We all love grilling outside during the summer. But after all those hot and spicy chicken wings and juicy burgers. However, after grilling, the charcoal remains. Charcoal is great for many things. It can be used in fire pits, fireplaces, and even gas grills.
If you’re looking at what to do with charcoal after grilling, this article will help you. Here are some tips on how you can reuse that old charcoal from your last grilling session! Using your charcoal again won’t only save money but also reduce waste and create an enjoyable atmosphere in your home or any place you want to use it.
Tools You’ll Need
The following tools are required to extinguish a charcoal grill properly:
- Long-handled cleaning brush: This will make quick work of cleaning the grill grate and bottom where you can’t get with a sponge.
- Grill scraper – The best way to scrape off stuck-on bits.
- Long-handled tongs – For flipping and removing hot coals.
- Cover for the Grill – It’s good to keep your Grill covered.
- Long-handled grill brush – For scrubbing the inside of the Grill (more on that below).
- Long-handled lighter – For relighting coals.
- Aluminum foil – Collect the ash and char.
What Charcoal Grills Did You Need to Know?
The Charcoal you use will determine how long the coals will last. The briquette type of Charcoal burns hotter and faster than natural coals. More attention is needed to prevent them from burning. On the other hand, natural coals will smoke longer and more consistently. But it will take longer actually to reach the desired temperature. In general, most grills are designed to work with briquettes. If you want to use natural coals, make sure your Grill is designed to work with them. Consult the owner’s manual or with the salesperson if you’re purchasing a new grill.
What to do with charcoal after grilling
Before storing the charcoal briquettes, ensure that the grill has cooled down entirely by opening its air vents and allowing the coals time to cool down. It might take a few hours for the coals to cool down, but a scorching grill will be more challenging to clean. Do not touch the coals with your bare hands; wear a grill glove or a thick cloth if necessary.
How to Clean and Store Charcoal After Grilling – Ultimate Guide to Manage Your Grill
There are two ways to extinguish your Charcoal. It may be done quickly or wait for some hrs. It all depends on your preference. There are two popular methods that you can follow at your convenience.
First, You can wait 48 hours to cool down the Charcoal completely.
Secondly, rush it and finish within 10-15 minutes.
We are always irritated that we must wait for 48 hrs for Grill to cool down. And the most important thing we always forget about is that we need to Putting Out Charcoal ash from Grill. Suppose You don’t like to wait for days to cool off on your own. One quick cooling method, described in more detail below, takes about 10-15 minutes and saves you time and effort.
Method – 1 (It takes up to 24 hrs or more )
- First, you need to make sure that you shut off the Grill before you can begin cleaning.
- When charcoal burns, it consumes oxygen. However, by closing the vents. The Charcoal is suffocated and dies after consuming the last of the air trapped inside.
- Now it will take up to 24 hours for it to cool down.
- Remove the ash and use Charcoal for disposal.
- Any remaining charcoal should be saved for further use.
Method – 2 (It takes up to 10-15 mins )
- Make sure you turn off the Grill first.
- Then Remove the briquettes from your Grill to cool them down. Use a shovel or a poker to spread the coals. And create a break in the middle of the Grill.
- Drop the coals in a bucket of water.
- Use a spoon or metal scoop to remove the ash, placing It in a separate metal container.
- Anything up on fire. Keep everything in an aluminum ashcan to avoid setting. There is probably no risk of still-living embers burning anything down using this method.
Read more:- Char-Griller Akorn Review: The Best Charcoal Grill Experience
How to Clean Charcoal After Grilling
Remove any loose ash and debris after each use. You can do this with a grill brush or a long-handled grill brush. You can also use a long-handled cleaning brush to clean the grill grate and bottom where a regular brush won’t reach.
Scrub the bottom and grill grate with a long-handled brush while the Grill is still hot. To get the Grill clean, you’ll want to put a little water in the bottom with a few squirts of dish soap. The water will help bring the grate back to its original color.
Begin by cleaning the Grill’s bottom. Scrub the bottom of the Grill with the brush dipped in soapy water.
Avoiding hot coals is important to prevent getting burned. To remove any leftover residue, wipe the bottom of the Grill with a moist towel.
