what to do with hot coals afterwards

[rwbaker]

Hey All,
I've been lurking around the forms for a month or so just soaking in the info. I just finished seasoning my new CG w/ SFB (and this is my first attempt at using charcoal) and thought I'd grill some chicken for lunch tomorrow -- hate to waste a hot grill!

Anyway, now my chicken is done and its time for bed -- but what should I do with my hot coals? Do i just let them sit in the grill to cool and empty tomorrow? I remember reading at one point not to let coals sit in a grill since they hold moisture. Or, should I just dig a hole a bury the hot coals boy-scout style?

Any advice is appreciated.

After just grilling a couple pieces of chicken.. i'm stuck on charcoal. A little slower then my old gas grill, but man the results are great!

 

[jnj55024]

I always let my coals burn out overnight then scoop them into a grocery bag
(paper) and dump in the trash. They seem to burn out completely so there is no chance of a fire.

 

[chris_harper]

let them cool off in the firebox, then dump in the garden. the ashes make good fertilizer.

 

[mossymo]

or throw in a fatty for breakfast !!!

 

[rwbaker]

Thats what I figured; thanks guys.

@MossyMo: Great idea, i'll have to remember that next time!

 

[crewdawg52]

I know not to put them in your pants!

It'll get a little warm.....

 

[fuzzynavel]

haha how did i know that a fatty would be brought up in this thread!! =D

 

[flagriller]

Ditto. They will collect moisture over a long period of time and start the rusting of the grill. But they will burn late into the night so no worries.

 

[Dutch]

I have a 15 gal. steel drum that I have suspended an expanded metal grate in the top. Whenever I have used briquettes (from the D.O.'s or smoldering wood chunks (from the smoker) I just dump them on the grate and as they continue to burn down, the ash falls down into the bottom. The ashes gets tossed in to the garden.

 

[bigarm's smokin]

Wouldn't all that ash increase the PH of the garden soil after a period of time? Wouldn't you need to also add an acid, to balance the alkaline ash? Terry

 

[johnd49455]

I dump mine into a patio fireplace & have a fire & throw junk wood on to enjoy the fire while eating.

 

[adb551]

Just let it burn out and add to the garden. I also cover my garden with old hay throughout the winter, and have never had to mess with the Ph.