Hi:

Just wanted to know what kitchen torch folks used.... any features
really important etc etc.

I am not interested in a regular plumber type as it would be too bulky
for me and storage would be a problem.

I have seen on the net : Messermeister Cheflamme, BonJour, Foxrun,
Athena Micro Torch.

Does anyone have one of these or is there something fab that I have
missed while searching......


Thanks, Aileen

Aileen > writes:

> I am not interested in a regular plumber type as it would be too bulky
> for me and storage would be a problem.
>
> I have seen on the net : Messermeister Cheflamme, BonJour, Foxrun,
> Athena Micro Torch.
>
> Does anyone have one of these or is there something fab that I have
> missed while searching......

Too bad. We've used the "plumber type" propane torch for years. It's
inexpensive, easily available, and gets sufficiently hot. Works very well.

A while back we received a cute little torch from Williams Sonoma as a
gift. It's a lot more expensive than the "plumber" torch, and doesn't
heat up sufficiently to crust sugar on creme brulee without heating
the custard, brown cheese topping on creamed onions before guests
starve, etc, etc, etc. Simply not enough heat.

Ok......

I may have to re-think the blow torch route
Any other opinions?

Aileen

"Chris Shenton" > wrote in message
...
>
> Too bad. We've used the "plumber type" propane torch for years. It's
> inexpensive, easily available, and gets sufficiently hot. Works very
well.
>
ISTR that there is some issue with propane (as opposed to butane) imparting
off flavors when used in direct contact with food. I take it that hasn't
been your experience?

Remsleep

Be sure to get one with a trigger piezo lighter. Costs only a few
dollars more. Much handier and you don't have to fuss with matches to
get it lit. The pastry chefs I know use them. Basic hardware store
stuff. And you can sweat pipes with them too!


On Mon, 22 Mar 2004 19:47:28 GMT, "Remsleep" >
wrote:

>
>"Chris Shenton" > wrote in message
...
>>
>> Too bad. We've used the "plumber type" propane torch for years. It's
>> inexpensive, easily available, and gets sufficiently hot. Works very
>well.
>>
>ISTR that there is some issue with propane (as opposed to butane) imparting
>off flavors when used in direct contact with food. I take it that hasn't
>been your experience?
>
>Remsleep
>

The "culinary torches" are expensive and they don't work well. But they
sure are right pretty on your marble countertops next to your Viking stove.

A "Bernzomatic" plumber's torch like you'd get at home depot works well and
costs about $12 US. The propane refills are about $3 and are available
everywhere. When they're empty you throw them out - no messing with refill
mechanisms. The torch without the propane bottle is about the size of a
pencil. The bottle is about the size of a soda bottle and can be stored
separately. These, not "culinary torches", are what serious chefs use. But
they are soooo blue collar.




"Aileen" > wrote in message
...
> Hi:
>
> Just wanted to know what kitchen torch folks used.... any features
> really important etc etc.
>
> I am not interested in a regular plumber type as it would be too bulky
> for me and storage would be a problem.
>
> I have seen on the net : Messermeister Cheflamme, BonJour, Foxrun,
> Athena Micro Torch.
>
> Does anyone have one of these or is there something fab that I have
> missed while searching......
>
>
> Thanks, Aileen
>

"Jack Denver" wrote:
> The "culinary torches" are expensive and they don't work well. But they
> sure are right pretty on your marble countertops next to your Viking
stove.

They look swell on granite counters, too.

<which reminds me... the other day I stepped into the elevator in my
doctor's office building and found the surface I want for my countertops --
not since the dawn of Abitibi have I seen marbling like this!!>


> A "Bernzomatic" plumber's torch like you'd get at home depot works well
and
> costs about $12 US. The propane refills are about $3 and are available
> everywhere. When they're empty you throw them out - no messing with refill
> mechanisms. The torch without the propane bottle is about the size of a
> pencil. The bottle is about the size of a soda bottle and can be stored
> separately. These, not "culinary torches", are what serious chefs use.
But
> they are soooo blue collar.

