If your charcoal gets wet, you may be wondering if you can still use it or if it needs to be thrown out. The good news is that wet charcoal can often be salvaged, dried out, and used again. Here are some quick answers to common questions about using wet charcoal:
Can you use charcoal that got wet?
Yes, it is often possible to use charcoal that has gotten wet or damp, as long as it is thoroughly dried out first. Once dry, the charcoal should burn similarly to how it did before.
How do you dry out wet charcoal?
There are a few methods for drying out wet charcoal:
- Spread out the charcoal and let it air dry completely before using it.
- Place the charcoal in an oven on a baking sheet at 200-250°F for 30-60 minutes, until fully dried.
- Use a charcoal chimney starter. The heat from the starter should dry out the charcoal as it lights.
Can you use charcoal after rain?
Charcoal that has gotten wet in the rain can still be used once it has dried out. Allow the charcoal to air dry completely before using it. Placing it near a fan or in sunlight can help speed up the drying process.
Is it safe to use wet charcoal?
Wet or damp charcoal should not be used directly for grilling, as it will not light or burn properly. It can also potentially create more smoke. Allow wet charcoal to dry fully before attempting to light it in a grill or smoker.
Never use charcoal that is soaked through or sitting in puddles of water, as the increased moisture content makes it unsafe for grilling when lit.
Does wet charcoal burn longer?
No, wet or damp charcoal will not burn longer than charcoal that has been allowed to dry out. Wet charcoal actually tends to burn poorly, creating more smoke and less usable heat. It dries out rapidly once lit, but still will not burn as long or evenly as charcoal that has been dried fully before using.
Can you reuse charcoal that didn’t light?
Yes, unused charcoal that failed to light the first time, often due to moisture, can be dried out and reused. Spread out the unused charcoal and allow it to dry fully before attempting to light it again.
Is it bad to cook over wet charcoal?
Cooking over freshly lit charcoal that is still damp is not recommended, as it will produce more smoke and may impart unpleasant flavors to your food. Always let charcoal burn until covered in an even gray ash before beginning to cook over it.
Ideally, charcoal should be fully dried before lighting it for cooking. Starting with wet charcoal can take longer to reach optimum cooking temperatures.
Can you put water on charcoal to put it out?
It’s not recommended to pour water directly onto hot charcoal to extinguish it, as this produces steam and smoke. However, you can put out charcoal by closing the vents on your grill or smoker to cut off oxygen to the coals. The charcoal will eventually stop burning.
Once cooled, excess water can be drained from the charcoal basin and the charcoal reused once dry.
Conclusion
Wet or damp charcoal can often be salvaged and used again after drying out completely. Allow wet charcoal to air dry or use an oven or charcoal starter to speed drying before lighting again. Always make sure charcoal is fully dried and ashy before grilling over it for best results and to avoid unpleasant smoke and flavors on food. With a little extra time and care, wet charcoal can still provide excellent service.
Using Wet Charcoal Safely
If your charcoal happens to get wet before using it, either from rain or other sources of moisture, you can still use it to cook delicious grilled foods safely. You just need to take some precautions and properly prepare the charcoal first.
Dry It Thoroughly
Charcoal that has gotten damp or wet should never be used immediately for grilling. The first step is to fully dry out the charcoal. Spread it in a thin layer and allow it to sit for several hours until completely dry to the touch. You can also speed up drying by placing the charcoal in sunlight or using a fan or oven on low heat. However, take care not to scorch the charcoal.
Allow Ash to Develop
Once the charcoal is fully dried out, let it burn with a charcoal chimney starter until ashed over with grey ash before beginning to cook over it. Wet charcoal will be harder to light at first.
Give it time to burn thoroughly so that excess moisture evaporates before placing food over it. The ash coating means the briquettes have reached optimum temperature for grilling.
Avoid Excess Smoke
Be prepared for more initial smoke when cooking over charcoal that was previously wet. Have your grill or smoker vents open to allow some of the smoke to escape rather than pooling around your food. The smoke level should reduce once the coals truly get burning hot.
Get it Hot Enough
Allow the charcoal to burn longer after lighting if it was previously wet before you start grilling. It may take extra time to reach the right cooking temperature compared to charcoal that was dry from the start.
Use a grilling thermometer to check that your grill maintains temperatures between 450-550°F for proper searing and cooking when using damp charcoal.
Don’t Soak Charcoal
Never intentionally soak charcoal in water before using it. While wet charcoal can be dried and used, intentionally wetting it can make it dangerous for use as the moisture content will be greater.
It’s safest to keep your charcoal dry from start to finish by storing it in a sealed container away from sources of moisture.
Let it Burn Out Completely
After cooking is completed, allow wet charcoal extra time to fully burn out and do not extinguish it with water. Wet coals take longer to burn down. Closing grill vents will stifle the charcoal once you are finished cooking.
