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

(3996 Reviews)
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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
3996 Reviews
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Use this if you want flavor I am a backyard barbecue enthusiast and love grill in all different ways. Original charcoal barbecue is still one of the most flavorful barbecue. Kingsford original is the only charcoal I use as it offers best flavor, lights up quickly and stays hot longer with just the amount of heat.
Date published: 2024-04-17
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Best charcoal This is our go to brand for charcoal. They work great and are priced fairly. They offer many different sizes as well in case you need a little or a lot.
Date published: 2024-04-16
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Good and reliable This is our preferred brand of charcoal. It's very light and burns down nicely. It distributes heat evenly. I've tried other brands and not had any success.
Date published: 2024-04-16
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Grea charcoal Favorite charcoal brand to use. I find the charcoal to be easy to light and leave my steaks and burgers with a nice charcoal flavor. It distributes heat well.
Date published: 2024-04-15
Rated 5 out of 5 by from The Tried and True King of Charcoal Kingsford charcoal – it's a total game-changer for any BBQ enthusiast! Seriously, this stuff is like the secret sauce for grilling greatness. Whether you're cooking up burgers, steaks, or veggies, Kingsford charcoal delivers that perfect smoky flavor every time. Plus, it's super easy to light and maintains a steady heat, so you can focus on flipping those burgers like a pro. I've tried other brands, but nothing beats Kingsford. So, if you're serious about your BBQ game, definitely give it a shot. Five stars all the way!
Date published: 2024-04-14
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Burns evenly The best charcoal I have ever used , I did try other brands but this is by far the best one out there. It burns slow and evenly and doesn’t ever go out early. It smells good and not overly smelly
Date published: 2024-04-13
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Simple and does the job Fast burning. Easy to use and transport. Does a good job of cooking good on the grill. Doesn't leave any charcoal odor behind. Will continue to repurchase
Date published: 2024-04-13
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Ease of lighting This charcoal lights easily and lasts longer than expected. It enhances the natural flavors without adding the chemical taste that you get with the artificially added mesquite and apple.
Date published: 2024-04-12
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Best!! The best charcoal for a fireplace! This is the only kind that we ever use and it burns the absolute best! Don’t buy any other kind besides this! It’s. A must and a great price!
Date published: 2024-04-12
Rated 4 out of 5 by from "Kingsford Original Charcoal: Classic Flavor and Reliable Performance" Kingsford Original Charcoal is a staple for any grilling enthusiast, known for its consistent performance and reliability. The flavor it imparts to food is a classic smoky taste that enhances the overall grilling experience, making meats and vegetables taste deliciously charred and savory.Lighting the charcoal is relatively easy, thanks to its uniform briquette shape and quick-starting formula. The charcoal heats up efficiently, saving time and getting you ready to grill in no time. Once lit, the burn time is impressive, providing a steady heat source that lasts long enough for most grilling sessions.Ash production is moderate, with the charcoal burning cleanly and evenly, producing a manageable amount of residue. This makes cleanup straightforward, without too much mess to contend with.In terms of heat distribution, Kingsford Original Charcoal excels in providing a consistent and even heat across the grill, ensuring that food cooks evenly and thoroughly. Overall, it's a dependable choice for grilling, offering great flavor and performance every time.
Date published: 2024-04-12
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Always reliable Kingsford charcoal has always been what my family used, and it never lets us down. It's easy to start, it burns well, and the flavor is perfect. This is definitely my go-to charcoal when it's time to grill.
Date published: 2024-04-12
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Last really long and has a good charcoal flavor Really easy to light up and stays lit up for a long time making it better for the food to stay warm and cook up.Has a really good flavor to it and creates a lot of ash.
Date published: 2024-04-12
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Burns without effort and burns steady for a long time! My family prefers Kingsford original charcoal for barbecue and for cozy evening by the fireside! The charcoal burns quickly and lasts a long time. My husband uses the charcoal to slow cook and roasts chestnuts and peanuts after the meat is done! We don’t see sparks when the charcoal burns! Overall a good product!
