How To Put Out A Charcoal Grill (3 Easy Steps)

Charcoal grills are great because they allow you to cook food without using electricity or gas.

They also provide a clean environment for cooking. If you want to get started with charcoal grilling, then follow these three easy steps.

You don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy delicious grilled foods. All you need is some good quality charcoal and a grill pan.

These two items will help you create mouthwatering dishes at home. However, once you have created your mouth watering dishes, it’s time to put the charcoal grill out.

It is actually really easy to put your charcoal grill out, and can be completed in three easy steps.

In this article, we will be discussing how you can easily put out a charcoal grill in three easy steps. Alongside everything else, you need to learn about putting out a charcoal grill. 

What You Need to Know About Charcoal Grills?

The first thing that you should know about charcoal grills is that they require a lot of care and maintenance.

Unlike electric grills, which do not require any maintenance, charcoal grills require constant attention and cleaning. This is why it is important that you use them correctly. 

For instance, if you are going to use them for the first time, make sure that you read all the instructions before starting to use them.

Also, make sure that you keep them away from children and pets.

Another thing that you should know is that charcoal grills are made up of different parts. The most common part is the firebox where the coals are kept.

The other parts include the lid, the grate, the legs and the handles. Each one of these components has specific functions.

In order to understand what each component does, you must first understand their purpose.

First, let us look at the firebox. The firebox is where the coals are stored. When you start using the grill, you should place the coals inside the firebox.

Once you have done so, you should close the lid. Then, when you open the lid again, you should see that the coals are ready to be used.

Next, let’s talk about the lid. The lid is an important element of the grill. It serves as a cover that protects the coals from getting too hot.

Moreover, it helps to maintain the temperature of the coals. Additionally, the lid allows you to control the heat level on the grill.

Next, let’s talk about the great. The grate is another critical element of the grill that you should consider. It is usually placed over the firebox.

This means that it is directly above the coals. As such, you can use the grate to move the coals around.

This way, you can ensure that the coals are evenly distributed throughout the firebox.

Finally, let’s talk about the legs. The legs are the supports that hold the grill together. They are typically located under the bottom of the grill.

They are designed to support the weight of the grill. Additionally, they prevent the grill from tipping over.

Putting Out Your Charcoal Grill: Three Simple Steps

Now that you have learned all there is to know about charcoal grills, it is now time to put them out. Putting out a charcoal grill is very simple.

You can either just wait for the coals to cool, or you can force them to cool down quicker yourself.

If you decide to wait, you could be waiting 24 to 48 hours for the coals to completely cool down. Or you can quicken the job up in 10 to 15 minutes. 

Here are the three steps that you need to follow.

Step 1

Close the lid to your grill. By closing the lid, you are smothering the flames.

Alongside that, you close any ventilation ports that are on the lid as well. Now your coals will take up to 48 hours to cool naturally. 

OR

To cool the grill down quicker, you can remove the briquettes from the grill.

You must wear heat proof gloves and using very long tongs, you can remove the charcoal briquettes one by one and place them into a metal buck which can be filled with cold water.

Then scoop the ashes out of the water using a metal scoop or a spoon. Place these ashes into another metal container.

Step 2

If you have gone with the quick method, you can avoid this step. Yet, if you have waited 48 hours, you can now remove the cooled down briquettes and ashes.

With a large piece of foil, scoop out the ashes and place it in the foil.

There may be some charcoal briquettes that can be saved and used again for another time. These briquettes can be put to one side. 

Once the grill is free of ash and briquettes, you can wrap up the contents in the foil and put it into a metal container.

You should avoid using plastic containers, because if anything is slightly warm, this can cause your plastic container to melt. 

Step 3

Now is the time to clean your grill. You should have already removed the larger pieces of coal and ash. Now you can sweep the remaining bits of ash out from the grill.

Once all the ash is removed, you should grab some water and scrub the girl using a grill brush.

It is an option if you want to use soap. The aim is to get your grill as clean as possible. Alongside this, you need to remove and scrape the grate using the grill brush and water.

This will loosen up any debris or food that is still stuck on the grate.

Remember to scrub the entire grill, including the vents, to remove any build up that could cause any obstructions when you next want to use your grill. 

If you do use soap, then you must make sure that you thoroughly rinse the grill once it is clean.

Step 4

Now your grill is ready to dry and used again. Once the grill is completely dry, you can place your saved charcoal briquette back in the grill. 

Step 5

Close the lid to your grill, and you are ready to start grilling again.

Can I Pour Water On My Charcoal Grill?

It can be tempting to pour water onto your charcoal grill. However, by pouring water onto your charcoal grill, you could potentially damage the grill and even be a danger to you as well.

By pouring water, you may cause holes or cracks to form in the metal of your grill. Alongside this, the water can leave a mess at the bottom of your girl.

Therefore, causing your cleaning process to take even longer, and could be difficult to clean up as well.

Also, pouring water onto your grill can be a safety concern as well.

This is because the cold water will make contact with the hot grill and cause steam, which could burn someone who got in contact with the steam.

Alongside that, ashes could also be sent into the atmosphere if you pour the water too quickly onto the grill.

These ashes could get into someone’s eyes or inhaled and cause breathing problems. 

As a result, we would suggest avoiding putting water directly onto your hot grill.  

Grilling Safety

• Always keep your hands away from the heat source of your grill.
• Never touch the coals while they are burning. Keep children and pets away from the grill.
• Always cover the grill when not in use.
• Make sure that you always check the temperature of your grill before starting to cook. When cooking at high temperatures, make sure that you only cook foods that are safe to eat. Do not overheat your grill.
• Only use the appropriate utensils for the type of food that you are cooking. Use tongs instead of fingers to turn meat.
• Remove food from the grill as soon as it is done. Clean your grill after every use.
• Store your grill properly.

Will A Charcoal Grill Go Out By Itself?

Eventually, your charcoal grill will go out without any human intervention. The charcoal will keep burning until you either stop it or there is nothing left to burn. 

It can take up to 48 hours for the charcoal to completely burn up and to cool by itself. You need to make sure that the charcoal is cool enough to be handled with tongs and gloves.

Never touch charcoal with your bare hands, as it may still be slightly warm and this could cause burns, if you aren’t wearing the proper safety precautions. 

The grill is the safest place to let your charcoal to naturally burn down and cool by themselves.

As mentioned above, avoid plastic containers as this could cause fires and the plastic could melt as well. 

Final Thoughts

Charcoal grills are great tools for outdoor cooks. They are easy to use, quick to set up, and require little maintenance.

If you have never cooked on a charcoal grill before, then now’s the time to try one. 

If you already own a charcoal grill, then you know how important it is to maintain it properly.

We have given you some simple tips to keep you safe and how to keep your charcoal grill looking brand new. When it comes to putting out your charcoal grill, you have two options.

You can either wait for the charcoal to naturally cool down to remove and clean the grill. Or you can force the charcoal to cool quicker so that you can clean the grill.

Both methods work well, but you must always be safe when handling charcoal because it can be extremely hot, even when you think it has cooled down.

Hopefully, this article has given you an insight into how to put out your own charcoal grill. 

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