So on my recent journey to Oakland with Kingsford University we got a chance to visit the Clorox tech center and home to the pilot plant for Kingsford Charcoal, where charcoal is made, and these people are passionate about BBQ! There is so much about charcoal that I didn't know, and although this isn't my normal forte it was enlightening, and anything to bring to the summer BBQ and show up my sisters! So here's what I learned, charcoal is actually very variable = value brand isn't always a value! Charcoal is made of a couple basic stuff wood char (great smoky smell), coal (to keep the burn going), and basic binders. All things that I didn't know!
Additionally I found that charcoal has quick burn temp of 380 for about 1 1/2 hours, but at it's "peak" burn temp it's 650 which is great for searing steaks and pork. But the key to this whole cooking system is getting a heat medium that will get to the "red zone" of 380, and value brand doesn't! We did a product demo with the Kingsford crew and after adding about 100mg of lighter fluid to both (I know more than I thought too!) the value brand and then the Kingsford Blue bag charcoal in separate Webber grills, and then 6 minuets later the Kingsford was over 70% ash (this is perfect before spreading) and the value brand was almost out (as in no flame!)
This is a picture of just lit charcoal and you can even tell the difference in just first appearance, the "value" brand is large and pillowy with coal crumbling off the sides, and the Kingsford brand is smaller and compact (pressing keeps the burn hotter longer) with a pressed K for additional surface area.
So as you can probably tell I'm more than a little converted! I had no idea the the value charcoal was significantly more coal than char or that it can take alot more lighter fluid to get the coals going if at all!! So let's here it for Kingsford, for a great and educational event!
Congratulations to the Kingsford University Class of 2009!
Additionally I found that charcoal has quick burn temp of 380 for about 1 1/2 hours, but at it's "peak" burn temp it's 650 which is great for searing steaks and pork. But the key to this whole cooking system is getting a heat medium that will get to the "red zone" of 380, and value brand doesn't! We did a product demo with the Kingsford crew and after adding about 100mg of lighter fluid to both (I know more than I thought too!) the value brand and then the Kingsford Blue bag charcoal in separate Webber grills, and then 6 minuets later the Kingsford was over 70% ash (this is perfect before spreading) and the value brand was almost out (as in no flame!)
This is a picture of just lit charcoal and you can even tell the difference in just first appearance, the "value" brand is large and pillowy with coal crumbling off the sides, and the Kingsford brand is smaller and compact (pressing keeps the burn hotter longer) with a pressed K for additional surface area.
So as you can probably tell I'm more than a little converted! I had no idea the the value charcoal was significantly more coal than char or that it can take alot more lighter fluid to get the coals going if at all!! So let's here it for Kingsford, for a great and educational event!
Congratulations to the Kingsford University Class of 2009!
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