Efficient, Effective & Easy to Use
Three principles run through every torch we make: low fuel consumption for the flame size you actually get, repeatable behavior across long studio sessions, and a control feel an artist can dial in without guesswork.
Whisper-Soft Flame
Surface-mix burner geometry gives a quiet, stable flame — without the hiss and turbulence of pre-mix designs. The result is better heat penetration into thick boro and softer behavior on delicate soft-glass work.
Modular Needle Valves
Our signature precision valves let you set a flame and have it stay there for hours. When a valve eventually wears out, two wrenches replace it — no recalibration, no tools shipped back to the factory.
Built to Be Repaired, Not Replaced
Every part on a Bethlehem torch is serviceable. We publish exploded diagrams for every model and stock components decades after a torch’s release. Buying a Bethlehem is buying a tool you keep.
Made in the USA
Machined and assembled by hand in our Pennsylvania workshop. Every torch is pressure-tested and flame-tested before it leaves the building.
Safety Information
Read and follow these guidelines before lighting any torch for the first time. They apply to every Bethlehem model and to most surface-mix bench burners in general.
- Ventilation. Always work with active extraction overhead and a clear path for combustion gases to leave the room.
- Eye protection. Use didymium-rated safety glasses for soft glass and proper boro-rated lenses (shade 5+) for borosilicate.
- Fuel and oxygen separation. Keep oxygen lines, regulators and fittings free of any oil, grease or hand cream — oxygen plus oil is an ignition risk.
- Hose inspection. Check hoses monthly for cracking, abrasion, soft spots and damaged B-fittings. Replace at the first sign of wear.
- Pressure regulation. Follow the PSI ranges on each product specification. Operating outside the rated range damages internals and voids the warranty.
- Backfire response. If the flame pops back into the burner, immediately close the gas valve, then close the oxygen valve. Wait until the burner cools before relighting.
- Fire safety. Keep an ABC-class fire extinguisher within arm’s reach. Never leave a lit torch unattended.
- Children & pets. The studio space must be off-limits whenever a torch is lit or has been recently lit (parts stay hot for 20+ minutes).
Surface Mix Burners — Fuel Consumption Rates
Use this table to size your gas and oxygen supply. All rates are for a fully open flame at the recommended pressure. Multiply by daily run-time to estimate cylinder use.
| Torch | Propane (LPM) | Oxygen (LPM) | BTU / min | Glass Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpha | 3 | 10 | 200 | 19 mm boro |
| Star | 5 | 20 | 200 | 22 mm boro |
| Sharp Flame Hand Torch | 3 | 10 | — | 15 mm boro |
| STACKS I (top) | 3 | 10 | — | 30 mm boro |
| STACKS II (top) | 3 | 30 | — | 30 mm boro |
| Bravo | 6 | 30 | — | 30 mm boro |
| Bravo Sharp Flame | 6 | 30 | — | 30 mm boro |
| Champion | 9 | 45 | — | 38 mm boro |
| Champion Sharp Flame | 9 | 45 | — | 38 mm boro |
| Modified Champion | 9 | 45 | — | Lab tubing |
| Grand | 12 | 60 | — | 50 mm boro |
| Grand Sharp Flame | 12 | 60 | — | 50 mm boro |
Pressures: propane 2–5 psi, tanked oxygen 8–20 psi for all models. LPM = liters per minute at full flame.