Just how hot is molten steel? by TimkenSteel | December 3, 2015 | Categories: Industrial Steel Ladle refining operators control temperature to produce clean alloy steel. But just how hot is 175 tons of molten steel? Watch as we explore that question with Jim Henline, a ladle refining operator at Faircrest Steel Plant. Jim also explains why it’s sometimes important to add heat at the ladle refining station to meet exact chemistry specifications for customers.