How To Put Out A Charcoal Grill

If you’re an avid griller, then you know how important it is to properly extinguish your charcoal grill after use. Not only does this prevent dangerous flare-ups, but it also helps preserve the longevity of your grill.

To make sure that your charcoal-grilling experience is as safe and enjoyable as possible, we’ve put together a guide with helpful tips on safely putting out a charcoal grill.

The Importance of Extinguishing a Charcoal Grill

Leaving embers and burning charcoal unattended poses a serious safety risk- it could potentially cause fires or accidental damage to your cover if the grill gets too hot.

Gas grills can be shut off easily without much effort, but a charcoal one requires more deliberate steps for optimal safety.

Methods for Safely Extinguishing a Charcoal Grill

1- Control Heat Quickly:

Close the vents on your barbecue quickly to reduce the oxygen supply and speed up the cooling process.

Start by closing the lid of your grill to cut off oxygen to the flames. Then make sure all vents are tightly sealed before waiting about 48 hours for it to cool completely. This is a surefire option that requires some patience but ultimately guarantees safe results.

2. Dispose And Reuse Coals:

Carefully dispose of extinguished coals before reusing them in the next grilling session (for minimal waste)

3. Never Leave Unattended:

Monitor the extinguishing process up until cool before leaving the area for optimal safety measures.

4. Quick Cooling Technique:

If time constraints prevent you from waiting two days, use heat-resistant gloves and long tongs to remove each briquette into a metal bucket filled with cold water. Then use a spoon or small scooped container for ash removal as well as disposal in another metal bin for safekeeping.

5. Letting it Burn Out:

You can also choose to let the coals burn out by closing all lids and vents on the grill; however, be aware that this often takes longer due to its reliance on airtight seals—which break over time—to reduce oxygen supply from fueling the fire further Although effortless, this approach is not recommended if shorted ended timelines aren’t taken into account

Pros & Cons/Optimizing Tips:

It may be efficient in terms of the effort required. However, there are drawbacks such as increased waste of unburned fuel resulting from an unsuccessful attempt at closing off the oxygen supply properly.

We recommend following additional steps like removing the food promptly after finishing cooking and maintaining bottom vent seals afterward for improved performance rate and better provision of safety.

Can I Pour Water On My Charcoal Grill?

No! Pouring water on a hot charcoal grill can be incredibly dangerous and damage your grill. It can cause cracks and holes in the metal of your grill, create steam that can cause burns, and send ashes flying out of the grill. So avoid pouring water directly onto a hot grate to keep you and your device safe!

Does A Charcoal Grill Go Out By Itself?

Yes, generally speaking, after some time, your charcoal grill will go out by itself when you’re done grilling – but do not remove the briquettes prematurely as they may still be burning or present a fire hazard.

How Long Does It Take For Charcoal To Burn Out?

It typically takes up to 48 hours for the coals to cool down completely so they are safe to remove from the grill.

Final Thoughts

On Grilling SafetyGrill safety should always be top of mind — especially when dealing with hot charcoal briquettes!

Make sure to pack up your equipment properly once finished cooking, don’t cover it until it has cooled off completely, keep children at a distance away from any heated area, and never ever attempt to put your coals out while they’re still burning. Use caution when grilling so you can continue enjoying this delicious hobby for years to come!

Additional Tips

To minimize the cool-down time of your charcoal grill, first, ensure you’re only using as much charcoal as needed. If there’s too much after you cook your food, throw on a few marshmallows or some extra items and get the most out of your charred coals.

After fully cooled down, cover the grill for next use or clean out the ash if desired.

Additionally, it’s possible to reuse any leftover charcoal from your previous cook for your next one – just add them into the chimney with new charcoal!

When it’s time to put out the fire, don’t pour water on burning coal as that can cause steam burns and also send ashes into the air.

You may consider removing pieces of coal and dunking them individually in a bucket of water ​instead may help salvage those pieces that could be reused when dry (if using good-quality coal).

And if using ceramic grills like Big Green Egg or Primo XL, be wary of thermal shock as that could cause cracking.

To avoid messes while spritzing with water for a fast cooling process, use protective gloves and keep a bucket right next to the grill in case you need it. If you’re trying to extinguish a public charcoal grill at parks or parties, however, understand that safety should always come first; thus avoid pouring hot coal and instead wait until it cools down naturally over time before attempting to clean up.