Kingsford/Kirkland Costco 2024 Charcoal. New branding?

[xrodbob]

OK folks. Costco is starting to roll out the spring/summer inventory including cookers, backyard stuff and ....Charcoal. So I saw these side by side and was a little confused. Besides the price, is the Kirkland brand 'Signature Professional" charcoal just KBB rebranded or something more. I like the Kingsford Competition but will hold out for a sale.

I have a 18" WSM and was blowing through charcoal until i got a Cajun bandit SS charcoal ring. Much better so charcoal 'quality' may not be as big of a deal.

Thoughts Pit members?

[Panhead John]

I don’t think the Kirklands is rebranded Kingsford. The Kirklands briquettes are larger than the Kingsford and just as good IMO. Go for the cheaper Kirklands. I used a couple of their bags last year, good stuff!

[Panhead John]

Here’s a related post from last year.

https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/forum/fuels-discussion-not-for-grills-and-smokers/charcoal-aa/1460715-new-charcoal-alert-review-costco-house-brand

[xrodbob]

Thanks. Between your thoughts and the other thread will definitely give Kirkland a try! Especially since it is for 20 lbs bags vs. the Kingsford 18lb. But still do like the latter....on sale.

[radiodome21]

I have a double pack in my garage waiting to be used. Looking forward to it.

[Purc]

+1 can't wait to try my 2 bags of Kirkland.

[Andrrr]

I just fired up my first chimney of it today so you can trust my experience😉
I'd say they are definitely not the same thing. The Kirkland looks more like Royal Oak in shape, another brand I can't remember using, but they popped a lot when dumping out the chimney. I had to squint when dumping it because I didn't want a spark in the eye. I'm wondering if others have experienced this?

[Rod]

My Costco finally started carrying them. Just picked them up yesterday. Can't wait to give them a try.

[johnec00]

Sorry, but putting $20-$40-$80 worth of meat at risk to save $4 on a bag of some unknown sourced big box store branded charcoal just doesn't make sense to me. For briquettes, I'm stuck on B&B and for lump Fogo even if they're a few bucks more.

[FireMan]

There is always hamburger. 🕶

[ecowper]

Saw this at Costco yesterday. Bought a pack of the Kirkland charcoal and going to try it out thanks to having read Panhead John and his fancy review

[Panhead John]

Thanks Eric! I am pretty proud of that fancy review myself!…..🙄

[RonB]

Someone mentioned that the Kirkland brand produced more sparky bits when dumping into the Kettle. I had only used a small amount one time, but today I used 3/4 chimney and it did spark significantly more. I don't think any of the sparks hit the deck, but the difference was very noticeable.

Edit to add that it's running a lot hotter than KBB

[Flip43]

I picked up a 2 pack a week ago and have now used it twice in different applications. The first was a full chimney in my LSG cabinet to get it going. Was very impressed, and the higher heat helped me get up to temp faster than what I was used to with the kingsford pro I was using. The second was in my pk to grill some spinalis steaks. I thought the burn time was less than the kingsford in this application. The steaks still turned out great but will likely use a little more when using in this manner going forward. My 2 cents and ymmv.

[PGH_RAM]

I'm glad I used the search function, because I was getting ready to post a new thread about this. My local Costco just started carrying the Kirkland brand briquettes. Based on the reviews here, and the thread from last year, I'll grab a couple of bags and give them a whirl.

[Panhead John]

I think you’ll like them a lot! All the Kirkland branded stuff I’ve found has been pretty good.

[Purc]

Pork Butt on the Bronco using Kirkland Charcoal Briquettes and 4 B&B Char Logs with 3 small chunks of B&B Hickory. Bronco is rock steady at a temp of 245 after 11 hours and no additional charcoal added. So far so good on Kirkland charcoal for low and slow. I am pleased with Kirkland branded charcoal.

[Soonerpop]

I bought the 2 bags, used it two or three times. I’ve used B & B for years. I think I’ll like this better, gets ashed over muuuuch quicker and burns fine.

[PGH_RAM]

I went ahead and got some of the Kirkland briquettes. Color me impressed!

I roasted an eye round with some post oak chunks. Chimney full of Kirkland briquettes lit up quickly and with less than half the smoke from the equivalent amount of Kingsford Professional. I divided it between two side baskets in my Weber kettle. Temp at the grate was 475F and temp at the dome was 500F before I adjusted the vents and got it down to 350F at the grate. It responded quickly to the vent adjustments, held temp flawlessly for the hour it took to cook the beef, and there were a lot of coals left over when I was done.

I don't think you can really beat it for the price.

[Panhead John]

Good to hear! I went last Sunday to Costco for some and they didn’t have any. I went ahead and got the Kingsford Pro which is a good bit more expensive. $22.99 for two 18 lb bags which is about $5.00 more expensive than the two 20 lb. bags of Kirkland’s.

[jfmorris]

This sounds like some good charcoal. I may have to get my parents to pick me up a 2 pack of it, since I gave up my Costco membership last year...

[GolfGeezer]

Like others, I checked our local Costco this last Monday, but no Kirkland brand briquettes. Several kinds of Kirkland pellets in stock, as well as Kingsford Pro, at the same price that Panhead John reported. I also check Costco on-line just in case they can be ordered for delivery or pick-up, but the only briquettes they show on-line is Kamado Joe Big Lump, not even the KBB. Weird.

[PGH_RAM]

I just checked my local Costco through Instacart. They only have Kford Pro now. I hope the Kirkland briquettes weren't a once-off thing here!

[GolfGeezer]

PGH_RAM Costco's site is weird. Other sites, like Walmart, will show what is in the store, what is available for delivery and what is out of stock. It is irksome that stuff you can see in the store at Costco does not even show up on line. Weird.