The wife wants a butane torch for crème brûlée. Cheap lighters are just annoying. Does anyone have a recommendation for a quality one?
Two other items I would appreciate feedback on are a cast iron square grill pan with a lid, and a Dutch oven in the 5 quart range. Happy holidays to all!
December 04, 2022, 10:00 AM
FiveFiveSixFan
We've had a Staub for years and it's never disappointed. They have a large selection of types, sizes and colors.
December 04, 2022, 10:11 AM
TBH
I have limited experience with cast iron. All Lodge. I have one Blacklock skillet and several other skillets and Dutch ovens. My cheaper skillet had sticking issues even after seasoning it. I put a sanding wheel on my angle grinder, polished the inside smooth and seasoned it. What a difference. Costco now Carries a cast iron skillet set that’s inexpensive. I would either plan on treating the above as I did, or buying a high end one which I have no experience with. Chili, in a Dutch oven cooked over a smoker is amazing!
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December 04, 2022, 10:16 AM
SIGnified
The traditional, classic Dutch oven gift on the higher end is a Le Creuset cast-iron from France.
We have a few, but we also have one from Lodge as well as a generic one from the local grocery store.
They all work about the same.
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December 04, 2022, 10:56 AM
corsair
Can't go wrong with Le Creuset, their enameled interiors seem to be the most durable. Just remind your wife to NOT knock any utensil on the lip of the pot...thats the weakest part of the enamel coating and it'll chip. For sizes, when in doubt, go bigger, I like the 6qt for basic usage, when cooking for a larger meals, like cassoulet, the 7qt is just right. Williams-Sonoma and Sur LaTable good places to start or, if you have more questions.
Another vote for Le Creuset for the Dutch oven. I have a twenty year old oval one that gets regular use and it looks and works like new. I like the oval over the round because it has more surface area for browning stuff. Buy bigger than you think you need, like a safe.
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December 04, 2022, 02:10 PM
sleepla8er
.
For crème brûlée...
The technology for a torch is fairly basic, getting one with an auto light feature makes it a lot more convenient. Also look at their safety switch. Many of the home kitchen versions require you keep the safety button depressed. Just like triggers on a pistol, those torch safeties come in different pull weights and if you have a dozen crème brûlées to get done ~ that button can make it difficult.
For me, it comes down to getting something that is "pretty" designed for a home kitchen or getting something more robust that Tim "The Toolman" Taylor would use on that old TV Show, "Home Improvement"
I skipped this video by a Chef Jean-Pierre to the 12 minute 30 second mark to hear his thoughts on kitchen torches and to watch a torch actually being used.
I first went the route of a kitchen torch. It worked okay but didn't have an auto-light feature and I had to keep relighting it. I replaced it with one from Home Depot that didn't have a safety switch and haven't looked back since ~ it's still going strong after 20 plus years.
I'd like to suggest you watch this entire video and actually make crème brûlée at a neighbor's house without your wife knowing. Preset the gift-wrapped torch with your lovingly made dessert ~ I'm the romantic type that enjoys cooking. Hopefully, between Christmas Eve and Christmas Day you will have time when it's just the two of you and a bottle of good Port wine.
This is what I have and it's great. It is a bit expensive but the craftsmanship shows. You could go cheaper and I'm sure Lodge makes something like this also. Food for thought.
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December 04, 2022, 06:57 PM
400m
Thanks for all of the suggestions.
December 04, 2022, 07:12 PM
OKCGene
For an Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven, Le Crueset Factory Outlet Store is the way to go. There's one near me, it's one of my go-to places for cookware gifts. You might check if there's one near you.
They carry their Factory Seconds, they are seconds in cosmetic ways, absolutely nothing wrong with them in shape, size, or any physical defect. I've bought a few of these.
The other they carry is Brand New perfectly fine, nothing wrong with it. Often times it's last years HOT Trendy Color. What I've been told is this is what they do for Williams Sonoma, they get a new color every so often, I think that may be an exclusive color. What doesn't sell in a certain time frame gets send to their Outlet Stores. Sometimes they colors are kind of weird to me and they just didn't sell well. Then there are new colors that I really like.
You just can't be an enameled cast iron Le Cruset. As noted above, do NOT bang your cooking spoon or whatever utensil on the side of it, that's how little pieces are chunked off. Keep a kitchen towel handy, use that to clean off your cooking utensil.
Butane torch - I've had a few. I had an incident once w/ some off brand unit that scared the shit out of me.
I've since gone with what I would consider a brand name (at least in Japan). I'm using one of the Iwatani torch heads and use Iwatani gas canisters. It's a little over kill for creme brulee but feeling it's safer is comforting (it may not be safer but they are used every where in Japan).
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December 04, 2022, 09:56 PM
ShouldBFishin
Yet another vote for Le Creuset for the Dutch oven. We've only had ours for about 3 years and it's been great so far. I expect it to last the rest of our lives.
Staub I think is a little less money and would be another good choice for a Dutch oven.
December 04, 2022, 10:03 PM
TBH
quote:
Originally posted by sleepla8er: .
For crème brûlée...
The technology for a torch is fairly basic, getting one with an auto light feature makes it a lot more convenient. Also look at their safety switch. Many of the home kitchen versions require you keep the safety button depressed. Just like triggers on a pistol, those torch safeties come in different pull weights and if you have a dozen crème brûlées to get done ~ that button can make it difficult.
For me, it comes down to getting something that is "pretty" designed for a home kitchen or getting something more robust that Tim "The Toolman" Taylor would use on that old TV Show, "Home Improvement"
I skipped this video by a Chef Jean-Pierre to the 12 minute 30 second mark to hear his thoughts on kitchen torches and to watch a torch actually being used.
I first went the route of a kitchen torch. It worked okay but didn't have an auto-light feature and I had to keep relighting it. I replaced it with one from Home Depot that didn't have a safety switch and haven't looked back since ~ it's still going strong after 20 plus years.
I'd like to suggest you watch this entire video and actually make crème brûlée at a neighbor's house without your wife knowing. Preset the gift-wrapped torch with your lovingly made dessert ~ I'm the romantic type that enjoys cooking. Hopefully, between Christmas Eve and Christmas Day you will have time when it's just the two of you and a bottle of good Port wine.
. .
I love this guy! So funny! He shares my affection with bacon and butter!
P226 9mm CT Springfield custom 1911 hardball Glock 21 Les Baer Special Tactical AR-15
December 05, 2022, 07:16 AM
Beancooker
I have been making creme brûlée for years. My recipe is pretty close to perfect. I have tried a few different torches, of various quality and price.
At the end of the day, $20 at Home Depot and a Coleman propane bottle, gets me the best flame possible.
quote:
Originally posted by sigmonkey: I'd fly to Turks and Caicos with live ammo falling out of my pockets before getting within spitting distance of NJ with a firearm.
December 05, 2022, 08:32 AM
myrottiety
quote:
Originally posted by Beancooker: I have been making creme brûlée for years. My recipe is pretty close to perfect. I have tried a few different torches, of various quality and price.
At the end of the day, $20 at Home Depot and a Coleman propane bottle, gets me the best flame possible.
This has always been my go to. One of my favorite things is to use a glass pie pan. Make one HUGE creme Brule and eat it family style in front of a movie for desert.
Kids LOVE it.
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December 05, 2022, 09:48 AM
myrottiety
For Cast Iron the wife got me x2-x3 of these a few years ago. Pricy. I'd likely never buy them myself cause I'm generally cheap.
