Cooking torch fuel, scientifically known as butane, is a colorless, odorless, and highly flammable gas. Butane is classified as an alkane with four carbon atoms, and its chemical formula is C4H10. It's extensively used as a fuel source for cooking torches due to its easy availability, good energy efficiency, and clean combustion. The fuel is stored in pressurized cans and gets converted into heat energy upon combustion, which aids in creating the high temperatures required for various culinary procedures such as searing meat or caramelizing sugar.