An American Story

The history of grilling at Kingsford is a classic American story. It all started in 1919 when Edward G. Kingsford helped Henry Ford procure a stretch of timberland to supply wood for his auto plants.

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Kingsford® Preserve the Pit

Kingsford remains committed to celebrating Black barbecue culture by launching the second year of Preserve the Pit and doubling the investment in aspiring barbecue professionals.

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American Pride

An American-made company founded over 100 years ago, Kingsford has a lot to be proud of. Our employees have been continuing the family tradition in backyards across the nation.

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The Kingsford Difference

Kingsford has been fueling legendary grills since 1920, and we’re still America’s #1 charcoal for good reason. Our briquets light faster, burn longer, and deliver the high heat you need for exceptional results. Whether you’re searing steaks or savoring smoky flavors, one thing’s for certain — nothing beats the original.

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Kingsford®

Original Charcoal

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  • 100% natural ingredients
  • Ready to cook on in 15 minutes
  • Long burn time*

Since 1920, Kingsford® Original Charcoal has been the gold standard of grilling. Made in the USA with North American ingredients. With 100% natural ingredients, Kingsford® Original gives BBQ lovers the smoky wood-fired flavor they crave. Our Original briquets are great for any grilling occasion. Whether you’re smoking a brisket, grilling up vegetables or firing up the grill at your next tailgate, Kingsford® Original delivers the best in authentic BBQ flavor. In fact, Kingsford® lights faster than competitive brands, giving you the ultimate grilling experience — every time. Available in a variety of sizes, from 4-lb. to 2x20-lb. bags.

† Compared to nationally available conventional charcoal in the U.S.A.
  • *Compared to other charcoal brands.
The Kingsford Difference

Blue Bag

When it’s time to fire up the grill, choose the original. Kingsford charcoal is designed to light fast, burn long, and cook hot, giving you quick starts and wood-fired finishes. From steaks seared to perfection to the irresistible flavor of smoky goodness, Kingsford delivers.

Watch the video to see why Kingsford is America’s #1 charcoal.*

* Based on IRI Unit Sales Data

The Kingsford Difference

Designed Stronger for Fewer Breaks*

When it comes to grilling, strength matters. In our Drop Test, Kingsford briquets stay intact, while the competition crumbles. Why does that matter? Because strong briquets mean less waste.

Watch our Drop Test video and see the difference for yourself.

* Compared to Jealous Devil Max XL Charcoal Briquets

The Kingsford Difference

Quicker Cooks

For grillers who demand the best, Kingsford delivers. When tested, our steak reached 135°F in just 7 minutes, leaving our competition in the dust. While their meat stays raw*, Kingsford serves up steaks cooked to perfection. Nothing beats the original when it comes to speed, heat and flavor.

Ready to see the Steak Test for yourself? Watch the video.*

* Always ensure you cook for adequate time to reach USDA requirements.

† Kingsford® Original Charcoal Briquets compared to Jealous Devil Max XL Charcoal Briquets

Pairs well with this recipe

Grilled Ribeye

Grilling thick cut ribeye steaks to perfection is simple, fast and fit for every occasion.

Get the Recipe
Learn

How to Grill with Charcoal

Everything you need to know about grilling with classic Kingsford® charcoal and charcoal grills.

