For dental use, waxing dentures or whatever you want to do.You insert the metal instrument, in my case a spatula and it heats it up in 2 seconds, just like a fire would, but to get it real hot keep it for 6 to 7 seconds and it will do the job.I switched from table top torch flame to this electric heater and it works like a dream. It's been half a year and it still does what it has to do. Maybe it heats up instruments a tid slower than a fire would but it's not slow at any rate.