Lighting charcoal

Before lighting

• Ventilation: only light charcoal outdoors or with the window open. Glowing charcoal releases carbon monoxide (CO). A CO detector in the room is advisable.
• Surface: choose a non-flammable, stable surface, away from curtains, paper and other flammable objects.
• Keep children and pets away.

Methods

• Electric charcoal lighter: the cubes lie on a hot plate. It is commonly used indoors and outdoors; ventilation nevertheless remains important.
• Gas burner or gas stove: the cubes lie in a charcoal basket over the flame.
• Quick-lighting charcoal is a separate product type with an ignition agent. It cannot be handled like pressed cube charcoal.

When is the charcoal ready?

Pressed cubes are only placed on the head once they are glowing on all sides and the surface is grey. A black core means that the charcoal is not yet glowing all the way through. Manufacturers state different times for this. Damp charcoal glows through less well, so dry storage is important.

After use

• Never leave embers unattended.
• Let ash and residues cool down completely or extinguish them with water, and only then dispose of them.
• Never put hot charcoal into plastic containers or waste bins.

Warning signs

Headache, dizziness or nausea can indicate carbon monoxide. In that case, go out into the fresh air immediately and, if symptoms occur, call the emergency number 112.