A Complete Guide to Types of Torches: Fuel, Flame and More

Selecting the best hand torch and fuel source for your project is essential. You need to ensure you can work effectively and efficiently to complete your soldering, brazing or welding tasks. 

There is a wide variety of torches, torch kits and fuel options available on the market. Read on for a comprehensive guide to selecting the correct fuel type and torch flame type for your job. 

Key considerations for selecting the right type of torch

When considering the best heat torch and fuel for any trade project, it is important to note the following: 

1. Various metals melt at varying temperatures as per the graph below. 
2. Fuel types allow flames to achieve various temperatures based on fuel composition. 
3. Ambient (environmental) temperatures may affect the flame temperature. 
4. Ensure you select the appropriate fuel type for melting the metal used in your application. 
5. How you plan to use your torch. For example, if you’re looking to heat material on the ground – you may need a torch with a long handle. 

The melting points (°C) of metals that may be used in soldering, welding and brazing applications.

Understanding types of torches by fuel type

One of the major ways torches can be classified is by fuel type. Here are some of the major types of fuels for torches and the unique advantages each of them offers. 

Electric torches 

Soldering Irons are one of the few torches that can be electronically powered. An electric soldering iron can be used for tasks like soldering electronics and jewellery repairing. Soldering irons can be purchased as an all-in-one wand with a cable the plugs into the wall, – or as a soldering station that can remain plugged in on a workbench. 

As electric soldering irons have a small heating point, these torches have the lowest risk of catching surrounding elements on fire. They are suitable to use for DIY or hobby projects.

Butane torches 

Small torches such as soldering irons and precise blow torches can be powered by butane. Butane-powered soldering irons do not require an electrical cable and are therefore highly portable. These irons can also heat up more quickly. Unlike electric torches, butane requires replacement cylinders. 

Butane blow torches can produce a small heating flame, making it suitable for cooking and heat shrinking applications. These torches are a popular choice amongst chefs as they are compact for one-handed use and supply enough heat to char desserts and other food.

Propane torches 

Propane offers more heat than butane and is a great affordable fuel for at-home use. Propane torches are available in a variety of torch heads to customise flame size and precision. Propane can be used for lighting grills, heat shrinking, loosening rusted nuts and bolts removing paint and more. 

Due to their affordability and flame temperature, propane torches make a great all-rounder choice for home projects. For more information, check out our complete guide to propane torch temperature.

MAP-Pro™ torches 

MAP-Pro torches use premium MAP-Pro fuel to offer more heat than propane and butane. These torches are popular for DIY enthusiasts and trade professionals. MAP-Pro can be used for similar applications as propane. As this gas offers extra heat,  it can also be used for projects such as brazing and soldering copper pipes over ¾”.  

Air-Acetylene Torches 

Air acetylene torches require only acetylene gas to operate. These torches can produce even more heat than MAP-Pro torches. Because of the high heat and safety risks of acetylene gas, air acetylene is mostly used by trade professionals for brazing and light welding applications. As air acetylene relies on using oxygen from the air, it cannot produce as much heat as oxy-acetylene torches, which are partially fueled with pure oxygen.

Oxygen & MAP-Pro™ torches 

Oxygen and MAP-Pro torches offer even more heat than MAP-Pro alone, as pure oxygen mixes with MAP -Pro inside the torch. Due to the high-heat and expertise required to handle a dual-gas system, these torches are designed for professional tradespeople such as plumbers, HVAC technicians and automotive technicians. 

Oxy-Map torches can be used where high heat is required, such as in brazing, light welding and thin metal cutting applications. 

Oxygen & Acetylene gas torches 

Oxygen and acetylene gas torches offer the highest heating potential. They are fuelled with a combination of pure oxygen and acetylene gas. These torches must be used by professional tradespeople due to the high safety risks and skill needed to handle a dual-gas system. Oxy-acetylene torches can be used for larger brazing, welding and cutting applications.

Understanding types of torches by flame type

The flame type is the size, shape and type of flame that the hand torch produces. Different flame types are suited to different applications. Types of flame include: 

• Micro (Precision) Flame: A small and precise flame, ideal for detailing tasks that do not require significant heat. It’s used for detailed work such as in electrical soldering and jewellery making.  

• Pencil Flame: A sharp, narrow flame suited for medium precision work. This flame is ideal for general-purpose soldering such as jewellery making, heat shrinking or soldering electronics.

• Webbed Flame: This flame has a broader, web-like pattern. It distributes heat evenly over a larger surface, suitable for soft soldering or brazing tasks on medium-sized pipes or components. 

• Jumbo / Jet Flame: A powerful and focused flame with higher heat intensity. This flame is suited for general home and DIY project tasks such as soldering copper pipes, heat shrinking, cooking and lighting grills. 

