Independent buying guides for grilling and smoking

Kingsford Original Charcoal Briquettes 12 Pounds Each (Pack of 2) Review (2026)

Updated September 21, 2026 · Research-based review

Our verdict

This pack of two 12 pound Kingsford Original bags gives grillers roughly 24 pounds of the brand's classic briquette split into more manageable sizes than one large sack. It is the same reliable briquette recipe as other Kingsford Original bags, so the main appeal is storage convenience rather than any change in performance.

Kingsford Original Charcoal Briquettes 12 Pounds Each (Pack of 2)

Kingsford Original charcoal briquettes in 12 pounds bags, pack of 2, a convenient split supply for regular grilling.

Price range: See on Amazon

What we liked

  • + Pack of 2 bags is easier to store and handle than one large bag
  • + 12 Pounds each supplies several standard cookouts
  • + Consistent briquette shape makes heat predictable for new grillers

Trade-offs

  • - Briquettes leave more ash to clean than lump charcoal
  • - Two bags take more shelf space than a single sack

Two bags instead of one

This listing bundles two separate 12 pound bags of Kingsford Original charcoal briquettes rather than selling one combined bag, for a total of roughly 24 pounds of charcoal. Splitting the purchase this way makes each individual bag lighter and easier to lift, carry to a grill, or fit onto a shelf compared with a single large sack of the same total weight. It also lets a household keep one bag sealed in reserve while working through the other, which can help slow moisture absorption compared with leaving one large bag open between uses. Aside from the packaging format, the briquettes themselves are the standard Kingsford Original recipe used throughout the brand's briquette lineup, built with Sure Fire Grooves for improved airflow and faster lighting.

Burn quality and consistency

Kingsford states its Original briquettes are made with real wood and natural ingredients to deliver an authentic smoky flavor, and are typically ready to cook on in about 15 minutes once lit. Because this is a mass produced, closely controlled briquette formula, grillers can expect the same predictable, even burn from bag to bag that Kingsford Original is generally known for, regardless of whether the charcoal came from a single large bag or a smaller two pack like this one. That consistency is one of the main reasons briquettes remain popular for grillers who want a repeatable result without needing to adjust technique for natural variation in lump size, which is more common with hardwood lump charcoal.

Ash output and cleanup considerations

As with other Kingsford Original briquettes, this charcoal produces more ash during a cook than natural lump charcoal does, since briquettes are pressed with binders and fillers that burn down differently than solid hardwood chunks. Grillers using this two pack across several cookouts should plan on emptying an ash catcher more often than they would with lump charcoal, and on a bit more brush and scrape cleanup of the grill grates and firebox after longer cooks. This is a standard tradeoff for briquette charcoal generally rather than something specific to the two bag format, and most backyard grillers accept it in exchange for the steady, predictable heat briquettes are known for delivering.

Value of the two pack format

Buying two 12 pound bags totals close to the same weight as some single larger Kingsford bags, so the value comparison mostly comes down to how a buyer plans to store and use the charcoal rather than a meaningful price difference. Households with limited storage space, or anyone who wants to keep a spare bag sealed and ready without opening a full 20 pound sack at once, may find the smaller bag format more practical. Grillers with ample storage and no concerns about handling a heavier single bag may not see much advantage in the two pack split, since the briquettes inside are identical to other Kingsford Original offerings regardless of bag size.

Who should buy this pack

This two pack suits grillers who want the dependable performance of Kingsford Original briquettes but prefer smaller, easier to handle bags over one large sack, whether for storage limitations or simply ease of carrying charcoal to and from a grill. It is well suited to kettle grills, basic offset smokers, and general backyard grilling where predictable heat matters more than the fastest possible lighting time. Grillers chasing lower ash output or faster startup should look at natural lump charcoal or Kingsford's Easy Light line instead, but for typical weekend grilling this pack delivers the same trusted briquette performance Kingsford is known for.

Frequently asked questions

How much charcoal is in this Kingsford two pack?

It includes two separate 12 pound bags, for a total of about 24 pounds of Original briquettes.

Is the charcoal in this two pack different from other Kingsford Original bags?

No, it is the same Original briquette recipe, just split across two smaller bags instead of one large bag.

How long before Kingsford Original briquettes are ready to cook on?

Kingsford states its Original briquettes are typically ready to cook on in about 15 minutes once lit.

Does this charcoal produce more ash than lump charcoal?

Yes, like other briquette charcoal it produces more ash than natural lump charcoal.

Prices change often, so check the current price and availability on Amazon.

Check price on Amazon

Grill Smoke Craft may earn a commission from the link above.