Date published: 2024-04-11
Rated 3 out of 5 by from A quick back yard grill Kingsford Original Charcoal is a reliable choice for backyard grilling sessions. Its consistent heat output ensures even cooking, delivering tasty results every time. While it does the job well, I've noticed a bit more ash residue compared to other brands, requiring a bit more cleanup post-cookout. Overall, it's a decent option for those who prioritize performance over minimal ash production.
Date published: 2024-04-11
Rated 4 out of 5 by from BBQ must have! It’s a well known brand and can’t beat the price, it offers exceptional quality and consistency. The charcoal burns evenly and a long lasting, perfect for grilling and smoking meats.
Date published: 2024-04-11
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Kingsford A oldie but goodie ! My dad use to use this brand of charcoal when i was growing and to this day i usually buy this brand. Lights up fast and does not smell bad
Date published: 2024-04-11
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Heat up your grilling Charcoal gives my grilled food a great taste. Much better than a gas grill. This stuff lights up the well when you use the Kingsford lighter fluid along with it. It burns long enough to grill anything you can think up and then some.
Date published: 2024-04-11
Rated 4 out of 5 by from Great for cookouts! I’m like using this charcoal. It’s easy to light, and the heat distribution is pretty good. It’s ash production is evenly distributed. Burn time is on time.
Date published: 2024-04-11
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Great burn time Can’t go wrong with this one. My food turns out amazing every time. Burn time is on point and the heat is perfectly lit. Very easy to dispose when done.
Date published: 2024-04-11
Rated 5 out of 5 by from The best charcoal for your cookout! This is the best brand of charcoal I can find. It is easy to light, burns evenly, and gives a wonderful flavor to any barbecue. I highly recommend spending the extra for the name brand vs. store brand. With the flavor difference, you won't regret it.
Date published: 2024-04-10
Rated 3 out of 5 by from Reliable , great value We use this all the time, either for camping or barbecue at home. Sometimes I find it easy to burn , sometimes not that’s why I give it a 3 stars . The price is so affordable so everyone can buy it . It stays burnt for long enough to cook the meat .
Date published: 2024-04-10
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Great product We use this charcoal to grill all the time! Thr flavor it makes are chicken and other food is so good. Not a bad odor and makes grilling alot easier. We really like this product.
Date published: 2024-04-09
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Charcoal Kimgsford charcoal lights up quick after you use lighter fluid. It will burn evenly. It has event heat. Does not leave to much ash. Make your food taste good.
Date published: 2024-04-09
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Good burning The flavor these give off is really great. They burn slowly which is great. They keep the heat at a perfect temperature. There is minimal ash and the odor is nice!
Date published: 2024-04-09
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Reminds me of childhood! Great, average cost charcoal briquettes that DO NOT NEED LIGHTER FLuID. Buy yourself a chimney instead. Kingsford is a brand I associate with reliability and value. You will get a nice, even burn, and the flavor will lend itself to the marinade and/or sauce you used, not charcoal flavored.
Date published: 2024-04-09
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Good product! These always work great on the grill! They light very well and distribute the heat perfectly! They burn for a long time and have low ash production. I think they contribute to the flavor of the food cooked and it is great!
Date published: 2024-04-09
Rated 5 out of 5 by from The Best! Nothing beats steak cooked over charcoal! Kingsford is our go-to always! Consistent quality, always top notch. Best smell. Always provides the best results. Great for spatchcock chickens as well! Make your bbq better with Kingsford!
Date published: 2024-04-08
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Amazing! I grew up with my dad using this on his charcoal grill and it brings me such fond memories. My family now uses it. It gives the food such a wonderful flavor. It’s so easy to light and burns for a long time. It does offices some ash but easy to clean up
Date published: 2024-04-07
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Great product ! Kingsford is always a reliable charcoal. Price was good. A little tough to get it lit. Burns quite quick. Always gets hot, no problems with that. Produces a great flavor to anything we’re grilling.
Date published: 2024-04-07
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Barbecue at its best! If you are going to make an authentic barbecue you must use Kingsford charcoal. There is no other choice. It’s simply the best! It’s easy to start a fire and the burn time is exceptional. This charcoal gives off a delicious aroma and adds the perfect barbecue flavor to any meat or vegetable .
Date published: 2024-04-06
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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.