A central concern is the correct way to light the barbecue. The district fire chief warns urgently: "Please do not use petrol or any other highly flammable substances such as spirits. That is absolutely unsuitable." Instead, he recommends the use of special barbecue lighters. Liquid barbecue lighter can be placed directly on the charcoal or briquettes in the coal chimney, for example.
Care should be taken with the location of the barbecue: Flammable objects, roofing or other highly flammable materials should not be in the vicinity. The barbecue must not be left unattended after lighting.
Take care when using the chimney starter
Once the charcoal has been lit, you need to be patient. The embers are not hot enough to start grilling until a white layer of ash has formed. The charcoal can then be transferred from the chimney starter to the barbecue. But where to put the hot chimney? "Ideally, the fireplace should be placed on a stone floor or another heat-resistant and non-flammable surface." It is also important to keep a sufficient distance from other objects and avoid flying sparks. "Even a meadow that is very dry tends to ignite easily," warns Dorroch.
District fire chief advises: smother embers, dispose of ashes late
Caution is also required after barbecuing: The air supply - usually via openings on the underside of the barbecue and in the lid - should be closed to smother the embers. Under no circumstances should the ashes be disposed of too early. The fireman advises not to dispose of the charcoal until the following day at the earliest to avoid dangerous afterglow.
