Kirkland Briquettes

[Troutman]

I'm a simple guy. When I find something I like I stick to it. No endless debate over the merits of this or that, I simply like what I like. Of course I'm sure there will be comments about what YOU like so fire away. Anyway, prelude rant over.

I normally use Kingsford Professional for all my briquette needs, primarily in my Webers. Tried everything else under the stars and this is what I like. So anyway, I normally buy the two bag offering at Costco for reasons of convenience and price. Unfortunately they seem to think that in Htown we stop grilling and smoking in the winter so they stop carrying it. I'm sure they look at it from a consumer point of few, sales I'm sure plummet during the winter nationwide. That said I looked around at my other usual sources (Lowe's, HD, Academy, Ace, HEB) and all I could find was Blue Bag. Okay in a pinch but I prefer the Pro.

Any who (yes I'm getting to the point), was in Costco over the weekend with momma dragging me around the store filling up the cart to the ceiling. I'm banging into about a hundred other carts, dogging people like it's Grand Central Station. So I usually go to where they keep the charcoal products and low and behold they have their own brand of what they call Professional. Hmmmm says I? Wonder if they got Kingsford to make them some briquettes? We shall see, bought me a two bagger.

And by the way, they have these gigantic bags of Cowboy lump. Anyone ever try that stuff as well? I do FOGO most of the time but the Cowboy is much cheaper.

[RonB]

I buy KBB 'cause it's easy to get and fairly cheap. I do stock up when it's on the bi-annual sale though.

How does the price compare to KBB?

[Troutman]

Good point I didn't even notice, just grabbed and went with it.

[Troutman]

Just looked it up Ron. I paid $18.99 for the two bags. If I remember correctly I paid about $18 for the Kingsford as well. I think the pricing is comparable. It depends on catching the sale price I guess.

[Jessterr]

Troutman Not to change subject, but what performance aspects led you to preferring Kingsford Professional over others, most particularly over KBB? The only Kingsford briquettes I’ve used so far have been KBB, thinking maybe it’s time to try an upgrade? Thanks.

[Panhead John]

I’ve used the Kirkland brand several times and really like it! Here’s another post about it from last year. Thanks for posting Steve, I wasn’t aware it was now back in the stores. I’ll definitely be picking some up on my next visit. RonB The price is a few dollars cheaper than the Kingsford, but don’t remember how much cheaper.

https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/forum/fuels-discussion-not-for-grills-and-smokers/charcoal-aa/1484190-looking-for-comments-on-costco-kirkland-charcoal

[Troutman]

Part of the problem is I'm old and forgetful. I don't remember that post at all. So there's that.....

[Panhead John]

Hey don’t feel bad, I don’t remember what I had for lunch yesterday. 🧐

[prepperjack]

Panhead John & Troutman My kids ride the "Dad won't remember" line constantly. Though it bites them in the butt occasionally, they come out ahead much more often than I would like. I borrowed $20 from my daughter because my son needed cash and I was too lazy to go to the ATM, but I swear I've repaid her about 9 times at this point. I forget that I've repaid her and whenever I give it to her she does tell me that I've already repaid her but I just let her keep it anyway.

[prepperjack]

I got a few bags the other day and maybe I'll try it out this weekend. I haven't done much BBQ over the last few years until recently, though, and when I put those bags in my shed, I was also greeted with 32 bags of Kingford Professional Competition that I bought the summer that my dad passed, so its pushing 3 years old now.

I noticed that they also sell their own pellets as well and they were crazy cheap - I think it was $15 for 40 lbs, so I'll probably pick up a bag next time I decide to fire up the bull and see how that does.

[prepperjack]

MsTwiggy I used to buy 40-50 bags. during the Memorial Day sales and that would last me for the year, between what I use and what my neighbors "borrow."

I was a little concerned about the age of it, too, but it seems to have held up pretty well. It lit up easily and burned hot. Surprisingly, it didn't seem any worse for being in storage all that time. Now that I'm back to cooking out doors more, though, I think it only proper to go through it as quickly as possible so as to not press my luck!

[jfmorris]

Hey - I stockpiled Kingsford and Weber charcoal one year, back around 2018, and had 60+ bags of KBB and 20+ bags of Weber. From September 2018 until some time in 2021, I don't think I bought any charcoal until I needed to start getting lump for use with the SNS Kamado in January 2021. 3 years if kept dry is just fine. I would start burning up the older stuff first however.

I don't stockpile like that anymore as I don't find the great sales with two 18-20 pound bags for $9.98 since 2020.

[Towering Inferno]

I am sold on the Costco pellets. Burn great, good smoke flavor.
If not Costco, Bear pellets are my go to.

[DTro]

I will be excited to try the Costco brand but I haven't seen it locally yet. However, I believe there has been somewhat dis-hearted discussion here about Cowboy Lump. Let us know how the Costco burn goes.

[Panhead John]

DTro Last year I used 2 bags of the Costco Kirkland brand charcoal briquettes, they’re great! This will be my go to charcoal from here on out. Just as good as Kingsford and $6.00 cheaper for the 2 pack than Kingsford Pro. When I went there last year and bought the Kirkland stuff, I didn’t see any Kingsford Pro. My GUESS is they’ll just carry their own brand from here on out.

[Troutman]

Panhead John Like I said up in the RonB comment above, I paid $18.99 yesterday for the Kirkland. I'm pretty sure I paid right at $18 for Kingsford last fall at Costco but I think it was a flash sale. They may have been clearing them out. Regardless if they perform like you said they do then I agree, that will be my new go to. Relatively cheap and readily available makes me a happy camper.

