How to Put Out a Charcoal Grill | Your Trusted Grill Partner

What You'll Need

To make the process safe and efficient, gather everything on the list below before you start. And as always, use Kingsford™ Original Charcoal Briquets for consistent performance and authentic flavor.

FUELS AND TOOLS

Charcoal Grill with Lid: Essential for suffocating the fire and cooling coals safely.
Heat-Resistant Grilling Gloves: Protect your hands when handling hot surfaces or coals.
Spray Bottle or Small Bucket of Water: For controlled cooling when you need to speed up the process.
Metal Tongs: For moving coals and ensuring embers are fully extinguished.
Non-Combustible Outdoor Trash Receptacle: Safe storage for cooled ash and briquets.
Recommended Fuel: Kingsford™ charcoal for consistent performance.

How to Cool Your Coals

Cooling your coals completely is the first step to safe cleanup. Hot embers can stay active for hours — even overnight — so don't rush this process. Here are two proven methods:
Suffocate the fire for 48 hours. Close the grill lid and shut all vents to cut off oxygen. Leave the coals untouched for at least two full days until they are completely cool. This method is the safest because it avoids steam and splatter.
Douse coals with water. If you need to speed things up, slowly pour water over the coals while stirring with tongs. Pour carefully to avoid creating hot steam. Continue until all embers are fully extinguished, and the ash feels cool to the touch. Note: Using this method may cause ash to splatter. If using Match Light™ Charcoal, ensure flame has burned out before suffocating.
Safety Tip: Never handle or dispose of coals until they are completely cool. Hot embers can remain hidden beneath the ash and may reignite when exposed to oxygen.

How to Dispose of Used Charcoal and Ash

Once your coals and ash are cold:

Shake any remaining ash through the grate and collect it in the grill’s ash catcher.
Empty the ash into a non-combustible outdoor trash receptacle.
Important: Do not compost or use old briquets as fertilizer. Kingsford™ charcoal ingredients do not aid in organic breakdown.

How to Reuse Partially Burned Coals

Want to save leftover briquets for your next cookout?

Close the grill lid and shut all vents to cut off oxygen. Allow the coals to completely cool. Once cool, leave any partially burned briquets that have not turned to ash in the grill for future use. Dry briquets can help jump-start your next fire and reduce waste.

Why Proper Disposal Matters

Improperly handled charcoal can cause flare-ups, damage your grill, or even start a fire in your trash bin. Taking a few extra minutes to cool and contain your coals ensures safety for your home and yard — and makes your next grilling session easier.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. If the briquets are fully cooled and dry, store them in your grill for next time.

Yes, but pour slowly and stand back to avoid steam burns. Stir until all embers are out and the ash is cool. Note: pouring water on hot coals can be messy and may lead to ash splatter on the inner sides of a grill.

Wait until coals and ash are completely cool — usually 24–48 hours — before cleaning to prevent burns or flare-ups.