Help me choose a charcoal

[ssandy_561]

I’ve used Kingsford Blue Bag for the past 15 years. I don’t really have any problems with it.
My charcoal usage has changed over the past few years and I’m wondering if there is something better and / or cheaper for me to use.

I have a 22” Weber kettle I use to grill on. This is all I use my kettle for any more is to grill on. If I’m smoking meat, I’m using my Grilla OG. I have a Blackstone griddle I use all the time also.

So what should I use in my Weber if all I’m doing is grilling burgers, hot dogs, chicken and steaks.

Thanks for any advice.

Steve

[Grillin Dad]

I primarily use KBB with my kettle. When B&B briquettes were on sale at Walmart awhile back, I stocked up on that. Honestly, I don't see a significant difference between the B&B briquettes and KBB. They may burn a bit longer, but it's not game changing. I do use B&B char-logs for long smokes, those do burn much longer. But for regular grilling, I'd say stick with KBB.

[Panhead John]

A lot of us are really liking the Kirkland’s brand charcoal from Costco. It’s just as good as Kingsford and much cheaper……if you can find it. It seems to be hit and miss as far as any stores having it.

[PGH_RAM]

^^this^^

Kirkland is my new favorite briquette.

[RonB]

I have used KBB for 40+ years without problems, but I recently tried both Kirkland and B&B. The major difference I see is that both of them are larger than KBB. This means that if you would like to reuse half used briqs, KBB used are much smaller than the other 2 used, so when I finish off what's left of the KBB, I'm switchin' to one of the others - whichever is cheaper and/or easier to get.

[Jerod Broussard]

KBB for grilling and B & B for smoking.

[mcook2201]

This.

[DaveD]

Same here, this is my go-to as well.

[STEbbq]

Try B&B as a start and see if it works for you.

[Purc]

I have used KBB, Kingsford Pro, B&B and Kirkland in my Kettle and Bronco. I use whatever is cheaper for grilling and I mix in B&B Char Logs with any of the other 4 for smoking. I do like B&B briquettes and Char Logs for long smokes. KBB and B&B briquettes are available at Walmart, while B&B briquettes and Char Logs at Academy near me. Kingsford Pro and Kirkland (when available) at Costco. I have only seen Kirkland once at Costco. I do think that KBB and Pro puts off a lot more smoke as it starts in my chimney.

[PGH_RAM]

I went back to finish off my K Pro after going through a couple of bags of Kirkland. I felt like I should apologize to me neighbor for all the smoke it made compared to the Costco stuff.

[Santamarina]

KBB was my go-to for almost two decades. A handful of years ago I switched to lump for grilling. Not as consistent in size/output as a briquette, but far less ash and a flavor that “feels” more natural.

[Clark]

You said you would like something 'better and/or cheaper.' Better is never cheaper and cheaper is never better.
For the last 5-6 years I have used only B&B orange bag. Excellent for slow burns and very consistent. It is $9.99 at Academy Sports in my area.

[DaveD]

I'm a huge B&B fan too. Much longer burning and more consistent temps. But I'll still keep some KBB around for a fast sear.

[Bkhuna]

An added benefit is that without all the binders, B&B produces less ash and is cleaner when lighting. I still have a few bags of KBB in the garage just encase of a zombie aporkalypse.

[J-Melt]

I use B&B and Cowboy brand. I definitely need to try Kirkland if I see it at Costco again. I typically just go for what is least expensive between the 3

[Jessterr]

If you have interest in salvaging partially burned charcoal from your cooks, then I’d echo the above inputs from RonB and Santamarina. The larger size of B&B briquettes versus KBB would provide greater “yield” in this regard, which of course represents a meaningful cost savings. As for myself, I’m moving in the direction of using lump for grilling, as I find it much easier to salvage the unburned stuff compared to briquettes, which tend to easily crumble. If you prefer to just let the charcoal burn out and not mess with salvaging the unburned, then I’d say just stick with KBB or try one of the recommended alternatives mentioned above or below. I will say that I once tried some briquettes from Royal Oak called Ridge, and they just absolutely sucked. Things would not even burn completely. So there is the chance that trying something less expensive than KBB might result in lousy performance. I have seen favorable posts here about Cowboy briquettes, but personally have no experience with them, perhaps someone will chime in regarding those with respect to pricing and perceived quality.

[J-Melt]

I really like Cowboy as they burn more consistently than KBB for me. Walmart has consistently had them for I think $17.99 for 40 pounds online.

[jfmorris]

I've used hundreds of bags of KBB over the years, but have now switched almost exlusively to B&B briquettes when grilling (or smoking) on my Weber kettle. I find the B&B to have less of a chemical smell during lightup, and it burns cleaner and longer. I use lump in my SNS Kamado (also B&B).

[Mosca]

I’ve done the same, and for exactly the same reasons. If I start a cook while guests are here, KBB can really smoke it up for about 10 minutes; B&B much less so.

During cooking it matches my expectations for heat and duration better than KBB does, although that is subjective.

[TripleB]

FWIW, I don’t think it really matters what charcoal you use, as long as you’re happy with the results. I’ve always used Kingsford and I know what to expect from it. I am sure there are better charcoals, but Kingsford is what I use.

[DogFaced PonySoldier]

I pretty much use the Cowboy brand, I like it a lot better than the Kingsford, which I used for years. Larger briquettes and I think they burn longer, and I am able to 'save' them when I'm done if I seal off the kettle. Sometimes - haven't been able to lately, as my ask sweep was bent and wouldn't seal off the kettle completely, so they would keep burning. I replaced that yesterday, which was a PITA, but I got it, and now should be able to go back to salvaging a little for the next cook.

I would like the try the B&B since everyone here seems to be recommending that, as well as the Costco, if I see them. Not sure what this summer brings in terms of my ability to cook/grill/smoke - things are a bit uncertain right now and I'm afraid this season may be 'well below average' in terms of my outdoor cooking.

[Smoker_Boy]

Has anybody tried the Kingsford "High Heat" or the Kingsford "Low and Slow"??