How to Turn Off & Put Off Charcoal Grill?

Men tried to put off the charcoal grill fire by blowing to smoker.

Charcoal grills do not have any on and off switch buttons and may remain blazing for hours at a time, squandering fuel and posing a possible safety threat owing to the high temperatures they generate. It’s easy to extinguish a charcoal grill by first removing the coals, collecting the ash, and cleaning the grill to keep it from catching fire again.

In this article, we discuss how to properly extinguish your charcoal barbecue while preserving any unburned charcoal for later use. You may learn how to securely put out your charcoal grill by reading these details on how to do along with detailed step-by-step directions.

Grilling with Charcoal: What You Need to Know!

In contrast to gas grills, charcoal grills do not have switch buttons. It is not possible to turn off a charcoal barbecue grill after you have finished cooking since there is no such thing as an off button. Since the charcoal burns incredibly hot, it may take up to 48 hours before it is cold enough to be safely thrown away.

It is possible to expedite the procedure, but it is still recommended to let them rest for a few hours first. There are those who believe it is fine to let the coals die completely on their own but doing so exposes them to risky situations. If left neglected, it might catch fire and potentially be big trouble for you!

There is an environmental cost when you are grilling using charcoal. It releases carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide into the atmosphere. Aside from that, you are squandering charcoal that you might have put to good use again. It is essential to mention to always collect or dispose of coals and ashes in a non-combustible container!

Why Do I Have to Put Out My Charcoal Grill?

If you have done cooking your favorite foods, then you are done with the grill! There are still burning chunks of charcoal in there, so don’t get too excited. Aside from putting out its fire, the charcoal will keep on burning until it’s extinguished. If you’ve ever used a bunch of charcoal, this might take you a long time. As long as it’s left alone, it will continue to burn. It becomes a danger to pets, children, and unwary adults, as well as to your own properties. How can this be?

In fact, if you are not right in front of the grill, somebody might easily conclude it is burnt out. People could assume the grill is not hot and pose themselves in danger. It is possible to sustain severe burns out of a hot barbecue grill. Otherwise, what if animals could knock over in the grill and spread the burning coals all over the ground? A few ignited embers in the wood decking surface or on grass could spark a massive blaze that spreads quickly and threatens your property.

Also Read:  How to Smoke Ribs on a Charcoal Smoker 

How to Put Out a Charcoal Grill: Step-by-Step Instructions

When it comes to extinguishing your charcoal, there are two options. To be successful, you must choose between taking your time or working it out swiftly. It’s not a matter of which is superior, but rather a matter of personal preference. Depending on your preference, you either wait two days or gradually speed up the procedure to a 15-minute task.

However, if you are a “do it now” person, and you do not want to have to wait for the grill to cool down on its own for more days. Then, you don’t need to worry, and we provide a much easier solution for you.

 Step 1: Close the Lid

Whenever you are putting out your grill, the first thing you should do is shut the lid, which will help suppress the fire. Please make sure there are no air vents left open in the lid, then put it back on the grill and allow it to rest to cool down, which takes approximately 48 hours for this process. You may be thinking, “Wait a minute, that takes longer.” However, if you want, your coal has to be extinguished faster from your grill. Try this out!

Taking the briquettes off the grill can help to cool down your grill in a hurry. You’ll need a pair of heat-resistant gloves and tongs for this process, as well as a pail of ice water. As you remove each charcoal briquette from the fire, please put it in a metal bucket filled with ice water. Take an empty metal container and empty the grill using a metal scoop to remove the ash for easy cleanup.

Go to a non-flammable area to place your hot tongs after you’ve finished using them. Ensure that all burnt charcoal and ash have completely cooled down before using it again. Charcoal may be extinguished and cooled using these ways. 

Sprinkling the coals with water before smothering the fire might help to expedite the process. In order to prevent the re-ignition of dormant embers, pour and constantly stir water over the charcoal until the ash is cool down ultimately.

Step 2: Get Rid of the Charcoal and Ash 

It is unnecessary to complete this step if you use the faster process to put out your charcoal barbecue grill. You can securely collect the briquettes and ashes of charcoal after 48 hours, assuming you did not use the water method and dispose of them after safely removed from the grill.

