Have some sugar to melt of a crème Brulee to perfect?

If so, you may be wondering what the best tool or methods may be to do so effectively.

Some people go out and purchase a trusted culinary torch, and others may try and make do with what they have laying around the house.

Typically, this leads to a specific question. How hot does a culinary torch get?

Here is what I can tell you on this topic and the primary reason culinary torches are so useful for many recipes.

So, how hot does a culinary torch get? A culinary torch will use butane and can create temperatures up to 2600 degrees F with a flame of 6 inches in length or longer. Culinary torches get hot enough to melt nearly any dish to perfect in addition to being capable of even melting metals such as aluminum.

If this is the case, is a culinary torch your only way to perfect a dish and is that much heat necessary to melt cheese, peppers or even sugar?

That’s what the remainder of this post is designed to discuss and cover more in-depth.

Stick around for a minute or two, and we will discuss how culinary torches use their abnormally high heat capabilities from a nifty invention needing nothing more than some butane to get the job done.

Here are the Details

Using the Heat Capabilities of a Culinary Torch to Get the Job Done

Some individuals often ask if other handy tools around the kitchen can get the job done in the same fashion as culinary torches for melting dishes or taking a dish to its ultimate perfect state.

The answer is technical yes.

However, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to work nearly as well or deliver the same results.

Culinary torches are specifically designed to reach the high temps north of 2600-degree F specifically because it can melt dishes such as cheese, pepper, and even sugar quickly and without torching your main dish if appropriately used.

This specifically leads us to the next question that individuals often ask.

Can I Use A Lighter Instead of a Kitchen Torch?

This is undoubtedly one way and tempting in many situations when you don’t have a culinary torch handy.

My advice would be simple.

Order a culinary torch.

However, if you are in a bind, technically you could use a lighter instead to attempt to melt items such as sugar, cheese and other main dishes that would typically require a culinary torch to get the job done.

Most individuals who have tried this method; however, have stated that it either takes to long to achieve the desired results or it doesn’t create the outcome you may have been hoping for.

Again, a primary reason to purchase a trusted culinary torch instead.

Other Tips to Implement Using a Culinary Torches

Assuming you take our advice and decide that a culinary torch is the best and trusted method to use, there are a few more tips that you can implement.

First and foremost, we have a guide that will discuss how to use a culinary torch in depth that you can see here.

You can also visit our post if need be about how to find the best culinary torch here.

It will break down our picks for the best and budget-friendly options you have so you can get your torch on its way to your doorstep.

Outside of our further reading recommendations, we do have a few additional tips for discussing.

Keep Distance From your Main Dish and Have Additional Fuel on Standby

The two tips that seem to help individuals the most with culinary torches is to realize that you are burning at a hot 2600 or higher temperature and you don’t need to be right on top of your main dish.

It’s easy to think that you need to be up close and personal.

However, with 2-6 inches of separation, you can find the perfect spot and distance to torch your meals to perfection.

As far as fuel, it’s important to remember that a device running at 2600 degrees or hotter is going to consume fuel.

You don’t want to be stuck in a situation where you will run out of fuel or be in a bind when you need it most.

Most butane culinary torches are easy to find replacement fuel for.

Always have some handy, so you are never left empty-handed.

Final Word, Culinary Torches Burn Hot for A Reason, Use a Culinary Torch for the Best Results

Culinary torches have been around for a long time and are used precisely because of their abilities to melt recipes to perfection.

While other quick fixes may be an option, it’s certainly not the best approach you can take.

It makes much more sense to spend a few extra bucks to purchase a reliable culinary torch and get the job done correctly.

Your turn to Chime In

Have you ever used other methods for melting your favorite dishes?

Was a lighter a viable approach, and did you have further recommendations to add to this post?

Be sure to share your stories by dropping a comment below.