Abstract: This invention relates to improved methods for making a composite heat source comprising carbon and metal species. The composite heat source made by the methods of this invention have ignition temperatures that are substantially lower than carbonaceous heat sources, while at the same time provide sufficient heat to release a flavored aerosol from a flavor bed for inhalation by the smoker. Upon combustion, the heat source produces substantially no carbon monoxide. The metal species may be prepared by mixing a metal oxide, metal and a carbon source, pre-forming the metal oxide/metal/carbon source mixture into a shape and converting the mixture to metal species in situ, without substantially altering the original shape of the mixture.