw.png 786w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:828/1*YkcWqe87YEw7Q__ptvQtsw.png 828w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:1100/1*YkcWqe87YEw7Q__ptvQtsw.png 1100w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:1400/1*YkcWqe87YEw7Q__ptvQtsw.png 1400w" sizes="(min-resolution: 4dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 50vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 4) and (max-width: 700px) 50vw, (min-resolution: 3dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 67vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 3) and (max-width: 700px) 65vw, (min-resolution: 2.5dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 80vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2.5) and (max-width: 700px) 80vw, (min-resolution: 2dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 100vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2) and (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px"/><img alt="" class="bh md oi c" width="700" height="840" loading="eager" role="presentation"/></picture></div></div><figcaption class="oj ff ok nv nw ol om bf b bg z du">BCF moved some valves around to fit inside the toy gun, but it’s just a garden torch.</figcaption></figure><p id="86a2" class="pw-post-body-paragraph mw mx gu my b mz na nb nc nd ne nf ng nh ni nj nk nl nm nn no np nq nr ns nt gn bk">So what should you do if you want a flamethrower? If you want an <em class="nu">actual</em> flamethrower, the <a class="af on" href="http://throwflame.com" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" target="_blank">X15</a> is your best bet. It can use commercially available CO2 as a propellant. If you want a BCF? Buy a <a class="af on" href="https://smile.amazon.com/Red-Dragon-VT-2-23-000-BTU/dp/B00004Z2FP/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1517277648&sr=8-1&keywords=gardening+torch" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" target="_blank">gardening torch</a> and have a ton of cash left over.</p></div></div></div></div></section></div></div></article></div><div class="ab cb"><div class="ci bh fz ga gb gc"><div class="qz ra ab ja"><div class="rb ab"><a class="rc ay am ao" rel="noopener follow" href="/tag/hardware?source=post_page-----76289ad2338b--------------------------------"><div class="rd fj cx re ge rf rg bf b bg z bk rh">Hardware</div></a></div><div class="rb ab"><a class="rc ay am ao" rel="noopener follow" href="/tag/technology?source=post_page-----76289ad2338b--------------------------------"><div class="rd fj cx re ge rf rg bf b bg z bk rh">Technology</div></a></div><div class="rb ab"><a class="rc ay am ao" rel="noopener follow" 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This was exciting news — as a lifelong pyro (I have channeled my pyromania into making soy candles and baking, because, you know, adulthood), an affordable flamethrower is something I’ve always kept an eye out for. And $500 is groundbreaking pricing.","hasDropCap":null,"dropCapImage":null,"markups":[{"__typename":"Markup","type":"EM","start":311,"end":325,"href":null,"anchorType":null,"userId":null,"linkMetadata":null}],"codeBlockMetadata":null,"iframe":null,"mixtapeMetadata":null},"ImageMetadata:1*I8UCAwDnr3vigQlHlE09_Q.png":{"__typename":"ImageMetadata","id":"1*I8UCAwDnr3vigQlHlE09_Q.png","originalHeight":2210,"originalWidth":2030,"focusPercentX":null,"focusPercentY":null,"alt":null},"Paragraph:52c6dc76dd34_2":{"__typename":"Paragraph","id":"52c6dc76dd34_2","name":"459f","type":"IMG","href":null,"layout":"INSET_CENTER","metadata":{"__ref":"ImageMetadata:1*I8UCAwDnr3vigQlHlE09_Q.png"},"text":"The