Brasero (heater)

A brasero (

Spanish Spanish might refer to: * Items from or related to Spain: **Spaniards are a nation and ethnic group indigenous to Spain **Spanish language, spoken in Spain and many Latin American countries **Spanish cuisine Other places * Spanish, Ontario, Cana ...

: "

brazier A brazier () is a container used to burn charcoal or other solid fuel for cooking, heating or cultural rituals. It often takes the form of a metal box or bowl with feet. Its elevation helps circulate air, feeding oxygen to the fire. Braziers h ...

") is a heater commonly used in

Spain , image_flag = Bandera de España.svg , image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg , national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond") , national_anthem = (English: "Royal March") , i ...

. It is placed under a table covered with a cloth that extends to the floor to provide heat for people sitting at the table. This arrangement is similar to the Japanese ''

kotatsu A is a low, wooden table frame covered by a ''futon'', or heavy blanket, upon which a table top sits. Underneath is a heat source, formerly a charcoal brazier but now electric, often built into the table itself. ''Kotatsu'' are used almost ...

'' or Iranian ''

korsi A ''korsi'' or ''korsí,'' or sandali (Persian: کرسی) is a type of low table found in Iran and Afghanistan, with a heater underneath it, and blankets thrown over it. It is a traditional item of furniture in Iranian culture. A family or oth ...

''. ''Braseros'' were traditionally heated with small pieces of

charcoal Charcoal is a lightweight black carbon residue produced by strongly heating wood (or other animal and plant materials) in minimal oxygen to remove all water and volatile constituents. In the traditional version of this pyrolysis process, cal ...

, called ''cisco'' or ''picón''; nowadays they are usually electric. There are some risks attached to the traditional, charcoal-heated ''brasero''. The embers can burn the fabric or the clothes of the users, causing a fire. Given that ''braseros'' are covered, combustion can occur with small quantities of oxygen, and instead of

carbon dioxide Carbon dioxide (chemical formula ) is a chemical compound made up of molecules that each have one carbon atom covalently double bonded to two oxygen atoms. It is found in the gas state at room temperature. In the air, carbon dioxide is transpar ...

carbon monoxide Carbon monoxide (chemical formula CO) is a colorless, poisonous, odorless, tasteless, flammable gas that is slightly less dense than air. Carbon monoxide consists of one carbon atom and one oxygen atom connected by a triple bond. It is the simple ...

can be generated.

Carbon monoxide poisoning Carbon monoxide poisoning typically occurs from breathing in carbon monoxide (CO) at excessive levels. Symptoms are often described as "flu-like" and commonly include headache, dizziness, weakness, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. Large e ...

can kill victims in their sleep, especially in poorly ventilated rooms. In South America, notably

Argentina Argentina (), officially the Argentine Republic ( es, link=no, República Argentina), is a country in the southern half of South America. Argentina covers an area of , making it the second-largest country in South America after Brazil, th ...

, a ''brasero'' is a small grill attached to a box with coals used to serve sizzling hot meats at an

asado ' () is the technique and the social event of having or attending a barbecue in various South American countries, especially Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay where it is also a traditional event. An ''asado'' usually consists of beef, po ...

. {{Commons category, Brasero (heater) Cooking appliances Furniture