The best kitchen torch is not all that common of a kitchen tool to own. Not everyone has one, in fact, very few do have one. Chances are that if you are looking for a kitchen torch, then you know what they are used for and have used one before.
Most people like to think that kitchen torches are just for burning the sugar on top of a crème brulee. This is usually what the mind goes to, but a kitchen torch will come in handy more often than you think. It can be used for several different cooking methods and applications to food from caramelizing a steak in the grill pan at home or lightly roasting salmon filets for a wine tasting in the kitchen.
In this article, we will go over what to look for when purchasing a new kitchen torch as well as some of the different types available to the public. We will also go over some of the models that are currently available for purchase on the market today and which one may be the best fit for you and your kitchen.
How to Choose the Best Kitchen Torch
When it comes to the selection of a new kitchen torch there are a few things to look for initially before leaping at a new purchase. Overall, you want to make sure the kitchen torch is easy to use and easy to clean if ever need be.
First and foremost, you want to make sure the kitchen torch has been constructed with high-quality materials with a sound construction. This can be few and far between when it comes to torches since they are all very similar. Most need to follow strict regiments for construction and need to follow rigorous safety applications. So, chances are, most are made with quality materials already, but it is still wise to check first.
In case they are not made with quality materials or they tend to have problems you may want to get one that comes with a manufacturer guarantee. Or maybe some kind of warranty to protect the kitchen torch in case any damages or defects occur while in use or during the shipping process.
You will also want to consider the type of gas used in the kitchen torch. Not too many times will this matter and you will have a small selection to choose from. But just like a portable grill, the best to choose from will probably be butane most likely because of its high burn rate and availability to the public. You could choose the cheaper route and go with propane but it may be more of a hassle in the end. They will not need much maintenance, except for changing out the canisters. This should be a safe a seamless process with no trouble at all.
Construction and Design
For the most part, most kitchen torches work the same. There have been some in the past that will just screw on top of any propane tank and be used that way but nowadays, kitchen torches are much more compact and reasonable.
You want to make sure the design of the torch is going to be useful and safe to use. These are dangerous kitchen tools so you have to keep safety in mind. Having a solid construction will help this. A solid base to ensure the torch will not tip over and quality materials should stabilize the durability of the torch.
You want to make sure that the body, handle and trigger are all comfortable in the palm of your hand. Make sure there is a slip-resistant grip that may be heat resistant as well. This will help you to handle the torch while in use. The last thing you want to happen is having the torch fall out of your hands while it is on.
You should try to get a kitchen torch that has adjustable heat settings or flame adjustments. This will help to burn things at lower or higher temperatures. While we are talking about that, it would be wise to check how long the torch can last at different heat settings overall. If you are buying this for restaurant use, this factor will come in handy.
If you plan on burning 300 dishes a night, this will be common knowledge or a must-know each night. A nice feature to have that will also solve this problem is a fuel gauge. Only some of the top models have them but you will be able to control your fuel more efficiently with one.
You will need to consider the safety of the kitchen torch just like you would with any new electric grill. These are dangerous tools whether you know how to use them or not, but it is wise to try and get a model with all the safety features that are available out there. A heat shield and a flame guard will protect your hands and fingers from the flame and heat when in use and even when adjusting the heat. Blowbacks can happen with sudden movements and wind, so these come in handy.
A tight seal on the gas and an auto shut off valve if the canister has become compromised or any gas leakages.
Finally, a safety lock on the kitchen torch is always a given. One to lock the torch when it is not in use and another on the trigger to be used as a safety, so the trigger will not pull without pressing the safety as well or releasing it.
Best Kitchen Torches
Sondiko Butane Torch BS-400
The Best Kitchen Torch
This kitchen torch is going to be your best friend in the kitchen. It comes at a more than affordable price but does not come protected by a warranty. The torch has a safety measure of a trigger safety, finger guards and a heat shield to protect your hands from heat or flame while in use. The handle has a soft and comfortable grip that is slip resistant.
The flame reaches ridiculous temperatures of 2500 degrees so you know that it will take care of any job efficiently. It uses butane and is easily changed out and easy to use. The flame is also adjustable for multiple settings of flame or heat. This torch is not only safe and durable but it is also very reliable.
- The kitchen torch comes equipped with a trigger safety, finger guards and a heat shield to protect your hands while in use.
- The flame or the torch is adjustable and the butane is easily changed out.