Prepare a large sheet of aluminum foil before collecting the charcoal and ashes from the grill. By using a metal scoop, carefully remove the ashes and lay them in the foil. Separate the usable pieces of charcoal for future use by putting them away for the time being. Wrap the foil securely and dispose of it in a metal storage container after the grill has been cleared of ash and charcoal. 

Also Read:  How to Smoke Ribs on a Charcoal Smoker 

Since even the tiniest whiff of an ember might cause some things to melt, it is better to avoid plastic containers at all costs.

Step 3: Clean and Rinse the Grill

Try using a grill brush to remove any remaining ashes from the grill after the enormous mess has been cleared away. Prepare to clean your charcoal grill using a grill brush and bucket of water. Although soap is not required, it is recommended to use it to clean your grill, especially since it has not been cleaned for a long time. 

To remove food and debris from the grill, use a barbecue brush to scrape the grate clean. With the brush, scrub the rest of the grill, pay close attention to the areas around the vents because buildup can restrict airflow when the grill is used again. If you are using detergent or soap to wash the grill, make sure to rinse it after you’re through properly. Then it was time to let it air dry!

Put the recycled charcoal onto the grill if you plan to use it again after the grill has fully dried. So, it is ready to go for when the grill is re-ignited at some point in the future. After putting the grill lid back, you are good to go.


Additional Tips

Make a Second Life for Coal that’s Gently Used

Do not submerge partially burned coals in water if you want to use them as fuel for your next grilling session. Instead, use a fine mist of water to dampen your coals and prevent them from re-igniting. Coals that have been partially utilized must be left to dry and stored in the grill for future use once they have cooled down.

Don’t Use Old Briquets for Composting or Fertilizing.

Non-charcoal materials are manufactured from Match Light and Kingsford briquettes, ensuring that they are effective cooking fuels. There is no benefit to using charcoal briquets when it comes to breaking down organic stuff.

We are getting rid of the old charcoal and ashes.

You can safely dispose of your ashes and charcoal once they have cooled to room temperature. 

If you want to throw away something totally, we recommend wrapping it completely in aluminum foil and putting it in an outdoor trash can that is non-combustible.

Also Read:  How to Smoke Ribs on a Charcoal Smoker 

Can You Pour Water on Charcoal Fire?

With absolute certainty, water is the opponent of fire. You may be extinguished coals by dousing them with water. However, this does not imply that you should go ahead and try it out.

Barbecuing or grilling, like many other parts of the sport, has its share of disagreements. Kingsford recommends that you use water to extinguish your charcoal immediately by spraying it or drowning them well.

When introducing water to coal, another charcoal manufacturer, Rockwood, advises that you should not do so. They have also cited compelling reasons for their course of action.

  • If you use cold water on a hot grill, you run the risk of damaging the grill.
  • There is a potential for burns due to the abrupt appearance of a steamy cloud.
  • You may have to scrub the grill’s bottoms to remove any lingering embers. 
  • Also, it leaves a sticky residue in your grill’s cooking chambers. What you’ll end up with is jammed doors and clogged vents if that gunk solidifies. Cleaning a charcoal barbecue can be a difficult task in and of itself.

Their recommendation is to use water solely when you bring the bbq grill anywhere and leave in a hurry. To give you an example, if you’re or tailgating or camping. To prevent further damage, use as little water as possible and move the entire thing to a steel can.

A hot charcoal barbecue can be damaged and perhaps unsafe when you pour water on it. Pouring water can damage your grill’s aluminum by creating holes and cracks. You’ll also have to clean away the gunk that accumulates at the bottom of your grill.

To avoid burns, avoid pouring water onto an already hot grill. The water might also cause the ashes to fly out of the grill, so be careful. Pouring water directly over a hot grill is never a good idea, even to put it out mildly.

Is It Possible for a Charcoal Grill to Put Out on Its Own?

When you’re done grilling, your charcoal barbecue will go out on its own after a while. You can wait till the charcoal goes out on its own or until you put out the flames yourself to put out the fire.

How Long It Takes for Charcoal to Extinguish Completely By Itself?

To remove the coals from the grill, they must cool down entirely on their own for up to 48 hours. The sooner you remove them, the more likely they will catch fire or catch on fire!

How to Smoke Ribs on a Charcoal Smoker 
Use charcoal smoker to cook smoked ribs.

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