Kingsford® Original Charcoal

• If the charcoal performs better, should I grill with fewer briquets?

  See Answer+ The number of briquets you use should be based on the size of your grill, what you are cooking and how you are cooking it. Because everybodys grilling experience is unique, we recommend that you use the same amount as before. The primary difference is that the briquets are ready to cook on faster, which does not influence how many you use.

• How does a lighter briquet burn as hot and as long as a heavier briquet?

  See Answer+ The weight of the briquet is only one aspect of performance. While Kingsford reduced the weight of each briquet, we added wood char and increased airflow. That extra wood char provides the heat and cooking time grillers want. The increased air flow helps the briquet get to cooking temperature faster.

Kingsford® Regular Charcoal with Hickory

• What meats taste best hickory flavored?

  See Answer+ The signature taste of Southern BBQ, Kingsford^® Charcoal with real blended hickory is the perfect complement to not only your pork shoulders and ribs, but also to your poultry, beef and game.

• I want to add even more flavor in my BBQ, can I supplement this charcoal with something else?

  See Answer+ Absolutely! For added traditional hickory smokehouse flavor, soak 2-3 cups of Kingsford^® Hickory Wood Chips in water for 30 minutes, drain and spread evenly over ashed-over briquets or add 6-7 Kingsford® Smokehouse Style Briquets with Hickory to hot coals.

Kingsford® Regular Charcoal with Mesquite

• What meats taste best Mesquite flavored?

  See Answer+ The rich and earthy flavor of real Mesquite wood with Kingsford^® Charcoal is the perfect complement to not only your steaks and chicken, but also to your fish and game.

• I want to add even more flavor in my BBQ, can I supplement this charcoal with something else?

  See Answer+ Absolutely! For added traditional Mesquite smokehouse flavor, soak 2-3 cups of Kingsford^® Mesquite Wood Chips in water for 30 minutes, drain and spread evenly over ashed-over or add briquets or add 6-7 Kingsford^® Smokehouse Style Briquets with Mequite to hot coals.

Lump vs. Charcoal

• Do briquets generate significantly more ash?

  See Answer+ The marketplace is full of claims about ash generation. Briquets do appear to generate more ash than lump charcoal by virtue of how they are made. However, in normal grilling conditions, the amount of ash generated has no bearing on your food as long as you are monitoring the airflow. No matter what the fuel source, it’s recommended that ash be removed as part of your standard grill cleaning process.

• Is lump charcoal more natural than briquet charcoal?

  See Answer+ The exact ingredients vary by brand. However, both briquets and lump charcoal contain all-natural ingredients. Lump charcoal is composed entirely of charred wood. Briquets are primarily char, but they do contain some other ingredients. These additional ingredients combined with the briquet’s shape and how it is produced provide the consistent grilling experience. Some ingredients — coal, limestone and borax — are naturally occurring minerals. Wood char and cornstarch are both natural products.

• Which type of charcoal gives my food more flavor?

  See Answer+ Flavor in grilling is a personal choice. Briquets consistently provide the traditional flavor and smell of grilling. For both types of charcoal, grillers can use wood, wood chips or chunks, spices, and sauces to enhance food flavor.

• I’ve heard that lump charcoal reaches higher temperatures and can cook for much longer—is this true?

  See Answer+ Peak temperatures and maximum grilling time are highly variable and depend more upon the cooking technique, grill used, wind and other weather conditions more than they do the choice of charcoal. Under normal conditions, both briquets and lump charcoal can reach the appropriate temperature and duration to cook all of your grilling favorites.

• Are briquets more consistent to cook with than lump?

  See Answer+ Yes, by nature of their manufacturing process, briquets are designed for a consistent grilling experience. When first opening a bag of charcoal, you see the uniform briquets. In contrast, with lump there could be pieces of vastly different size and shape. Moreover, the char and other ingredients in briquets are specifically designed to provide the same amount of cooking time at an appropriate temperature in every single bag.

• Which charcoal provides greater value?

