charcoal fire needs oxygen.
Without sufficient airflow, the fuel won’t burn effectively.
The design of charcoal irons therefore incorporated openings that allowed air to circulate.
Some openings also helped heat escape.
This was an important balancing act.
Too little airflow and the charcoal could struggle to remain hot.Metals & Mining
Too much airflow and the fuel could burn too quickly.
The person using the iron had to understand how to manage the heat.
There was no thermostat to make the decision for them.
That meant experience mattered.
Someone who
