There is nothing better than grilling out in your backyard on a beautiful day when it’s nice out. And charcoal grilling is something you’ll enjoy a lot. However, there’s a chance you might have a lot of charcoal ash and no idea what to do with it. In this article, we will discuss what to do with charcoal after grilling.
It’s great that you want to dispose of charcoal ash in an environmentally responsible and safe manner. However, getting rid of the ash in an environment-friendly way is challenging since you don’t want to harm the natural environment.
You should, however, do a few things with the ash from your charcoal grill. I have discussed several useful ways that you can use to get the most out of charcoal.
I hope these guidelines are helpful, and you should never again have to worry about getting rid of charcoal ash.
Let’s get started!
Don’t throw away Used Charcoal After Grilling
Most people have the bad habit of throwing away their charcoal after each grilling session. However, they are entirely oblivious to the fact that this is a terrible waste. We must understand that burned charcoal is not garbage and may be recycled, which benefits our wallets and the environment.
The utility of this thing does not end with only one grilling. Because each grill only produces a small amount of ash, most of them remain half unburned.
And the best part is that you may even employ the ashes for your benefit, which you may not have considered before!
Put Out Your Charcoal Properly for Reuse
There are a few solutions to consider when it comes to cleaning up old charcoal and ash after a picnic. I recommend using the following steps.
- Close the top and bottom vents and replace the cover.
- Allow the charcoal to burn out and the grill to cool down for 8 to 10 hours.
- Get rid of the ash and use charcoal in a metal trash bin.
- Collect reusable charcoal in the inflammable container.
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Using Charcoal After Grilling – Can You Recycle It?
Charcoal is reusable in many ways. Before starting to reuse the charcoal, make sure it’s completely cold.
Although used charcoal has a reduced burn time, we can still reuse it. It all depends on the sort of wood, how the charcoal briquettes are processed, and how long they burn. You can reuse it for cooking by combining it with some fresh charcoal.
1. As a fertilizer
Charcoal has proved to be an excellent fertilizer, and it is now utilized to improve soil quality. Crushed charcoal, which contains a potent ingredient called potassium carbonate, is recommended by many farmers and agricultural specialists because it increases alkalinity and reduces soil toxicity (potash).
Charcoal is also ideal for plants that are sensitive to acidic fertilizers. So, after grilling, your wood-based charcoal will not only satisfy your appetite but also save you time in the garden.
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2. Reduce Rust
Charcoal is a natural moisture absorber. To help prevent rust, put some in a fine-mesh bag or a doubled-up sock and keep it in your toolbox.
3. For skincare
Charcoal residues can be used to rejuvenate and improve the skin. We can also make DIY masks with charcoal. It can cleanse the skin and eradicate impurities. It can be made into packs and applied to the skin. We can also treat insect and snake bites with it.
4. Shine and polish
Even though charcoal is dark in color, it can polish and shine on others. Charcoal is excellent for polishing silverware and removing corrosion. However, it would be best to try it first with a tiny amount before applying it to a more significant amount because it is offensive material.
5. Intestinal Assistance in an Emergency
Charcoal carbon is an ancient remedy for upset stomachs and diarrhea. If you’re stuck somewhere and only have a few bits of charcoal, eating a small amount will assist in absorbing pollutants and alleviating discomfort.
“Activated” charcoal is used in the pills sold in drug stores. It’s wood charcoal that has been subjected to an industrial high-temperature procedure to enhance the carbon’s pores and surface area.
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6. Strengthening the gums
If you look closely, you’ll see that many toothpaste manufacturers are now including charcoal in their product’s components and advertising it.
The activated carbon is great for teeth whitening and for neutralizing odors in the mouth. In addition, you can sometimes remove the yellowish tint by rubbing a small amount of charcoal ash on your teeth.
7. Increase car wheel friction
In almost all automobile wheels, a layer of carbon increases rolling resistance. Friction, also known as rolling resistance, provides you with more control over your car when driving.
It also shields the tire from UV rays and other damaging effects, preserving the tire’s condition. You can use the leftover charcoal to create friction and protect the car’s wheels.
8. Uses as an Absorbent
Burned wood charcoal is an excellent absorbent. Because of their porous nature, burnt charcoals can absorb any chemicals, odors, or nutrients that come into contact with them. It also functions well as a neutralizer.
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Handling Charcoal After Grilling: Safety Tips
- Wear heat-resistant gloves whenever you deal with charcoal or charcoal ashes.
- After you’ve finished grilling, please wait until the charcoal has wholly cooled before touching it.
- Make sure not to ingest charcoal when using it as a natural toothpaste. Also, never allow youngsters to eat charcoal or put it in their mouths.
- If you’re working with charcoal, keep a pail of water nearby in case of an emergency.
- Keep partially unburned charcoal away from fire or fire sparks because it still has the potential to light up and cause an accident.
Final Words
Charcoal is a valuable and reasonably priced resource that we should not waste. That’s why, the next time you’re thinking about what to do with charcoal after grilling, look into recycling options before tossing it in the trash.
But, whether you grill or recycle, always remember to handle the charcoal with extreme caution. To avoid disaster, keep it away from children and pets.
In the end, we hope that by now you’ve realized that this fossil fuel has a lot more to offer than merely heating the grill and that it doesn’t deserve to be discarded!