Comments on: New Kingsford Charcoal briquette

By: Jim-Bob

Jim-Bob — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 15:37:45 +0000

We received a Weber grill for our wedding in 1971. I have seen Kingsford play these games not once or twice, but at least FOUR times over the years. The original Kingsford (in ’71 anyway) was good high quality charcoal. They started playing the “quality-quanity” game sometime in the 80′s or 90′s. I’ve sworn off of even buying this stuff several times over the years, but always hoped they’d go back to the (original???) quality. This time I’m DONE with them and start checking out other brands. They KNOW BETTER than to call this stuff “original”. It’s a wonder someone did’nt call them leagally on this. ****Kingsford**** is a Joke.

By: Randall White

Randall White — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 01:20:06 +0000

I was looking for someone else to have picked up on this over the last 3 years so here’s my conspiracy theory.

It’s really a conspiracy to get us to buy more charcoal, in retaliation to those of us who know how to shut the dampers on our Webers to extinguish the fire and save the fuel for the next fire. After one use the “improved” thinner Kingsford briquettes will ball through the chimney starter and drop through the charcoal grate when you try and shake off the ash.

In the old days charcoal was never reused. With a Weber I can reuse the charcoal up to three times before it’s ash. with the old briquettes I got up to five times. What’s your carbon footprint. Not to mention, budget…

By: chemistry

chemistry — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 08:43:26 +0000

What a great example of top quality article content. The article itself is very well-written, and contains great commentary that is able to hold your interest. Thanks for researching, planning and writing this great article.

By: Reggie

Reggie — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 18:22:15 +0000

In response to Mike R’s reply, the Kroger private label is packaged by Royal Oak Enterprises in either our Crossville, TN or Branson, MO facilities. Matter of fact MOST private label brands are produced by Royal Oak. I see day in and day out how our briquets out perfrom Kingsford’s Shurfire Grooved briquets. And I as a competitor agree, they had a good, consistant product….the key word here is “had”.

By: Mike R

Mike R — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 16:19:20 +0000

If you have a Kroger in your area, try the Kroger brand charcoal.. While it’s not exactly the same as the old Kingsford formula, it’s pretty darn close!

By: Joe

Joe — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 06:11:01 +0000

Wholeheartedly and sadly agree with much I’m reading here. I’ve been using these coals nearly 30 years, always had rave reviews for them, made fun (and often was the envy) of my gas grilling buddies, they always came back for that good taste. Unfortunately Kingsford charcoal briquettes have changed not for the better. The narrower ridged briquettes get hot real fast, become brittle too soon, die quickly (used to be able to cook multiple times with the same coals or only with minor reinforcement), and break or fall through the grate rendering them useless. And what is this layer of crap forming up and around all the vent holes on the lid now? It’s impossible to put up with this anymore because the flavor of the meat is now suffering, and that’s just unforgivable. Defeats the whole purpose of grilling a tasty meal outside in the first place. Time for a change. I’m looking hard at my (non-gas grilling) options, something I never thought I’d do.

By: Cyndi

Cyndi — Sun, 29 May 2011 05:25:35 +0000

The new Kingsford does burn hot. You bet. I have been grilling for 37 plus years now and mostly over charcoal. So, yes, I do know how to grill. Today, the new Kingsford charcoal warped my 22.5 Weber kettle lid so that it does not fit now. This charcoal puts out a lot of ash and sludge – grill lid and food covered with particles and Weber (now warped) had residue. Totally lost the Kingsford flavor which is why I stuck with the brand. If I want hot and wood hint, then I’ll go with real wood or natural lump charcoal. Might as well toss in the towel and shift to gas grilling or just cook inside. I was buying the Kingsford flavor. That’s gone, and then it’s too hot now – plus burns out fast. Can’t think of anything positive to say about the new Kingsford charcoal.

By: Mark

Mark — Tue, 24 May 2011 13:25:26 +0000

Stubbs is Exelenthttp://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=46625

By: Fred in Simi Valley

Fred in Simi Valley — Tue, 24 May 2011 01:12:22 +0000

You long-time charcoal cooking gurus are scaring me! I just got back into the “old school” style of BBQ after a number of years ruining good meat on a gas grill, and now I find there’s a hotbed of discussion on whether or not Kingsford briquettes (original) are suitable for cooking good meat. If not Kingsford, then what? Help me here guys because I’m not as sophisticated or as seasoned as the rest of you, I want smoke and flavor and dependability; what do I need to use to come up to speed with my BBQ efforts???

By: Harold Ruffel

Harold Ruffel — Sat, 21 May 2011 11:55:24 +0000

Have you ever considered writing an e-book or guest authoring on other blogs? I have a blog based upon on the same information you discuss and would really like to have you share some stories/information. I know my readers would value your work. If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me an email.