Butane Torch Assessment

For years, a butane kitchen torch was one thing I talked myself out of shopping for. I’d eat crème brûlée at a restaurant, get a hankering for it at residence, and add a butane torch to my Amazon cart. Then, I’d hem and haw and resolve it was a “need” relatively than a “want.” As a gear tester, my kitchen (and basement and storage) are already overflowing with stuff. However then I examined cocktail people who smoke, one among which got here with a small kitchen torch, and the clouds lifted: I ought to’ve purchased a torch sooner.

Why I Love My Butane Torch

Initially, a butane kitchen torch is crucial to get that crackling, crunchy sugar crust on crème brûlée. Positive, a broiler will do the job in a pinch, however I’ve by no means gotten that candy-like, arduous sugar layer with that methodology. However a butane torch’s makes use of go far past this one process. 

We’ve written about how a torch is a good way to get wok hei taste at residence—a way contributor Tim Chin cleverly calls “torch hei.” He writes, “At first whiff, I might detect these tell-tale aromas of a legit stir fry: the greens had been smoky, singed, faintly charred in all the suitable methods. Total, I assumed I might achieved a worthy approximation of wok hei.” 

Along with wok cooking, I’ve additionally turned to my kitchen torch to zhuzh up components. I exploit it to brûlée fruit, reworking a banana cut up right into a caramelized, brûléed banana cut up—fancy! It’s additionally nice for searing fish for sushi, leading to a pleasant char with out cooking the fish by way of. Past this, it has a slew of helpful functions: Have a midnight longing for s’mores? Use a butane torch to toast the marshmallows. Is the cheese in your burger nonetheless a bit strong? Blast it with a torch so it will get bubbly and melty. Taking eternally to mild briquettes in your charcoal chimney? A butane torch can assist the newspaper catch. 

Oh, and again to cocktail people who smoke, which is how I first found the butane torch-shaped gap in my life. For those who purchase my favourite budget-friendly cocktail smoker, you’ll want a butane torch to mild it (like this one). I attempted igniting the wooden chips with a daily lighter, and all I obtained was a trickle of smoke. Then I broke out the butane torch and growth, smoke blasted into my cup with all of the pressure and smoky energy of one of many 4 horsemen of the apocalypse. 

Briefly, a butane torch lets you’ve gotten enjoyable within the kitchen, opening the door for caramelized and seared edible delights with out having to activate the burner or oven. 

Find out how to Safely Use a Torch

All that stated, with nice (fireplace) energy comes nice duty. I’ve completed some questionable issues with my butane torch, specifically, holding a giant ‘n puffy marshmallow whereas torching it—dangerous thought. As an alternative, take care when aiming the highly effective flame, and don’t mild it up close to something flammable. Preserve it away from a range high burner in case you have a gasoline vary—accidents occur and this isn’t an accident you need to mess with. Additionally, make certain the torch’s security lock is engaged when it’s not in use. It’d be a foul time if you happen to unintentionally hit the set off whereas it’s saved within the drawer.

Why We’re the Specialists

• Grace Kelly is a commerce editor at Critical Eats, the place she’s been testing gear for greater than two years. 
• After getting a butane torch to check cocktail people who smoke, she fell in love with this kitchen gadget and makes use of it to toast marshmallows and brûlée fruit, amongst different issues.