During grilling season, nothing quite compares to charcoal. It's one of the best ways to add smoky flavor to your food and allows you to cook at a higher heat than most other grills. But grilling is about more than knowing how to light the charcoal—you'll also need to know how to put out a charcoal grill when you’re finished.
Gas and electric grills are easy to put out—all you have to do is turn off the heat source, and they’ll cool down fairly quickly. Charcoal can be a little more intimidating if you’re new to grilling since the hot coals won’t cool off right away. But once you know the technique, it’s simple to put out a charcoal grill.
How to Put Out a Charcoal Grill
Close the Lid
The best way to extinguish charcoal is to close the lid on your grill, cutting off the charcoal’s air supply. Fire needs oxygen to keep burning, so by completely closing your grill, flames will die down, and the charcoal will cool. It may take up to two days for the coals to completely cool off; there isn’t a great method for how to put out a charcoal grill quickly that’s as safe as just letting the coals burn out and cool on their own.
Remove the Charcoal
Once it’s no longer hot, you can remove the larger pieces of charcoal, store them in a dry place, and reuse them for another grilling session. Once they are completely cool, remove any other coals and ash and wrap them in aluminum foil (or place them in a metal container like a coffee tin). Then, put them in an outdoor garbage bin.
What Not to Do
Though it might seem like a quick fix, never pour water over hot coals. When it hits the coals, the water will turn to steam, which can burn you if you’re not careful. The hot water can also cause damage to your grill, even to the point of making cracks and holes more likely to develop in the metal. If you want your grill to last through multiple summers of backyard barbecues, stick to the slow method of letting coals burn themselves out and cool down.
How to Put Out a Charcoal Grill Fire
Hopefully, you’ll never need to put out a charcoal grill fire, but it’s always good to be prepared just in case. Any time you’re grilling, no matter what type of grill you use, have a fire extinguisher nearby, just in case. Don’t lean it against the grill, but have it in a place that’s easy to grab. You might occasionally see small bursts of flame; these are just flare-ups, usually caused by fat dripping from the food onto the coals. You can usually control them by moving the food to a different part of the grill. You can also extinguish flare-ups by putting the lid on the grill.
How to Clean a Charcoal Grill
Keeping your grill clean can help eliminate the possibility of fires and keep your grilled foods tasting their best. Once the coals are completely cool, here's what to do:
- Dispose of the coals as explained above.
- Scrub the grill with a long-handled stainless steel or bristle-free grill brush.
- Wash the grate and grill using steel wool and mild soap. Dry the grill thoroughly to keep any rust from forming. Cover the grill and put it away until next time.
Using charcoal grills is easy with the right knowledge. Once you’ve mastered how to light and how to put out a charcoal grill, you can focus on what really matters—perfecting your grilled ribs and steak recipes for the summer.