If your heat guns are a part of your heat tool arsenal and you’re in the market for an alternative, don’t worry. We have compiled seven heat gun alternatives to work perfectly for whatever project or DIY task you need to tackle!
1. Butane Torch
3. Hair Dryer
4. Oven Mitts
5. Wooden Spoon
6. Paint Brush (or Toothbrush) + Blow Dryer
7. Foam Core Board + Iron/Sewing Machine
Butane Torch
The butane torch heat gun alternative is a great option to heat things without the worry of burning your skin. Butane torches are often used for jewelers and glassblowers and want more control over their heat source. The flame adjusts nicely with air changes in temperature, making it perfect for delicate tasks such as melting solder or soldering jewelry findings together!
To heat something using this method, hold the tip of the torch next to what you need to be heated until it reaches surface-level hotness that’s comfortable enough to touch. Once you’ve done so, there should be no fear that you’ll burn yourself since any open-air will cool down anything close by. But remember to take precautions and don’t heat something that could potentially cause a fire!
Butane torches can also be used for heat-related tasks such as heat shrinking pipe, heat shrink tubing, or heat sealing food. The butane torch is an excellent heat gun alternative if you’re looking to avoid the use of harsh chemicals. Despite not producing enough hot air to dry wet clothes as a hairdryer would, it’s still perfect for its heating purposes.
This type of tool will usually run on gas so make sure that your purchase comes with everything necessary to keep this device running smoothly! But remember: always operate these tools outdoors or in well-ventilated areas because they emit hazardous fumes when lit.
Soldering Iron
Many DIY enthusiasts often overlook a heat gun alternative, but a definite heat tool to have on the list if you don’t want to buy something more expensive. Soldering irons can produce heat up close and personal without worrying about damaging your skin like what happens with heat guns. Plus, these guys are pretty cheap!
This type of iron will usually run off electricity, so make sure you check for voltage requirements before making this purchase, or else it won’t work at all! That’ll be great for those who do light soldering jobs such as jewelry repairs or assembling electronics.
Heat-tolerant gloves should also be worn to prevent burns from happening during use because they get super hot (around 700 degrees Fahrenheit!).
Soldering irons heat up in a flash and are perfect for delicate tasks, but they should never be used on paint or other flammable materials. They also shouldn’t touch anything electrical since the iron is conducting heat! Keep your eye out for any insulation around the cord to prevent electric shock.
Hair Dryer
If you’re looking to heat something quickly or don’t have time to wait for another heat source, it may be worth considering hair dryers as an alternative heat gun choice. These tools will produce hot air without giving off too much heat so that skin doesn’t get scorched.[x] This’ll work well for those who need quick drying of wet clothes (or mittens) during a heatwave.
Hairdryers are also great for heat shrinking tubing and heat sealing food, but they won’t work on other heat-related tasks such as soldering jewelry pieces together or melting solder. You’ll need something else if you’re looking for more of a “heat gun.” This heat gun alternative will often run off electricity, so make sure there’s an outlet nearby! Note that it can get pretty loud when in use since it produces hot air at high speeds (1200+ mph!)
Oven Mitts
If you don’t have anything fancy, then oven mitts may save the day! If your kitchen is heated enough, these should work nicely, too, because the material gets very warm and heat-resistant. Just make sure you double up with a second set of oven mitts if they’re not heat resistant and only heat one at a time!
Running an oven or stove is perfect for using these types of heat gun alternatives since the material will keep hands protected from any harm that may come their way. Plus, it’s straightforward to chuck them into the pockets when not in use, so no more struggling around trying to find where it went. Oven mitts also work well as heat shrink tubing because they offer protection against burns when shrinking anything together (but please avoid touching electrical cords while doing this)!
Some models have metal threads that can heat up and heat up quickly, making sure you have some heat-resistant gloves on hand to avoid any burns.
Wooden Spoon
The heat gun alternative that doesn’t cost a dime is, no doubt, the wooden spoon! That’ll work well for small tasks like shrinking heat tubing or when trying to seal meat packages. It won’t be enough for bigger jobs such as soldering wire connections together, though, because it just can’t produce enough heat. At least it’s free of charge.
Paint Brush (Or Toothbrush) + Blow Dryer
If you want an inexpensive way to dry wet clothes, then this may do the trick! All you need is either a paintbrush or toothbrush with heat-resistant bristles and a blow dryer to heat things.
The heat from the brush will cause airflow that’ll help dry clothes in an instant (grand for rainy days!), but it won’t work as well on other tasks such as soldering because there’s only so much heat it can produce. It does make sense since these tools are made of plastic!
Expect this type of heat gun alternative to run off electricity, so keep your area clear around any potential sources of electricity, or else you may experience an electric shock. You should also avoid touching anything electrical while using this tool since it’s conducting heat – not protecting against it as others do!
Foam Core Board + Iron/Sewing Machine
This heat gun alternative might not be the most popular choice, but that doesn’t mean it can’t get the job done! Foam core boards make great heat guns because they’re so thin and lightweight. You’ll need to use an iron or sewing machine along with this if you want any heat emanating outwards, though; otherwise, just using a hairdryer will work fine too. The heat from these tools is enough for small tasks like shrinking tubing when paired up with foam core board. Just note that this material won’t provide much protection against burns since it is pretty bare – there’s nothing between your hands and whatever hot thing you’re touching.
Can Heat Guns Cause Fires?
A heat gun cannot be used in enclosed areas such as cars, attics, and sheds to avoid fire hazards. It is recommended that heat guns are not left unattended next to flammable materials since they produce a vast amount of heat that can quickly start a fire!
How Do I Know If My Foam Board Heat Gun Alternative Will Work For What I Need It For?
If you want something more intense, this may just cut, but don’t expect too much out of it when using big tasks. It’ll also only last so long before heating up again – usually around ten minutes or less depending on how powerful the blow dryer is; some models have heat-up times of just a few minutes.
Can Heat Gun Alternatives Be Used To Seal Meat Packages?
If you’re looking for something strong enough, then the answer is yes! The heat from this type of product will do wonders for sealing food or even electrical connections together thanks to its high heat output (make sure your gloves are heat resistant!) but don’t expect this tool to last as long as big tasks. It’ll also only provide limited protection against burns because there isn’t much between the hands and whatever hot thing they’re touching – not like oven mitts that offer full coverage. The foam board can get hot, too, so watch out for any sources of electricity while using these tools.
Can Heat Gun Alternatives Be Used For Shrinking Tubing?
Yes! If you’re looking to shrink down heat tubing, this type of heat gun alternative will suffice. The foam board can heat up quickly when paired up with a hairdryer or iron, and it’ll help keep hands protected from burns while doing smaller tasks like that too. Heat is on low, so there’s no chance of any electrical shocks happening – most models have specific settings for this as well, which are usually adjustable by turning a knob or sliding a switch. It should also last around ten minutes before needing more time to cool off; some types may even need two hours before use, depending on how hot they get after extended periods of being heated up.
Can Heat Guns Be Used To Seal Food Packages?
Sealing up a package of meat with heat gun alternatives is possible, but it’ll have limited results and can’t handle more extensive tasks. It’s best for sealing small, thin pieces of plastic together rather than trying to do something big like attach a sheet of metal onto an appliance or anything else that requires more heat output! Just remember not to touch the heat source itself because these tools are conducting heat instead of blocking it out; you could end up getting burned without meaning too. If your hands get in contact with anything hot, then use gloves before continuing – they won’t last as long when faced against higher amounts of heat (and other elements), so make sure you don’t overuse them!