Sorry, do NOT do what is in Chris’ picture. You want the short camping propane tanks, not the tall ones. Much less likely to get knocked over, and you do not want your torch tipping over when it is on! The Searzall folks emphasize this too.
Here’s my torch setup (links to Home Depot):
Searzall (which I remove for doing things like creme brûlée)
Bernzomatic TS8000 Premium Torch Head
Bernzomatic WHO159 Universal Torch Extension Hose
Bernzomatic 1 lb. Single Propane Cylinder
The extension hose lets me set the propane tank on the floor and makes it easier to maneuver the torched without your arm getting tired.
My understanding is the Searzall is not rated to use MAPP (actually MAP/Pro or something similar, since 2008 actual MAPP is no longer available in the US, no matter what the label says). You can of course take the Searzall off my setup and just use the TS8000.
Actually, I never use this to sear steaks. I mostly use it to melt the cheese on my burgers, roast peppers, tomatoes, etc, and without the Searzall, make creme brûlée. I have also used it to touch up confit duck skin after broiling.
I actually use a Solderall, aka the same torches my plumbers use on projects. Aside from just having it all on hand, mapp burns hotter and probably has a slightly lesser chance of incomplete combustion. Not that I’ve really noticed residue ever with butane or propane.
If I remember correctly, Dave Arnold did some experiments with different torch techniques and actually measured the chemical composition of the resulting meat surface. His conclusion was that “torch taste” results not from incompletely combusted fuel, but from searing at too high a temperature.
I’d like to see that. Maybe it’s a combination or not the fuel in some cases. But combustible gas has mercaptan added to it, which is odiferous. I was worried about using my mapp tanks on food so did some experiments to see if I could induce some taste by changing the flame from bluish to yellowish, which indicated incomplete combustion. It certainly wasn’t particularly scientific, but I thought I got a little taste with bad mix.