This is me ... once I'm done just let it burn and clean it out the next morning nothing but ashes. Only time Id be dumping hot coals is if I cook somewhere else and need to pack up to transport but that's rare now. Used to throw cookouts in the park all the time and have to dump coalsI just let the fire die a natural death when I use wood/charcoal.. and normally go back out to clean it up and put the grill cover back on either later that night... or first thing the next morning...