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Where do I buy Kingsford® products?
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Frequently Asked Questions about Kingsford® Sure Fire Grooves® briquets
The charcoal briquet that I am used to looks different; I meant to buy the regular Kingsford® charcoal.
You purchased Kingsford® charcoal with Sure Fire Grooves®. The grooves make the briquet ready to cook on faster while burning longer. You should be able to cook over the coals in about 15 minutes. Sure Fire Grooves® were introduced to all Kingsford® charcoal products and have replaced the Kingsford® charcoal you previously purchased.
How do the Sure Fire Grooves® work?
Kingsford® charcoal's Sure Fire Grooves® give the briquet more edges and surface area to catch the flame more quickly making for easier and faster lighting. Additionally, the grooves provide air channels that increase airflow through the pile of briquets causing the coals to heat up faster than before. You are ready to cook your food in about 15 minutes.
Do these coals burn hotter?
You might notice that the Kingsford® briquets with Sure Fire Grooves® burn slightly hotter than the previous product. One method to avoid burning food when you are grilling is to use the indirect method of grilling. Push the hot coals to either side or around the perimeter of the grill. Then place a drip pan in the middle of the grill with some water and replace the grate. With the top closed, your food will cook by the circulating heat rather than the direct fire from the coals.
If you feel that the coals are burning too hot when grilling directly over them, you should space out briquets more and make sure that they are in a single-layer vs. piled on top of one another-too many briquets will create a higher cooking temperature. You could also close the vents (top, bottom or sides) slightly to decrease the amount of oxygen that feeds the fire and makes it burn hotter. However, do not close all vents completely as this will extinguish your briquets.
If you do not mind a hotter fire, you may want to monitor your food to determine whether you must remove the food from the grill earlier than before.
Where can I find the original briquet without the grooves?
All Kingsford® charcoal is made with Sure Fire Grooves®. We took the best of the previous briquet and made it better (easier lighting, ready to cook on faster and longer burning time).
If the charcoal performs better, should I grill with fewer briquets?
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 everybody's 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. While the briquets do burn longer and a little hotter, the difference is not enough that it would cause you to have to use fewer briquets.
I noticed that the bag weight has changed.
While the weight of each briquet has changed, the current bags are the same size, have the same number of briquets as before, and the same number of uses as previous Kingsford® charcoal but offer a performance improvement at the same great value.
I noticed that the Sure Fire Grooves® briquets do not burn as long.
Be sure to take note that Kingsford® charcoal with Sure Fire Grooves® is ready to cook on in about 15 minutes. This is significantly less time than our previous Kingsford® charcoal and all other charcoal available today to get ready to cook on. As a result, you will need to put the food on the grill earlier to take advantage of the extended cooking time that Kingsford® charcoal provides.
I noticed that the Sure Fire Grooves® briquets do not burn as long when used for smoking and "low and slow" cooking.
Kingsford® Sure Fire Grooves® briquets will burn longer than our previous briquets, but when "low and slow" barbequing you will need to adjust your process due to the faster lighting effects of the Sure Fire Grooves® briquets.
While we know it will take some time to find the best combination; we suggest that you take the following steps:
- Settle the briquets before lighting, so they pack a little tighter. This should slow down the draft through the briquette pile, thereby slowing the lighting process.
- If using a mix of lit and unlit briquets, start with fewer lit briquets to slow the initial rate of burn.
- Because the Sure Fire Grooves® briquets get hot quickly, it helps to begin dampening the air vents early on to easily hit the 225-250 degrees target temperature.
- When you reach your desired temperature, take advantage of the more efficient Sure Fire Grooves® briquets coals by closing the vents a bit more than you have in the past. By closing the vents further to cook at the desired temperature you will be letting less moisture and flavor escape than before, resulting in even better barbeque.
By experimenting with these changes you can get an even longer burn with Sure Fire Grooves® than you had with our previous product.
How are Sure Fire Grooves® briquets different from Kingsford® Match Light® charcoal?
Sure Fire Grooves® have been added to all Kingsford® charcoal products including our Kingsford® Match Light® briquets. The grooves added to regular Kingsford® charcoal (in the blue bag) help make the briquets light quickly, allowing the coals to be ready to support cooking sooner. Regular Kingsford® charcoal still requires the addition of lighter fluid or a chimney to light the coals, whereas lighter fluid is already in Kingsford® Match Light® briquets, helping them to ignite more easily.
