Help CO method clarification please

[cowardly_cow24]

Hello everyone, I am a long time lurker and finally decided to create an account and join in. I have perused the megathread as well as a bazillion posts from other people, but I have a few questions.

My plan is to buy two bags of the royal oak lump charcoal (about 31 pounds) and burn it outside, I have never burnt charcoal before, so I was wondering how exactly would I burn it without like lighter fluid and how to know it is time to transfer it into the metal bucket to be used? Because from what I read I should not overburn it, correct?
Additionally, where I live right now it is snowing like there is snow outside, would that make it not work? Moreover, I live in a dorm room, would the fire alarm be triggered? Part of me assumes not, since I'm bringing the charcoal inside after it calmed down, no? I was thinking of putting a few wet towels inside my closet and put the bucket with the charcoal on top and seal the closet and stay inside as it fills up since the closet is a small space, but my problem is that the closet is wooden, would the hot bucket with the charcoal cause a fire even with the wet towel under?

I'm based in the states, but English is not my first language, I apologize if this does not make sense

 

[BillyBob]

First off you are in a Dorm. I would not recommend this method as it puts others at risk.
Next yes it would most likely set off fire alarms if you made one little slip up depending on the sensors they have. If they have CO detectors too it would fail instantly.

If you do plan on using the CO method. And are living in a Dorm. I would go buy a good tent, one that has a good HEAT and high bottom lining and use that in the summer when you are fully prepared. This means there will be zero risk to anyone else.

To light the charcoal anyway you would want to use a Chimney starter. Depending on how much charcoal you are going to use you may need 2.

 

[cowardly_cow24]

Thank you for your reply, my dorm has no co detectors, and it is a special dorm away from everyone since I have accommodations so that is why I considered it, I would never harm anyone else. Would the tent method still work in the snow?