My neighbor was complaining that his charcoal didn't light easily or burn very hot. After further discussion, I found that it was Kingsford blue bag but he had bought it "4-5 years ago." He said it had been in a closet in his garage, on a shelf where it could not have gotten wet.
The longest I've ever stored charcoal was maybe 8-9 months so I didn't know if the charcoal deteriorated after several years. I promised to ask on The Pit and get back to him.
I would appreciate feedback from those who have experience with old charcoal.
After several minutes of hard research hear is what I have. Kingsford is made of charcoal, coal, starch, sawdust, and sodium nitrate. Unlike potassium nitrate, sodium nitrate is hygroscopic. It will absorb moisture any way it can. Humid air will cause its moisture content to rise. I’m sure the starch and other contents are affected by the moisture especially if it has had 4 or 5 years to gather it.
Retired, living in Western Mass. Enjoy music, cooking and my family.
Current cookers Weber Spirit 3 burner with a full insert griddle added. A 22" Kettle with vortex SnS and OnlyFire pizza oven. A Smokey Joe and the most recent addition a Pit Barrel Jr with bird hanger, 4 hooks and cover. ThermoWorks Smoke 2 probe, DOT, ThermoPops and a Thermapen MK4. 3 TempSpike wireless meat thermometers.
This discussion is timely for me. I have been cleaning out the garage today and wondering about the left over charcoal from last year. I am going to test out a few briquettes before I do a major cook. I had not really thought about this before.
Retired, living in Western Mass. Enjoy music, cooking and my family.
Current cookers Weber Spirit 3 burner with a full insert griddle added. A 22" Kettle with vortex SnS and OnlyFire pizza oven. A Smokey Joe and the most recent addition a Pit Barrel Jr with bird hanger, 4 hooks and cover. ThermoWorks Smoke 2 probe, DOT, ThermoPops and a Thermapen MK4. 3 TempSpike wireless meat thermometers.
So I did a search and this came up. I believe it is from Kingsford
How long do Kingsford charcoal last?
The shelf life of Kingsford® Original charcoal is indefinite as long as the product is stored in a cool, dry place. If the briquets become damp, they will not light efficiently. Kingsford® Match Light® Charcoal and Kingsford® Match Light® Charcoal with Mesquite have a shelf life of 1–2 years if stored properly.
Retired, living in Western Mass. Enjoy music, cooking and my family.
Current cookers Weber Spirit 3 burner with a full insert griddle added. A 22" Kettle with vortex SnS and OnlyFire pizza oven. A Smokey Joe and the most recent addition a Pit Barrel Jr with bird hanger, 4 hooks and cover. ThermoWorks Smoke 2 probe, DOT, ThermoPops and a Thermapen MK4. 3 TempSpike wireless meat thermometers.
Grilling enthusiasts and barbecue lovers often debate the finer points of their favorite fuel source. Lump charcoal or charcoal briquettes? Lighter fluid or natural fire starter? One question that inevitably surfaces is, "Does charcoal go bad?" Whether you have a stash of old charcoal in the shed or you're wondering ho
I can attest to once having a stash of Kingsford Original (KBB) that was around 60 18-20 pound bags around 2017-2018. Along with 20 bags of Weber charcoal. I stored it all in a back yard shed that has since been demolished due to a leaky roof, and still was burning that charcoal until around 2022. This was in Alabama, with high humidity almost year round, so I don't see charcoal going bad in a garage - that would be drier than my old shed! I had a blue tarp over the shed and over the stack of bags inside the shed, until I tore it down and replaced with a metal shed.
Now, those were SEALED bags stored for that long, but its still just a paper bag. Well, the Weber was plastic bags. Heck I miss that Weber charcoal with its big zip lock bag...
Last edited by jfmorris; April 10, 2024, 04:10 PM.
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