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SPRING IS HERE
We get it, now that the weather is warming up, we are all having more cookouts and get togethers. However, when it’s time to clean up, how do you safely get rid of your left over charcoal from the grill? Before throwing that ash away, make sure you know how to best dispose of it with these safe charcoal and hot ash disposal tips.
LET ASH COOL
This is the MOST important step! Make sure that the ash you are handling isn’t hot! When burning, charcoal can reach up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Thats HOT! At that temperature, the ash would burn you and could even start a fire with surrounding vegetation. And if you try to dispose of it? It could melt or even set your can on fire! This is why it is important to take preventative measures when handling hot charcoal, and let the ash cool for a full 48 hours before disposing of it.
Once the ash is completely cool, it is fine to dispose of it in your regular trash can. Wrap it in aluminum foil before throwing away to keep it from potentially melting your can or catching other items in your can on fire. While it may be cool, sometimes there is a stubborn ember that is still hot enough to reek havoc on the rest of your trash.
Reuse
Interested in reducing your carbon footprint? Instead of throwing your charcoal away, there are ways you can re-use it. Did you know that if you have additive-free, wood charcoal, it can be used as fertilizer? Charcoal ash contains ‘potash’ which provides important nutrients to plants. Charcoal ash also helps to increase the pH levels of surrounding soil. Another way to re-use your charcoal is by creating a spray to keep pests away from your garden. Spraying a combination of ash, lime, and water together can prevent unwanted bugs from entering your yard and harming any plants. Lastly, if your ash still has large chunks of charcoal in it, you can use those pieces as the base for your next fire!