Do I use the Sure Fire Grooves® any differently than the previous Kingsford® charcoal?
No. Sure Fire Grooves® briquets light the same way (with lighter fluid or a chimney) as old Kingsford® charcoal briquets. You still get the same great smoky tasting food and authentic grilling experience you have come to expect from Kingsford® charcoal but with a shorter wait for the coals to get hot and with a longer burn time.
Do the grooves make the briquet more fragile?
No. The Sure Fire Grooves® briquets have been put through rigorous testing to ensure that they measure up to the same high quality you have come to expect from Kingsford® charcoal.
How does a lighter briquet manage to light faster while at the same time burn longer?
The weight of the briquet is only one aspect of the change. In addition to Sure Fire Grooves®, which make the briquet light and burn more efficiently, leaving more of the briquet to burn while you are cooking, we have made a significant investment in formula enhancements and high quality ingredients that contribute to longer burn time. Keep in mind that the briquets do light faster, so to take advantage of the longer burn time you should put your food on sooner. When the briquets are mostly (about 70%) covered in grey ash that is your cue to start cooking.
Frequently Asked Questions about Kingsford® Competition Briquets
Do these coals burn hotter than other Kingsford® charcoal products?
Yes, Kingsford® Competition Briquets do burn hotter than Kingsford® Original charcoal. Grillers should pay special attention to temperature control inside the grill, arranging briquets and adjusting grill vents accordingly. The new briquets provide grillers with maximum versatility in cooking methods, whether grilling, searing or slow cooking.
If Kingsford® Competition Briquets burn hotter, should I grill with fewer briquets?
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 everybody's grilling experience is unique we recommend that you control the amount of heat you need by adjusting your grill's air vents. In general, if you want equivalent burn time compared to Kingsford® Original, use the same number of briquets.
Do I use Kingsford® Competition Briquets any differently than my Kingsford® Original charcoal?
Kingsford® Competition Briquets light the same as Kingsford® Original Briquets (with lighter fluid or a charcoal chimney). The Competition Briquets will be ready to cook on faster, so be ready to place your food on a little earlier than with Kingsford® Original.
What's the best way to light Kingsford® Competition Briquets?
There are many ways to light briquets. If you prefer to stay with the all-natural lighting method, we recommend using a well ventilated charcoal chimney. Pour in the charcoal, place a couple of sheets of crumpled newspaper at the bottom and then light the newspaper. Place lit chimney on non-flammable surface. The briquets will be ready to pour out in about 10–15 minutes or shortly after the flame reaches the top of the chimney. The coals on top of the chimney should be just partially covered in ash.
Where can I find Kingsford® Competition Briquets?
Kingsford® Competition Briquets can be found at the following retailers (distribution not guaranteed at all locations):
- Costco
- Dillons
- Dominicks
- Food Lion
- Fry's
- Giant Eagle
- Home Depot
- King Soopers
- Kroger
- Lucky
- Ralphs
- Roundy's
- Save Mart
- Smith's
- Wegmans
- Winn Dixie
Kingsford® Competition Briquets may also be found at additional retailers not currently listed.
Frequently asked questions about Kingsford® Regular Charcoal with Hickory
What meats taste best Hickory flavored?
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?
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 try KC Masterpiece® Hickory BBQ Sauce for an even smokier barbecue flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions about Kingsford® Match Light® Sure Fire Grooves® briquets
The charcoal briquet that I am used to looks different; I meant to buy the regular Kingsford® Match Light® briquets.
You purchased Kingsford® Match Light® Sure Fire Grooves® briquets. Sure Fire Grooves® were introduced to all Kingsford® charcoal products and have replaced the Kingsford® charcoal you previously purchased.
How do Kingsford® Match Light® Sure Fire Grooves® work?
Like our previous Kingsford® Match Light® product, Kingsford® Match Light® with Sure Fire Grooves® briquets have the right amount of lighter fluid already on the briquet making for easy lighting. Similarly, the Kingsford® Match Light® with Sure Fire Grooves® will be ready in about 10 minutes.
Where can I find the original briquet without the grooves?
