reducing flame?

[willy m]

what is a "reducing flame" ive read this term when people are discussing forges? what are the reasons to want this in a forge? how do you recognize such a flame situation? i have a 2 can coffee can forge with 2 jth 7's for burners. it gets verry hot. i am trying to refine it as much as possible. thanks,willy

 

[mete]

The fuel/air mix can be fuel rich [reducing] ,neutral, or air rich [oxidizing] .Oxidizing will case more scale and decarb ,reducing will minimize those problems....When using a propane torch there are two cones to the flame the outer [darker blue] is oxidizing ,and the inner [lighter blue] is reducing. The hotest point is the tip of the inner cone.Similar situation with an oxy/acetylene torch.