10 Best Torches for Crème Brûlée

It’s a truism that something which was once regarded as superficial or inessential can rapidly acquire the status of being indispensable. Nowhere is this truism more applicable than in the kitchen. Dishwashers were probably deemed to be unnecessary and an indicator of indolence when they first came on the market but now feature in kitchens everywhere. A glance around your kitchen will almost definitely highlight other such items.

Which leads us on to the French (or Spanish or English, more about that later) dessert, crème brûlée. Not that there’s anything unnecessary about this delicious concoction of cream, custard and vanilla but the means by which it is created requires something which surely once fell into the Is This Really Needed category.

Making crème brûlée will require a degree of trial and error for many cooks as the precise combination of ingredients will vary from palate to palate. What is indisputable is that the signature topping (caramelized sugar) is created with a flourish involving a short burst of intense heat…a heat that is easily and cleanly administered by a kitchen-friendly blowtorch. We will examine what buyers should look for in this atypical kitchen utensil and recommend the ten which we deem best suited for purpose.

The winner

Messermeister Cheflamme Butane Culinary Kitchen Torch
Best Culinary Torch for Capacity

• • Removable safety stand
  • 200 minutes burn time
  • Lifetime warranty
  • Impressive safety features
  • Compact, light yet sturdy
  • Ethical manufacturers

Selecting the Best Torch for Creme Brulee in January, 2021

Product	Available sizes	Weight	Brand
1. Messermeister Cheflamme Butane Culinary Kitchen Torch	3 x 6.75 x 10.5 inches	10.6 ounces	Messermeister
2. Rösle Crème Brulee Butane/Propane Adjustable Kitchen Torch	5 x 3.5 x 6.7 inches	14.1 ounces	Rosle USA
3. BonJour Chef's Tools Butane Crème Brûlée Torch and Porcelain Ramekin Set, 5-Piece	4.53 x 2.05 x 6.1 inches	1 pounds	BonJour
4. Culinary Blow Torch, Tintec Chef Cooking Torch Lighter	6.3 x 5 x 2.6 inches	10.4 ounces	Tintec
5. Spicy Dew Blow Torch - Creme Brulee Torch	8 x 2 x 6 inches	13.6 ounces	Spicy Dew
6. EurKitchen Butane Culinary Kitchen Torch	6.38 x 3.39 x 9.65 inches	8.8 ounces	EurKitchen
7. BonJour Chef’s Tools Butane Culinary / Crème Brûlée Torch	4.5 x 2.17 x 6.3 inches	12 ounces	BonJour
8. Iwatani International CB-TC-PRO 2 Iwatani PRO2 Culinary Butane Torch	17.78 x 7.62 x 3.81 inches	2.88 ounces	Iwatani
9. Weiketery Blow Torch, Professional Kitchen Culinary Torch Lighter	9.25 x 5.75 x 2.25 inches	12 ounces	Weiketery
10. Torch Kitchen Butane Torch Culinary Chef Cooking	6.6 x 4.9 x 2.7 inches	9.6 ounces	SunRich

1. Messermeister Cheflamme Kitchen Torch: Best Culinary Torch for Capacity 

If your main criterion for a kitchen torch is one with a flame that lasts and lasts, look no further than the Messermeister Cheflamme. Boasting a highly impressive 200 minutes burn time thanks to a larger-than-normal butane holder, this silver aluminum torch also ticks other boxes. It heats up to a temperature of 2,700°F and includes safety features rendering it safe in the vicinity of children.
Messermeister is a company with impeccable modern credentials: they support not-for-profit organizations, make durable products to reduce wastage and their owners are all female. Not that their ethical approach skimps on quality when it comes to this torch with a Piezo ignition starter and a fuel canister which can be refilled from any butane brand. The Cheflamme is a compact model equally adept with foods other than crème brûlée.

2. Rösle Kitchen Torch: Best Dual Fuel Culinary Torch 

When a manufacturer has been making cookware and kitchen utensils since 1888, chances are that their products will have reliability stamped to the core. The Rösle Kitchen Torch – stainless steel German efficiency at its best – delivers the ideal complement to any set of kitchen tools. Containing a child-resistant safety switch and adjustable flame control, your crème brûlée will be caramelized to perfection by a device that is also resistant to corrosion and heat.
The Rösle torch incorporates functionality that allows it to operate with butane or propane gas; a boon to users who struggle to find stockists for a specific type…and it works with all major brands of either. Typical of manufacturers who make ergonomic adaptability their watchword, this torch features a sturdy base for stability (and safety) and comes with a lifetime warranty. Our only quibble is the absence of a fuel gauge.

