In this paper, a simulation model is comprehensively established for reciprocating grinding temperature and effects of rectangular, triangular, and elliptical heat sources on the grinding temperature were investigated. The results suggest that the three shapes of heat sources exhibit minor differences in their maximum temperatures, but their temperature distributions vary. However, in continuous grinding, the heat source shapes exert a limited effect on the magnitude of steady temperature. Compared to the rectangular heat source, the elliptical heat source exhibits better performance in response to changes in the feed rate. The elliptical heat source combines characteristics of the rectangular and triangular heat sources, rendering it better suited under diverse grinding conditions. The comparison of the simulation results with the experimental results reveals good consistency in terms of the steady temperature and the time to reach the steady temperature, thereby confirming the validity of the simulation model.