To (1) enable materials conventionally unsuitable for fuel charcoal to be utilized and improve the combustion efficiency of the materials, to (2) improve both the handleability and efficiency of fuel charcoal in its ignition, to (3) improve the convenience of fuel charcoal handleability, and to (4) prevent the end portions of rodlike fuel charcoal from getting out of shape.

(1) Granular coal is blended with a binder such as plant powder or sugar and hardened. (2) An ignition agent consisting mainly of the product described in (1) is unified with the main fuel charcoal body. (3) Granular charcoal is hardened so that the resulting quantity represent a standard corresponding to a single batch to be used up. (4) Rodlike fuel charcoal is prevented from getting out of shape by covering the end portions with protective caps.