Searzall Torch Review

Searzall Torch Attachment

KEY INFORMATION ABOUT the Searzall Torch attachment

What is a Searzall Torch attachment used for in sous vide cooking?

One of the most satisfying ways to finish off your sous vide meal after cooking it, is by searing, caramelizing or charring it. To do this many sous viders use a blow torch or kitchen torch. The Searzall is an attachment that is secured to the top of a blow torch. It creates the perfect searing temperature to finish off your sous vide food. In sous vide cooking it is most often used to sear steaks and other proteins. This Searzall Torch review focuses on its application to sous vide cooking only. 

When using a blow torch by itself to finish off food, the flame can be a little thin. For example, some general purpose blow torches as well as some kitchen torches have flames that look like this:

Searzall Torch review

This thin flame means that it does not evenly sear your food. By forcing the thin flame of the blowtorch through two layers of fine, high-temperature-resistant wire mesh, the Searzall produces a consistent, evenly spread flame. That flame provides a professional quality finish to the sous vide meats and other food items you have cooked.

When using a Searzall Torch attachment, the flame is more dispersed and looks like this:

Searzall torch review

To learn more about searing your sous vide food at the end of your sous vide cook, check out our recent article Ready for some serious heat using a blow torch to finish off sous vide meat.

Key features of the Searzall Torch attachment

  • The two wire mesh layers provide a consistent, even flame that will finish your sous vide food to a professional level
  • The back screen is coated in palladium which provides even more temperature and oxidation resistance
  • Searzall is compatible with the Bernzomatic TS8000 torch head and a 16.4 ounce propane tank such as the Coleman propane cylinder

This hand-held cooking device turns a blowtorch into a hand-held broiler, which makes for fast and delicious meal preparation. Anyone who has ever attempted to make their own sous vide steaks knows the struggle of getting the skin perfectly seared without further cooking the steak on the inside.

A tip for lovers of meat is to be patient enough to wait at least a few seconds after the initial blast of heat to start searing. This will allow your meat to turn the correct color much more quickly. Uneven foods are sometimes the hardest to cook evenly. This makes the Searzall torch attachment an ideal choice for roasts.

Specifications of the Searzall Torch attachment

  • Length: 5.3″
  • Width: 4.9″
  • Height: 4.8″
  • Weight: 0.55 pounds

Now onto our Searzall Torch review.

QUICK REVIEW

At Sous Vide Hub, we know that many of you are time poor. That’s why we provide a short product overview just below in all of our product reviews. Don’t get us wrong, we would love you to read our extended review. But if long reviews are not your thing, then feel free to just read the next paragraph and the summary of pros and cons after it.

PRODUCT OVERVIEW COMMENTS

In sous vide cooking, the Searzall is used predominantly to sear sous vide steak and caramelize creme caramels. It is also really helpful for cooking odd shaped sous vide meats as the flame disperses better than a kitchen torch can its own. The Searzall uses shallow heat. This allows you to take complete control of the flame in order to provide just the right temperature for the food you are planning to sear. The wire frame that surrounds the Searzall provides added protection and shielding. The Searzall more evenly disperses the flame onto the food you are searing or caramelizing.

Whilst the Amazon description for the Searzall suggests it is compatible with several torches, the manufacturer suggests using it only with the the Bernozomatic TS800 torch. The Searzall is not a tool made for speed. Time is needed to produce an even sear. It doesn’t conduct as much heat as a cast iron pan. But the Searzall allows for a refinement of the sear that many sous viders find is superior to the sear they get with a cast iron pan.

If you are looking to set yourself up with the Searzall you will need to also purchase the Bernzomatic TS8000 and a compatible gas cylinder. This is going to set you back a little cash. Some sous viders would say that this set up is a bit of overkill given searing with a cast iron pan also produces great results. But the majority of sous vide home and commercial cooks out there who use the Searzall with the Bernzomatic TS8000, love it.

