KITCHEN TOOLS · BUYING GUIDE

Best Kitchen Torch

Updated

The best kitchen torches for crème brûlée and meringue: butane culinary torches from Iwatani, BonJour and Messermeister, compared by ignition, flame control, safety lock and size.

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Our picks at a glance

ProductAwardScore
Iwatani CB-TC-PRO2 Culinary Torch - Professional (PRO 2) Torch head that mounts on an Iwatani butane canister; stabilizing stand clips to the canister
Best overall 7.7 Check price
Best budget 7.2 Check price
Messermeister Cheflamme Culinary Torch Not stated (page notes a brass part)
Best premium 8.3 Check price
Messermeister Cheflamme Mini Culinary Torch Not stated (page notes a brass part)
Best compact 7.9 Check price
How the editorial score works

The score rates documented features and practical tradeoffs on a 10-point scale, using the weighted criteria below. An 8 means strong support with one clear limit; a 9 means particularly complete support with minor limits. It is our editorial judgment from manufacturer information, not a hands-on test or a customer rating.

  • Flame power & control30%
  • Safety lock & stand25%
  • Fuel & burn time25%
  • Warranty20%

The order of the picks also reflects who each product suits best, so it is not decided by the score alone. More on our method

  1. 01 · Best overall
    Iwatani CB-TC-PRO2 Culinary Torch - Professional (PRO 2)

    Iwatani · CB-TC-PRO2

    Iwatani CB-TC-PRO2 Culinary Torch - Professional (PRO 2)

    7.7/ 10
    Editorial score
    Flame
    9.5
    Safety
    6.0
    Burn time
    8.0
    Warranty
    6.5
    Why this score?
    Flame power & control · 9.5
    6,300 BTU/hr, 2700°F; separate flame strength and shape knobs
    Safety lock & stand · 6.0
    No safety lock listed; manual says professional use only; stabilizing stand
    Fuel & burn time · 8.0
    About 100 minutes at max power; Iwatani canisters only, no 45° tilt
    Warranty · 6.5
    1 year from purchase

    Based on documented features and practical tradeoffs, not a hands-on test. Assessment: October 7, 2026. How the editorial score works

    Manufacturer information

    Best forCooks who want the hottest flame and long run time without refilling

    A torch head that attaches directly to an Iwatani butane canister, rated at 6,300 BTU/hr and up to 2700°F. Separate knobs adjust flame strength and flame shape, from a wide, soft flame to a concentrated point.

    Strengths

    • Highest stated heat here (2700°F) with flame shape and strength controls
    • About 100 minutes of burn time at max power per Iwatani; no refilling, you swap canisters

    Weaknesses

    • No safety lock listed; Iwatani's manual labels it for professional use only
    • Must be used with Iwatani butane canisters and not tilted 45 degrees or more

    Dimensions, material and details

    Dimensions
    1.5" x 7.9" x 2.8" (38 x 200 x 71 mm)
    Construction
    Torch head that mounts on an Iwatani butane canister; stabilizing stand clips to the canister
    Fuel
    Iwatani butane canister (sold separately)
    Ignition
    Piezoelectric
    Flame adjustment
    Flame strength knob and flame shape knob
    Safety lock
    Not listed by Iwatani
    Max flame temp
    2700°F / 1500°C
    Burn time
    Approx. 100 min at max power
    Weight
    0.37 lb (0.18 kg)
    Warranty
    1 year from purchase (instruction manual)

    Details checked against the iwatani.com product page.

    Check price at Amazon
  2. 02 · Best budget
    BonJour Crème Brulee Torch (Chef's Torch with Fuel Gauge)

    BonJour · 53338

    BonJour Crème Brulee Torch (Chef's Torch with Fuel Gauge)

    7.2/ 10
    Editorial score
    Flame
    7.0
    Safety
    8.0
    Burn time
    7.0
    Warranty
    6.5
    Why this score?
    Flame power & control · 7.0
    Adjustable, anti-flare flame; no temperature stated
    Safety lock & stand · 8.0
    Safety lock and removable stand
    Fuel & burn time · 7.0
    Refillable butane with fuel level window; no burn time given
    Warranty · 6.5
    Quality Assurance Guarantee; terms not stated

    Based on documented features and practical tradeoffs, not a hands-on test. Assessment: October 7, 2026. How the editorial score works

    Manufacturer information

    Best forOccasional crème brûlée and meringue at home

    A refillable butane torch with an aluminum body, a fuel level window, adjustable flame, anti-flare flame, safety lock and a removable stand. BonJour is a Meyer brand and sells it through its potsandpans.com store.