3. BonJour Chef’s Tools Butane Torch & Ramekin Set: Best Culinary Torch with Extras 

From a renowned, innovative French gourmet cookware company, BonJour’s Chef’s Tools Butane Torch is a perfectly competent culinary torch. Fashioned from aluminum, it is especially sturdy and easy-to-use with an aesthetically pleasing red-and-black design. One laudable design aspect (even though BonJour doesn’t make claims about it) is red for ignition/safety buttons, silver for flame control color scheme. Simple yet impressive.
The torch has an inbuilt canister which is easily refillable and will supply 45 minutes of burn time (perhaps a little less than ideal) and a long nozzle for safe ease-of-use. The stabilizing stand supplies safety reassurance for a busy cook. Where this model scores over competitors is in the supply of 4-ounce ramekins and a cookbook: the perfect inducement to getting started on making crème brûlée. Bon appetit!

4. Inpher BS-400 Culinary Torch: Best Value for Money Culinary Torch

 Consistently one of the best-selling kitchen torches, the economical Inpher BS-400 is an easy-to-use butane-fueled model which users report as comfortable to handle – an important consideration when holding a fire-breathing device! Of aluminum alloy composition, the BS-400 is versatile and can be used for a variety of kitchen functions…and beyond: the packaging describes the BS-400 as a cigar lighter.
Adaptability is foremost with this torch: the base can be detached to fit different types of butane canisters. This functionality is aided by the small screwdriver which comes as standard as does a basting brush to facilitate cooking dishes other than crème brûlée. The aforementioned base provides stability during usage.

5. Spicy Dew Professional Blow Torch: Most Versatile Culinary Torch 

Always prominent among best-selling kitchen torch lists, the Spicy Dew Professional Blow Torch has a consumer-friendly profile. Competitively-priced, incorporating a range of safety devices – anti-flare technology, flame guard, etc. – and augmented by adjustable flame functionality, it provides all you need to top off a crème brûlée. 

Fired by butane up to a temperature of 2,372°F, this torch harbors the capacity to supply 60 minutes of flame and the inbuilt fuel gauge will mitigate against any surprise empty canister situations. Composed of aluminum and designed with durability plus longevity in mind, it will contribute to a variety of dishes and is available in three colors – silver, green and black. It is especially amenable to outdoor use.

6. EurKitchen Culinary Butane Torch: Best Culinary Torch for Safety 

Potentially combustible kitchen tools will attach a high premium to safety, and few come with safety credentials as impressive as the EurKitchen Culinary Butane Torch. Made from aluminium and plastic, it combines ergonomic comfort with rigorous protection. Sparked into life by a Piezo igniter, for added safety, it’s controlled by an adjustable knob rather than a trigger with a finger guard eradicating any possibility of burnt digits.

Not just safe but ergonomic – that control knob eschews any need for uncomfortable retention of pressure on a trigger – it facilitates refilling from any brand of butane. Two models are available, one of which incorporates a fuel gauge and it is fully functional for use on other foodstuffs. With a long 6-inch flame, the torch is perfect for caramelizing crème brûlée. 

7. BonJour Chef’s Tools Culinary Torch: Best Multipurpose Culinary Torch 

Not to be confused with the same manufacturers’ torch mentioned above, this BonJour Chef’s Tools Culinary Torch diverges from its companion but is equally desirable. It has considerably less flame time but boasts versatility and all-encompassing safety features. Three models are available, and we have chosen the 53386 model for its multipurpose functionality.

An adjustable flame that extends to an impressive 2,600°F ideally suited to caramelizing, it is equally at home with meringues, vegetables, and other foods. The fuel gauge performs invaluable service alerting the user to a need to refill and the user is advised to check the specific butane brands compatible with this model.

8. Iwatani PRO2 Butane Torch: Best All-Round Culinary Torch 

Quite possibly the standard-bearer for all-round excellence, the Iwatani PRO2 Butane Torch is a high-performing addition to any kitchen. Combining portability, safety, quality, and versatility this torch delivers high-temperature flames quickly. Unlike most other culinary torches, this model attaches directly to the fuel source thereby issuing flame faster and with accuracy. Japanese-made from stainless steel, the torch combines with the manufacturers’ own butane cans providing flames which last longer (100 minutes) than almost any other model.

It also means that the torch itself is highly portable and such is the intensity of heat deployed (up to 2,700°F), every strand of culinary activity involving flame can be accommodated. It is activated by a simple process of twisting the torch into the butane canister and igniting. A safety plate ensures the device remains upright and the flame is instantly adjustable. It does cost more than other torches, but the extra outlay repays itself rapidly.

9. Weiketery Butane Torch: Best Culinary Torch for Beginners 

For newcomers to kitchen torches, the Weiketery Butane Torch is an exemplary introduction. It is versatile, inexpensive and delivers a high heat. Made from aluminum, this torch is a new and improved model of an already popular device. It includes the desired safety features and incorporates a cleverly designed safety lock which makes the torch child-proof.

The Weiketery torch will work with any brand of butane and is easily refilled with the capacity to provide flame for 60 minutes. It’s ease-of-use and sturdy design should see it become a staple in the kitchen and an adjustable flame renders it fit for purpose with a range of food extending beyond merely caramelizing crème brûlée.

