Creme Brulee and Propane Torch Question

[Willy]

When torching the sugar on creme brulee, my torch constantly quits and must be relit. I’ve looked online and observed that many people have this problem. My torch is the basic brass Bernzomatic. Most suggestions for fixes were either: 1) get a hose extension so the canister can remain upright, or 2) use MAPP. I figured I solicit some REAL experts, AR Pit folks. What say y’all?

[ecowper]

I use a butane torch (handy because it shares fuel with my cigar lighters) made by Bellemain. I bought it 4 or 5 years ago, so they no longer sell that exact model. Here's the closest to it on Amazon. I've never had a problem with it going out and needing to be relit. And when my wife isn't looking, I might have used it to light a cigar or two. :-)

you can get butane fuel at most grocery stores or cigar shops. Or just order it from cigar.com or amazon.

[ecowper]

yep, puts out plenty of heat. It's also got an adjustable flame and a switch to let you leave it constantly on and not have to hold the trigger. Which is handy when you're doing creme brûlée.

[Willy]

I'm jealous that you took the time use the proper accent marks! lol

[ecowper]

LOL .... I didn't .... My Mac corrected it for me. I'm way too lazy to bother with that.

[Spinaker]

I use a Benzomatic MAPP torch. It works great for lighting my Kamado. But if your having problems keeping the flame lit. The hose option would be a good choice. That's what I use when I was doing some soldering back in the day, they always worked great. Plus, they are easier to handle.

[Jerod Broussard]

Hmmm, I use a handheld that is nothing fancy and I can turn it upside down with no problems.

[Willy]

That comment came up often on the sites I checked. I can't explain why some folks have trouble and some don't . I don't THINK it's me (and many others), but it might be.

[ecowper]

Jerod Broussard are you using a propane or butane torch?

[Jerod Broussard]

ecowper BenzOMatic

[Willy]

And--back to the top!

[RonB]

You could always just put them under a broiler to brown the sugar.

[Willy]

Been there, done that. It never worked for me. Plus, wielding a torch makes me feel manly. LOL

[SMO]

The type of sugar may help. I use bakers sugar, a cross between powdered sugar and crystals. Spray with a little water on the top of the creme before caramelizing...

[Willy]

Interesting--I've not seen the water spray idea before.

[Potkettleblack]

I have a brûlé torch that I also use to light my Amazen tube. Works perfectly at the proper angle. If you want to feel really manly doing brûlé, get an iron salamander, like they did when they invented brûlé.

[Willy]

I'm pretty sure that if I used a salamander, sooner or later I'd end up picking it up by the business end before it had cooled down..., or I'd melt the counter top. LOL

[Doc Hazard]

I use the tank plus hose method. Works great for searing after SV or slow roast, too, if I don't want to fire up the grill.

[Willy]

Did you have trouble using the tank only?

[bcostlow]

When torching the sugar on creme brulee, my torch constantly quits and must be relit. I’ve looked online and observed that many people have this problem. My torch is the basic brass Bernzomatic. Most suggestions for fixes were either: 1) get a hose extension so the canister can remain upright, or 2) use MAPP. I figured I solicit some REAL experts, AR Pit folks. What say y’all?

This generally happens for me when the tank is half empty. You might consider using a newer tank of holding the creme brulee vertically - but if you do, I recommend welding gloves :-)

[Willy]

Full tank, partial tank, close to empty tank, different torches... My flame ALWAYS goes out. :«(

[Atalanta]

Willy sounds like a personal problem.

[Potkettleblack]

I'm sure you can get a pill for that.

[Willy]

Problem solved! I bought an extension hose and that fixed it. My suspicion is that liquid propane gets into the torch when the bottle is held sideways. Not sure about that and I still don't understand why some folks have this problem routinely and others don't. At any rate, with the hose, the bottle doesn't seem to need to be upright--maybe the long hose allows any liquid to vaporize in the hose?

[Jerod Broussard]

Problem solved! I bought an extension hose and that fixed it. My suspicion is that liquid propane gets into the torch when the bottle is held sideways. Not sure about that and I still don't understand why some folks have this problem routinely and others don't. At any rate, with the hose, the bottle doesn't seem to need to be upright--maybe the long hose allows any liquid to vaporize in the hose?

Interesting. I have a pretty long hose that connects (via offset smoker) to my propane bottle that was overfilled by the station employee. That in turn caused liquid propane to shoot out the tank and burn up my connection to the burner. I might also mention at the worst timing possible.

[Willy]

Ouch!

[Dr ROK]

Not sure if your propane fitting is pressure regulated or not, but those that are, are supposed to stay lit at any angle. I just have the old style fitting and it won't stay lit if the canister is tilted. I plan on getting one like this, but I'll also get mine at home depot because they are much cheaper than amazon in this particular instance.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0019CQL60/?tag=amazi0a8-20

[Willy]

The one in the link is MAPP, not propane--they seem to be pricier. Mine has no obvious regulator; just the brass parts. But some others (e.g. @Jerod Broussard) with units identical to mine don't seem to have a problem.

[surfdog]

I see the problem has been solved but just for the case on more info... I use a Bernzomatic ST2200T-Detail Torch. Same style that I've used for years for that sorta thing.