The Best Kitchen Torches We've Ever Tested
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Tested by Tina MartinezFood ProducerExpert consulted: Nicole PapantoniouKitchen Appliances Lab Director
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If you've ever coveted the golden-brown peaks on baked Alaska or the bubbling, melted cheese on French onion soup, a kitchen torch may be what's missing from your kitchen. While not necessary for everyday cooking, it's a handy tool for specific dishes like crème brûlée or sous vide steak. The best kitchen torches can caramelize sugar or sear meat in seconds, offering precision and control that a broiler or skillet can’t match. (They also make a great gift for home chefs).
Analysts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, along with our Test Kitchen pros, tested seven top-rated kitchen torches to find the best options. We found that you don’t need to spend much for quality — in fact, all of our picks are under $50.
Get a deep, golden-brown crust on your sweet or savory goods in seconds with this powerful, compact torch from Jo Chef. In our tests, it took less than 20 seconds to evenly brown sugar on vanilla pudding in mini ramekins and melt shredded Gruyère cheese on toast. The knob to adjust the size of the flame was easy to operate while using the device. It also has a safety lock.
Simply flip a switch to turn the device on, turn a knob to adjust the flame level, then press the trigger button to start the flame. You do not have to hold down the button to keep the flame going, which is a welcome reprieve for your finger. To turn the device off, however, you have to twist the knob back to the start position, which our tester found fussy.
There is a window to check the butane levels, though our testers struggled to see the difference between a full and empty canister (butane is a colorless gas). We appreciated the detachable base that stands the machine upright though.
Amazon's best-selling kitchen torch, this pick is significantly more affordable than other models we tested. Every part of the device is labeled (though the labels are stickers that could wear off over time), so it's easy to turn on and use and offers quality features at a great value.
The flame is not as strong as our other selections, but it melted cheese more quickly and evenly than kitchen torches we tested that were double or even triple the price. You hold down the trigger button with your thumb, rather than your index finger like our other picks, and you can create a continuous flame by turning the adjustment knob slightly to the right.
Like the Jo Chef torch, it comes with a safety lock so it's unlikely it will accidentally turn on or off. It also has a refillable tank for butane. Among our winners, it's the smallest. Our tester liked that it was handheld and lightweight.
Plan on using a torch regularly? In that case, opt for this large-capacity kitchen torch from Iwatani. Though less compact than others we tested, this torch is great for more frequent users as you won't have to refill it as often. In fact, the torch attaches directly to a butane canister, rather than having a tank that must be refilled. According to our tester, it's simple to attach and detach the butane. There is no safety lock, but the flame will not turn on unless the device is attached to the butane.
The knob on the back of the machine turns the flame on and off and also controls the flame level. A trigger button starts the flame. There is another knob toward the front of the machine that adjusts the flame shape (making it more spread out or more concentrated), a feature we didn't find in the other kitchen torches we tested.
Similarly to our best overall pick, you also do not have to hold down the trigger button to keep the flame going. In our tests, it browned sugar and melted cheese, though we noticed some uneven coloring. The torch comes with a detachable base that stands the machine upright, but you have to purchase the butane canister separately.
How we test kitchen torches
We collected seven popular and highly-rated kitchen torches, both butane and propane, and tested them side by side with ingredients people would likely use at home, like crème brûlée and cheese.
In our tests, we didn't notice a significant difference between propane and butane; butane appears to be more popular (there are more butane-compatible kitchen torches than propane) and all three of our winners use butane.
After jotting down initial thoughts about each kitchen torch, our tester assembled a pot of crème brûlée for each kitchen torch. She brûléed and timed how long it took to achieve golden-brown results. Kitchen torches that produced the best color in under 30 seconds earned the highest scores. Torches that produced little to no color in 30 seconds had the lowest scores.
Next, our tester piled equal amounts of shredded Gruyère cheese on toast and torched until browned and melted, timing along the way. Kitchen torches that produced the best color in under 20 seconds earned the highest scores. Torches that burned the cheese or didn't melt it in 20 seconds had the lowest scores.
What to look for when shopping for the best kitchen torch
✔️ Type: Kitchen torches are available in two types: handheld or attachment. Handheld torches have a small hole at the base for refilling with fuel, while kitchen torch attachments click into a separate fuel canister. Handheld torches are smaller and more lightweight; kitchen torch attachments will last longer in between refills.
✔️ Fuel source: You'll find kitchen torches that accept butane or propane as a fuel source. Both are colorless, flammable gases, except propane has a much lower boiling point. This means propane canisters can be stored at cold temperatures and they'll still burn, which makes them a great option for outdoor grills. Butane has a much higher boiling point and must be stored at room temperature to work. Based on our research, butane is a more popular choice for kitchen torches.
