Glass blowing is a mesmerizing art form that has captured many artists’ attention around the globe.
The projects possible when working with glass may seem limited, since we know a final glass product is so fragile. But when hot, glass is pliable and able to be shaped into any sculpture, vase, jewelry, and more.
Smaller scale forms of glass art, like jewelry making, don’t need all the furnaces in a glass blowing studio that large-scale items like vases and sculptures might need. Instead, they can be done at home with a glass blowing torch.
So, what is the best glass blowing torch? The best glass blowing torch is fully equipped with safety features, has a comfortable and lightweight design, runs for a substantial burn time, and includes a quick ignition system and adjustable flame.
Because of how intricate and complex the process of glass blowing can be, it may seem like a hobby you can’t do on your own. But with the help of the right glass blowing torch, you’ll be able to do small-scale glass art from the comfort of your own home.
In this article, we’ll provide a buyer’s guide to select the best possible glass blowing torch for you to use at home, then offer a list of our top picks you could conveniently add to cart and buy today!
Glass Blowing With A Torch
There are two traditional methods of glass blowing: furnaces and lampworking.
Furnaces are used in a glass blowing studio for all kinds of projects, from small to large. There are three furnaces used are called a crucible, glory hole, and annealer.
Each furnace has its own unique purpose, whether it’s to help the glass melt at the beginning of a project or help slowly bring it down in temperature at the end.
These furnaces are huge and require a lot of safety and ventilation measures, so they’re typically only seen in actual glass blowing studios.
The other type of glass blowing is called lampworking because before the invention of our modern-day torches, the glass was heated over an oil lamp.
Now sometimes referred to as torchworking, this is the smaller-scale type of glass blowing that you can do without the use of a furnace. Rather than putting the glass materials in large furnaces, the glass is heated with the use of a hand torch.
This method may seem easier, but it is no less complicated. Glaziers, or those who practice glass blowing, need to be familiar with their torch and its settings.
There are three types of flames used for glass blowing: oxidizing, neutral, and reducing. Each of them has different levels of heat and oxygen, producing a different effect on the glass to mimic each of the three furnaces.
These different types of flames are achieved at different temperatures, and each torch will reach these flames differently.
When you first get your torch, turn it on and use the adjustment lever to see how your torch puts out the flames. Get to know the different levels so you can use each one accordingly.
Types Of Glass Blowing Torches
There are two types of torches that we will present in this article. You can either purchase a handheld butane torch, commonly used in the culinary world for things like crème brûlée, or a torch nozzle head intended to be attached to a gas tank such as propane or MAPP.
The type of torch you purchase is up to you. Both will work for glass blowing; it simply depends on what your preference is and what kind of space you’ll be working in. You’ll also need to consider which type you’ll be more comfortable with.
Some people may be uncomfortable holding a large gas tank and would prefer a handheld torch. Others may be used to the large gas tanks from other work or hobbies and would prefer to work that way.
We will present both options to you in the list of products at the end of this article. Ultimately, they’ll all achieve high temperature flames, so the choice is yours.
Glass Blowing Torches – Buyer’s Guide
Below are the top qualities to look for when purchasing a glass blowing torch. Whether you use a handheld butane torch or a nozzle head for a propane gas tank, you’ll want to be sure it has the features listed below.
1. Safety Features
The best torches for glass blowing will have safety features to prevent any accidental injury or harm.
When working with high temperature flames, the risk of severe burns is high. If you’re not careful, the torch slips out of your hand, or the wrong person (or even child) picks it up and starts to mess with it, dangerous injuries can occur.
This is why it’s so important to find a glass blowing torch that has proper safety features, including a safety lock and what’s called an anti-flare neck.
The safety lock will prevent you from turning on the torch just by pressing the button. Even if the ignition works by the press of a button, you’ll still have to turn the safety lock prior to that button igniting the flame.
An anti-flare neck indicates your ability to aim the torch from any angle without the flames flaring back on your fingers. This is highly important to prevent from serious burns to your fingers while holding and operating the torch.
Even if you’re an extremely careful person by nature, accidents can happen. This is especially true when working with high heat equipment like torches.
Before you purchase your torch, make sure it has safety features you’re comfortable with keeping on a torch that you’ll have around the house.
2. Comfortable And Lightweight Design
For a dangerous tool that you’re going to be holding and handling, you’ll want to ensure it feels good in the hand and is light enough for you to maneuver with ease.
Your torch shouldn’t be cumbersome. Think about the way you plan to use it with your lampworking and choose one that fits your style and movements.
You’ll also want to consider how it stands on its own. A lot of lampworking involves using both of your hands to manipulate the glass in front of the flame. How will your torch stand on its own? Does it have a solid base?
