Leave the lid on, it will come down. If youleave the lid off, the fire is getting more than enough oxygen to keep burning until the fuel is spent. The only time I let mine burn out is end of season before a good cleaning. I always use fresh fuel for smoking, then when I close the vents down, I can use the partially used coal for the kettle. Using the vents to your advantage is really what the design is all about, cook, close, shake, re use. I have not fired a full chimney of fresh in years!