It says it burns 25% longer, but I bet it'll cost more than 25% more than Kingsford Blue Bag. They sell a tremendous amount of Blue Bag which keeps the cost down and they have multiple sales per year that really bring down the cost. I can't imagine they'll sell as much of this so it'll most likely not have nearly as good a cost per pound even after accounting for the longer burn time.
Just my two cents.
Bill
Was in my local Walmart a few days ago and did a double take in the outside area where they have all the charcoal etc, because one bag of the new Kingsford Long-Burning charcoal was on the shelf. I was not expecting until mid January per Kingsford email to me. $9.98 for the 11lb bag. So I snagged it and felt like a kid in the candy store!. I gave it the maiden voyage in my WSM 14.5 on a 9lb butt on Friday. Here are some observations:
- very little smoke on light up in my Weber Chimney (had about 15-18 coals), less smoke than KBB for sure and clean appealing non chemical smell
- about 15 min till all coals were orange and ready (bag said ready in about 15 so spot on)
- poured coals in middle of tin can, then removed can, with a loaded ring of unlit coals and a few pieces of Apple wood
- Dialed in at 250 then put the butt on and for the next 6.5 hours my temp stayed at 250 (plus minus 5 degrees - I had therm at the grate to verify). I use a clay saucer (foiled) and no water pan
- I checked the coals at the 3, 5, and 6 hours marks - very little ash at the 3 and 5 hr marks and all coals burning as the bag stated slow and uniform very little ash. At 6.5 hour mark coals were about 75% gone
- Added about 12 lit coals at the 7 hour mark, knowing I had about an hour of cooking to go and my temp finally dropped 25 degrees at the 7 hour mark so it was a wise time to add
- Finished the butt in 8 hours and temps again were at solid 250 degrees with a consistent 1/3 opening of all three bottom vents 90% of the cook.
Next morning, emptied the ash with these final observations: every cook is different depending on the weather, meat etc, but I felt I got about an extra hour out of the coals than KBB before refueling. I thought they produced less ash vs KBB based on previous identical cooks, less smoke and a very consistent burn. The 12 coals I added at the 7 hour mark even had about 1/2 life left to reuse. At $9.98 the price is identical to Kingford Comp/Professional at my stores for the 11lb bag, but of course much more expensive than KBB. I would buy again but would like to see in the 2 pack, 18lb bags to bring $$ in between KBB and King Pro.. Nice addition to the line..
Stubbs briquettes for the win...