Boring Company “flamethrower” ad","hasDropCap":null,"dropCapImage":null,"markups":[],"codeBlockMetadata":null,"iframe":null,"mixtapeMetadata":null},"Paragraph:52c6dc76dd34_3":{"__typename":"Paragraph","id":"52c6dc76dd34_3","name":"0471","type":"P","href":null,"layout":null,"metadata":null,"text":"When I saw the actual ad, I was disappointed. Not only is the Boring Co “flamethrower” (BCF) not an actual flamethrower, it is about 400% more expensive than it should be.","hasDropCap":null,"dropCapImage":null,"markups":[],"codeBlockMetadata":null,"iframe":null,"mixtapeMetadata":null},"Paragraph:52c6dc76dd34_4":{"__typename":"Paragraph","id":"52c6dc76dd34_4","name":"027f","type":"P","href":null,"layout":null,"metadata":null,"text":"See, the BCF is actually a mundane gardening torch (useful for clearing stubborn weeds without bending your back) inside a toy gun, sold as a “flamethrower”. While it looks like Boring Co invested in some custom injection molds for the BCF, it’s almost certainly the same OEM as the CSI S.T.A.R. XR-5 FG-1508 Advanced Bottle Rifle toy. And the “flamethrower” part of the BCF can be purchased on Amazon for $40–60 by searching for “gardening torch”.","hasDropCap":null,"dropCapImage":null,"markups":[{"__typename":"Markup","type":"A","start":283,"end":330,"href":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.evike.com\u002Fproducts\u002F68300\u002F","anchorType":"LINK","userId":null,"linkMetadata":null},{"__typename":"Markup","type":"A","start":430,"end":447,"href":"https:\u002F\u002Fsmile.amazon.com\u002Fs\u002Fref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dtools&field-keywords=gardening+torch&rh=n%3A228013%2Ck%3Agardening+torch","anchorType":"LINK","userId":null,"linkMetadata":null}],"codeBlockMetadata":null,"iframe":null,"mixtapeMetadata":null},"ImageMetadata:1*glSJSZK1O-3KUn5WdEoXgA.png":{"__typename":"ImageMetadata","id":"1*glSJSZK1O-3KUn5WdEoXgA.png","originalHeight":1782,"originalWidth":2022,"focusPercentX":null,"focusPercentY":null,"alt":null},"Paragraph:52c6dc76dd34_5":{"__typename":"Paragraph","id":"52c6dc76dd34_5","name":"2d9c","type":"IMG","href":null,"layout":"OUTSET_ROW","metadata":{"__ref":"ImageMetadata:1*glSJSZK1O-3KUn5WdEoXgA.png"},"text":"","hasDropCap":null,"dropCapImage":null,"markups":[],"codeBlockMetadata":null,"iframe":null,"mixtapeMetadata":null},"ImageMetadata:1*StwbGQp7butiuquz72OwFw.png":{"__typename":"ImageMetadata","id":"1*StwbGQp7butiuquz72OwFw.png","originalHeight":1522,"originalWidth":2152,"focusPercentX":null,"focusPercentY":null,"alt":null},"Paragraph:52c6dc76dd34_6":{"__typename":"Paragraph","id":"52c6dc76dd34_6","name":"b12a","type":"IMG","href":null,"layout":"OUTSET_ROW_CONTINUE","metadata":{"__ref":"ImageMetadata:1*StwbGQp7butiuquz72OwFw.png"},"text":"","hasDropCap":null,"dropCapImage":null,"markups":[],"codeBlockMetadata":null,"iframe":null,"mixtapeMetadata":null},"ImageMetadata:1*8kyMX_1wNnBTC7vKfFv6nQ.jpeg":{"__typename":"ImageMetadata","id":"1*8kyMX_1wNnBTC7vKfFv6nQ.jpeg","originalHeight":470,"originalWidth":396,"focusPercentX":null,"focusPercentY":null,"alt":null},"Paragraph:52c6dc76dd34_7":{"__typename":"Paragraph","id":"52c6dc76dd34_7","name":"f824","type":"IMG","href":null,"layout":"OUTSET_ROW","metadata":{"__ref":"ImageMetadata:1*8kyMX_1wNnBTC7vKfFv6nQ.jpeg"},"text":"","hasDropCap":null,"dropCapImage":null,"markups":[],"codeBlockMetadata":null,"iframe":null,"mixtapeMetadata":null},"ImageMetadata:1*CMijHieTjc9jCgB7TYDttQ.jpeg":{"__typename":"ImageMetadata","id":"1*CMijHieTjc9jCgB7TYDttQ.jpeg","originalHeight":500,"originalWidth":500,"focusPercentX":null,"focusPercentY":null,"alt":null},"Paragraph:52c6dc76dd34_8":{"__typename":"Paragraph","id":"52c6dc76dd34_8","name":"a472","type":"IMG","href":null,"layout":"OUTSET_ROW_CONTINUE","metadata":{"__ref":"ImageMetadata:1*CMijHieTjc9jCgB7TYDttQ.jpeg"},"text":"Gardening