A blowtorch is a fuel-burning tool used for applying flame and direct heat to various applications. Common uses in cooking include browning foods, searing meats, melting cheese and sugar caramelization (to create the crust in crème brûlée, for example). Ask questions about using a blowtorch to cook.
Questions tagged [blowtorch]
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Which torch to buy for finishing sous vide meat? Butane or propane?
I have started cooking sous vide and am thinking of buying a torch to finish off the meat. I have seen stores selling little butane torches for creme brulees, but some have claimed they are not hot enough and I should use propane.
On the other hand,…

luispedro
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Is it safe to use a propane torch bought at a Hardware store?
I've come across recipes that involve the use of a Butane or Propane torch. Is it safe to use a propane torch bought at the Hardware store, or is there something different about the torches and/or fuel that is sold at a culinary store?

Chuu
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Serving Creme Brulee to a large group of people
I have 60 creme brulees set in mason jars. The idea is to serve this to a group of 60 people at once. How do I ensure my crust for the first one doesn't get soggy?
Each creme brulee, from opening to torching takes about 30-60 seconds. This means…

ShivamD
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Melting sugar on creme brulee with blow torch
Whenever I try to melt the sugar on top of a creme brulee with my kitchen blow torch, I find that the sugar takes forever to discolour even slightly, let alone melt. Eventually isolated patches of sugar start to burn. At this point I usually stop as…

Nicholas
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Should a serious cook own a blowtorch?
And what does he/she principally use it for?
I'm thinking of crème brûlée to start with and maybe blackening the skin of a pepper. Apart from that mine sits on the worktop pretty much unused.
Oh ... one other use (possibly unwise) .. occasionally…

Tea Drinker
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Is a blowtorch suitable for browning/caramelising steamed food?
I have started using a microwave steamer to quickly cook the bulk of meals, including mushrooms, gem squash, sausages, steak. These specific examples are extra tasty when browned or caramelised (that is, when fried or baked instead of steamed) but…

lofidevops
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Can I save a Creme Brûlée with a soggy crust?
I wasn't thinking, and put the top layer of hardened sugar on my creme brûlée last night. Now it's a little bit soggy, and I'm trying to figure out how to save my dessert for a party today.
By the way, I originally used powdered sugar. Not sure if…

Jacob Sharf
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How to achieve a good steak crust with a blowtorch?
I tried to torch sous vide steaks twice with a culinary blow torch, but it seems to take forever to get any kind of crust. So far I was not able to achive a really good crust. Should I simply do it longer? The following result took me several…

user1721135
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Crème brûlée without torch
Is it possible to finish a crème brûlée without a torch? Are there any other creative methods to get the sugar to crisp up on the top of this delicious dessert?

chrisjlee
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What is the proper technique for torching a creme brulee?
Should you ever have your torch face downwards? When I do that I get huge flames. I try to torch it from the sides, but the sugar caramelizes very unevenly.

Bar Akiva
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Where to store my propane torch?
Yesterday, I began using a propane torch (which I won in a raffle; Yay!) for browning the tops of foods. My quandary is: where do I store the torch? The instructions say not to store it in your living space, and not to store it in a place which will…

lynn99
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Blow torching meat after sous vide - add fat or not?
After I pull the meat out of the sous vide and then use a blow torch to sear it, should I use a fat on it or not? Will that get a better crust on it?

mikebmassey
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using cooking propane torch held sideways
I have acquired a Benzomatic torch to attach to a propane tank to use as a cooking torch. There is a warning that the tank must be kept upright during its use. The explanation is that if tilted the liquid below the gas contributes to the flame…

barry steiger
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Blowtorch and frying oil - dangerous?
I got a kitchen blowtorch for Christmas.
Frying eggs in vegetable oil for breakfast, it occurred to me that the blowtorch would be an effective way to cook the last few uncooked parts of the white on the top of the eggs, as an alternative to…

slim
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Would it be in any way possible to bake cookies using a blowtorch?
I was wondering, what if it was possible to bake cookies using blowtorches? It would be the ultimate in convenience. I do realise, though, that the surface would sooner char than bake through with a blowtorch, so perhaps its possible to achieve…

Victor Z
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