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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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.
Pairs well with this recipe

Grilled Ribeye

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

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How to Grill with Charcoal

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

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Reviews
4.7
4179 Reviews
Rated 4 out of 5 by from Great for grilling Kingsford Charcoal is a staple for outdoor grilling enthusiasts, offering a reliable and consistent product that enhances the overall grilling experience. Known for its quick lighting and long burn time, Kingsford Charcoal provides a steady heat source that makes it ideal for both low-and-slow barbecuing and high-heat searing. The briquettes are made from natural ingredients, which contributes to a clean burn and a pleasant smoky flavor that infuses food with a classic, grilled taste. The uniform size and shape of the briquettes ensure even heating, reducing the need for constant monitoring and adjustment. One of the standout features of Kingsford Charcoal is its affordability and widespread availability, making it accessible for casual grillers and seasoned pitmasters alike. The brand's commitment to quality is evident in the minimal ash production, which translates to less mess and easier cleanup. Additionally, Kingsford offers a variety of charcoal types, including original, hickory, mesquite, and professional-grade options, catering to diverse flavor preferences and grilling styles. However, some users might find that Kingsford Charcoal can produce a bit more ash compared to lump charcoal, and it may require a bit more attention to maintain optimal grilling conditions. Despite these minor drawbacks, Kingsford Charcoal remains a top choice for many due to its dependable performance and the authentic BBQ flavor it imparts. Overall, Kingsford Charcoal continues to be a trusted name in the grilling community, ensuring delicious results for every cookout.
Date published: 2024-07-10
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Great product The flavors, the heat lighting, smoke production like it’s all good. There’s nothing bad to say about this product with no problem very little effort.
Date published: 2024-07-10
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Great for the bbq. Works great for the BBQ. Gives a great charcoal flavor to the food, gets going quick, and does not leave much ash residue. It does not produce much smoke and gives off great heat.
Date published: 2024-07-09
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Perfect for spit cooking! We just cooked a turkey on the spit and instead of using wood, we decided to use a large bag of Kingsford Original Charcoal and it was perfect! After the coals got hot and the lighter fluid burned off, it took about 4 hours to roast this turkey over the spit! The charcoal worked so well, we’re going to do a few turkeys on the spit next time! The flavor came out fantastic!
Date published: 2024-07-09
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Good brand Perfect brand for getting good charcoal. They are long-lasting and great for cooking. I use these for camping and always have them stocked. Great coal.
Date published: 2024-07-09
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Trusted blend, perfect every time. I can always trust Kingsford charcoal for our families outdoor cooking. It always catches on fire timelessly. The flavor of the charcoal is a wonderful blend to use.
Date published: 2024-07-09
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Great grilling performance Kingsford original charcoal creates great grilling performance. It has good heat output. It has low ash residue. I would recommend this product.
Date published: 2024-07-08
Rated 4 out of 5 by from We love it! This is our favorite to use when grilling! The flavor is not intense and it gets the job done. I recommend this brand to anyone who grills outside.
Date published: 2024-07-08
Rated 5 out of 5 by from The best charcoal of all times it’s easy to use and great flavors on any meat to out on the grill
Date published: 2024-07-07
Rated 4 out of 5 by from Love it This charcoal is the absolute best. It always puts out the perfect amount of heat and has the perfect timing for light. It’s my go to for charcoal.
Date published: 2024-07-07
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Best charcoal We’ve been using this charcoal for years. It’s wonderful, comes in a nice thick packaging and the grill performance is top-notch.  it gives you a great burn time.
Date published: 2024-07-04
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Easy to light This is my reliable brand for any barbecues. I’ve gotten this type of charcoal for years, and I’ve never been disappointed. It easily especially when used with the same brand fluid. 
Date published: 2024-07-03
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Nice Kingsford original charcoals are great..these charcoals are the only kind and brand I use.. they make my meats and vegetables so flavorful…..
Date published: 2024-07-02
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Fantastic.classic A classic. Grew up using this. Easy to use and no mess. Just fantastic. Why change to anything else when thus works so good and easy to find anywhere.
Date published: 2024-07-01
Rated 5 out of 5 by from The best charcoal Kingsford charcoal is the only charcoal that I use. The charcoal heats up quickly. They stay hot for a long time, so that ensures that my food will be thoroughly cooked. A outdoor grill is not complete without Kingsford charcoal.
Date published: 2024-07-01