Safely disposing of any ashes once the charcoal is completely burned out reduces the risk of flare ups if you need to reuse partially burned coals later.
Tips for Keeping Charcoal Dry
To avoid having to dry wet charcoal in the first place, it’s best to take steps to keep your charcoal moisture-free both before and during grilling. Here are some useful tips:
Proper Storage
Keep unused charcoal stored in a sealed plastic bin or waterproof bag in a dry location away from rain or sprinklers.
A garage, shed, or covered patio works well for protecting charcoal from inadvertent water exposure.
Use a Chimney Starter
When ready to use your charcoal, a chimney starter allows you to light the briquettes without having to soak them in lighter fluid which can introduce moisture.
The chimney contains the fire and allows air circulation for fast, even lighting.
Grill Under Cover
If grilling in rainy weather, erect a popup canopy or tent to keep your grill sheltered. This prevents rain from soaking into the charcoal as you cook.
Use wind barriers if needed to protect coals from gusts.
Empty Ash
Always dispose of ash remnants completely before firing up your grill again to avoid new charcoal getting mixed with damp ashes.
Ash bins should have drainage holes in case of rain so moisture can escape rather than pooling at bottom.
Preheat Grill First
Take time when lighting charcoal to preheat your grill with the hood down before beginning to cook. This evaporates any ambient moisture inside the grill from prep work.
A hot grill helps ensure moisture doesn’t hamper the charcoal as you use it.
Dealing With Wet Charcoal on a Camping Trip
Charcoal that gets wet during a camping trip or cookout in the outdoors presents some unique challenges since you may not have access to quick drying methods. Here are some camping-specific tips for handling wet charcoal:
Bring Extra Charcoal
When camping, always pack more charcoal than you think you’ll need in case some gets wet. Having spare charcoal guarantees you can still cook even if your main supply gets rained on.
Keep it in Waterproof Bin
Store charcoal in a tightly sealed plastic tote or bin while camping to prevent moisture exposure from wet grass or rain.
Dry With a Campfire
If charcoal does get wet at a campsite, you can dry it slowly by placing it near the heat of your campfire. Rotate it occasionally so all sides dry out.
Use a Grill Grate
For quick cooking over wet charcoal while camping, use a grate suspended over the coals rather than directly on the ground. This allows airflow under the charcoal for better combustion.
Bring Newspaper
Pack newspaper or paper egg cartons that can help you get a campfire started to light wet charcoal. The extra tinder helps compensate for the dampness.
Cover With a Tarp
At a campsite, cover your grill or the bag of charcoal with a tarp while not in use to prevent rain from wetting it as you cook meals across several days.
FAQs About Wet Charcoal
How long does it take for wet charcoal to dry out?
If fully soaked, charcoal takes about 24 hours to air dry completely. You can dry wet charcoal in 2-3 hours at 250°F in the oven. A charcoal chimney starter can dry and light damp charcoal in 30-60 minutes.
Can you put charcoal in the oven to light it?
Yes, placing charcoal briquettes on a baking sheet in the oven at 250°F for 30 minutes will fully ignite them for use. This works well for lighting damp charcoal.
Why does wet charcoal cause more smoke?
When charcoal contains moisture, it has to heat and evaporate the water before reaching its burn temperature. This cooling effect results in more incomplete combustion and smoke production.
Does charcoal go bad if it gets wet?
Charcoal that gets wet does not necessarily go bad, as long as it did not absorb so much water that it breaks down. Once dried out, most wet charcoal can be reused. If the briquettes crumble when dry, then they may be too damaged for use.
Can you use charcoal that won’t light?
Yes, you can reuse charcoal that fails to properly ignite as long as you dry it out first. Dampness is often the culprit when charcoal won’t light. Dry it fully and try again with a chimney starter.
Key Points to Remember
- Wet or damp charcoal needs to be fully dried before lighting.
- Let charcoal burn until ashy grey before grilling for maximum heat.
- Expect more smoke when cooking over previously wet charcoal.
- Never put water directly on hot coals or soak charcoal purposely.
- Store charcoal in a sealed, waterproof container to keep dry.
- With patience, wet charcoal can be dried and used again safely.
Table Comparing Wet and Dry Charcoal
| Property | Wet Charcoal | Dry Charcoal |
|---|---|---|
| Ignition | Hard to light, may need chimney starter or other heat source | Lights easily and quickly with standard methods |
| Burn Time | Does not burn as long due to moisture content | Long, consistent burn time |
| Heat Output | Less heat energy released due to evaporation of water | Strong, steady heat for cooking |
| Smoke Level | More smoke produced during combustion | Low levels of thin blue smoke |
| Ash Production | May produce more ash if not burned completely | Forms light powdery grey ash when spent |