Abstract: According to the invention, there is a method for the controlled generation of heat, which is characterized in that charcoal is kept in a glowing state in an essentially closed-off glow chamber which has at least one fine-mesh screen-like wall for radiating the heat, and there is also a heat source with a charcoal bowl, in particular for carrying out the method, which is characterized by an essentially topside cover with a fine-mesh screen and by at least one ventilation orifice, into which issues in a lower region of the charcoal bowl an air supply line to which an air stream generator, in particular a blower, can be connected.