A method for starting a combustion device, in particular after a first ignition failure, in particular for starting a gas burner under unknown basic conditions, wherein a characteristic diagram of a start air ratio depending on the burner temperature known from empirical analysis is stored for the combustion device in a memory, wherein a calibration of the starting process is performed, wherein the ratio of opening of the gas valve (w) to air volume mL necessary for ignition is iteratively determined by variation of the gas and/or air volume; and in case of ignition, the combustion device is started and the applicable air ratio (λ)IGNITION is stored.