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Works well Works never had issues. I prefer this style of charcoal then I add my own fore starter. One bag last my lil family forever. Easy to clean up burns evenly. Heats up great I’m able to cook chicken meat pork all different cook times and temps no issues
Date published: 2024-07-01
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Awesome The product is perfect for grilling outdoors, providing even heat and lasting performance. It lights up fast and stays hot, making it great for backyard barbecues. It's easy to control the cooking temperature and leaves less ash to clean up afterward. Kingsford's charcoal is known for its reliability and enhances the flavor of grilled food. It's a top choice for anyone who enjoys cooking outside.
Date published: 2024-07-01
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Grilling Out-Use Kingsford! Many family has used Kingsford charcoal to cook on the grill for as long as I can remember! It burns well, is easy to light on fire, and helps whatever you’re cooking to taste great! Kingsford is always easy to recognize. Just look for the Kingsford name when buying charcoal. It is a great value!
Date published: 2024-07-01
Rated 4 out of 5 by from Great This is our go too charcoal as it is normally broken up but instead it is whole. It lights quickly and easily and the heat stays consistent. It adds great flavor to our food.
Date published: 2024-06-30
Rated 4 out of 5 by from Great! The coal itself is great, the packaging is a bit weak when moving it around. The ash production takes a while and isn’t excessive. Flavor is nice and the heat output.
Date published: 2024-06-30
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Hold fire This charcoal keeps the heat pretty long. It comes in small and big bag. The heat that’s low or high depends on how much charcoal you put in the grill. You can use the ash and put it under the trees
Date published: 2024-06-29
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Kingsford Original Charcoal offers a consistent 45-60 minute burn time with moderate ash production. Kingsford Original Charcoal provides consistent burn time and produces a moderate amount of ash. It burns evenly for about 45 minutes to an hour, making it reliable for grilling. However, the ash production is noticeable and requires regular cleaning.
Date published: 2024-06-29
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Must have for grilling!! I love this brand! I grill ALL the time and smoke meats/ veggies too! Kingsford has been synonymous with grilling excellence. Their charcoal briquettes, refined over the years, are now smaller and more compact, ensuring they burn hotter and longer—perfect for any grill master or beginner. As the briquettes ignite in my chimney, the air filled with a nostalgic, campfire aroma that set the stage for a memorable cookout taking me back to childhood. When it came time to grill brisket, Kingsford delivered an impressive cook time minutes, placing it near the top of my grilling contenders. The consistent availability and unbeatable affordability of Kingsford Original make it a staple in my grilling arsenal. It's a reliable companion for backyard barbecues and weeknight dinners alike.
Date published: 2024-06-28
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Best for outdoor party It’s summer now and it’s the best time to do barbecue. I do have large backyard. So most of the time I do barbecue on my backyard. My kids love them. Sometimes I invite my relatives too. So for barbecue party i use kingsford charcoal. It’s packaging is great and heat output is best. It’s easy to use and no eye burning smoke.
Date published: 2024-06-27
Rated 5 out of 5 by from i like it easy to use Awesome charcoal briquettes, light up easily, burn long and consistently produce good quality heat. Packaging is excellent and my four bags arrived in top condition, no damage. You will love them too. Highly recommended!
Date published: 2024-06-27
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Lasts longer Kingsford was my dad's charcoal of choice since I can remember. Unfortunately, he's no longer with us, but I continue to use it as he taught me. I like that it didn't leave an ugly taste to the food. It burns slow and steady. The packaging is so sturdy that I've forgotten it outside in the rain, and nothing happened to it.
Date published: 2024-06-25
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Good Product Best charcoal to buy. Amazing quality, burns forever, and can be used for so many things. The packaging is sturdy making it easy to store or even travel with. Good for cookouts and camping. Recommend!
Date published: 2024-06-25
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Always the best! When I'm using my charcoal grill, Kingsford Original Charcoal is the brand I'm reaching for. I've never had any issues getting these charcoal bricks to light and there's really nothing compared to the taste of burgers and hot dogs on a charcoal grill!! Kingsford brand is trusted and always my go-to. 10/10
Date published: 2024-06-24
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Classic These are a classic and what we use for all of our cook outs. The briquets are easy to light and have a long, even burn time. They are almost foolproof.
Date published: 2024-06-24
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Works great, tastes great! Works great! With a charcoal chimney, there's no need for lighter fluid with Kingsford Charcoal. They burn evenly and the food tastes great. We like to tear off part of the packaging for getting the coals started, easy and effective.
Date published: 2024-06-21
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Light your fire with all new Kingsford® products.

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