Dumb question about charcoal grills

[teachermom2834]

What do you do to extinguish the coals after the fire? We can't just leave it to burn out and cool off because there are too many neighbor kids running around for that to be safe. But it stays dangerously hot for several hours. We had switched to gas years ago partially for this reason but prefer charcoal and just got one that has both. Would like to use the charcoal sometimes.

 

I guess we can empty the coals and pour water on them. Any ideas for containing the mess?

 

I feel like I am missing a very simple solution here.

[gardenmom5]

we have a weber.  it has air intakes in the bottom and vents on top. we close them and the charcoal is deprived of oxygen.

 

we have a portable grill we take camping.   we spread the charcoal around so the briquets aren't touching each other - then put water on it.

[gardenmom5]

for containing the mess - you can use a number 10? tin can and put the coals in it and submerse them.