- The handle has a soft and comfortable grip that is slip resistant.
- While the torch is inexpensive, it does not come with a warranty to protect it.
BonJour Chef’s Tools Butane Culinary Torch
The Next Best Thing
This next kitchen torch has everything you want for usability except without a couple safety features. It does have the trigger safety but no guards or shields. It does have a wide base to make the torch stable when standing and a soft and comfortable grip that is slip-resistant when in use.
The torch has an adjustable flame and is easily controlled. The torch runs off of butane and is easily changed out. There is even a fuel gauge on the side to alert you of low levels. The torch is a little more expensive than other and does not come with a warranty to protect it.
- The kitchen torch has a fuel gauge to alert low levels on fuel and is run on butane that is easily changed.
- The handle has a soft and comfortable grip that is slip resistant and a wide base to give extra stability when standing.
- The flame is adjustable and is very easy to use.
- The kitchen torch is little more expensive than others and does not come with a warranty to protect it.
- It is missing a few partial safety features.
Jo Chef Kitchen Torch
Everything’s Included!
Again, this kitchen torch tries to deliver on everything except for the safety features. Still has a trigger safety but no finger guards or heat shields. The kitchen torch, however, is a little cheaper than the others but does not come protected by a warranty.
It does have a fuel indicator to gauge how much fuel is left and the flame is adjustable. The handle has the comfortable grip and has been molded to fit the hand with a wide base to grant extra stability. It come with a cleaning tool and a book of recipes offered. This would be a great starter torch for anyone.
- There is a fuel indicator to gauge the fuel levels and the flame is adjustable at many levels.
- The handle has a formed fitting comfortable grip with a wide base that makes the torch stable.
- The kitchen torch is very affordable and has a trigger safety.
- There is no warranty to protect it.
- There are no heat shields or finger guards to protect you wile in use.
EurKitchen Butane Culinary Kitchen Torch
The Safest Kitchen Torch
This kitchen torch was made with safety in mind except for its material used. It is more than affordable for purchase and also comes with a lifetime warranty to protect it. The kitchen torch is equipped with a small butane canister that is easily changed. There are flame adjuster and a comfortable grip that is slip-resistant on the handle.
There is a finger guard and a heat shield to protect your hands and fingers from the flames while in use and also a trigger safety as well. It has a wide base to keep stability but it has been constructed of plastic which could melt if the torch is used fairly often and for long periods of time.
- The kitchen torch comes equipped with a trigger safety, heat shield and a finger guard to protect you while in use.
- The handle has a comfortable grip that is slip resistant and a wide base that adds stability.
- The kitchen torch is very affordable and comes with a warranty to protect it.
- The kitchen torch is constructed of plastic which could melt if used at high temperatures for extended periods of time.
Iwatani International CB-TC-PRO 2
The Basic Kitchen Torch
This kitchen torch is a little different from the others. It is just the torch that screws on to a butane bottle and has no base, no handle and no safety features. It is a little more expensive than most of the other models but it does come with a warranty to protect it. The torch has adjustable heat switch on it and a single touch ignition.
- The torch has a switch to adjust the heat and flame.
- The torch is fueled by butane that just screws on to the can making it easy to use.
- It comes with a 1-year warranty to protect it.
- There are no safety features like heat shields, guards or trigger safety.
- It is a little more expensive than the others and is less of a torch.
Kollea Culinary Torch
The Best Deal
This one is just like a lot of the others but has it all, almost. It is very affordable but is not protected by a warranty. The kitchen torch has some plastic construction which means the materials used were low quality and could therefore melt or become damaged. But it does have a soft and comfortable grip that is slip-resistant and easy to handle.
It has a heat shield, trigger safety and finger guards to protect you while in use. The base is wide to add extra stability and durability. The flame is adjustable and there is a fuel gauge to determine fuels levels of the butane canisters that are easily changed out. This would be a great deal for anyone of just starting out.
- The kitchen torch has finger guards, heat shield and trigger safety to protect the user.
- The handle has a comfortable grip that is slip resistant.
- There is a fuel gauge and an adjustment knob for the flame and heat of the torch.
- While it is very affordable, it does not come with a warranty to protect it and may be made with low quality materials.
Conclusion
No matter what torch you end up getting, more than likely they will all work the same. The real question is how long will they last and how safe will you be while using them. Of course, price and usability matter but nothing else really does when it comes to the rarely used and job-specific kitchen torch.