This is the time to think about whether you want a handheld torch or a nozzle to put onto a gas tank. The type of torch you choose will determine how it can be used and how it will need to be handled.
Consider the space you plan to work in, too. Do you have the space for a larger set-up, or do you need the ease and flexibility of a portable, small, handheld torch?
The “perfect” design will look different for everyone, so take a look at a few torches and think about which one would best suit your needs and desires for glass blowing at home.
3. Substantial Burn Time
Because glass blowing takes time, you’ll want to make sure your torch can handle running for longer than just a few minutes.
A good burn time can be anywhere from 30-90 minutes. The burn time will vary based on the torch you purchase and the fuel you’re using (butane, propane, MAPP, etc).
Even if the burn time on your torch is only 30 minutes, that may be all the time you need. Don’t be deterred if this seems like a small amount of time compared to the 90-minute option. Your ideal run time will vary based on your style of glass projects.
Not all torches will list their maximum burn time on the product description, so it can be good to do your own research, read reviews, and look up other customer experience to see how long your torch will run for.
4. Quick Ignition System
To be able to use your torch quickly and easily, it should have a quick ignition system as part of the mechanics of the device.
Most torches come this way these days, but there are still some models that don’t have a quick ignition system and require you to manually ignite the flame.
Quick ignition systems, like the Piezo ignition, make the process of using your torch as easy as pressing a button.
Although this seems like it may be dangerous to simply press a button and have blue flames come out, that’s why we highly recommend getting a torch with full safety features.
If the ignition is quick and easy, with a safety lock in place, it can help prevent accidental ignition. Having a quick ignition system will make it easier for you to get started on your project right away, and easier for you to use the torch on your own.
With traditional glass blowing done in furnaces, there are helpers to assist a glazier with their project. If you plan to do small-scale glass art at home, you’ll likely be working alone.
The quick ignition system makes it easier for you to work independently, without the help of a second or third set of hands.
5. Adjustable Flame
Because the nature of lampworking requires three different types of flames, it’s necessary to have a torch that is able to adjust the flame into whatever type you need.
Most torches will have this in place by either having a sliding scale with a button you can slide to adjust the flame, or a dial you can turn to turn up or down the flame.
This adjustable quality for the flames is important to achieve precise melting and finishing with your glass jewelry or art.
Although most torches won’t give the exact range of temperatures for the adjustable flames, you will see whether it has an adjustable option and the highest possible temperature it can reach.
The maximum temperature and range of temperatures will depend on what you plan to do with your glass, the size of your projects, if you plan to add color, etc.
Think about the projects you want to work on, and that will help determine whether that torch, and its maximum temperature, is the right choice for you.
The Best Glass Blowing Torches
We’ve put together a list of the top best glass blowing torches you can get right now on Amazon. There’s a mix of handheld butane torches and torch nozzle heads to be put on a separate gas tank.
It’s important to note that all of these torches will ship empty, even if they have a built-in butane tank, for safety reasons. Butane will have to be purchased separately.
It is also common for the torches to come without the base attached, as many of them consider the base optional or recommend taking off the base to refill the tank.
Rank | Product | Type |
---|---|---|
1. | Sondiko Butane Torch | Handheld butane torch |
2. | Dremel Versa Flame Butane Torch | Handheld butane torch |
3. | Jo Chef Blow Torch | Handheld butane torch |
4. | EurKitchen Premium Butane Torch With Gauge | Handheld butane torch |
5. | PanaceLife Butane Torch With Fuel Gauge | Handheld butane torch |
6. | Blusky Big Butane Torch | Handheld butane torch |
7. | MDee Multipurpose Butane Torch | Handheld butane torch |
8. | BLUEFIRE Handy Cyclone Propane Torch Head Nozzle | Torch head nozzle |
9. | BLUE FLAME Multipurpose Mapp & Propane Torch | Torch head nozzle |
10. | Dessiz Brass Mapp Gas Torch | Torch head nozzle |
11. | Master Appliance High Intensity Adjustable Flame Torch Head | Torch head nozzle |
1. Sondiko Butane Torch
The butane torch made by Sondiko is one of the most popular on the market.
Well-loved for its versatile use in glass blowing, culinary, metal welding, plumbing, and more, the Sondiko butane torch is ideal for those looking to get a torch that they can use in more than one craft or project.
The Sondiko butane torch has all of our top qualities. It has a smooth and ergonomic design, safety lock and finger guard, an adjustable flame slider, and a quick ignition system.
While we don’t have the exact burn time with this torch, from the thousands of reviews from happy customers, we can guess that it’s nothing that would be a hindrance to your work.