10. Sunrich 901 Kitchen Butane Torch: Best Newly Available Culinary Torch 

Although it has only been on the market since 2019, the Sunrich 901 Kitchen Butane Torch is already finding favor with cooks. It is a stylish torch with a durable aluminum alloy body and a sturdy base to enhance stability and safety. Fired by butane, it is compatible with all good brands and the intrinsic canister can be refilled in about 10 seconds. 

The lightweight design makes the Sunrich 901 easy to hold but without any commensurate reduction in efficiency or functionality. It boasts a flame guard, safety lock, and an easy-to-gauge flame adjuster which will deliver temperatures up to 2,370°F. The ignition button is clearly delineated and easy-to-start but, crucially, incorporates a locking mechanism to avoid any unwanted accidental ignitions.

Guide to Torches for Crème Brûlée

The origin of crème brûlée is, like many famous culinary works, disputed. A recipe can be found in a French cookbook from the 17th century but a variation on it dates back to the 15th century in Catalan (Spain) cooking whereas another version emanated from Trinity College, Cambridge, England in 1879. The latter used a branding iron to stamp a college crest of arms into the topping and seems to be the first version to introduce combustion into the process.

For this article, we won’t delve any further into its origins, instead, we concentrate on how to best achieve the caramelized sugar topping. Since this article is about the blowtorch rather than other methods of producing the perfect caramelized sugar topping, we will merely give a passing mention to the two other methods used for that topping:

Broil (or grill):

This involves broiling or grilling the sugar sprinkled on top until it has caramelized into a crunchy consistency. The risk with this method is that the sugar will actually burn quite quickly.

Flambé:

Here, a little brandy or rum is added to the sugar, lit with a flame and extinguished when it begins to bubble.

What to look for in Kitchen Torches

Blowtorches owe their existence to activities not associated with cooking: soldering, heating metal, iron or asphalt, etc. Their use in the kitchen is limited but making a crème brûlée taste just right does lean on their involvement. They are also deployed to char vegetables or meat and to melt other ingredients. Lest anybody harbors doubts about using something which sounds so industrial, the typical kitchen torch is a modified version of that seen in workshops or garages. 

Safety Features

There are many safety features implicit in all reputable models and we have made this one of the mandatory criteria for inclusion in our list. The safety features should include a mechanism that renders the product safe if in the vicinity of children. It goes without saying that a curious child could wreak havoc with one of these so some sort of catch or lock should be a standard feature before considering a purchase. Other than child-proof controls, the better kitchen torches will afford the user protection from the flame e.g. a finger guard. Kitchen work is rarely focused on just one strand of activity so a base that prevents the torch from toppling over is also desirable. 

Ease of Use

Fuel

One important consideration before buying any particular model is to ensure that you are comfortable with how the torch is fueled. The three main fuel types used all attain high temperatures. Crème brûlée recipes tend towards vagueness on the length of time to caramelize the sugar but under this heat, it shouldn’t take long. The cook is reminded, however, not to rush the process and ensure that the flame isn’t held too close to the sugar. 

Butane:

A majority of kitchen torches used for crème brûlée favor butane gas. Butane is safe once the user abides by basic safety guidelines; most of which are self-evident such as awareness of anything flammable in the immediate proximity while using the torch. Torches fueled by propane can reach temperatures up to about 2,500°F (about 1,400°C). To put that in context, a gas grill will rarely exceed 550°F.

Propane:

The basic premise is as with butane torches although propane gas reaches a significantly higher temperature – up to 3,400°F (about 1,900°C). 

Methylacetylene-propidine (MAPP) gas:

This gas reaches the highest temperature – up to 3,650°F (about 2,000°).

Butane Propane MAPP

Temp (max °F) 2,500 3,400 3,650

Flame reach Smaller area Larger area Large area

Safety

Other Considerations

Capacity:

The amount of fuel available to the torch should be borne in mind. If the torch is in frequent use and for extended periods, there’s obviously a requirement for greater capacity to avoid regular replacement or refilling. Canisters filled with flammable gas should be positioned and stored carefully.

Versatility:

As alluded to earlier, a blow torch falls within the realm of a luxury item if used only very occasionally. A well-designed version will have myriad uses: charring meat, fish or vegetables; melting cheese or other hard ingredients; toasting meringues; applying a crisp crust to foodstuffs, and more practical uses such as heating utensils before use. The ease of portability is another consideration especially with non-crème brûlée related activities like barbecues in mind. Although most models are relatively light, check the weight to find one you’re comfortable with.

Whilst there is a degree of homogeneity about kitchen torches, the models which we recommend contain enough individual characteristics to permit a discerning cook the opportunity to buy one which best meets their own circumstances, needs, and budget. We hope those figuring in this guide along with the generic advice issued will allow you to make that choice. We welcome feedback to make this review ever more pertinent and up-to-date. Happy cooking!