A nice handy butane torch can be useful in the kitchen especially when you are practicing on making a dessert. The Crème Brule for one will require you to use a blow torch to achieve the thin golden brown caramel crust on its top.
There's no other way to do it without a blow torch, so if you plan on making a batch of Crème Brule soon, you should think about getting a blow torch beforehand.
If you don't have any clue whatsoever when it comes to blow torches, don't fret. For in this article, I will share with you a couple of tips for buying blow torches as well as a list of the best butane torches I have found online. Read on to see.
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Rank | Image | Product Name | Score | |
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1
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96
/100
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2
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93
/100
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3
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86
/100
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4
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83
/100
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5
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78
/100
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What Is A Butane Torch
A butane torch is basically a tool that creates a hot flame that by using butane gas. Most butane torches you can buy at the market today can produce flames with heat temperatures up to 2,600 degrees Fahrenheit.
Butane torches capable of producing flames at very high temperatures can be used to melt common metals including aluminum and copper. What's more is that it can also be used to vaporize several organic compounds as well.
Today, compact butane torches can be bought at local supermarkets for personal use, especially for culinary purposes.
What To Look For In A Butane Torch
Before you make a purchase, it is always important to look out for certain features that you think fill fit your personal preferences and needs. When looking for a butane torch, you don't have to consider much. But do be mindful of these:
1. Heat Settings
Butane torches today can be capable of producing flames with heat temperatures up to 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit. That's enough heat to melt certain metals.
Before you get a butane torch, be sure to check whether the torch you are looking at is capable of producing the required temperatures for your personal use.
If you are using your torch for cooking, you can do well with something that produces about 2300 degrees Fahrenheit.
However, if you plan on melting some metals from time to time, you may want to go with the ones capable of producing at least 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Ergonomics
The key to working effectively with a butane torch lies in its ergonomics. Butane torches come in several designs, some come with pistol grips, and others come with extended and even tilted nozzles.
Before you buy a butane torch, make sure that you can comfortably hold it in your hand in different angles. If you are planning on flaming something for a long period of time, you should consider getting a blow torch that comes with a handy base for freehand use.
Five Butane Torches You Should See
Rank | Image | Product Name | Score | |
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1
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96
/100
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2
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93
/100
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3
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86
/100
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4
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83
/100
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5
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78
/100
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*Below, you'll find our more detailed reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.
The Gas One cooking torch can be a great product for you if you haven't handled a blow torch before. It has a very compact design that makes it easy to maneuver. Its sleek shape can comfortably fit your hands, and can make it easy for you to point the flame where you need it to be.
You can use this butane torch for flaming, caramelizing, browning, or to just add color and texture to your food. You may even use this torch to melt certain metals since it can produce flames with heat temperatures up to 2,372 degrees Fahrenheit.
Editor's Rating: 96/100
Pros
- Comes with Anti-Flare
- Can produce flames with temperatures up to 2,372 degrees Fahrenheit
- Great for culinary use
- Has a small and compact design
- Simple and Easy to use
- Comes at an affordable price
Cons
- The gas knob doesn't come with an indicator
- Doesn't come with any warranty
- Not great for heavy duty use
Another great culinary butane torch you should check out is the JB Chef culinary micro butane torch. This torch comes with a compact design that can make it very easy for you to hold at various angles that are essential for detailed outputs.
What's more is that this torch comes with a locking mechanism as an added safety feature.
Another great thing about this torch is that it comes with a regulator that you can easily maneuver to adjust the flame's settings, making it a great product for Crème Brûlées, searing tomato skins, melting cheese, glazing ribs, lighting a campfire, your cigars and more.
It even comes with a lifetime warranty that can be very helpful if you need a fix or part replacements.
Editor's Rating: 93/100
Pros
- Great for culinary
- Has a compact design
- Comes with a locking mechanism safety feature
- Comes with a flame setting regulator
Cons
- Gas can leak from the torch
- Automatic sparker can malfunction after a couple of months
- Has bad customer service
Bellemain's butane torch is another great product that you can use to create wonderful dishes.
This torch can produce flames with heat temperatures up to 2370 degrees Fahrenheit that you can easily adjust for deftly browned meringues to impressive flaming desserts like cherry jubilee, to name just a few.
Another amazing thing that you are bound to love about this product is that it is very efficient. It can burn through a butane can for about 1 hour.
It also comes with different safety features inl an extended nozzle that keeps the flame comfortably far from your hand, even when you're holding the torch at a downward angle.
A safety lock that "freezes" the trigger so it can't accidentally ignite. And a handy flare prevent mechanism that keeps the flame steady in any position.
Editor's Rating: 86/100
Pros
- Comes with a 2-year warranty
- Comes with an extended nozzle
- Comes with Anti-flare
- Comes with a safety lock switch
- Great for heavy duty use
- Great for culinary use
Cons
- The torch switch can get stuck from time to time
- Can be a bit slippery to handle
- Comes with bad customer service
Another professional butane torch you can buy online is the Iwatani CB-TC-PRO2. This torch comes with a pistol type design that makes it very easy to handle for long periods of time.
It also comes with a built-in flame adjustment knob that you can use to turn down or turn up the flame depending on your needs.
Perhaps the only downside to this product is that you can only use it with the Bu-5 and Bu-6 gas cylinders.
But if you're just looking for a nice torch you can use to make a nice crème Brulee, glazing a baked ham for the holidays, searing a steak, roasting bell peppers, melting cheese and toasting bread crumbs, this one can be an excellent choice for you.
Editor's Rating: 83/100
Pros
- Easy and simple to use
- Comes with a stabilizing plate
- Comes with a pistol grip designan extended period of time
- Has a flame adjustment knob
Cons
- Not great for heavy usage
- Ignition can get worn out when used too often
- Can only be used with Bu-5 and Bu-6 gas cylinders
- Doesn't come with a warranty
The Big Shot butane torch is a great product that you can use for brazing, plumbing, soldering, jewelry making, and culinary, dental and lab applications.
This butane torch comes with Anti-flare and a brass-frame nozzle for added safety and flame control, making it perfect for beginners.
Another great thing about this torch is that it can produce flames with heat temperatures up to 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit. What's more is that it comes with a tilted design that can make it easy for you to hold it at different angles, just perfect for highly detailed work.
Editor's Rating: 78/100
Pros
- Comes with a tilted design for extra maneuverability
- Can produce flames with a 2,500 degree Fahrenheit temperature
- Comes with a Piezoelectric ignition system
- Comes with a tabletop base for hands-free use
- Ideal for heavy duty use
Cons
- The torch may require one or two tries to light up because of the valve
- Gas can leak through the nozzle
- Doesn't come with a warranty
A Quick Recap
Of all the product I have mentioned, I think that you cannot go wrong with purchasing the Gas One Cooking Torch. It is a very affordable torch that is simple and easy to use.
What I like about it the most is its sleek design that lets it fit your hands comfortably. Its design even lets you hold it at various awkward positions, which can be really great for culinary use.
If you liked this article, and would like to know more about other cooking tools, please leave us your feedback in the comment box below. Until next time, enjoy!