• Swirl Flame: A swirl flame is created by a nozzle that induces a swirling motion in the fuel-air mixture. It produces a steady higher heat flame. It’s tightly focused flame suitable general home and DIY projects.  

• Ultra-Swirl Flame: Similar to the swirl flame. The ultra-swirl flame has a nozzle that enhances the swirling action of the fuel-air mixture. This creates a more aggressive, faster-spinning flame that delivers even more heat than a standard swirl flame. This flame is also suitable for home and DIY projects, as well as brazing copper pipes and other tasks. 

• Soft (Wide) Flame: A torch with a wide opening can produce a soft, wide flame. The soft flame allows a large surface area to be heated, without overheating or burning material. This flame is suited for heating, as well as heat shrinking and cable work.  

• Cyclone Burner Flame: This type of flame is designed for soldering and brazing pipes. The flame is able to wrap around a pipe, allowing for better heat distribution along the diameter.
  
• Power Burner Flame: A power burner flame also has a wide opening, with a much longer flame reach. The wide flame lowers the risk of overheating or burning material. The long flame reach and wind-resistant capabilities makes it suitable for professional heating, waterproofing and welding applications.

Common torch flame types and sizes used in various heating applications. This includes the micro flame for detailed work – to the power burner for professional waterproofing applications 

Explore Bromic’s range of gas torches and torch kits to find the perfect product for your soldering and brazing needs.

Torch and fuel selection guide

When selecting the flame type of your hand torch, we recommend the following: 

STEP 1: Select your application.
STEP 2: Match application to the corresponding fuel.
STEP 3: Choose a flame type.
STEP 4: Choose a torch with the right handle and/hose. For example, do you need a long handle or hose for better reach?   

In the table below we outline each of the fuel types and the recommended flame type for each application.  

Use this table to determine the cylinder fuel type you’ll need as well as the type of flame that will suit your project. 

Which gas torch brand should I buy?

At Bromic Plumbing & Gas we have a range of soldering, brazing, and welding hand torch brands to choose from. 

Bernzomatic hand torches and fuel cylinders set the standard in safety, durability, and performance. Bernzomatic believes in providing the right tools and inspiration to take on projects and redefine what you can achieve with passion for craftsmanship and creation. Bernzomatic products have been manufactured in the US for over 140 years. 

Sievert products represent the most advanced technology in heating tools and accessories. Sievert develops, manufactures, and supplies innovative and premium quality tools and tool systems for all types of soldering and heating applications. This brand has been delivering Swedish design and quality for over 130 years. 

Bromic offers a range of welding, cutting, plumbing & HVAC kits for professionals. Our innovative mobile brazing solution, Oxyset, is a lightweight portable system ideal for highly mobile tradespeople or for working in hard to access areas. Bromic has over 40 years’ experience in providing gas and water solutions for technicians. 

What are the major applications for gas torches?

Here is a breakdown of the variety of applications where a quality hand or utility torch can be used. Remember that the correct fuel and flame type is essential for the best possible result. 

• Cooking: Brûlée, browning, melting, toasting and other culinary uses. 

• Automotive: Loosen stubborn nuts and bolts, strip paint and thaw frozen locks. 

• Soldering electronic circuits: Joining metal parts together by melting solder around the connection. Be sure to understand the melting point of solder you’re using before commencing this work.

• Heat shrinking: Using heat to shrink the plastic tubing to insulate wires and electrical connections. 

• Jewellery design: Heating the metal allows for easier shaping of the jewellery piece. 

• Repairing jewellery: Joining broken jewellery pieces together using the heat from the torch 

• Soldering copper pipes: Using the heat to connect two pieces of copper and make the joint watertight. 

• Thawing frozen pipes and locks: By heating it until the mechanism works correctly. 

• Loosening rusted nuts and bolts: Rusted nuts and bolts can be heated with a torch before being cranked by a wrench. 

• Removing paint or paint stripping: Torches can be used instead of heat guns to warm up the paint to make it easier to remove. 

• Removing caulk: Soften the caulking with the heat to make it easier to remove. 

• Removing putty: Use the heat to soften the putty for easy removal. 

• Lighting grills and fire pits: Use the steady flame to get the fire started easier. 

• Brazing copper pipes and steel: Joining the metals together using heat at the joint. 

• Hardening steel: This is accomplished with a high temperature flame. 

• Repairing garden tools: Repairing broken metal joints. 

• Light welding: Using the heat to bend and shape the metals. 

• Weed control: Burn weeds growing in driveway cracks and between pavers. 

• Waterproofing: Ensuring joints are watertight with the use of the hand torch and solder.