Not sure what to compare this to...

I'm just a Rockies home-owner trying to avoid the $3K crack/sealcoat costs every few years on a rather large driveway. I've used it for a few weekends thus far putting in a total of about 4ea 50 lb. PL-500 Hot Pour Direct Fire Joint Sealant from Home Depot.

Overall, it saves a lot of time and does the job "right"---filling in cracks with liquid tar instead of using other "driveway patch" products that are less expensive, but haven't held-up very well at all.

The assembly takes a few hours (why does anyone still use packing peanuts!), and it would be nice if they would have assembled more of the parts before shipping, but of course, that would mean a higher price.

The design seems fine--again, I don't know what to compare it to. Wheels are metal which makes it "clanky" but of course when you roll though the wet tar, you're glad they're metal and you can melt-off what sticks to them.

The biggest problem is that the propane flame will go out OFTEN (from wind blowing at a particular angle), and if you're isolated because you've got earbuds/phones on, you won't know it until you smell propane. (If you can hear the flame, you'll know when it quits.) So if you're going to use headphones, be sure you can still hear whether the flame has gone out. I was listening to audio books, so I could detect it, but if I were rockin' out, I would be oblivious.

You shouldn't walk-away very far while waiting for the brick to melt or at best, you'll be wasting propane when the flame goes out. (At worst, you'll kill yourself if you don't wait for the propane to dissipate before re-lighting.) Since it goes out often, carry a sparker with you while using.

The next issue is that even though there's a temperature gauge, the instructions for the tar gives a narrow temperature range for optimum deployment, and it's difficult to stay within this range using the propane torch. You don't want to waste time on a low-flame setting getting the tar to melt to temperature, but it's then quick to climb past the tar's limit. Even though I went past the tar's temperature limit many times, it never became "stringy", so perhaps the tar manufacturer has built-in some tolerance. If the tar's not hot enough, it won't pour deep in to the cracks, so it's a fine balance you'll constantly be working while you walk-n-pour.

Also, you can mix the tar from the handle-bars, but even though the temperature gauge says I should turn off the heat, there's still a big hunk of solid tar. Essentially, you'll be melting off the outside of the brick while pouring what has melted up to temperature while making sure it doesn't get too hot, while melting more off the solid brick. It's a constant balancing act.

I suppose I could have experimented and found the exact right flame strength profile over time to quickly melt all the tar and then maintain it at the right temperature, but that seemed too much time for a homeowner like me. Perhaps if I were a professional, it would make sense to spend that time.

Once you get pouring, it's easy-peezy and satisfying to watch the metal ring pool the melted tar and make clean lines as you walk along the cracks, knowing that this is the "right" way to do it. Depending on the crack width/depth, don't forget to check back after at least 5 minutes to be sure the tar didn't pour through to China and require you to go over that spot again.

Having given all the complications, I'm still giving it 4 stars because in spite of those issues, it really does save a lot of time and/or money, and once you get the hang of it and in to the rhythm and quick to re-light the torch, it's well worth the cost and time.

My guys liked it. The only thing they said is not to leave set to long in one place because it soften asphalt under machine. It is lower to the ground then others we have.

I'm happy with it. It has been more about me learning how to use it. The only downside is the torch blows out easy on a windy day.

I am very pleased with the kettle and the customer service I received from Asphalt Kingdom. It's performance far exceeded my expectations. Would highly recommend it !

Very happy with product