  See Answer+

  Value most commonly depends upon pricing and performance. Lump charcoal is sold for a range of different prices both above and below the normal price range of briquets. Performance is subjective to consumers, with briquets providing consistency and control, and lump a more variable cooking experience.

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• What is briquet charcoal?

  See Answer+ Briquet charcoal refers to charcoal that has been pressed in the familiar round shape of briquets. They are designed to provide consistent grilling experiences.

• What is lump charcoal?

  See Answer+ Lump charcoal is a general phrase used to describe charred wood fuel that hasn’t been pressed into briquets. While the specific production process varies by brand, lump is generally made from tree limbs that are charred in a kiln.

Other Questions

• What is charcoal’s shelf life?

  See Answer+ The shelf life of Kingsford^® Original charcoal is indefinite so long as the product is stored in a cool, dry place. If the briquets become damp, they will not light efficiently. Kingsford^® Match Light^® charcoal and Kingsford^® Match Light^® charcoal with Mesquite have a shelf life of 1-2 years if stored properly. If a Kingsford^® Match Light^® charcoal bag is left open or becomes torn, the solvent will evaporate. This will also prevent the briquets from lighting properly. To extend shelf life, we recommend that you re-close the bag properly after each use

• A bag of briquets was left out in a thunderstorm. Is the product still good?

  See Answer+ It is very likely that the briquets won’t light after getting wet. Be sure to store your briquets in a cool, dry place.

• I’ve heard of using charcoal to absorb odors. Will your product work for this?

  See Answer+ No. Both Kingsford^® and Kingsford^® Match Light^® briquets contain ingredients other than charcoal to make them efficient cooking fuels. Use "activated charcoal" for deodorizing. This can be obtained at plant nurseries and pet stores.

• Can you use this product as compost or fertilizer?

  See Answer+ No. Both Kingsford^® and Kingsford^® Match Light^® briquets contain ingredients other than charcoal to make them efficient cooking fuels. Charcoal briquets do not aid in the breakdown of organic matter.

• How long will the briquets stay hot?

  See Answer+ If you'll be cooking for more than 40 minutes, additional briquets must be added to the fire. However, never add Kingsford^® Match Light^® briquets to an existing fire; add regular Kingsford^® briquets in the following manner: Add 10 or 12 briquets to the outer edge of the fire immediately after it has been spread. Once these coals become 70% ashed over, add to the center of the fire as needed to maintain constant cooking temperature.

• Can adjusting the vents on my grill make a difference?

  See Answer+ Vents on a covered grill are usually left open. This allows oxygen into the grill, increasing the temperature of the coals. Regulate the grill temperature by adjusting the vents. Closing them (either partially or completely) may help to “cool down” a fire that is too hot.

• What’s the best way to light regular Kingsford® Charcoal?

  See Answer+

  For regular Kingsford^® charcoal and regular Kingsford^® charcoal with Mesquite or Hickory, add 1.6 fluid ounces of Kingsford^® Charcoal Lighter per pound of charcoal used once added to your pile of regular Kingsford^® briquets, light pile immediately. When the briquets are mostly covered in gray ash, that is your cue to start cooking. Never add Kingsford^® Charcoal Lighter to hot coals or fire.

  For Kingsford^® Match Light^® charcoal and Kingsford^® Match Light^® charcoal with Mesquite, just light the briquets! You don't need to add Kingsford^® Charcoal Lighter Fluid to Kingsford^® Match Light^® products. Just light your pile with a Kingsford^® match in several places. It takes 10 minutes for the briquets to be covered in ash, and that is your cue to begin cooking.

• Any tips on how I can get an even more intense mesquite flavor when grilling with mesquite briquets?

  See Answer+ If you love that mesquite flavor and want a more intense mesquite grilling experience, simply add more regular Kingsford^® with Mesquite briquets to your pile! However, never add Kingsford^® Match Light^® briquets to an existing fire. Additionally, you can try adding Kingsford^® Wood Chips or Kingsford^® Smokehouse Style briquets to your grilling routine for that extra touch of flavor.