Searing is fun, right? But which one? With a flamethrower, a heat gun, or a ‘searzall’? Let’s not get scared! Let’s explore the latter two of these: Searzall VS Heat Gun. The Flamethrower one was to enchant you, nothing serious. Even if you are brave enough, you should NOT try that at home without professional validation.
Searing Sous Vide Meat / Steak
Searing is essential for meat or steak cooked in a sous vide manner. The crusty outward is the attractive part of the meat for many people. Also, searing adds more heat to the food, and the final recipe is prepared in this process. Generally, searing is preferred in two ways: with a searzall that runs on propane or with a heat gun, which is a hair drier with an increased heating ability. Contrary to the old-fashioned skillet method, these two processes ensure uniform heating and searing throughout the food. Also, you can use these two outside your home, making them perfect choices for a picnic. But it’s challenging to choose between the two: Searzall? Or Heat Gun?
Let’s first explore the two in their manners:
Heat Gun
As mentioned earlier, a heat gun is just an enhanced hair drier, with a “little” upgrade in the preferred temperature range while using this – up to 1300 degrees Farrenheit. It uses airflow to heat the material in front. It has a variety of uses, such as stripping paint or shrinking plastic. Using it for searing has several advantages over other methods, making it a choice as a searing tool. Generally, the outside layer of steak or meat is browned by using it.
Things to keep in mind while searing with a heat gun
- Move the heat gun continuously over the steak to get uniform heating
- An adjustable temperature gauge as an attachment can ensure accurate heating for a specific period.
Pros
- Does not require gas, unlike searzall, which runs on propane.
- Browning the meat is efficient with a heat gun.
- Consistent heating throughout the food.
- Good for reheating food.
Cons
- Requires the air outlet to be almost touching the meat while heating.
- Thick crust is not possible with a heat gun.
- Requires much more time (almost double) for the same searing level than a searzall.
Searzall:
Searzall is a blowtorch that uses propane and creates flame to burn, or almost burn, the food. You might think now, “wait a minute! Won’t that make the food ‘propany’?” No, it won’t if you follow the proper guideline of seasoning the searzall and using it. This significant achievement of eliminating the propane flavor even after using propane has made it stand out among other blowtorches in the market.
Things to keep in mind while searing with a Searzall:
- Move the searzall continuously over the steak to get uniform heating
- Proper seasoning of the screens is required.
- Keep track of the screens and replace them as they wear down after heating for some time.
- The distance between the flame and the food is important regarding the uniform searing of the food.
Pros
- Thick crust is possible within a shorter time, almost half of the time required for a heat gun.
- Requires less attention while cooking.
Cons
- Suitable only for a limited amount of food. If a larger amount is to be seared or cooked, an oven or a cast iron pan is better.
- If not seasoned properly, the steak’s propane flavor will taste bitter.
| Heat Gun | Searzall |
|---|---|
| No gas required | Propane tank required |
| Moving the heat gun is required. | Moving the searzall is required. |
| No seasoning required | Seasoning of screens is required to eradicate propane flavor. |
| Thick Crust is not possible | Any type of crust is possible |
| Requires almost touching the meat | Requires a suitable distance for a specific crust |
| More time-consuming than a searzall | Consumes half the time as a heat gun |
| Has several other uses along with cooking. | Also has several other uses but is limited to fewer than a heat gun. |
F.A.Q.s
Can you use a heat gun for creme brulee?
Ans: Bake the custard and refrigerate for one hour. Then, to get the crusty sugar outlay of the brulee, you can use a heat gun. It’s much more efficient than using a broiler oven. The heat gun works excellently in this case.
Can a heat gun be used for cooking?
Ans: Yes, heat guns have this alternative usage in cooking. It has become popular among chefs recently.
Final Thoughts
Sous Vide is a special type of cooking technique that requires searing, and both heat gun and searzall have their own pros and cons in making the better sous vide meat or steak. Heat gun ensures uniform heating without electricity input, whereas Searzall offers a wide range of crust thickness within a lower time. I would go for a searzall if I am outside as it requires gas input with an output of thick, crispy crust. I must say, It’s a tough choice!