A cooking torch is a kitchen tool that applies high heat to finish a variety of foods, especially desserts like creme brulee. It uses flammable fuel and has an adjustable flame. It can also be used for savory dishes and should be handled with care.
A cooking torch is a kitchen utensil designed to apply high, even heat to a variety of foods for finishing purposes. The utensil is very useful especially for bakers, although a torch can be useful for other cooks as well. Some cooks refer to the device as a culinary torch. Many kitchen supply stores sell cooking torches along with spare parts and fuel, and they can also be special ordered.
A basic cooking torch has a chamber filled with flammable fuel such as butane and a nozzle with a flint or other igniter. When the cooking torch is ignited, a small flame emerges from the nozzle. Most cooking torches are adjustable, so the heat and size of the flame can be varied, and the flame usually runs continuously until the cooking torch is turned off.
In most cases, a cooking torch has a stand or base so it can be stored upright when not in use. Vertical storage prevents fuel infiltration and ensures that the meters are not damaged by the hot tip. A safety is usually also integrated, so that the cooking torch is not accidentally activated and a cool grip handle ensures that the chef can hold the cooking torch comfortably. When the torch runs out, you can insert a new container or fill the chamber directly.
Of all the foods finished with a kitchen torch, creme brulee is probably the most famous. The high heat caramelizes the sugar on top, turning it into a crunchy, flavorful crust. Other baked goods like meringues can also be finished off with a cooking torch, and some cooks use the torch to add a sheen to chocolate desserts, finish off baked Alaska, or briefly heat the surface of other desserts and pastries. Heat finishing is key to many desserts, making a kitchen torch a vital tool for people working in dessert.
There are also savory uses for a cooking torch. It can be used to briefly brown meats and roasts, melt cheese on soups and gratins, or add a quick finish to casseroles and other baked dishes. A kitchen torch also makes superb blackened vegetables and can be used to briefly sauté vegetables for salads and other dishes.
As with any kitchen tool that produces heat, a cooking torch must be handled with care. The area around the nozzle can get quite hot, so cooks should bear this in mind when working with one. Also, kitchen torches should be kept out of the reach of children and people who are inexperienced with them, to avoid unfortunate injuries.
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