How to put out charcoal after grilling
Need tips for handling charcoal and ash once the grilling is done? Luckily you’re in the right place. First things first — always remember that you should never dispose of or handle old coals until they are completely cold.
Step 1. Cool your coals
To eliminate the possibility of accidental flare ups, always cool down old charcoal and ash. Here are a few common methods for extinguishing and cooling coals.
Suffocate the fire for two full days
Simply close the lid on your grill and shut the vents until the ash has completely cooled for at least 48 hours.
Douse coals with water
By slowly pouring water over the charcoal and stirring, you can cool ash quickly and completely, eliminating the possibility of dormant embers re-igniting. Be careful — adding water to hot coals can create hot steam — make sure you pour slowly to avoid creating hot steam.
Step 2. Dispose of old charcoal and ash
Once your used charcoal and ash is completely cold, you can throw it away. We recommend wrapping completely in aluminum foil before tossing into a non-combustible outdoor trash receptacle.
Step 3: Re-use partially burned coals
If you’d like to re-use partially burned coals to fuel your next grilling session, don’t extinguish them by submerging in water. Instead, carefully spray down your coals with water to prevent further burning. Once completely cooled, partially used coals should be allowed to dry and kept in the grill for later use.
Pro Tip: Don’t compost or fertilize with old briquets
The ingredients contained in both Kingsford® and Kingsford® Match Light® briquets do not aid in the breakdown of organic matter.