Glad to help - you can actually use a general plumbers torch - mind the flame is 'large' - or get a nice little 'kitchen gadget' one ahich has a smaller more controllable flame - TK Maxx had some with a gas canister for about the �9 mark recently, which is the best price I've seen one at, or you can find them online for good prices too.
Its only 14 Saturdays to Christmas so good reason to pop to the shops then.....
You can use the torch for finishing of gratin dishes, caramalising the sugars for brulee of course, browning the tips of merimgues, skinning tomatoes, finishing chargrilled veg to get a nice even colour, getting the skin on a rice pudding to be even.
Try dusting fresh fruit with icing sugar and passing the torch over it to give a touch of colour - finishes a meal really nicely, or try caramalising fruit kebabs...so you should be able to justify getting one...