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
4516 Reviews
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Great Charcoal Kingsford has been my go-to charcoal for grilling, and it never disappoints. The briquets light up quickly and burn evenly, providing consistent heat for a perfect cook. They also give food that classic smoky flavor that makes BBQ taste authentic. What I love most is that they last a good amount of time, meaning I don’t have to keep adding more mid-cook. Plus, they’re made with 100% natural ingredients, so I feel good about using them. Whether you’re grilling burgers, steaks, or even slow-cooking ribs, Kingsford delivers reliable results every time.
Date published: 2025-03-04
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Kingsford Original Charcoal is a dependable, easy- Kingsford Original Charcoal has been my go-to for backyard grilling. It delivers a subtle smoky flavor, moderate ash, and sufficient heat. It lights quickly, a huge plus, and produces manageable smoke. Reliable for most needs, though not the hottest or cleanest option
Date published: 2025-03-03
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Summer BBQ staple Classic Kingsford charcoal. Whenever I grill (which isn't that often but I still do) I'm comfortable using Kingsford charcoal because that what I remember my family using and my friends using when they grill. It emits a good amount of heat and I like the flavor profile (add I like to add some wood chunks for additional flavor). Overall, a good start when grilling in a pinch. These are always set up next to the grilling section or meat department when it's grilling season for a reason.
Date published: 2025-03-02
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Consistently good product As good as it gets! Even and consistent heat with a good burn time. You know what you are getting every time when you purchase Kingsford Original!
Date published: 2025-03-01
Rated 4 out of 5 by from Good performance This is the one we’ve always used! It gets the job done and it’s very affordable. Stays lit for quite amount of time and keeps heat in as well. Recommend!
Date published: 2025-03-01
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Our go to!!!! This is our go to charcoal brand & option. It lights easy & fast. It burns for a long time & is easy to control. The packaging is kinda unappealing to me. It’s dirty most times from the residue of the charcoal & it gets all over you if you carry it wrong. And sometimes that’s not so easy if you are carrying one of their really big bags.
Date published: 2025-02-28
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys outdoor c Kingsford Original Charcoal remains my go-to choice for regular grilling. It offers a balance of convenience, affordability, and performance. Whether you’re a weekend BBQ enthusiast or a casual griller, this charcoal won’t disappoint.
Date published: 2025-02-28
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Great We love this charcoal so much when we grill and use it every Summer! It really gives the food a great smoky flavor and I definitely would recommend it!!
Date published: 2025-02-27
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Best flavor Hands down this Kingsford gives the richest, best flavor for grilling out..My burgers and steaks always turn out with the best flavors..
Date published: 2025-02-27
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Classic Charcoal, Perfect for Grilling! Kingsford Original Charcoal has long been a trusted choice for grilling, for as long as i can remember since my childhood. This charcoal brand consistently delivers great quality, making it a reliable option for backyard barbecues, weeknight dinners, and family gatherings. The flavor of your food will be enhanced without overpowering it. The charcoal burns cleanly, making sure that your meat, vegetables, or whatever you're grilling takes on that classic smoky taste. Kingsford Original charcoal lights up quickly, thanks to its special blend of woods and the inclusion of lighter fluid for fast and even ignition. You'll be ready to start grilling in just about 15 minutes, making it a convenient option for when you don't want to waste time waiting for the charcoal to catch fire. It produces a strong and consistent heat, perfect for both searing steaks and cooking vegetables and things at lower temperatures. Whether you're grilling for a few people or a large group, you can rely on the even heat distribution to cook your food to perfection. The charcoal burns steadily for a long period, providing a reliable heat source for extended grilling sessions. You can expect a solid burn time of about 1.5 to 2 hours, making it suitable for everything from quick meals to slow-roasted meats. After burning, the charcoal produces a moderate amount of ash. While this is typical for charcoal in general, the clean burn minimizes excess ash; we have another ash catcher, making cleanup easier. It's not a dealbreaker by any means and is common with many natural charcoal products. For the quality you get, Kingsford Original charcoal offers great value. It's affordable and widely available, making it a go-to option for our grilling needs at a reasonable price.
Date published: 2025-02-27
Rated 4 out of 5 by from Charcoal This is a charcoal we always grab four when we are cooking using our La Caja China box. We find that it helps cook the food evenly. We go through maybe 3 bags when cooking a larger item such as a pig. Easy to find in a store.
Date published: 2025-02-27
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Great Gives your food a bedazzling flavor!! Has a beautiful heat output! Easy to light and burns for a nice long time! Takes a second to light! I would recommend it!
Date published: 2025-02-25
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Yum Comes in a super durable bag that painfully doesn’t rip while you’re carrying it around. Gives my barbecue a classic, distinct flavor that I would expect from Kingsford!
Date published: 2025-02-24
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Trusted & they work great This is the ultimate go to! I remember as a child every person using Kingsford to keep those BBQs going! They still work great to this day!! The heat is even so long as the coals were lit the proper way. Love the added (not too strong though) smoke flavor, nice and Light, the way I like it!
Date published: 2025-02-24
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Great charcoal! This charcoal is the best all around. It always has such a long burn time! The flavor always hits the best and is never too strong or overpowering. It is very sustainable!
Date published: 2025-02-23
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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.