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.

Building a Better Briquet

  •  Kingsford briquets start with premium ingredients and smart design. Our in-house crafted wood char is key to fast lighting, intense heat, and long-lasting performance. The signature ridges and grooves around the “K” aren’t just for looks—they’re engineered to ignite faster by increasing surface area and thinning the edges. This ensures more briquets light at once, delivering a hotter, more consistent fire. And with our strong briquets, you get less waste, fewer breakages, and more even cooking every time.

Building a Better Briquet

Lights Faster

  • With our signature ridges and grooves built into every briquet, Kingsford charcoal is fully ashed and ready in just 15 minutes—giving you faster heat and quicker cook times. That means you can fire up the grill and get cooking without all the waiting around. In our lighting test, Jealous Devil briquets took longer to ignite and didn’t deliver the same consistent heat.

Lights Faster

Quicker Cooks

  • With both piles lit for 15 minutes before cooking, our steak reached a perfect 135°F in just 7 minutes, leaving Jealous Devil in the dust. With Kingsford’s consistent briquet size and strength, you get a steady, reliable heat that ensures your meat cooks evenly throughout.*  While their meat stays underdone, Kingsford serves up steaks cooked to perfection, delivering that delicious char and flavor you’re looking for.

     

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

Quicker Cooks

Consistent Size & Fewer Breaks

  • Our briquets are designed for durability, giving you more grilling power per bag than lump charcoal. In a head-to-head comparison, Kingsford outshines Royal Oak by providing more usable charcoal, fewer wasted briquets, and superior cooking results. With fewer broken pieces, Kingsford briquets stay on the grill instead of falling through the grate, giving you a consistent pile size that reduces hot and cold spots and ensures even heat. That means no babysitting the grill—just a better, more consistent cooking experience. Or, as we like to say, less waste and all taste.

Consistent Size & Fewer Breaks

Designed Stronger for Fewer Breaks*

  • When it comes to grilling, strength matters. In our 12-foot Drop Test, Kingsford briquets stay intact, while the competition crumbles. Why does that matter? Because strong briquets mean less waste. Kingsford briquets also heat faster and last longer.

     

    * Compared to Jealous Devil Max XL Charcoal Briquets

Designed Stronger for Fewer Breaks*

100% Natural Ingredients

  • Since 1920, Kingsford has delivered the best BBQ flavor with 100% natural ingredients, including real American wood. The result? A tradition you can taste in every bite. 

100% Natural Ingredients

The Kingsford Difference

Kingsford Original

When it’s time to fire up the grill, only the best will do. Kingsford charcoal is designed to light faster, burn stronger, and cook hotter, giving you quicker starts and juicier finishes. From steaks seared to perfection to the irresistible taste of smoky goodness, Kingsford delivers every time. 
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The Kingsford Difference

Match Light

Grilling just got easier with Kingsford Match Light charcoal! Made for BBQ fans who want to grill anytime, anywhere, it ignites instantly and heats flawlessly, so you can spend less time prepping and more time doing your thing. No lighter fluid needed—just pure grilling goodness that’s ready whenever you are. 
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