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.
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
4355 Reviews
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Best Charcoal Best charcoal for grilling, not too much ash was produced and they stayed consistently hot through the entirety of my grilling time. They lit easy and weren’t too smoky
Date published: 2024-11-03
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Good brand We have use kings all my life this is a good brand .the quality is nice light right up no taste from the coal. Burn perfectly that why we live it highly recommended
Date published: 2024-11-02
Rated 5 out of 5 by from The MVP of BBQ! These are the best for grilling! The flavor is strong, the heat is high, the neighbors come running, and the clean up is a breeze (low ash and stick)! The heavy packaging is great, and I love supporting folks in WV! This is my go-to brand!
Date published: 2024-11-01
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Taste Flavor is delicious I like the way it makes my meat taste. Even heat distribution with a lot of heat radiants. No ash to my meat which is nice for the taste
Date published: 2024-11-01
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Easy to use and efficient I love using this product for being able to cook on the go when we go camping! It really helps the grill with its heat output and flavor intensity as well as diminishes ash residue.
Date published: 2024-10-30
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Love it We used it when we took out kids camping and its was great! We feed 30 people and it lasted. We also used it for our camp fire and kids got to make s’mores!
Date published: 2024-10-30
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Kingsford Charcoal Show them you are the grillmaster Kingsford Orginal Charcoal is the perfect charcoal to start any cookout,even heat distribution. Just add the bag ,and light it. Ash is great ,just clean up your mess afterwards, made for excellent tasting hamburgers. I do recommend guys
Date published: 2024-10-30
Rated 4 out of 5 by from Charcoal is the way to go When I think of a summer bbq, I think of a Charcoal grill. That’s what I grew up with and to me, the food tastes so much better. My mom Always had a bag of Kingsford Charcoal on hand. The smoked flavor of the food from the charcoal grill just tastes so amazing and nostalgic.
Date published: 2024-10-30
Rated 5 out of 5 by from I love it Love the way it smells and the way it make the food taste. I love how long they last.. I really love how easy they are to light.. the only bad thing is when u touch it u get the black on you..
Date published: 2024-10-29
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Best charcoal out there! What can I say about kingsford besides it’s the best charcoal out there! Immaculate burn time. The flavor profile that is given off by these charcoals is sooo tasty. I prefer charcoal over gas anyday, unless I can’t have kingsford charcoal. Highly recommend if you’re a charcoal person!
Date published: 2024-10-28
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Great for charcoal grills I think the best tasting barbecue comes off of a charcoal grill. We always use Kingsford Charcoal for our grill as it seems like the fire on the coals last longer than generic brands. We highly recommend.
Date published: 2024-10-28
Rated 5 out of 5 by from A dependable brand! This the the preferred charcoal of my husband. It burns quick and evenly without changing the flavor of the food you’re cooking. It gives very even heat when laid out flat. It’s very dependable and starts a fire quickly and doesn’t produce a ton of ash. A great charcoal every time!
Date published: 2024-10-27
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Love I love the Kingsford brand of charcoal. It last a really long time. I don’t have to worry about constantly adding more charcoal in my grill. The ash residue isn’t that bad compared to the other ones that I’ve tried
Date published: 2024-10-27
Rated 5 out of 5 by from "Reliable Charcoal for Flavorful Grilling Every Time" Kingsford® Original Charcoal is a grilling essential that delivers consistent, high-quality results every time. Known for its easy lighting and long-lasting burn, this charcoal makes firing up the grill a breeze. The signature blend of natural ingredients provides a great flavor, enhancing everything from burgers to vegetables. It’s perfect for both beginners and experienced grillers, allowing for reliable heat that lasts through longer cook times. While some may prefer lump charcoal for its quicker heat, Kingsford’s briquettes offer great value and performance, making it a staple in backyard barbecues and family gatherings.
Date published: 2024-10-27
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Great I've been using Kingsford Charcoal for my grilling sessions for a while now, and it consistently delivers great results. Lighting it is a breeze; I typically use a chimney starter, and within minutes, the briquettes are ready to go.The heat it produces is reliable and steady, perfect for searing steaks and achieving that coveted char. I've noticed that my meats come out juicy with a nice smoky flavor, which is a big win in my book. I particularly enjoy the original Kingsford, but I've also tried the hickory-infused version, which adds a delicious depth to my ribs and chicken.One of the best aspects is the burn time; it lasts long enough for a solid grilling session without needing constant attention. Cleanup is also straightforward, as the ash left behind isn’t excessive.
Date published: 2024-10-26
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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.