torch stock photos","hasDropCap":null,"dropCapImage":null,"markups":[],"codeBlockMetadata":null,"iframe":null,"mixtapeMetadata":null},"Paragraph:52c6dc76dd34_9":{"__typename":"Paragraph","id":"52c6dc76dd34_9","name":"fd08","type":"H3","href":null,"layout":null,"metadata":null,"text":"Let’s take a step back: what is a flamethrower? How is it different than a torch, and why does it matter?","hasDropCap":null,"dropCapImage":null,"markups":[],"codeBlockMetadata":null,"iframe":null,"mixtapeMetadata":null},"Paragraph:52c6dc76dd34_10":{"__typename":"Paragraph","id":"52c6dc76dd34_10","name":"8d1c","type":"P","href":null,"layout":null,"metadata":null,"text":"Fundamentally a flamethrower has to, well, throw flame. It does this by","hasDropCap":null,"dropCapImage":null,"markups":[],"codeBlockMetadata":null,"iframe":null,"mixtapeMetadata":null},"Paragraph:52c6dc76dd34_11":{"__typename":"Paragraph","id":"52c6dc76dd34_11","name":"02c1","type":"OLI","href":null,"layout":null,"metadata":null,"text":"igniting a fuel and","hasDropCap":null,"dropCapImage":null,"markups":[],"codeBlockMetadata":null,"iframe":null,"mixtapeMetadata":null},"Paragraph:52c6dc76dd34_12":{"__typename":"Paragraph","id":"52c6dc76dd34_12","name":"99b1","type":"OLI","href":null,"layout":null,"metadata":null,"text":"shooting the burning fuel with an inert propellant gas such as carbon dioxide or nitrogen","hasDropCap":null,"dropCapImage":null,"markups":[],"codeBlockMetadata":null,"iframe":null,"mixtapeMetadata":null},"Paragraph:52c6dc76dd34_13":{"__typename":"Paragraph","id":"52c6dc76dd34_13","name":"2f33","type":"P","href":null,"layout":null,"metadata":null,"text":"In contrast, a torch only lights fuel and can only effectively burn whatever is immediately near it, like a pesky weed.","hasDropCap":null,"dropCapImage":null,"markups":[],"codeBlockMetadata":null,"iframe":null,"mixtapeMetadata":null},"ImageMetadata:1*4MGapVhhcyFETsBzHb7YbQ.png":{"__typename":"ImageMetadata","id":"1*4MGapVhhcyFETsBzHb7YbQ.png","originalHeight":1125,"originalWidth":2000,"focusPercentX":null,"focusPercentY":null,"alt":null},"Paragraph:52c6dc76dd34_14":{"__typename":"Paragraph","id":"52c6dc76dd34_14","name":"04a4","type":"IMG","href":null,"layout":"OUTSET_ROW","metadata":{"__ref":"ImageMetadata:1*4MGapVhhcyFETsBzHb7YbQ.png"},"text":"","hasDropCap":null,"dropCapImage":null,"markups":[],"codeBlockMetadata":null,"iframe":null,"mixtapeMetadata":null},"ImageMetadata:1*aaWMbh7vN49WXbQcnziQjw.png":{"__typename":"ImageMetadata","id":"1*aaWMbh7vN49WXbQcnziQjw.png","originalHeight":996,"originalWidth":562,"focusPercentX":null,"focusPercentY":null,"alt":null},"Paragraph:52c6dc76dd34_15":{"__typename":"Paragraph","id":"52c6dc76dd34_15","name":"1385","type":"IMG","href":null,"layout":"OUTSET_ROW_CONTINUE","metadata":{"__ref":"ImageMetadata:1*aaWMbh7vN49WXbQcnziQjw.png"},"text":"The excellent X15 flamethrower by throwflame.com, next to the BCF torch — huge difference in range. Also, horrible trigger discipline and personal protective equipment discipline in the Boring Co