The charcoal jiko is in kitchens across Kenya. It’s a great way to cook, but burning charcoal gives off carbon monoxide (CO), a gas you cannot see or smell. In a closed room, it can build up to dangerous levels without anyone noticing. A few habits keep everyone safe.
The golden rule: fresh air
- Only light and use a jiko outdoors, or in a room with a door or window open and air moving through.
- Never bring a burning jiko into a bedroom or a closed room to keep warm, even when the flames have gone and only red coals are left. Glowing coals still give off carbon monoxide.
- Never leave a jiko burning in a closed room overnight.
Warning signs of carbon monoxide poisoning
Early signs feel like flu or tiredness, so they’re easy to miss:
- Headache
- Dizziness or feeling faint
- Nausea or vomiting
- Feeling weak, sleepy or confused
If several people in the same room feel this at the same time, suspect carbon monoxide.
What to do
- Get everyone out into fresh air straight away.
- Open the doors and windows, and take the jiko outside if you can do it safely.
- Get medical help quickly, especially for anyone who is confused, very sleepy or has fainted. Children, pregnant women and older people are at higher risk.
Lighting a jiko
- Put the jiko outdoors on a flat, stable surface, away from anything that can burn.
- Put a firelighter or a little crumpled paper at the bottom and pile charcoal on top.
- Light it and leave it for 15–20 minutes until the coals are glowing and covered in grey ash.
- Bring it to where you’re cooking only if there’s plenty of fresh air there.
Never use petrol or paraffin to light a jiko.
Other good habits
- Keep children away from a lit jiko. The metal body gets very hot.
- Don’t put a hot jiko on a wooden floor, carpet or plastic.
- Let the coals burn out completely before you empty the ash, and never put hot ash in a bin.
For grilling outdoors, see how to light charcoal for nyama choma.