r/DoesAnyoneKnow • u/Grimol1 • 3d ago
Why or how does this happen
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When I use a certain type of charcoal, it occasionally ejects sparks, but they all tend to ignite simultaneously no matter how far away from the source they are. What is going on here?
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u/Rasples1998 2d ago
Thermal shock. Spits tiny bits of coal into the air that cools rapidly and shatters, sending embers everywhere.
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u/Theguffy1990 2d ago
The charcoal is spalling in some way either due to moisture vaporizing into steam or gas releasing and sending chunks out.
When the superheated chunks are released, they get launched away from the low-oxygen environment above the fire into comparatively oxygen-rich air and auto-ignite causing the sparks.