pic…","hasDropCap":null,"dropCapImage":null,"markups":[{"__typename":"Markup","type":"EM","start":106,"end":200,"href":null,"anchorType":null,"userId":null,"linkMetadata":null}],"codeBlockMetadata":null,"iframe":null,"mixtapeMetadata":null},"Paragraph:52c6dc76dd34_16":{"__typename":"Paragraph","id":"52c6dc76dd34_16","name":"823e","type":"P","href":null,"layout":null,"metadata":null,"text":"A true flamethrower such as the excellent X15 has two tanks: a fuel and a propellant tank. The BCF has a tiny fuel tank (good for a few seconds of fire), and no propellant tank. Effectively, it’s a big lighter.","hasDropCap":null,"dropCapImage":null,"markups":[{"__typename":"Markup","type":"A","start":42,"end":45,"href":"http:\u002F\u002Fthrowflame.com","anchorType":"LINK","userId":null,"linkMetadata":null}],"codeBlockMetadata":null,"iframe":null,"mixtapeMetadata":null},"ImageMetadata:1*vgmDWfGsww8_JFBCOnC3Ug.png":{"__typename":"ImageMetadata","id":"1*vgmDWfGsww8_JFBCOnC3Ug.png","originalHeight":640,"originalWidth":960,"focusPercentX":null,"focusPercentY":null,"alt":null},"Paragraph:52c6dc76dd34_17":{"__typename":"Paragraph","id":"52c6dc76dd34_17","name":"5ea5","type":"IMG","href":null,"layout":"OUTSET_ROW","metadata":{"__ref":"ImageMetadata:1*vgmDWfGsww8_JFBCOnC3Ug.png"},"text":"","hasDropCap":null,"dropCapImage":null,"markups":[],"codeBlockMetadata":null,"iframe":null,"mixtapeMetadata":null},"ImageMetadata:1*a4HANx-ghgBoEAmN__ezuw.png":{"__typename":"ImageMetadata","id":"1*a4HANx-ghgBoEAmN__ezuw.png","originalHeight":777,"originalWidth":1500,"focusPercentX":null,"focusPercentY":null,"alt":null},"Paragraph:52c6dc76dd34_18":{"__typename":"Paragraph","id":"52c6dc76dd34_18","name":"dbc7","type":"IMG","href":null,"layout":"OUTSET_ROW_CONTINUE","metadata":{"__ref":"ImageMetadata:1*a4HANx-ghgBoEAmN__ezuw.png"},"text":"Left: real flamethrower with fuel and propellant tanks; Right: the BCF torch with a tiny tank","hasDropCap":null,"dropCapImage":null,"markups":[],"codeBlockMetadata":null,"iframe":null,"mixtapeMetadata":null},"Paragraph:52c6dc76dd34_19":{"__typename":"Paragraph","id":"52c6dc76dd34_19","name":"6207","type":"P","href":null,"layout":null,"metadata":null,"text":"In fact, torches are so common that we realized we had a dusty one in the Root Ventures office we once used to light a pizza oven and kill some weeds. I’ve mapped the main parts of this torch to the BCF.","hasDropCap":null,"dropCapImage":null,"markups":[{"__typename":"Markup","type":"A","start":74,"end":87,"href":"http:\u002F\u002Froot.vc","anchorType":"LINK","userId":null,"linkMetadata":null}],"codeBlockMetadata":null,"iframe":null,"mixtapeMetadata":null},"ImageMetadata:1*YkcWqe87YEw7Q__ptvQtsw.png":{"__typename":"ImageMetadata","id":"1*YkcWqe87YEw7Q__ptvQtsw.png","originalHeight":1798,"originalWidth":1500,"focusPercentX":null,"focusPercentY":null,"alt":null},"Paragraph:52c6dc76dd34_20":{"__typename":"Paragraph","id":"52c6dc76dd34_20","name":"f19e","type":"IMG","href":null,"layout":"INSET_CENTER","metadata":{"__ref":"ImageMetadata:1*YkcWqe87YEw7Q__ptvQtsw.png"},"text":"BCF moved some valves around to fit inside the toy gun, but it’s just a garden torch.","hasDropCap":null,"dropCapImage":null,"markups":[],"codeBlockMetadata":null,"iframe":null,"mixtapeMetadata":null},"Paragraph:52c6dc76dd34_21":{"__typename":"Paragraph","id":"52c6dc76dd34_21","name":"86a2","type":"P","href":null,"layout":null,"metadata":null,"text":"So what should you do if you want a flamethrower? 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