Charcoal in compost?

trustinhart 7/30/2010, 12:03 pm

is it OK to put charcoal ashes from the BBQ into the compost or around plants as a side dressing? Do the chemicals from the lighter fluid remain in the charcoal? I have quite a pile of it and would like to use it if possible. Thanks in advance. Your answers are always so prompt and so APPRECIATED!!

Kari and Stan

**camprn** 7/30/2010, 1:40 pm

I throw mine in the rubbish. Not sure how much of the petro chemicals from the starter remain. I'm not sure of the ingredients of the charcoal turning to ash changes it all at an elemental level. This list says not to put charcoal briquette ash into the compost.

Retired Member 1 7/30/2010, 2:51 pm

The only charcoal I would put in the garden is biochar which is made without binders or other chemicals.

Weedless_ 7/30/2010, 10:27 pm

It's ok to put ashes in the compost. Not sure about lumps of charcoal, but if they are crumbly and fall apart, I totally would. I am planning on putting mine there. we use Green Egg lump charcoal, and never use starter on it, so it's ok.

boffer 7/30/2010, 10:47 pm

Everything I've ever read has said do not put briquette charcoal/ashes in the compost.

Weedless_in_Atlanta wrote:...we use Green Egg lump charcoal...

Lump charcoal is a totally different product, and I do put my lump charcoal ashes into the compost.

Weedless_ 7/30/2010, 11:33 pm

boffer wrote:...Lump charcoal is a totally different product...

Thanks boffer, I didn't know that it was much different.

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