Forum: cooking.stackexchange.com
Tags: <substitutions><equipment><custard>
Title: What can I use for a Crème brûlée if I don't have a blow torch?
Question: I've always wanted to make a Crème brûlée but I don't have a blow torch to burn the top with. Is there anything else I can use to get that nice crunchy caramel on top?

Answers:
sents: text: Follow these steps and watch very carefully... Set your oven on Broil (high) and put your rack on the top shelf.
text: Let the oven get nice and hot (3-7 minutes).
text: Fill an oven safe dish with crushed ice and water and place your dishes into the ice/water bath.
text: The cold bath should keep the custard from cooking, but the sugar on top will heat till it caramelizes.
text: It'll only take 3-4mins.
answer_details: author: cooking.stackexchange.com/users/198/notpeter
score: 37
sents: text: The old fashioned way was with an iron (not like today's steam iron -- a heavy chunk of metal at the end of a handle)
text: you'd heat it up, and press it against the sugar to cook it.
text: Of course this typically means having a chunk of metal that's just slightly smaller than your container.
text: Some of the high-pressure torch style lighters might also work or you can try putting it under the broiler, but I'd really suggest picking up a propane torch if you're interested in creme brulee.
text: Don't go to a kitchen store, as they're vastly overpriced -- get one from a hardware store.
text: They're maybe $15 or so, and they have a number of uses -- I've soldered pipes, used it to light the grill and even used it for gardening (you know that weed block fabric?
text: You can burn holes in it where you want to plant, which saves a lot of time over cutting).
answer_details: author: cooking.stackexchange.com/users/67/Joe
score: 11
sents: text: Here's what we did exactly once
text: but it worked for us:
text: Cut a area out of foil the exact size that you want the topping to be Spray one side with non-stick cooking spray Mix
text: some of the sugar topping and put it on the foil Put the foil+topping on a cookie sheet and broil.
text: Watch them closely -- this doesn't take long.
text: Bonus for our situation: this was for an event the next day at work.
text: By pre-making the delicate little topping disks, they could be kept separate from the custard until the last moment.
text: This meant the sugar didn't get soggy or broken for anyone.
text: It also meant that only this tiny package could be handled with care while the rest of the stuff could be handled normally.
answer_details: author: cooking.stackexchange.com/users/43/Dinah
score: 6
sents: text: may have already been said but you can use the oven top shelf if it's turned onto the grill.
text: When i worked in a restaurant we used to use the combi oven, which had the pull down grill to heat the top of creme brulee :)
text: Hope you get it done :) xxxxx
answer_details: author: cooking.stackexchange.com/users/2453/Toffee
score: 3
sents: text: In theory you could place the Crème brûlée under a very hot grill for a few seconds, but you are in danger of killing the custard too.
text: Personally, if this is something you anticipate doing frequently, buy a torch.
text: You don't need to spend load on a specialised kitchen torch, just go to your local DIY and get a standard propane plumbers torch.
answer_details: author: cooking.stackexchange.com/users/115/Pulse
score: 2
sents: text: Easy:-mix
text: the sugar with a bit of Vodka and spread over the brule.
text: Light with a match or lighter and see the sugar caramelize as if by magic.
answer_details: author: cooking.stackexchange.com/users/17030/Joey
score: 2
sents: text: You can use an electric stove that has a broil function.
text: Put the rack on the top slot, turn on the broiler, wait until it is red hot and then add the cups of crème brûlée right under the element until you have a golden crust.
text: The crust will be thicker than if you used a torch.
text: Nonetheless, i find the result perfectly fine.
answer_details: author: cooking.stackexchange.com/users/21/Curry
score: 1
sents: text: Just put sugar in a pan, and let it melt; then, pour it over the creme and refrigerate it so it hardens.
answer_details: author: cooking.stackexchange.com/users/6888/best chef eva
score: 0

Summary of the answers:
Traditionally a special crème brûlée iron would be used, but a propane torch is the easiest option. The crème brûlées can be placed under a grill for a few seconds, but this can ruin the custard. Alternatively, just pour melted sugar over the custard and allow to cool.
The best option is to put it under a grill for a few seconds. You can also try melting some sugar and pouring it over to harden.