    Strengths

    • Lowest price among the picks
    • Fuel level window, safety lock and removable stand

    Weaknesses

    • Butane sold separately
    • Maker page gives no flame temperature or burn time

    Dimensions, material and details

    Dimensions
    8.00 x 4.00 x 5.00 in (Walmart listing sold by potsandpans.com)
    Material
    Aluminum body
    Fuel
    Butane, refillable (sold separately)
    Flame adjustment
    Adjustable temperature, anti-flare flame
    Safety lock
    Yes
    Weight
    1 lb (Walmart listing)
    Warranty
    Quality Assurance Guarantee

    Details checked against the potsandpans.com product page.

    Check price at Amazon
  3. 03 · Best premium
    Messermeister Cheflamme Culinary Torch

    Messermeister · FT-912

    Messermeister Cheflamme Culinary Torch

    8.3/ 10
    Editorial score
    Flame
    7.0
    Safety
    9.0
    Burn time
    8.5
    Warranty
    9.0
    Why this score?
    Flame power & control · 7.0
    Adjustable flame, self-igniting piezo; no flame temperature stated
    Safety lock & stand · 9.0
    Child-proof safety lock and removable safety stand
    Fuel & burn time · 8.5
    60-minute burn time; works at any angle per maker
    Warranty · 9.0
    Lifetime warranty against material and manufacturing defects

    Based on documented features and practical tradeoffs, not a hands-on test. Assessment: October 7, 2026. How the editorial score works

    Manufacturer information

    Best forSerious home cooks who want a longer burn and a lifetime warranty

    A refillable culinary torch from the knife maker Messermeister with self-igniting piezo ignition, a child-proof safety lock, adjustable flame and a removable safety stand. Messermeister lists a 60-minute burn time and says it works at any angle.

    Strengths

    • 60-minute burn time and works at any angle, per Messermeister
    • Covered by Messermeister's lifetime Knife for Life warranty

    Weaknesses

    • Most expensive torch in this guide
    • No dimensions or flame temperature on the maker's page

    Dimensions, material and details

    Dimensions
    Not stated by Messermeister
    Material
    Not stated (page notes a brass part)
    Fuel
    Butane, refillable
    Ignition
    Self-igniting piezo
    Flame adjustment
    Adjustable flame
    Safety lock
    Child proof safety lock system
    Burn time
    60 minutes
    Warranty
    Lifetime against material and manufacturing defects
    Origin
    Taiwan

    Details checked against the messermeister.com product page.

    Check price at Amazon
  4. 04 · Best compact
    Messermeister Cheflamme Mini Culinary Torch

    Messermeister · FT-980

    Messermeister Cheflamme Mini Culinary Torch

    7.9/ 10
    Editorial score
    Flame
    7.0
    Safety
    9.0
    Burn time
    7.0
    Warranty
    9.0
    Why this score?
    Flame power & control · 7.0
    Adjustable flame, piezo ignition; no flame temperature stated
    Safety lock & stand · 9.0
    Child-proof safety lock and removable stand
    Fuel & burn time · 7.0
    35-minute burn time, shorter than full-size; works at any angle
    Warranty · 9.0
    Lifetime warranty against material and manufacturing defects

    Based on documented features and practical tradeoffs, not a hands-on test. Assessment: October 7, 2026. How the editorial score works

    Manufacturer information

    Best forSmall kitchens, cocktail garnishes and quick dessert finishes

    A smaller version of the Cheflamme with the same feature list: piezo ignition, child-proof safety lock, adjustable flame and a removable stand. Messermeister lists a 35-minute burn time.

