Finishing your sous vide steak or creating the perfect caramelized crust on a crème brûlée requires precise, high-heat application that only a quality torch can provide. The right culinary torch is an indispensable tool for the modern kitchen, bridging the gap between the gentle water bath and the final, restaurant-quality sear. It offers control and power that traditional broilers or skillets often lack.
Selecting the ideal model from the many available can be challenging. Factors like fuel type, safety features, flame adjustability, and overall build quality are crucial. This roundup simplifies your decision by reviewing ten of the best torches designed to meet the demanding needs of sous vide enthusiasts and home chefs alike.
Our Top Picks for Sous Vide Torches
- Kollea Kitchen Blow Torch
- EurKitchen Large Culinary Butane Torch
- Tintec Chef Cooking Torch Lighter
- Spicy Dew Professional Kitchen Torch
- Sondiko Butane Torch PS400
- Iwatani PRO2 Culinary Kitchen Torch
- TBTEEK Butane Torch
- Master Appliance MT-80K Micro Torch Kit
- SEESE Powerful Propane Torch
- Bonjour Chef’s Torch
Kollea Kitchen Blow Torch
The Kollea Kitchen Blow Torch is a versatile and user-friendly tool designed for a range of kitchen tasks. Its adjustable flame allows for precise control, making it suitable for everything from browning meringues to searing sous vide meats. The integrated safety lock is a key feature, providing peace of mind by preventing accidental ignition during storage or handling.
Constructed with a durable silver finish, this refillable butane torch is built for regular use. Its ergonomic design ensures a comfortable grip, giving you stability for detailed work. This model is a solid and reliable choice for home cooks looking for an effective torch for finishing dishes.
EurKitchen Large Culinary Butane Torch
The EurKitchen Large Culinary Butane Torch is an upgraded model known for its professional quality and reliable flame consistency. It features a piezo press ignition system for fast and immediate lighting, which is very convenient during food preparation. The gas flow regulator dial allows for easy adjustment, producing a flame that can reach up to 2370°F.
Safety and comfort are central to its design, featuring a built-in finger guard to protect your hand from heat during extended use. The torch is constructed from TUV CE certified aluminum and ABS plastic, ensuring it is both durable and comfortable to hold. This combination of power and safety makes it a favorite among avid home bakers and chefs.
Tintec Chef Cooking Torch Lighter
The Tintec Chef Cooking Torch is a professional-grade tool with a super lightweight aluminum alloy shell and an ABS plastic handle. It is designed for a long lifespan, with a high-temperature resistant muzzle that can withstand intense heat. A notable bonus is the included silicone basting brush, which is heat resistant and useful for various kitchen applications.
This torch prioritizes safety with a security lock to prevent accidental ignition and a wide, stable base to prevent tipping. Its portable and lightweight design makes it easy to handle and store. The simple refill process and push-button ignition make it an accessible option for both beginners and experienced users.
Spicy Dew Professional Kitchen Torch
The Spicy Dew torch is recognized for its high quality and is often used by professional chefs. It can burn at an impressive 2372°F for up to 60 minutes, providing ample power for searing and caramelizing. This torch is a true multipurpose tool, effective for both kitchen duties and other tasks like soldering or crafts.
Exceptional safety features set it apart, including a child safety lock, a sturdy fixed base to prevent falls, a flame guard to resist flaring, and a hand protection guard. Constructed from heavy-duty metal, it is built to last and comes packaged in a gift-ready box, making it an excellent present for cooking enthusiasts.
Sondiko Butane Torch PS400
The Sondiko Butane Torch PS400 is designed with safety and ease of use as top priorities. It features a safety lock to prevent accidental ignition and a wide base for stability. The aluminum alloy nozzle is engineered to withstand high temperatures, which helps extend the overall life of the torch.
This model is highly versatile and refillable with any brand of butane. A particularly useful feature is its continuous flame mode; once ignited and the lock is turned, it will maintain a flame without the need to hold down the button. This function makes longer tasks, like searing a large roast, much more convenient.
