Hi Jeff,
Those coals are probably water logged. Trying to dry them out will most likely not make them usable.
As you use your WSM, the gunk that builds will help close off any small leakages. Then, when the vents are all closed, the coals will snuff themselves out in very little time leaving you with usable coals for the next cook. My WSM is cold to the touch within 30 minutes of closing the vents.
So are you saying not to clean, and let the gunk buildup?
I cleaned mine up after it cooled ...
Jeff