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.

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Reviews
4.7
4533 Reviews
Rated 4 out of 5 by from Good for casual grilling Kingsford Original Charcoal comes in a sturdy paper bag that’s easy to open and reseal, but it’s not the most resistant to moisture, so you’ll want to store it in a dry place. It lights up quickly and burns evenly, producing a nice smoky flavor. However, it does create a fair amount of ash, which means you’ll need to clean out your grill more often, especially during longer cooking sessions. Despite the ash buildup, it’s affordable, easy to find, and dependable for most grilling needs.
Date published: 2025-03-16
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Never gets old! Can’t go wrong with a classic! You can definitely taste the smoky smell on the meat. The ash residue does linger longer than I’d like. It lights quickly and generates a good amount of heat.
Date published: 2025-03-15
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Love the brand This charcoal burns consistently and provides an even heat, making it perfect for grilling meats, vegetables, and even pizzas. It ignites quickly and maintains a steady temperature for a long time, meaning less hassle and more time enjoying the food and company.
Date published: 2025-03-14
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Best Charcoal for grilling My husband has used this brand for years for grilling . It is the best. I have tried cheaper brands of charcoal but they don’t hold up and work as good as the kingsford does .
Date published: 2025-03-13
Rated 5 out of 5 by from I would recommend this brand This is the only charcoal I use. It burns well making very hot coals to cook on. I put lighter fluid on mine. Let it sit for 10 minutes and it burns great.
Date published: 2025-03-13
Rated 5 out of 5 by from What a classic ! What a classic!!! The lighting time is so quick and very little fuss. The burn time is great and can get a lot of cooking done! The heat output is very even and don’t have any cold spots on grill. So easy to clean as very little ash is leftover!
Date published: 2025-03-12
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Easy to use This is the only charcoal we buy. You know the brand is good and they have a quality product. It burns well and you never have a bad flavor. It’s easy to get going to it burns great.
Date published: 2025-03-12
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Best charcoal Best charcoal out there! Works perfectly for my grill. Perfect amount of heat, not too messy. Love always having this as my go to. Everyone should buy.
Date published: 2025-03-11
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Perfect Nice charcoal with great heat output. No ash in the air and lights quickly. Good burn time and overall great for bbqing. Overall a wonderful charcoal!
Date published: 2025-03-11
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Great choice for charcoal ! This charcoal is definately is my go to because of the flavor and how long it stays burning for. The heat it produces is pretty intense yet even throughout . It lights up alot easier than all other brands I have tried and the ash it leaves behind is a nice fine powder .
Date published: 2025-03-11
Rated 4 out of 5 by from All time fav The best product that starts a fire for those family cookouts. It will always be my go to as it creates a great flame and puts out easily than others i mightve tried.
Date published: 2025-03-11
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Lots of flavor. Great quality. Very durable. Adds great charcoal flavor to food. Packaged very well. Sustainable for a long time. My number one go to charcoal product.
Date published: 2025-03-10
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Kingsford Flavor good heat output amazing ash production good I guess lighting time good burn time amazing I recommend this fire product to cook chicken or pork.
Date published: 2025-03-07
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Lights fast, burns hot, and delivers amazing BBQ f hands down the best choice for backyard BBQs. It lights up quickly and evenly, saving time and hassle, and burns hot and consistently for the perfect sear on steaks, burgers, and more. The smoky flavor it adds to food is unmatched, bringing that classic BBQ taste every time. The briquettes burn long and steady, minimizing the need to add more mid-cook, and produce less ash compared to other brands, making cleanup a breeze. Whether you’re a seasoned griller or a weekend BBQ enthusiast, Kingsford is a must-have for superior heat, flavor, and reliability!
Date published: 2025-03-07
Rated 5 out of 5 by from The best It heats real well in the grill. The size is just right and the flavor is so good! It burns for a long time and the quality is just right. Long lighting time
Date published: 2025-03-06
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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.