Iwatani PRO2 Culinary Kitchen Torch
The Iwatani PRO2 is a culinary professional’s torch known for its quality and performance. It offers adjustable flame size and shape, allowing you to concentrate heat precisely where it’s needed. The one-touch piezo ignition ensures reliable and easy starting every time.
Included with the torch is a stabilizing plate, which is a critical safety feature that keeps the unit upright on your countertop. This torch is backed by a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty, providing confidence in its durability. It is perfectly suited for creating the perfect crust on crème brûlée or searing sous vide steaks with control and power.
TBTEEK Butane Torch
The TBTEEK Butane Torch is a safe and sturdy option constructed from resistant aluminum alloy. Its ergonomic design is built for comfort and to keep your hand safely away from the flame. The integrated safety lock is a fundamental feature that helps prevent accidental ignition during storage.
This torch is highly versatile, with an adjustable flame that can reach up to 2500°F. It is refillable and comes with three butane adapters, making it compatible with virtually all types of butane tanks. Its portable and lightweight design makes it easy to handle for a wide array of tasks, from cooking to DIY projects.
Master Appliance MT-80K Micro Torch Kit
The Master Appliance MT-80K is a comprehensive kit from a trusted USA family-owned company with decades of experience. This professional-grade butane torch is trusted for a wide variety of tasks beyond the kitchen, including soldering and heat shrinking.
The kit is exceptionally complete, including the torch, three soldering tips, a flameless heat shrink adapter, a hot knife tip, a sponge, and a convenient case. With a one-hour run time on a full tank, it offers extended use for complex projects. This is the ideal choice for a serious hobbyist or professional who needs a single, powerful tool for multiple applications.
SEESE Powerful Propane Torch
The SEESE Propane Torch stands out with its immense power, capable of reaching temperatures up to 3272°F. It features a unique one-touch max fire button that instantly delivers maximum heat output, which is perfect for quickly lighting charcoal or searing large cuts of meat. Its certified safety standard ensures reliable and secure operation.
This torch offers triple safety protection, including a heat-sensitive nozzle that turns red as a visual warning, a secure gas seal, and a safety lock for the max flame button. The adjustable flame knob provides precise control, making it suitable for both delicate kitchen tasks and heavy-duty outdoor jobs like clearing weeds or starting a campfire.
Bonjour Chef’s Torch
Bonjour is a well-known brand in the culinary world, and their Chef’s Torch is designed to meet the expectations of serious cooks. It is built to provide consistent performance for classic tasks like caramelizing sugar and browning meringues. The brand’s reputation suggests a focus on reliability and user-friendly design.
While specific features for this model are not listed, Bonjour torches are generally recognized for their quality construction and effective flame control. This torch is a solid contender for anyone who prefers a trusted brand name for their kitchen tools, likely offering the precision needed for finishing sous vide dishes.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Torch for Sous Vide
When I finish a sous vide cook, the texture is perfect, but the appearance often needs help. That’s where a good kitchen torch comes in. It’s the final step to creating a beautiful, restaurant-quality sear on your steaks, caramelizing sugar on crème brûlée, or browning the skin on a piece of fish. But not all torches are created equal. Choosing the right one can be the difference between a perfectly finished dish and a frustrating mess. Here’s what I look for when selecting a torch for my sous vide recipes.
First, consider the fuel type. This is probably the most important decision. The two main options are butane and propane. Butane torches are typically smaller, more refined, and feel like a precision tool. They are my go-to for most tasks because they offer a clean, controlled flame that’s perfect for delicate work. Propane torches, like the ones you might find in a hardware store, are bigger and pack a much more powerful punch. They are fantastic for quickly searing a large, thick steak, but the flame can be less precise and sometimes leaves a slight fuel odor. For a home kitchen, a butane torch is usually the best balance of power and control.