The goddess Julia used a hardware store-style blowtorch when she made Baked
Alaska way back when PBS had a purpose. What a howl, and how efficient!

I said marble because it is even less practical and more expensive than
granite. Granite is soooo yesterday now that you can get it at Home Depot.
Rule #1 of high end kitchenry is that if you can get it at Home Depot you
don't want it in your kitchen. Now that dimestore appliances are stainless,
high end ones are pastel colors. Once they sell pastel appliances at HD,
they'll have to find something else - perhaps Avocado and Harvest Gold are
poised for a comeback.




"Pennyaline" > wrote in
message ...
> "Jack Denver" wrote:
> > The "culinary torches" are expensive and they don't work well. But they
> > sure are right pretty on your marble countertops next to your Viking
> stove.
>
> They look swell on granite counters, too.
>
> <which reminds me... the other day I stepped into the elevator in my
> doctor's office building and found the surface I want for my
countertops --
> not since the dawn of Abitibi have I seen marbling like this!!>
>
>
> > A "Bernzomatic" plumber's torch like you'd get at home depot works well
> and
> > costs about $12 US. The propane refills are about $3 and are available
> > everywhere. When they're empty you throw them out - no messing with
refill
> > mechanisms. The torch without the propane bottle is about the size of a
> > pencil. The bottle is about the size of a soda bottle and can be stored
> > separately. These, not "culinary torches", are what serious chefs use.
> But
> > they are soooo blue collar.
>
> The goddess Julia used a hardware store-style blowtorch when she made
Baked
> Alaska way back when PBS had a purpose. What a howl, and how efficient!
>
>

Jack Denver wrote:
>
> I said marble because it is even less practical and more expensive than
> granite. Granite is soooo yesterday now that you can get it at Home Depot.
> Rule #1 of high end kitchenry is that if you can get it at Home Depot you
> don't want it in your kitchen. Now that dimestore appliances are stainless,
> high end ones are pastel colors. Once they sell pastel appliances at HD,
> they'll have to find something else - perhaps Avocado and Harvest Gold are
> poised for a comeback.

You are an evil man, Jack! WHAT an idea for this early in the day!

The ONLY thing avocado colour looks good on is an avocado.
--
Kate XXXXXX
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
http://www.diceyhome.free-online.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!

Kate Dicey > wrote:

>
>
> Jack Denver wrote:
> >
> > I said marble because it is even less practical and more expensive than
> > granite. Granite is soooo yesterday now that you can get it at Home Depot.
> > Rule #1 of high end kitchenry is that if you can get it at Home Depot you
> > don't want it in your kitchen. Now that dimestore appliances are stainless,
> > high end ones are pastel colors. Once they sell pastel appliances at HD,
> > they'll have to find something else - perhaps Avocado and Harvest Gold are
> > poised for a comeback.
>
> You are an evil man, Jack! WHAT an idea for this early in the day!
>
> The ONLY thing avocado colour looks good on is an avocado.

The 30 year old K5A I got included flyers reading "Now available in
Harvest Gold and Avocado Green!" Perversely, I wish I could find a
vintage one in the green - that shade was so hideous. :-)

Kate Dicey wrote:
>
> Jack Denver wrote:
> > they'll have to find something else - perhaps Avocado and Harvest Gold are
> > poised for a comeback.
>
> You are an evil man, Jack! WHAT an idea for this early in the day!
>
> The ONLY thing avocado colour looks good on is an avocado.
> --


But I do hope Harvest Gold comes back--it will update my washer and
dryer without a trip to the appliance store!

PAX!
Greg

"Jack Denver" > wrote in message
> These, not "culinary torches", are what serious chefs use. But
> they are soooo blue collar.
>

Yeah, they are used by those blue collar plumbers making more than brain
surgeons and the bankers that stash their cash. Funny how that works
sometimes.
Ed

How fiddly are these to use? What I really need to know is can someone with
zero manual dexterity like me use it without setting fire to the kitchen or
do I need the local fire brigade on standby?

