A burning cigarette's temperature varies significantly depending on whether it's between puffs or actively being smoked.
Temperature Fluctuations
- Between puffs: The temperature hovers around 400 °C (752 °F). The ember continues to smolder, but the combustion isn't as intense.
- During a puff: The temperature dramatically increases to approximately 900 °C (1652 °F). This is due to the increased airflow and more active burning process.
Several sources confirm this temperature range:
- Wikipedia states that temperatures range from about 400 °C between puffs to about 900 °C during a puff.
- A Guardian article mentions cigarettes burning at around 700°C (1292°F), which falls within the broader temperature range.
- A Quora answer (https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-temperature-at-the-tip-of-a-burning-cigarette-1) indicates cigarette smoke is extremely hot—about 900 °C (1650 °F) when initially released.
This high temperature during a puff is sufficient to ignite flammable materials. The U.S. National Park Service emphasizes the importance of properly disposing of cigarette butts due to their potential to cause fires. A cigarette reaching temperatures above 600 degrees Celsius is hot enough to sustain combustion, as noted by PMI Science (https://www.pmiscience.com/content/pmiscience/language-master/en/smoke-free/combustion.html).