Next, think about the flame control and ignition system. A torch with an adjustable flame is non-negotiable. You need to be able to dial it down for careful sugar work or crank it up to tackle a prime rib. I also strongly prefer a push-button ignition. The old-school flint-wheel lighters can be unreliable and wear out over time. A reliable, one-click ignition makes the whole process smoother and safer.
Ergonomics and build quality matter more than you might think. You’ll be holding the torch for several minutes at a time, so a comfortable, balanced grip is essential. Look for a torch that feels solid in your hand, not cheap and plasticky. A metal body will dissipate heat better than plastic, which is a significant advantage during extended use. Also, check the fuel window. A clear, easy-to-read fuel gauge means you’ll never run out of gas at a critical moment.
Finally, consider safety and stability. A good torch should have a safety lock to prevent accidental ignition. It should also be able to stand upright on its own when you set it down. A wobbly torch is a hazard. By focusing on these key areas—fuel type, control, ergonomics, and safety—you can find a tool that will become an indispensable part of your sous vide toolkit, turning your perfectly cooked proteins into visually stunning masterpieces every time.
FAQ
Is a kitchen torch necessary for sous vide cooking?
Strictly speaking, no, it’s not absolutely necessary. You can achieve a sear using a very hot cast iron skillet or a broiler. However, I find a torch offers a unique advantage: precision. With a skillet, you’re heating the entire surface of the meat, which can accidentally cook the edges further. A torch lets me target only the exterior, preserving the perfect internal temperature I worked so hard to achieve with the sous vide method. It’s also fantastic for searing in hard-to-reat places or for quickly browning soft vegetables.
What’s the difference between a culinary torch and a hardware store propane torch?
The main differences are design, fuel, and control. A culinary torch is engineered for kitchen use. It’s often more ergonomic, has a more refined and adjustable flame, and typically uses butane, which burns cleaner. A hardware store propane torch is built for power and durability on a job site. It has a larger, hotter flame that can be overkill for delicate tasks and may impart a slight odor. While a propane torch can work, I prefer the finesse of a dedicated kitchen tool for my cooking.
Can I use my torch for anything other than searing meat?
Absolutely! A kitchen torch is a wonderfully versatile tool. The classic use is for caramelizing sugar on top of crème brûlée. You can also use it to melt cheese on top of casseroles or French onion soup, blister peppers, brown meringue, or even lightly toast the tops of coconut-covered desserts. I’ve even used mine to help light charcoal in my grill when the lighter cubes were being stubborn.
How do I avoid a “fuel taste” on my food when using a torch?
A “fuel taste” usually happens for two reasons. First, you might be holding the torch too close to the food. Try to keep the tip of the inner blue flame just off the surface of the food, not submerged in it. Second, it can be related to fuel quality. I always use high-quality, refined butane fuel. Cheaper, impure fuels are more likely to leave a residue or odor. Let the torch run for a second away from the food to stabilize the flame before you start searing.
What safety precautions should I take when using a kitchen torch?
Treat it like the serious tool it is. Always point the flame away from yourself, other people, and anything flammable. Work on a heat-safe surface, like a stainless steel or stone countertop, not on wood or plastic. Never leave a lit torch unattended. Make sure the torch is cool before you refill it, and always refill it away from any open flames or ignition sources. Finally, store the torch in a safe, upright position where it won’t be knocked over.
My torch seems to sputter and die, even with a full tank. What’s wrong?
This is a common issue, and it’s often caused by air bubbles in the fuel line or a need to purge the torch. Before you refill, I’ve learned that it’s crucial to purge any remaining air and pressure from the tank. You can do this by gently pressing the refill valve with a small tool (like a toothpick) in a well-ventilated area, away from any sparks or flames. This releases the internal pressure and allows for a proper, bubble-free fill. Also, shaking the new fuel canister and ensuring a tight seal during refilling can help prevent this problem.