✔️ Size: Choose a size that's comfortable for you to hold. Our picks range from 6–18 inches tall. Size is also an important factor when thinking about storage.
✔️ Type of controls: Look for intuitive controls that react quickly, with a trigger button that's in a good place for you (i.e., would you prefer to push with your index finger or thumb?). Some models have trigger buttons toward the front of the device, others have it in the back. All of our picks have a dial or switch for adjusting the flame size.
✔️ Flame strength: To avoid spending minutes searing steaks or caramelizing sugar, opt for a torch with a strong, powerful flame that produces consistent results. Our best overall pick caramelized a small pot of crème brûlée in less than 20 seconds.
✔️ Flame adjustments: While the flame is on, it should be easy to adjust the size or strength of the fire. Kitchen torches that are easy to adjust, especially while the device is on, are often safer because you don't have to fiddle with them as much. And fiddling can be a distraction, which is hazardous with an open flame.
✔️ Safety features: Safety locks, which ensure that you can't accidentally turn the device on or off, are essential. Most models have them, but it doesn't hurt to check before you buy. All our winners have them except Iwatani, which can't operate unless it's connected to a butane canister. When the kitchen torch is not in use, our Test Kitchen pros disconnect it from the canister as a precaution.
What can you use a kitchen torch for?
Don't let your shiny new kitchen torch gather dust. Here's how to put it to use:
- Caramelize sugar: Torch sugar-dusted crème brûlée until golden-brown and shatteringly crisp.
- Brown meringue: Add a beautiful finish to Lemon Meringue Cheesecake, Sweet Potato Cupcakes, S'mores Brownies and more.
- Roast peppers: Quickly "roast" peppers until charred in spots, then transfer to a heat-safe, covered container to steam until tender. If you'd like to remove the skins at this point, they should peel right off.
- Melt cheese: Torch the cheese topping on soups, gratins or tartines.
- Sear meat: Create an instant crust on chicken, salmon, sous vide steaks and more. Anything with a sweetened glaze (think: honey, jam, BBQ sauce) will caramelize beautifully with a kitchen torch.
- Toast marshmallows: Easily make s'mores indoors.
- Make fruit garnishes: Caramelize sliced citrus for added flavor on desserts or drinks, like these Black Margaritas with Torched Limes.
Where can I buy butane for a kitchen torch?
It's easy to purchase butane through a quick Amazon search, but you can also buy it at hardware stores like Home Depot and Lowe's (in person or online). Outdoor and camping stores like REI and larger grocery stores may also carry butane.
Kitchen torch manufacturers, such as Jo Chef and Iwatani, also sell butane.
Is a kitchen torch safe?
If you read the manufacturer's instructions before turning the device on and follow some basic precautions, yes, a kitchen torch is safe. Most devices have safety locks and trigger starts to help avoid accidents.
Be sure to keep the device away from flammable materials and store it properly with the gas turned off, out of reach of children.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Samantha MacAvoy is the assistant food editor in the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen, where she has tested and reviewed hundreds of products across kitchen and culinary categories such as cutting boards, single-serve coffee makers and olive oil. For this story, she researched and collected the kitchen torches, then used Martinez's testing data and supplementary research to write this story.
Tina Martinez is the food producer in the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen. She has over 10 years of culinary experience, including recipe development and food styling for print, digital and television platforms. She tested seven kitchen torches for this story and recorded her findings in detail.
Nicole Papantoniou is the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, where she has overseen content and testing related to kitchen and cooking appliances, tools and gear since 2019. She helped develop the methodology for testing kitchen torches and consulted on the testing process from start to finish.
Samantha (she/her) is the Senior Editor at Delish, where she edits the most-talked-about food news and features on the internet. In her previous role as Assistant Editor in the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen, she taste-tested hundreds of products and recipes (tough job!). A graduate of Fordham University, she considers the kitchen to be her happiest place.
Tina (she/her) is the food producer of the Hearst Lifestyle Group. She comes to Hearst with 10 years experience in the world of food styling for editorial, digital and television platforms. When she’s not cooking in her tiny Brooklyn kitchen, she can be found enjoying a beer at a local brewery, hiking in a national park or enjoying an afternoon at the beach.
Nicole (she/her) is the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, where she has overseen content and testing related to kitchen and cooking appliances, tools and gear since 2019. She’s an experienced product tester and recipe creator, trained in classic culinary arts and culinary nutrition. She has worked in test kitchens for small kitchen appliance brands and national magazines, including Family Circle and Ladies’ Home Journal.
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