system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
[ATLA]Can the average firebender touch hot metal without being burned?

In the episode where Iroh is captured by Earthnebders he is able to heat his manacles until they are red hot, burning the guard who touches it but not himself. Are there any other examples of firebenders touching hot objects without being burned?
gpt
I think it's an intent thing. A forever can touch an object he is actively heating without being burned, but cannot touch an externally heated one. This would explain why Iroh could heat the cuffs, but Zuko could be burned by his father or the prison lake.