Quote:
wipe the stock with a wet rag and immediately dry it with propane torch,


Why a propane torch rather than a hair dryer or a heat gun?

If your objective is to whisker the wood, you can let it air dry after after the wipe with the damp rag, or just wipe it again with denatured alcohol to evaporate any residual moisture, no heat required (nor desireable in the presence of alcohol). The torch seems a bit extreme and risky.