Product Images

Here’s a few images of the Searzall Torch attachment:

Searzall torch


In a nut shell here are the key pros and cons of the Searzall Torch attachment:

PROS

  • Produces a consistent, evenly spread flame that provides a professional quality finish to your sous vide cooked meats and other food items
  • Unlike some blow torches it can produce sears on complex and uneven shapes better than a grill or skillet
  • When searing steaks, the Searzall produces a very consistent sear and an enviable, restaurant style thin crust layer which allows more juices to be retained in the center of the meat (ie, medium/medium-rare etc)
  • It doesn’t leave any off-putting aromas that can often result when cooking with some blowtorches (particularly those that use propane)
  • It fits the Benzomatic TS8000 torch perfectly and the Bernzomatic TS4000 torch (although this model is not as powerful as the TS8000)
  • There is less cleanup required than if you grill or skillet sear your sous vide food
  • It comes with detailed helpful instructions

 CONS

  • It can take a little time to get used to the technique (although the instructions are very helpful)
  • It typically takes longer than a cast iron sear which might be a show stopper if you are having a dinner party with lots of guests
  • The cost of your set up is reasonably expensive by the time you buy the Bernzomatic TS8000 and the gas cylinder as well
  • Buying a replacement screen is reasonably expensive (this is the most common replacement part sought by reviewers)

More info

What does a sous vide immersion circulator do?
A thermal immersion circulator is an electronically powered device that circulates and heats water. The water is kept at an accurate and stable temperature (thanks Wikipedia).

A sous vide immersion circulator clips onto a vessel of water, giving home cooks the ability to cook in the sous vide style in their own kitchens, which is awesome! They take up very little space in your kitchen and they are an affordable and easy to use sous vide option. Check out our FAQ to learn more about the sous vide method of cooking if you are new to this type of cooking.

You can also check out our sous vide recipes here. 

What can I cook with a sous vide immersion circulator?
What can’t you cook with an immersion circulator? Just kidding. There are some foods it won’t cook. An immersion circulator assists you to cook a range of foods including proteins (red meat, pork, chicken, duck, fish etc), vegetables and even desserts. It locks in freshness and “juicyness” and allows you to cook restaurant quality meals. Of course that doesn’t mean you can pull a ready made Pavlova out of it.

Check out our sous vide recipes here.

DETAILED SOUS VIDE HUB REVIEW – Searzall Torch attachment

PERFORMANCE

The Searzall Torch attachment is one of the few reputable torch flame diffusers on the market for sous vide cooking. It is a very popular choice for those who enjoy sous vide cooking.

Those who love their steaks and burgers rare, love the Searzall. It allows you to create an even outside sear on your food but also prevents accidental over-cooking of the inside of your food. Melting cheese, cooking eggs or searing a burger with the Searzall won’t turn those dishes into rubber. The Searzall Torch attachment prevents food from becoming too well done. And you can get that same flame broiled taste out of the Searzall without that propane flavor. In addition to offering flame protection, the two wire mesh layers on the Searzall provide a consistent, even fire that will finish your food to a professional level.

Here’s a quick YouTube clip to give you a sense for how the Searzall works.

If you are looking to use the Searzall with your blow torch as both a party trick and a delicious meal maker, you need to know that the Searzall takes some time to sear your sous vide steak or caramelize your sous vide creme brulee. If you are cooking 20 steaks for a large party of guests, the Searzall might not be for you given the time required to sear each steak.

EASE OF USE

The Searzall attaches to the top of a blow torch. With this connectable tool, you can harness the flame to produce just the right flame strength required for searing different sous vide foods. Once you’ve finished searing, you simply let the Searzall cool down, clean it and put it away.

It is very important that you season the Searzall before you use it. If you don’t season it, you will likely end up with a hole in the screen which is expensive to replace. Instructions for seasoning are included in the packaging so you will know exactly what to do.

