I tried it on the middle setting first after reading all the "my hair melted off" reviews.  Nothing impressive or scary, not even close to hot enough so cranked it up bit by bit to the highest setting.  Yes, the want was hot.  No it did nothing to curl my hair. Mind you, I had just tried the Bed Head Rock 'n' Roller Ceramic Styling Iron and while it curled (really curled) my hair, the Hot Tools one left a bit of a wave with a smidge of a curl on the end.  Meh.  Returned it.