    Strengths

    • Compact, one-handed design per Messermeister
    • Child-proof safety lock and works at any angle

    Weaknesses

    • Shorter burn time (35 minutes) than the full-size Cheflamme
    • No dimensions or flame temperature on the maker's page

    Dimensions, material and details

    Dimensions
    Not stated by Messermeister
    Material
    Not stated (page notes a brass part)
    Fuel
    Butane, refillable
    Ignition
    Self-igniting piezo
    Flame adjustment
    Adjustable flame
    Safety lock
    Child proof safety lock system
    Burn time
    35 minutes
    Warranty
    Lifetime against material and manufacturing defects
    Origin
    Taiwan

    Details checked against the messermeister.com product page.

    Check price at Amazon

COMPARE

Side-by-side comparison

Select a column heading to sort.
Iwatani CB-TC-PRO2 Culinary Torch - Professional (PRO 2) Cooks who want the hottest flame and long run time without refilling1.5" x 7.9" x 2.8" (38 x 200 x 71 mm)Iwatani butane canister (sold separately)Flame strength knob and flame shape knob
BonJour Crème Brulee Torch (Chef's Torch with Fuel Gauge) Occasional crème brûlée and meringue at home8.00 x 4.00 x 5.00 in (Walmart listing sold by potsandpans.com)Butane, refillable (sold separately)Adjustable temperature, anti-flare flame
Messermeister Cheflamme Culinary Torch Serious home cooks who want a longer burn and a lifetime warrantyNot stated by MessermeisterButane, refillableAdjustable flame
Messermeister Cheflamme Mini Culinary Torch Small kitchens, cocktail garnishes and quick dessert finishesNot stated by MessermeisterButane, refillableAdjustable flame

How we chose

We compared butane culinary torches from established brands using the makers’ own product pages and manuals: fuel system, ignition, flame adjustment, safety lock, burn time, size and warranty. Where a maker left out a basic fact, such as dimensions, we took it from a major US retailer listing for the exact model and say so.

What to look for in a kitchen torch

Refillable tank or canister-mounted. Most handheld torches have a small tank you refill from a butane can. Canister-mounted torch heads screw onto a full fuel canister instead, which gives a longer run time but makes the torch taller and heavier in the hand.

Look for a safety lock. A lock stops the trigger from lighting the torch by accident. If children are in the home, check that the maker lists a safety or child-resistant lock.

Adjustable flame. A flame you can turn down is easier to control for delicate jobs like meringue, while a strong flame caramelizes sugar faster. Some torches also let you change the flame shape from wide to pointed.

Ignition and stand. Piezo or trigger ignition lights the torch without a separate lighter. A removable stand keeps the torch upright between uses and protects the fuel valve.

Read the fuel and angle instructions. Makers specify which butane to use and whether the torch can be tilted. Following these instructions matters more than any single spec.

Frequently asked questions

What fuel does a kitchen torch use?

All the torches in this guide run on butane. The BonJour Crème Brulee Torch and both Messermeister Cheflamme torches are refilled from a butane can, while the Iwatani PRO2 screws straight onto an Iwatani butane canister instead of being refilled. Butane is sold separately for every pick here.

Does a kitchen torch need a safety lock?

A lock helps prevent accidental lighting, especially in homes with children. BonJour and Messermeister both list a safety lock (Messermeister calls it a child proof safety lock system), while Iwatani does not mention one for the PRO2. Store any torch out of reach of children whatever its features.

How long does a kitchen torch run before it needs fuel?

It depends on tank size and flame setting. Iwatani quotes about 100 minutes at max power per canister for the PRO2, and Messermeister lists 60 minutes for the Cheflamme and 35 minutes for the Cheflamme Mini. BonJour does not state a burn time.

Can I tilt a kitchen torch or use it upside down?

Check the manual for your model. Messermeister says both Cheflamme torches work at any angle, but Iwatani's instruction manual warns not to tilt the PRO2 nozzle down 45 degrees or more because it can cause poor ignition or overheating. When torching crème brûlée, keep the torch upright and move the dish if you need a different angle.