As I was lighting the grill yesterday I had a lot of charcoal that didn't burn much or only a little left over from the last cookout, I'm curious can I re-use this for a new fire, will it light again? It seems someone told me not to do this years ago due to the previous meats juices running onto the unburned coal or something. Does anybody know? Just Trying to be Frugal if I can!!

-- Carol (cwaldrop@peoplescom.net), October 04, 2000

Answers

I just add more charcoal, Carol. It always seems to work. Is it a good idea ? I don't know but I'm 47 and still living to write about it. I think fire kills all germs. I have heard that 170 degrees sustained for 5 minutes kills anything.

-- Joel Rosen (Joel681@webtv.net), October 05, 2000.

After we are done grilling, we take the tongs and drop the chunks of charcoal in a can of water then set them out to dry. We reuse them next time. I learned it from my parents and grandparents. I can't imagine any reason it would be harmful.

I don't use starter fluid either. I build a kindling fire underneath to get the grill going.

-- Laura (gsend@hotmail.com), October 05, 2000.

if its not burned,, is it "used" ???

-- STAN (sopal@net-port.com), October 05, 2000.

Stan, some of the pieces are half burned or the edges just grey, I think I'll try to re-use all I've saved! Thanks Everybody!

-- Carol (cwaldrop@peoplescom.net), October 05, 2000.