2. Dremel Versa Flame Butane Torch
The Dremel butane torch is another product that comes up often as one of the best torches to use.
It has a comfortable design with a strong base, quick ignition system, adjustable flame, and a toggle to lock the flame on so you can use it hands-free.
The same toggle to lock the flame on while in use can also lock the flame from turning on when not in use, so it doubles as a safety lock.
The Dremel torch also comes with other accessories, such as a blower, deflector, diffuser, storage case, and more. These accessories make this torch versatile to be used in many other projects, not just glass blowing.
3. Jo Chef Blow Torch
The Jo Chef blow torch is another fantastic option. It has a much wider base than the first two torches listed, giving it added stability.
It also has an easy quick ignition system with the push of a button, a twist-dial to adjust your flame, and a safety lock to prevent any possible accidents.
A fantastic bonus feature to this blow torch is the added window to see how much butane is left in the tank. This will help you refill your blow torch more efficiently, always knowing exactly when it needs it.
You can even purchase this torch on its own, or with a few butane canisters to fill it and have on hand for future use.
4. EurKitchen Premium Butane Torch With Gauge
The EurKitchen premium butane torch is a totally different design than the ones before, which could be great for anyone who didn’t like the previous designs.
Not only does it have the steady base, but it has a large finger guard that juts out below the flame tube to keep your fingers protected and at a safe distance from the flames.
It also stands taller than most other torches, making it bigger to hold for those who would prefer a larger tool.
This torch is also fully loaded with all the features you could want. It has the adjustable flame control, a safety lock, and a gas gauge window to indicate when it needs refilled.
Whether you plan to only use it for glass blowing or intend to put it to use in other projects as well, this torch is an excellent choice with all the features and the added bonus of a larger design.
5. PanaceLife Butane Torch With Fuel Gauge
The Homitt butane torch offered by PanaceLife has been upgraded to offer even more features than before.
Complete with an adjustable flame, an easy ignition system, and a safety lock, this torch now also includes the fuel gauge window, so you never miss a refill.
It has a one-handed operation setting where if you press both the ignition button and the safety lock, you’ll be able to lock the flame on and use this torch more freely.
6. Blusky Big Butane Torch
The Blusky butane torch is another unique design, but one that could be great for the right person.
It still features the precision adjustable flame control, an anti-flare brass nozzle, a quick ignition system, and a safety lock.
This is the first torch on the list to note its specific burn time, which is around 35 minutes of high-grade heat.
7. MDee Multipurpose Butane Torch
This MDee torch is another solid option, coming in three color options of black, red, and gold.
Just as with the other handheld torches, this one will work great for more than just glass blowing. You can use it for culinary purposes, or other house projects that need a high flame (such as woodworking or metalworking).
It has all the necessary features, such as the easy ignition button, a safety lock, and an adjustable flame control slider.
Simply choose your color and get torching!
8. BLUEFIRE Handy Cyclone Propane Torch Head Nozzle
The first of our torch head nozzles, the BLUEFIRE option is by far the best and most well-known.
Once attached to the proper gas tank, this torch head nozzle has a button for a quick ignition, built in as part of the Piezo ignition system.
It also has anti-flaring qualities, which helps save you and your fingers from any severe burns.
You can use the dial on the back to adjust the flame, giving you total control over how hot the flame is for your glass.
You can choose to purchase just the head nozzle alone, or the kit with an included MAPP gas tank.
9. BLUE FLAME Multipurpose Mapp & Propane Torch
Another great option is the BLUE FLAME torch head nozzle with 3 different nozzles to help you create a flame ideal for your project.
This nozzle head can run off both MAPP gas and propane.
Regardless of which gas you choose, this torch head features and easy on-off button to ignite and extinguish the flame.
Plus, it has an adjustable dial to control the flame.
10. Dessiz Brass Mapp Gas Torch
The Dessiz brass torch head is another great option for glass blowing.
With an adjustable knob to control the flame, you can achieve temperatures as high as 2732°F.
It attaches easily to your MAPP gas tank and can run for a long time, ideal for larger or more intricate pieces of glass jewelry.
If you’re looking for a good quality and easy-to-use torch head nozzle specifically designed for MAPP gas, this one is it.
11. Master Appliance High Intensity Adjustable Flame Torch Head
The Master Appliance flame torch head is by far the hottest, running temperatures as high as 3730°F with MAPP gas and 3600°F with propane.
You can use it with either gas, so feel free to purchase the right fuel for your purpose. This torch head comes with everything you’d want in a torch for glass blowing.
It has the Piezo ignition system with an easy button to ignite, a flame lock button for continuous use, and a knob to adjust the flame size.
Made from aluminum, this torch head is built to last. If you’re looking for the hottest torch, you found it.
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