Safely Managed Barbeque Use of Charcoal as Traditional Renewable Energy

Abstract

While coal is a fossil fuel, traditional charcoal is an inherently renewable energy source. In addition to fuel, charcoal can also be used as a functional material such as adsorbents and catalysts. Charcoal is still used for heating in safe cooking situations, such as barbecues. However, in recent years in Japan, there have been many cases of barbecue fire accidents. This study is a case study in which the author experimented with charcoal (made from Malaysian mangroves) barbecue using a safe method within an established facility. Based on past fire incidents, the main causes are the ignition of liquid or fluid combustion aids, the spread of sparks bythe wind, and insufficient trailing fire. In this case study, under calm wind conditions (artificially fanning at an appropriate level of strength), using a solid firelighter, and collecting used and extinguished charcoal ash in a metal container, these three points was found to be important for safety fire management in barbeque.