How to Dispose and Recycle Charcoal
After grilling is done next common question is people often think about what to do with charcoal after grilling. Disposing of Charcoal is a lot easier than you might think. If you’re not ready to use it again for grilling, you can store it in an airtight container. If you don’t want to use the Charcoal, you can recycle it by placing it in a compost bin or giving it to a local waste facility. Some facilities may have specific hours for accepting Charcoal.
A lot of briquettes are discarded after grilling, and of them, you can Recycle it and reuse it in your next grilling. To do so, prepare a large container of water. After you’ve finished grilling, dip each piece of Charcoal in water to make sure it’s gone. Allow the charcoals to soak in water for a few minutes before removing them and drying them on a fireproof surface. After they’ve dried, store them in a fireproof container until your next dinner gathering.
How to Store Charcoal
Charcoal should be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight to ensure it lasts as long as possible. Follow these steps:
- Please keep it in the original bag and seal it using an airtight seal.
- If you don’t have an airtight seal, wrap the bag in plastic wrap or a thin layer of foil.
- You can also store the bag in another container, like a bin or a box, with a lid or a seal.
- Be sure the container is large enough. So that the bag of Charcoal isn’t resting on the lid, or the Charcoal will be crushed.
Can I Pour Water On My Charcoal to Put it Out?
This one seems sensible, but water will not put out a charcoal fire. Many people might think that the water will cool off the fire and help it go out. But, this is not the case. When water is poured onto a charcoal fire, it simply dilutes the flame and makes it weaker.
It is still very dangerous to touch the fire, as it will still be hot enough to cause serious injury. Your Grill’s metal will crack and develop holes if you pour water on a hot charcoal grill. The sludge at the bottom of your Grill will be more difficult to clean, making it more time-consuming to clean. Sludge will also build if you pour water on a hot grill, which may burn you if you hurry it.
The best way to put out a charcoal fire is by using a fire extinguisher or a bucket of sand. The sand will absorb some heat, while the fire extinguisher will use chemicals to remove the fire altogether. Things will only get worse if you Pour water.
Why should I put out my charcoal barbecue?
Grills are a must-have for summer picnics and barbecues. Despite their popularity, grills and their embers pose a danger. Fires may be started by grills and their embers quickly. Before leaving your Grill behind, ensure it is properly extinguished.
Grills and their embers may take hours to cool down. It is critical to extinguishing the coals and put out the fire as soon as you finish using the Grill so that it does not catch fire. Maintaining your Grill clean will also help to lengthen its life.
How Can I Save Unused Charcoal?
It’s possible to save unused briquettes if you are surprised. While this might not be an option for everyone, it can be a great way to save money if you’re someone who uses much Charcoal in the summer. Luckily, storing Charcoal is relatively easy if you follow some basic rules.
Before you store your Charcoal, there are a few things you need to do:
- Clean out the ash and remove any burnt pieces before placing them in storage.
- Make sure the container you plan to store your Charcoal is airtight and will prevent moisture from getting in.
- When you’re ready to use the Charcoal again, make sure to properly light it first so that it’s ready to go when you need it.
How to dispose of Charcoal after grilling?
After 48 hours of cooling, close the vents on your charcoal grill and extinguish it. After the ash has cooled, remove it with a piece of aluminum foil. You may dispose of non-wood charcoal products or charcoal briquettes that contain additives. If you don’t use additives in your wood briquettes, you may use it as fertilizer. The ash contains potash, which is beneficial for many plants.
However, it will also make some plants grow better and healthier. So it would help if you used it sparingly.
To prevent beetles, Its recommend spraying ash, lime, and water around their veggies. Mix about one ounce of ash and one ounce of hydrated lime with one gallon of water and spray it around your plants and the perimeter of your garden.
Conclusion
After grilling is done next common question is people often think about what to do with charcoal after grilling. In this article, I try to explain the popular method that you can use . Disposing of Charcoal is a lot easier than you might think. If you’re not ready to use it again for grilling, you can store it in an airtight container. If you don’t want to use the briquettes, you can recycle it by placing it in a compost bin or giving it to a local waste facility. Some facilities may have specific hours for accepting Charcoal.