We only recommend using the Bernzomatic TS8000 and Bernzomatic TS4000 torches in conjunction with a 16.4oz “camping” propane tank such as the Coleman 16.4 ounce propane cylinder with the Searzall Torch attachment. The thin blue tank that is often marketed with the Searzall on Amazon is unsafe. It is too small to support the weight of the Searzall when you put it down. So there is a danger of it falling over and snapping the head off the Searzall which is really dangerous. The shorter style “camping” cylinder such as the Coleman mentioned above has a more stable base.

CONVENIENCE

If you’ve ever thought that blow torches look like a lot of fun, then a blow torch is for you. Maybe you can see yourself searing a steak, charring some fish or caramelizing a creme brulee AND dazzling your dinner guests in the process? If so, then click that buy button. If the thought of being within close proximity of a naked flame, turns you into a nervous wreck, blow torches may not be right for you. Whilst the Searzall attached to a blow torch isn’t inconvenient per se, using the tool does require some practice.

The Searzall is super convenient to use when it comes to odd shaped foods such as ribs, fish and some steak cuts. It will do a better searing job than a cast iron sear in this case. This is because the dispersed flame can get into your food’s nooks and crannies where your cast iron pan cannot.

If you are an apartment dweller, the Searzall is a super convenient option for you. You can sear, caramelize and char away without a BBQ or a cast iron pan triggering your fire alarm system!

DESIGN

The simple and clean design of the Searzall torch attachment means it connects easily to the top of your torch for fast assembly. With a back screen that is coated with palladium, your Searzall will resist oxidation and keep your hand cool during use.

If there is anything about the design that sous viders don’t love, it’s the screen on the Searzall. It does discolor. But that is part of the process.

As we mentioned in the Easy of Use section above, the design and shape of the Searzall makes this configuration extremely top heavy and you should not use any tall narrow gas cylinders with it. The Searzall needs several minutes to sufficiently cool down after being turned off and without a well balanced gas cylinder below it, the instability can be extremely dangerous. Booker and Dax, the Searzall’s maker, has made it abundantly clear that they do not endorse the use of any tall skinny gas cylinders with the Searzall Torch attachment.

WARRANTY AND SUPPORT

At the time of writing this review, the Searzall Torch attachment has only just reappeared on the market. Recent feedback is therefore difficult to source. The manufacturer has a limited 3 month warranty for the United States only. The Seazall must be purchased from an authorized seller (this includes Amazon) for them to honor this.

ACCESSORIES INCLUDED

Includes: one (1) Searzall , one (1) aluminum sleeve adapter, typically pre-attached to the rear of your Searzall, one (1) 2-mm allen key, one (1) pre-attached thumbscrew, one (1) Searzall spacing stick, and one allen screw pre-attached to the sleeve adapter.

The Benzomatic TS8000 torch is not included with the Searzall attachment. You need to purchase that separately.

You will also need to purchase a propane cylinder as this is not included with the Searzall Torch attachment. Do not use any tall, narrow propane tanks. You need to use a propane cylinder that is more balanced in a “squat shape”. Consider the Coleman 16.4 ounce propane cylinder.

PROS (RECAP FROM EARLIER IN THIS ARTICLE)

  • Produces a consistent, evenly spread flame that provides a professional quality finish to your sous vide cooked meats and other food items
  • Unlike some blow torches, it can produce sears on complex and uneven shapes better than a grill or skillet
  • When searing steaks, the Searzall produces a consistent sear and a restaurant quality thin crust layer which allows more juices to be retained in the center of the meat (ie, medium/medium-rare etc)
  • It doesn’t leave any off-putting aromas that can result when cooking with some blowtorches (particularly those that use propane)
  • It fits the Benzomatic TS8000 torch perfectly and the Bernzomatic TS4000 torch (although this model is not as powerful as the TS8000)
  • There is less cleanup required than if you grill or skillet sear your food
  • It comes with detailed helpful instructions

CONS (RECAP FROM EARLIER IN THIS ARTICLE)

