Abstract: A method for burning fuels, particularly garbage, in incinerators with a stoker grate, for which the primary air is supplied below the stoker grate into the fuel layer and the secondary air is supplied above the fuel layer, is controlled in such a way that the intensity of the combustion of the fuel on the stoker grate is increased by increasing the oxygen content of the primary air and the intensity of the combustion in the secondary combustion zone is choked by decreasing the oxygen content in the secondary air. Flue gas, preferably from the combustion process, is recirculated in order to reduce the oxygen content of the secondary air.