Viviane

"Jack Denver" > wrote in message
...
> The "culinary torches" are expensive and they don't work well. But they
> sure are right pretty on your marble countertops next to your Viking
stove.
>
> A "Bernzomatic" plumber's torch like you'd get at home depot works well
and
> costs about $12 US. The propane refills are about $3 and are available
> everywhere. When they're empty you throw them out - no messing with refill
> mechanisms. The torch without the propane bottle is about the size of a
> pencil. The bottle is about the size of a soda bottle and can be stored
> separately. These, not "culinary torches", are what serious chefs use.
But
> they are soooo blue collar.
>
>
>
>
> "Aileen" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Hi:
> >
> > Just wanted to know what kitchen torch folks used.... any features
> > really important etc etc.
> >
> > I am not interested in a regular plumber type as it would be too bulky
> > for me and storage would be a problem.
> >
> > I have seen on the net : Messermeister Cheflamme, BonJour, Foxrun,
> > Athena Micro Torch.
> >
> > Does anyone have one of these or is there something fab that I have
> > missed while searching......
> >
> >
> > Thanks, Aileen
> >
>
>

Not that difficult . You have to mind where you point the flame which can be
hard to see in bright light and extremely hot and you need some practice to
get the right degree of browning on creme brulee, etc. but if you treat it
with the same respect that you'd give say to a sharp knife you should be OK.
I'd recommend the kind with a self lighting trigger that shuts off when you
let go - that way if you panic and let go it won't set the drapes on fire.
Also easier than messing with a flint while your kitchen fills with gas.




"Viviane" > wrote in message
...
> How fiddly are these to use? What I really need to know is can someone
with
> zero manual dexterity like me use it without setting fire to the kitchen
or
> do I need the local fire brigade on standby?
>
> Viviane
>
> "Jack Denver" > wrote in message
> ...
> > The "culinary torches" are expensive and they don't work well. But they
> > sure are right pretty on your marble countertops next to your Viking
> stove.
> >
> > A "Bernzomatic" plumber's torch like you'd get at home depot works well
> and
> > costs about $12 US. The propane refills are about $3 and are available
> > everywhere. When they're empty you throw them out - no messing with
refill
> > mechanisms. The torch without the propane bottle is about the size of a
> > pencil. The bottle is about the size of a soda bottle and can be stored
> > separately. These, not "culinary torches", are what serious chefs use.
> But
> > they are soooo blue collar.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > "Aileen" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > Hi:
> > >
> > > Just wanted to know what kitchen torch folks used.... any features
> > > really important etc etc.
> > >
> > > I am not interested in a regular plumber type as it would be too bulky
> > > for me and storage would be a problem.
> > >
> > > I have seen on the net : Messermeister Cheflamme, BonJour, Foxrun,
> > > Athena Micro Torch.
> > >
> > > Does anyone have one of these or is there something fab that I have
> > > missed while searching......
> > >
> > >
> > > Thanks, Aileen
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

Thanks for the practical tips. I like the sound of a torch like that and
making my own creme brulee. We'll be going to hardware shop this weekend!

