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
4589 Reviews
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Great for grilling Probably the most known charcoal and most used. I find it easily at all stores and works great to use on the grill. It lasts pretty long too and doesn't take long to light up.
Date published: 2025-04-12
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Great charcoal! What can I say it’s great. It works really well and it’s always a go to brand that you can trust and know it performed really good and has a really good flavor on the burgers or hotdogs which is what I was using to cook.
Date published: 2025-04-12
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Mush have for barbecue! I’ve been using Kingsford charcoal for better than 15 years. I’ve tried other brands on occasion but always return to Kingsford. It lights easily, burns long with consistent heat and always gives what ever you’re grilling that desirable smoky charcoal flavor.
Date published: 2025-04-11
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Reliable, flavorful, and easy to use. I really recommend Kingsford Original is a go-to choice for backyard grilling. It lights easily, heats up fast, and delivers a consistent burn that lasts. The smoky flavor it adds to food is a classic, and it’s great for everything from burgers to ribs. It does produce more ash than some other brands, but for the price and performance, it’s a solid pick.
Date published: 2025-04-10
Rated 5 out of 5 by from The best Charcoal! Super easy to use and to fire up it usually doesn’t take long to light up. I usually buy this one for grilling. It doesn’t throw to much ash when using.
Date published: 2025-04-10
Rated 5 out of 5 by from I give this 5 stars I love this charcoal so much it burns so good. It gives great flavor and heat output and the lighting time is so quick. I love using it this charcoal specifically I like to keep an extra bag so that way I can always have it on hand.
Date published: 2025-04-09
Rated 5 out of 5 by from My go to for bbq This is my go to charcoal for barbecues. It starts up relatively quickly and it keeps the heat for a while and it’s easy to use from cooking chicken and making burgers and there’s no extra ashy flavor to the meat. The burn time is great at last long time and it doesn’t produce a lot of ash
Date published: 2025-04-09
Rated 5 out of 5 by from The best flavor added to grilled food There is nothing better than cooking a steak over Kingsford Charcoal. The coals stay hot for so long, and they heat up evenly every single time! They add the best flavor to any food you may be grilling.
Date published: 2025-04-09
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Cool Great product. We buy multiple bags over the summer. Love the brand but same stuff so try to buy what’s on sale not worth going out of your way for..
Date published: 2025-04-08
Rated 5 out of 5 by from King Ford makes the best charcoal for grilling This product has good grilling performance with a noticeable flavor intensity. The heat output appears to be satisfactory, and the lighting time is quick. Finally, the ash production is a manageable.
Date published: 2025-04-08
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Reliable, long-burning charcoal that delivers cons Kingsford Original Charcoal is a staple for every barbecue lover. It lights up quickly, produces consistent high heat, and keeps a long burn time perfect for slow-cooking meats or grilling veggies. The flavor it imparts to food is that classic smoky BBQ taste you expect. Cleanup is easy too—there's minimal ash left behind. I’ve used it multiple times, and it never disappoints. Whether you're hosting a cookout or just grilling for the family, this charcoal gets the job done efficiently and reliably every time.
Date published: 2025-04-08
Rated 5 out of 5 by from You should really try this brand! Heats really well and cooks your chicken and meats to perfection. It’s very fast and the flavor of the food is delicious. Less smoke than other brands
Date published: 2025-04-08
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Good product! One of the best things about Kingsford charcoal is its reliable burn time. It lights quickly and maintains a steady heat, making it perfect for both direct and indirect grilling. Kingsford charcoal is priced fairly. It’s more affordable than some other premium brands but still offers superior quality
Date published: 2025-04-07
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Kingsford will keep you grilling Listen… if you’re trying to fire up that grill and keep it classic, Kingsford Original is where it’s at. This twin pack gives you about 8 uses total, and let me just say—it delivers every single time. These briquets light up easy (especially with a chimney starter), burn hot, and give your food that real backyard flavor. I’m talking smoky, rich, and straight-up mouthwatering. Plus, it’s made with 100% natural ingredients, so you know you’re not grilling with junk. We’ve used this for cookouts, family BBQs, even just weekend burgers—and it never disappoints. It’s consistent, long-burning, and gives you that “everybody asking who’s on the grill” type of energy. Solid 10/10 for flavor, ease of use, and value—especially with the twin pack. Definitely a must-have for grill season.
Date published: 2025-04-07
Rated 5 out of 5 by from This is great charcoal! This is good charcoal for all cookouts! It’s got a great eat output , ignited well and burns long. It provides a delicious smoked flavor! This is a great rated brand.
Date published: 2025-04-07
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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.