Abstract: A one hand coating stripping device and a method of stripping coating in which operator required control of the angle of flame impingement, flame intensity, speed of movement and removal of stripped material is reduced to the single operator mandated parameter of control of speed of movement of a stripping device which automatically orients the center line of the flame at the most effective angle of impingement and the scraper blade at the optimum angle of attack following a single adjustment of a gas-air mixture compatible with the fixed and constant angles of impingement and attack, the stripping action being carried out by the use of only one hand of an operator.