All Kingsford® charcoal is made with Sure Fire Grooves®. We took the best of the previous briquet and made it better (easier lighting, ready to cook on faster and longer burning time).
I noticed that the bag weight has changed.
While the weight of each briquet has changed, the current bags are the same size, have the same number of briquets as before, and the same number of uses as previous Kingsford® charcoal but offer a performance improvement at the same great value.
How is Kingsford® Match Light® charcoal different from the regular Kingsford® charcoal with Sure Fire Grooves®?
Sure Fire Grooves® have been added to all Kingsford® charcoal including our Kingsford® Match Light® product. For regular Kingsford® charcoal (the blue bag), the grooves make the briquet light quicker allowing the coals to be ready to cook on faster. You still have to use either lighter fluid or a chimney to get the regular coals started whereas with Kingsford® Match Light® charcoal the lighter fluid is already on the briquet making for easy lighting.
Do the grooves make the briquet more fragile?
No. The Sure Fire Grooves® briquets have been put through rigorous testing to ensure that they measure up to the same high quality you have come to expect from Kingsford® charcoal.
How do I know when Kingsford® Match Light® briquets are ready to cook on?
Kingsford® Match Light® briquets take about 10 minutes to ash over once lit. When the briquets are mostly covered in grey ash (about 70% covered) that is your cue to start cooking.
Frequently Asked Questions about Kingsford® Charwood
What are the ingredients of Kingsford® Charwood?
Kingsford® Charwood is 100% natural hardwood that has been charred and packaged in its natural lump state.
How is Kingsford® Charwood different from our charcoal briquets?
Charwood burns hotter and faster than briquets, great for searing in flavor.
Where can I buy Kingsford® Charwood?
As of January 2007, Kingsford® Charwood is available nationally, across the entire United States.
I noticed that Kingsford® Charwood sparks.
Sparking is a common occurrence of lump charcoal. To reduce sparking spread the Kingsford® Charwood out and use Kingsford® Charcoal Lighter fluid to ignite. Upward airstreams generated by the use of a chimney may increase sparking.
The pieces in my bag are of all different sizes.
Whereas briquets are compressed ground charcoal, Kingsford® Charwood is wood that is left in its natural shape when charred. Consequently, it comes in a variety of sizes.
When is it appropriate to use Kingsford® Charwood as opposed to Kingsford® Sure Fire Grooves® charcoal?
Both provide the same great barbecue taste you expect from Kingsford® charcoal. Charwood burns hotter and is great for searing food, but may require greater attention. Sure Fire Grooves® provide a longer burn time and is optimal when cooking large quantities of food or when a long burn time is necessary such as when "smoking" food or "low and slow" barbecuing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is charcoal's shelf life?
The shelf life is indefinite so long as the product is stored in a cool, dry place. If the briquets become damp, they will not light efficiently. 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?
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?
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?
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?
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 80% 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?
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.
Could it be harmful for my children to eat food cooked over Kingsford® Match Light® briquets?
No. Kingsford® Match Light® briquets are just as safe as other charcoal briquets.
What's the best way to light regular Kingsford® charcoal?
For regular Kingsford® charcoal and regular Kingsford® charcoal with Mesquite, add 1.6 fluid ounces of Kingsford® Charcoal Lighter per pound of charcoal used. Never add Kingsford® Charcoal Lighter to hot coals or fire. Once added to your pile of regular Kingsford® briquets, light pile immediately. When the briquets are mostly covered in grey ash (about 70% covered) that is your cue to start cooking.
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 to Kingsford® Match Light® products. Just light your pile with a Kingsford® match in several places. It takes about 10 minutes for the briquets to be covered in ash (about 70% covered) 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?
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 to your grilling routine for that extra touch of flavor.
Can you use Kingsford® Match Light® charcoal in a smoker or a gas grill?
We advise against using Kingsford® Match Light® charcoal in either, for the following reasons:
- Smoker grills are used for barbecuing for up to 10 hours. Because briquets need to be added every 45 minutes, applying Kingsford® Match Light® briquets will cause lighter fluid to permeate the meat. Adding to an existing fire may also cause a flare-up.
- Kingsford® Match Light® briquets shouldn't be used in gas grills because the fire may damage the grill.
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