Viviane

"Jack Denver" > wrote in message
...
> Not that difficult . You have to mind where you point the flame which can
be
> hard to see in bright light and extremely hot and you need some practice
to
> get the right degree of browning on creme brulee, etc. but if you treat it
> with the same respect that you'd give say to a sharp knife you should be
OK.
> I'd recommend the kind with a self lighting trigger that shuts off when
you
> let go - that way if you panic and let go it won't set the drapes on fire.
> Also easier than messing with a flint while your kitchen fills with gas.
>
>
>
>
> "Viviane" > wrote in message
> ...
> > How fiddly are these to use? What I really need to know is can someone
> with
> > zero manual dexterity like me use it without setting fire to the kitchen
> or
> > do I need the local fire brigade on standby?
> >
> > Viviane
> >
> > "Jack Denver" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > The "culinary torches" are expensive and they don't work well. But
they
> > > sure are right pretty on your marble countertops next to your Viking
> > stove.
> > >
> > > A "Bernzomatic" plumber's torch like you'd get at home depot works
well
> > and
> > > costs about $12 US. The propane refills are about $3 and are available
> > > everywhere. When they're empty you throw them out - no messing with
> refill
> > > mechanisms. The torch without the propane bottle is about the size of
a
> > > pencil. The bottle is about the size of a soda bottle and can be
stored
> > > separately. These, not "culinary torches", are what serious chefs
use.
> > But
> > > they are soooo blue collar.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > "Aileen" > wrote in message
> > > ...
> > > > Hi:
> > > >
> > > > Just wanted to know what kitchen torch folks used.... any features
> > > > really important etc etc.
> > > >
> > > > I am not interested in a regular plumber type as it would be too
bulky
> > > > for me and storage would be a problem.
> > > >
> > > > I have seen on the net : Messermeister Cheflamme, BonJour, Foxrun,
> > > > Athena Micro Torch.
> > > >
> > > > Does anyone have one of these or is there something fab that I have
> > > > missed while searching......
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Thanks, Aileen
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

"Aileen" > wrote in message
...
> Hi:
>
> Just wanted to know what kitchen torch folks used.... any features
> really important etc etc.
>
> I am not interested in a regular plumber type as it would be too bulky
> for me and storage would be a problem.
>
> I have seen on the net : Messermeister Cheflamme, BonJour, Foxrun,
> Athena Micro Torch.
>
> Does anyone have one of these or is there something fab that I have
> missed while searching......
>
>
> Thanks, Aileen
>

If it helps to get a perspective from someone who sells the little butane
torches, my advice is to get the plumber's torch and find a way to store it.
The little ones take forever. Forever is bad because you want caramelized
sugar and cold custard, not caramelized sugar and warm custard. I sell the
little torches every day for around $30 but I use a big one that I bought at
the home center for $5.99 on sale.

Fred
The Good Gourmet
http://www.thegoodgourmet.com

> If it helps to get a perspective from someone who sells the little butane
> torches, my advice is to get the plumber's torch and find a way to store it.

Is it safe to store a propane tank (even a small one) inside your house?
I live in an apartment and don't have access to a garage or other
outside storage. I've always wanted a torch to make creme brulee but
was afraid to store the propane inside - most people say to store it in
your garage or in an outside storage area but that's usually referring
to the big tanks. Although I'm not sure where I'd store even a small
one in my closet-sized kitchen.

Karen

(Karen Wheless) wrote:

>Although I'm not sure where I'd store even a small
>one in my closet-sized kitchen.

The hall closet would be perfectly safe. Under the bathroom sink....the places
are endless.

Yes, the 1 lb. tanks are authorized for indoor storage. It's only the big
tanks that must be kept outdoors. The small tanks are no more dangerous than
an aerosol can


"Karen Wheless" > wrote in message
om...
> > If it helps to get a perspective from someone who sells the little
butane
> > torches, my advice is to get the plumber's torch and find a way to store
it.
>
> Is it safe to store a propane tank (even a small one) inside your house?
> I live in an apartment and don't have access to a garage or other
> outside storage. I've always wanted a torch to make creme brulee but
> was afraid to store the propane inside - most people say to store it in
> your garage or in an outside storage area but that's usually referring
> to the big tanks. Although I'm not sure where I'd store even a small
> one in my closet-sized kitchen.
>
> Karen

On Mon, 22 Mar 2004 11:51:15 -0400, Aileen > wrote:

>I am not interested in a regular plumber type as it would be too bulky
>for me and storage would be a problem.

If you are concerned about their weight, they do have models where the
nozzle is at the end of tubing, and there is a stand for the propane tank.

Don <donwiss at panix.com>.