  • It can take a little time to get used to the technique (but the instructions are very helpful)
  • It typically takes longer than a cast iron sear which might be a show stopper if you are having a dinner party with lots of guests
  • The cost of your set up is reasonably expensive by the time you buy the Bernzomatic TS8000 and the gas cylinder as well
  • Buying a replacement screen is reasonably expensive (this is the most common replacement part sought by reviewers)


HINTS AND TIPS FROM REAL PEOPLE WHO HAVE USED THE SEARZALL TORCH ATTACHMENT

Here are some first hand hints and tips from people who have used the Searzall Torch attachment:

Tip #1 Make sure the meat you’re searing is dry. If it is too wet, you will not get a good sear.
Tip #2 Amazon suggests buying the Searzall with the Bernzomatic TS8000 and three 14.1 gas cylinders. The gas cylinders recommended should not be used with the Searzall Torch attachment. Only purchase the Searzall torch attachment with a more stable “squat” shaped propane cylinder such as the Coleman 16.4 ounce propane cylinder.
Tip #3 You’ll need to season the torch before use. It comes with a piece of wood that you use to properly space the Searzall from the torch head.
Tip #4 Keep the torch as close to the meat as the wire will allow. If you keep it to far away, it will take forever. If you want to get a nicer sear, brush your meat with some olive oil.
Tip #5 Seasoning the Searzall is a bit scary because the unit is so large. You should take it outside, turn it upside down and flame it for quite a few minutes rather than doing this in your kitchen.
Tip #6 When seasoning the Searzall, DO NOT turn on the propane torch to the highest setting.
Tip #7  Make sure to tighten the Searzall to the torch tightly, otherwise it may fall off when it heats up.
Tip #8  If you love that smoke flavor you get when using charcoal, add liquid smoke to your steaks.

Click here to view the current price of the Searzall Torch attachment on Amazon.

Are you looking for a more economical way to sear, caramelize and char your sous vide food? The following torches are also very popular (but they cannot be used with the Searzall Torch attachment):

Iwatani Pro2 Food Torch

Xpert’s Flame Culinary Torch

Keen to know more about some of the best sous vide immersion circulators on the market? Here are some of our top picks:

Anova Culinary Sous Vide Immersion Circulator (also comes in a WiFi version). Both models fit in this LTGEM case.

Feel free to check out our product review of the Anova Immersion Circulator by clicking here.

ChefSteps Joule Sous Vide Immersion Circulator

Feel free to check out our product review of the Joule immersion circulator by clicking here.

Sansaire Sous Vide Immersion Circulator
Feel free to check out our product review of the Sansaire Sous Vide immersion circulator by clicking here

Kitchen Gizmo Immersion Circulator
Feel free to check out our product review of the Kitchen Gizmo immersion circulator by clicking here

Wancle Immersion Circulator
Feel free to check out our product review of the Wancle immersion circulator by clicking here.

Helpful links:

Here are some other useful sous vide products you might like to use with your next sous vide cook:

Vacuum sealer
Vacuum sealer bags
Sous Vide Water Balls
SousVide Supreme Zip Cooking Pouches (can be sealed without a vacuum sealer)

To hear more from Sous Vide Hub including new products on the market, sous vide product reviews, tips and hints plus exclusive subscriber discounts, subscribe today by clicking here.

Further reading and resources

Sous Vide Hub article titled “Ready for some serious heat. Using a sous vide torch to finish off your sous vide steak”

For a range of over 200 delicious sous vide recipes click here.

To learn more about sous vide cooking in general, head to our FAQ page by clicking here. Our Resources page also has plenty of useful information about the best sous vide websites, apps, Youtube channels plus more.

Products mentioned in this post

Searzall Torch attachment
Iwatani PRO2 Culinary Butane Torch
Bernzomatic TS8000 Kitchen Torch
Bernzomatic TS4000 Kitchen Torch
Coleman Propane Cylinder
Xpert’s Flame Culinary Torch

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