Charcoal grilling is the best way to enjoy barbecue outdoors with family and friends. This specific grill serves up the smokiness and full-packed flavor of barbecued meat. However, the downside of using it is what comes after. It does take an effort to clean up this particular tool for cooking.
So to put an end to this long-time problem, this article will help and show you how to put out a charcoal grill after meals. It starts from safely extinguishing the fire out until disposing of old coal and ash. We’ll introduce the next steps as you read this article!
Ways to Put Out a Charcoal Grill
To successfully put it out, you should know the vital preliminaries of how to use a charcoal grill.
First, you should know your equipment well. Good grills have air control that allows cut off of air completely. Starting up a pit of coals using charcoal starters can take 15 to 20 minutes and is considered safer than a gas grill.
You also need to know that if you are working with charcoal briquettes, those things tend to fall apart because the binders in it have burned off. The leftover coal will still turn to ash and dusty little pieces that need to be disposed of properly. We recommend putting only the right amount of briquettes as needed.
Next, avoid pouring water on the BBQ grill. It will create steam that can harm you and the people around you. The burst of steam that arises from that can cause severe skin burns!
You should also avoid stirring air through the cooling coal briquettes because it will reignite and will cause a fire.
Most grills also have an intake or bottom vents; and a top vent or an outtake vent. The purpose of these vents is different.
The absorption or the bottom vents fuel the fire with oxygen. This method also regulates the air that is entering the grill. The more air that comes through it, the stronger the fire. On the other hand, an outtake vent vents out gases from the combustible material. It drafts airflow or draws in air.
Now that you know that charcoal grill has these characteristics. Putting out the flames can still be a little tricky! We always recommend that you immediately shut it down a charcoal grill as soon as you finished cooking on it. This practice is the best interest of safety, especially if there are people around during the time you used it!
Moreover, the right tools for putting out charcoal in a grill protects you as you do the process. These are the tools that you need:
- Heatproof oven mitts or heavy-duty BBQ mitts
- A bucket of water
- Metal spatula or trowel
- Aluminum foil
- Wipe brush
- A pair of long tongs
- Fire extinguisher
- Baking soda
After preparing the materials, it’s finally time to start with the process! Carefully follow these steps to do it successfully and safely:
1. Close the lid of the grill or smoker
The first thing you need to do is to remove the rack. Then, close the lid, any vents, or draft doors with your heatproof mitts. This method will prevent oxygen from reaching the coal and creating flames. A grill with the charcoal itself can stay hot for 24 to 48 hours.
Keep the lid and vents closed until the grill is cool to touch. It is quite challenging to detect if the coal is still burning or not. Also, always keep an eye on the grill whenever people or animals are getting close to it. Once the flames are out, use a damp towel to cool down the cooking grate.
2. Remove the charcoal briquettes and ashes
This method is an option if you want to clean your cooking grill. But, if you’re going to reuse the charcoal, you may do so. You only need to relight the fire in the grill whenever you want to cook again and pour new charcoal as needed.
You can extinguish the fire by using a non-combustible gas such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide and keep it doused until all coals are below ignition temperature.
On the other hand, you can remove the briquettes using long-handled tongs. Put them on a large aluminum foil before disposing of it in a metal trash bin or a metal carrier. Do not use plastic bags because it will immediately melt the plastic. Be cautious of transferring the wrapped charcoal in the aluminum; it is always safer to wear your heatproof oven mitts and tongs while doing so. It prevents burns.
Another alternative is to dip each briquette into a bucket of water. Place a bucket of water beside the grill. Then, using the long-handle thongs submerge the briquettes in the bucket of water.
Close the lid again to prevent embers from being blown out and causing a fire. Scoop the ashes and put them on a separate metal container. Moreover, if the briquettes are not sufficiently cooled down, they will continue to burn but will eventually turn to ashes.
To extinguish the grill- it’s safe to use a Class ABC Fire Extinguisher. It can put out numerous types of fire. Also, if you do not have a fire extinguisher at home, you can use baking soda to put out a small fire. We recommend this technique solely if the flame is low and that you can get close to it.
3. Do not pour water on the grill
Avoid water at all costs, especially if the briquettes have not entirely cooled down. The reason behind this is that the grate will crack because of the sudden temperature. It will also produce thick offensive steam that can cause you inflamed scars.
4. Clean the parts
Clean off the grilling grate with water, soap, and a wire brush. Also, if there is grime on the surface, try placing them on a garbage bag and soak them overnight in vinegar. After, use a silicone spray to protect the grates from rust. Lastly, use a metal spatula to sweep ashes from the grill. You should vigorously clean the chambers, and the vents because ashes enter through them. After this last step, you are good to go!
To conclude, whenever you put out a charcoal grill better, do it the best way so that you can best enjoy a cookout with your family. Apart from that, this also helps in keeping your equipment topnotch despite several uses!
I spent most of my life fascinated by food, and the outdoors. I can’t think of a more fitting combo that leads to mastering the art of BBQ one day. I ended up decent enough to grill the perfect burger and choose the best equipment after years of improvement. I create this website for outdoor cooking enthusiasts, who are fueled by interest but lacking in help, feel educated when they leave because I see my past clueless self in them.