[Panhead John]

Missed the $18.99 part….and yeah, I don’t remember what I paid for them last year. The $6.00 cheaper per bag line above 👆 was what someone said last August. Prices have surely changed since then I guess.

[wrgilb]

Ace is not showing the Pro line as of this time in there Distribution centers. We tried the Cowboy in our stores years ago and I used one bag and never again, there's a reason it's cheaper, because it's junk! We stock Fogo, Rockford and BGE lump now.

[jfmorris]

I tried Cowboy lump maybe 15 years ago in my offset, in grilling mode, and found it to spark a lot and burned too hot for direct grilling, and I swore never to buy it again after practically ruining a July 4th cookout for 30 people. I've not tried it since I got a kamado though.

[fzxdoc]

So far I can still order Kingsford Professional from Ace. I choose the deliver to the store option, usually. I use it all the time for poultry.

Kathryn

[wrgilb]

fzxdoc I'm glad you can get it. I just saw where the 12 lb. bags of the pro are back in stock at our distribution center. Ace SKU # 8024822.

[Uncle Bob]

Anybody else get tingling Spidey senses when Troutman starts one of his missive-esque postings with "I'm a simple guy."?

I'll second the negative view of Cowboy brand lump. It's maybe just better than Royal Oak lump, but that's a very low bar. I will moderate that view by saying I haven't bought any of it for about 10 years..........if they've improved I wouldn't know it because it's not worth the risk to take another shot at it.

[DTro]

I remember pulling 2x4 and other specific lumber sized pieces of coals from the Cowboy bags when I used it years ago. It was like they bagged up dilapidated houses.

[Troutman]

Uncle Bob I sometimes get tingling as well as goose pimply when I read my own stuff as well.

[JoeSousa]

I have tried the Cowboy lump before and haven't really cared for it. Usually a lot of smaller pieces that just fall through the chimney or grates. I prefer some of the more premium brands like Fogo, Jealous Devil, B&B, Rockwood, etc. but if I was somewhere and Cowboy was the only stuff I would get I am sure it would get hot and cook the food just fine.

[JoeSousa]

Troutman Hard to fit those huge logs in a SNS or Vortex. I usually end up just jacking them with my coal tongs and try to break them up anyway. Chunks maybe a bit smaller than a baseball or logs about the size of half a cucumber are my favorite sizes.

[Oak Smoke]

I tried Cowboy lump several years ago, it may have changed since then. What I found were obvious pieces of trim, 2X2, and hardwood flooring in the bag. I don’t want to cook over a recycled house. Some of those boards could well have been painted or treated before being carbonized. I haven’t bothered to try it again.

[JoeSousa]

Oak Smoke Yeah, I have seen the same. Don't really want construction scraps in my charcoal. Chances are they are untreated scraps from the mills that aren't treated but there are plenty of other lump charcoals out there you don't need to question.

[klflowers]

Let me jump on the no Cowboy brand too. I tried it years ago and I was not impressed. Lots of small pieces mixed in with huge pieces and lots of dust In the bag. One try was enough for me.

[Mosca]

I’ve gotten pieces of plastic and even a piece of hard electrical insulation (like from a transformer) mixed in with Cowboy. That was 10 years ago, and I’ve heard their quality control is better now, but I always have a choice and I choose away from Cowboy now. Haven’t bought a bag since.

ETA: Naked Whiz reviewed Cowboy in 2013, and called it “Average”. They reviewed “Cowboy Mixed Hardwood Hickory and Oak” in 2022 and gave it “Recommended”.

[RonB]

I went to costco today and no charcoal has arrived here yet...

[radiodome21]

I’ll definitely give it a try when I see it at my stores. I’ve already been using the Kirkland pellets exclusively for about 2 years and they’re my go to. Price is right and I think they work great. I’ve been using B&B briquettes from Walmart when it’s on sale and I’m running low. I think I only have 4 bags left.

[Histrix]

Never tried Kirkland bricks - will look for them next time I'm there.

Cowboy lump - haven't used any in many years but while it seems to have a bad rap I think it is fine for hot/fast grilling. Wouldn't dare use it for low and slow.

As far as "construction scraps" those are not anything other than end cuts from the manufacturers of trim and flooring. They will not have been treated/painted/stained before being packed up and sent to the charcoal maker.

[Finster]

Costco near me doesn't have charcoal in house yet...
I honestly don't remember them having much last year either.
I will look on future trips for the Kirkland brand.
interesting seeing the comments on Cowboy lump, as I know they don't have the best reputation, but i absolutely love their briquettes. Which, ironically enough, I first came across on clearance at Costco a couple of years ago.
Haven't seen it there since. Unfortunately.

[kenrobin]

I recently did a video comparing 8 different brands of lump charcoal. I really liked Cowboy based on its performance, the sizes of the charcoal, and low price. Here's a link in case anyone wants to check it out.

Who Makes The Best Lump Charcoal For BBQ?

*Update - I just realized that the OP was referring to Cowboy's briquettes. I have another video comparing briquettes, but unfortunately Cowboy wasn't one of the brands that I looked at. I also left out Kingsford Professional because I felt like it's kind of in its own class.

Who Makes The Best BBQ Charcoal?

[MsTwiggy]

I encourage everyone to watch kenrobin ‘s video and see if you agree. The Cowboy in particular looked much better than reviews expressed here from years past. 🔥🔥🐿️

[SandPiper]

While I have used Cowboy lump in the past with good results, my most recent use last summer was miserable. After lighting it in the chimney it sparked 6 feet high persistently until the coals were burned down. I thought my deck was going to melt. I will not use it again.

[MsTwiggy]

Oooof SandPiper that sounds like a bad situation. 🔥🔥🐿️