KITCHEN TORCHES: Open discussion. Do you use one? do you have one specifically recommended

L

luisa_calif

Well-known member
for the kitchen or do you have one from the hardware store? If you went for the hardware model, what size did you get and are you happy with it? How do you use it? On what items and using what technique?

 
I have a small kitchen one from W-S, and I have NEVER been able to master the dang thing and

have wasted so much time trying to get the right kind of top on creme brulee and when I try to refill it it just spurts gas everywhere but inside and I keep looking for one I read about once that uses replaceable cartridges but can't find it so mine just sits in the cupboard taunting me.

 
a music joke from one of the folk festival musicians last weekend: how do you make 1Mil$ as a banjo

player?? Start with 2 million. harharhar

 
Mine is a hardware store version, too.

I bought the top piece with igniter, and it is attached to a small gas tank which is easily replaceable. The tank and torch together were under $20. It's easy to use - much better than the smaller kitchen version. I believe Julia Child used a similar one. I keep it in the garage where it is handy for all sorts of little jobs. I bring it into the kitchen to brule not only creme brule, but other things like apple cake, bread putdding, etc.

 
Believe it or not, the brand is ACE - store brand from Ace Hardware.

The torch portion is a nozzle and an igniter that you can screw on top of a small propane tank. If I recall, it came mounted on a card, and was around $15. The tank that I am using with it is a 14 oz. blue metal bottle that the torch simply screws on - easy to change. I bought it at the local grocery super store. It's a pretty cheap kitchen tool!

 
I have an old BernzOMatic...big like Steve2's. Uses:

Creme Brulee
Meringue
Fresh figs, grapefruit or peaches cut in half, sprinkled with turbinado sugar and torched to caramelize
I haven't tried this but I've seen it used to crisp fish skin

 
Yes. BernzOMatic is the brand on the hand held propane tank that can be changed.

The torch unit can also be purchased separately.

 
I have a standard plumbers blow torch, self ignition

I use it to roast peppers, to creme brulee (but I have to be careful because the sugar will burn really fast because it's really strong), and for some stir fry.

I learned from my friend Michael to have the heat on high under the wok and then hold the blow torch in my left hand into the pan, tossing the contents of the pan with my right hand. It works great, super fast, rather fun in a pyro kind of way. Really fun when guests are over because it sort of freaks people out... heh heh

By the way, my mom gave me the blow torch. Love that...

 
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