Learn How
Reviews
4.7
4403 Reviews
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Works well I have always preferred kingsford brand charcoal for grilling. It works well, fairly priced, durable packaging that doesn’t bust open easily; just all in all it’s the best charcoal.
Date published: 2024-12-07
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Kingsford Charcoal Good value for the money. It burns well and produces steady heat. It’s very easy to light and use for grilling. It provides very little smoke when using.
Date published: 2024-12-07
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Best for you BBQ The briquettes ignite easily and reach cooking temperature quickly, which is perfect for when you don’t want to wait too long to start cooking. Once lit, they burn evenly and provide consistent heat throughout the cooking process. What I love most is the flavor enhancement—thanks to the real wood ingredients, it adds a genuine smoky taste to the food. Whether you’re grilling burgers, chicken, or veggies, this charcoal never disappoints. Highly recommend it for both beginners and seasoned grill masters.
Date published: 2024-12-06
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Good charcoal brand I like to use Kingsford charcoal because I like the smell of it. It makes my food taste better and the heat and burn time is perfect. I always use this brand when it comes to BBQ and charcoal.
Date published: 2024-12-06
Rated 4 out of 5 by from Kingsford charcoal I like how easy it is to use Kingsford charcoal and the amount of Heat output on the grill is good and the burn time is good and it last even after you stop cooking and the Ignition time is less then 3 minutes and the Ash production is good and I use the Ash for my garden and some brands have a flavor but the original charcoal has a lite taste and flavor
Date published: 2024-12-05
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Made the Chicken taste good & the Charcoal was a g This charcoal lit quickly & gave the chicken a great flavor & the heat output was great. The ash residue was not a lot.I think the Charcoal cooked the chicken faster.Love it ❤️
Date published: 2024-12-05
Rated 5 out of 5 by from The Best Of All Time For as long as I can remember kingsford charcoal has been the family go to for grilling out . Rather it be at home or camping this is a staple for barbecuing. The food cooks perfectly and with the best grill taste hands down .
Date published: 2024-12-04
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Great charcoal! ❤️ Kingsford Original Charcoal is a solid choice for casual grilling. It offers a reliable performance at an affordable price, making it a great option for those who simply want to fire up the grill and enjoy a backyard cookout. However, if you're a serious grilling enthusiast who demands the purest flavor and minimal ash, you might want to explore premium charcoal options.
Date published: 2024-12-03
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Best charcoal for grilling! Kingford is our main charcoal for grilling. We love the flavor it gives off in the grilled meats and how long it lasts. It lasts a long time and makes our food delicious,
Date published: 2024-12-02
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Work well This charcoal is great ,consistent .its easy to light the charcoal burns very well and lasted longer than expected . The smells is wonderfully flavorful and enhances any meal your are cooking .
Date published: 2024-12-01
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Good charcoal This is my brand every time I buy for BBQ. It’s easy to light up. The heat output is great. Ash production is good. Nice packaging and sustainability.
Date published: 2024-11-30
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Go To Product! Great product that lights easily and quickly. Enhances the flavor of the food on the grill. Ash is easy to dispose of and does not adversely affect the environment as it can be absorbed right into the soil. Would definitely recommend it as a great accessory to the grill. Most of my friends and family use it on a regular basis and it seems to be a very popular brand indeed. I tend to steer clear of all the fancy types of charcoal and much prefer this original version.
Date published: 2024-11-30
Rated 4 out of 5 by from Toasty Kingsford original charcoal is our go to for charcoal. I do feel like we need to add a little extra lighter fluid to get it to catch on fire, but once it is lit, it stays consistent. It doesn't break down as fast and adds a nice smokey flavor to our barbeque. We also add it to our fireplace to make sure our sticks will light up. Recommended.
Date published: 2024-11-29
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Great choice for barbecue I recently tried Kingsford Original Charcoal, and I must say it’s a good choice for barbecue 🍗. It lights up quickly with minimal effort, and once it’s burning, it maintains a high temperature for a long time—perfect for grilling steaks, burgers, and even slow-cooking larger cuts of meat. Another plus is that it doesn’t spark or pop like some other charcoals, which adds to the safety and convenience of grilling. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced grill master, Kingsford Original Charcoal delivers solid, reliable results.
Date published: 2024-11-29
Rated 5 out of 5 by from The real king We love using this charcoal to grill with. It allows the food on the grill to cook evenly. There isn’t much ash residue left behind. They also light very easily. My favorite thing is the value for the money compared to other brands and sizes.
Date published: 2024-11-28
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Light your fire with Kingsford® products.

Explore our full range of charcoal, pellets and flavor boosters to take your grilling to the next level.