In the paper a simple one-dimensional model of ignition of a dust layer placed on a hot plate was used to calculate temperature field in the layer. The model predictions were compared with experimental results obtained at constant heat flux released from the plate surface. The comparison showed satisfactory agreement for thin dust layers while for the layers of larger thickness the model predicts minimum ignition temperatures lower than experimental values. The discrepancy is attributed to two-dimensional character of the heat transport in layers of large thickness. Therefore, the presented one-dimensional model is an adequate description of the experiments with thin dust layers. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.