What would be a very inexpensive substitute for a blowtorch?

I even have a propane tank, is there a propane tank attachment i could use as a torch?

You could use a long lighter.

a match and a bit of sherry?

flash paper

well, the long lighter would take too long and would run out of fuel quickly

My mother would caramelize the sugar in a pot and pour a thin layer over the custard. I hope that’s helpful ;)

As @augustlan suggested, get a disposable butane lighter and set the flame at maximum (+). You don’t need the full heat of a blowtorch to do what your recipe requires.

You know you can pick up a little torch for like 15 bucks right? I got mine at acme a few years back for around that price. Or you can also get a little cheap torch lighter for like 5.

How about a blow torch. They are like $12 in the hardware store.

a blow torch will thread on to a propane bottle. The flame is adjustable. I got one to use when getting old window glass from houses before ripping the window frames out. By heating up the glass around the sash the glue will soften and allow clean removal of the glass…usually. So it should work fine in any culinary tasks if you adjust the flame accordingly.