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Kingsford Charcoal Lighter Fluid
When used safely, Kingsford lighter fluid can be a convenient way to ignite charcoal briquettes. You can usually find the 32 fluid ounce jug for $5.99 to $7.99 at national retailers like Lowe’s, Home Depot, Walmart, Ace Hardware, and Target.
You don’t always need to use Kingsford lighter fluid to start charcoal if you have a charcoal chimney. Though most of the time charcoal won’t light on its own without the help of an accelerant.
So, if you do want to use lighter fluid, Kingsford generally does the best job of supporting rapid ignition. While Kingsford claims this calls for using 1.6 fluid ounces, 2 to 3 fluid ounces is more realistic for the charcoal needed to fill a 22-inch kettle-style grill.
It’s made from a complex combination of hydrocarbons obtained from the distillation of aromatic streams. On Kingsford’s official Safety Data Sheet the ingredients are listed as solvent naphtha petroleum, medium aliphatic.
Does Kingsford Still Make Lighter Fluid?
Kingsford still sells premium lighter fluid in their lineup of charcoal grill accessories. Their 32-ounce jug is their best value and typically sells for $5.99 to $7.99.
Do You Need Lighter Fluid with Kingsford Charcoal?
You don’t necessarily need lighter fluid to start Kingsford charcoal briquettes if you have a charcoal chimney or Kingsford’s Bright Start fire starters.
Otherwise, you do need lighter fluid or some other type of accelerant to put flame to the charcoal, until it can support its own combustion.
Of all the lighter fluid brands, Kingsford is one of the highest-priced, but also one of the most effective at lighting charcoal briquettes safely.
What Are the Ingredients in Kingsford Charcoal Lighter Fluid?
Kingsford lighter fluids Safety Data Sheet lists the ingredients as solvent naphtha petroleum, medium aliphatic.
This is essentially a complex combination of hydrocarbons obtained from the distillation of aromatic streams. They boil in the range of approximately 165°C to 290° Celsius, which is hotter than normal weather conditions can produce, though they still need to be safely stored.
Should You Use Kingsford Charcoal Lighter Fluid?
If you don’t have a charcoal chimney or another safe way to start charcoal, then the lighter fluid is your next best option. Though for safety reasons, you need to know how to use it properly, and always store it safely away from anything hot.
What Is the Safest Way To Use Lighter Fluid?
Simply spraying lighter fluid on a pile of charcoal, lighting it, and hosing it down in plumes of flame isn’t the safest way to light a charcoal grill. In fact, it’s downright dangerous, and might even be considered a fire code hazard if the grill is within 10 of your home.
One of the safest ways to light charcoal briquettes with lighter fluid calls for the following steps.
Step One: Lay down a single layer of charcoal briquettes.
Step Two: Spray roughly half a fluid ounce of lighter fluid on the briquettes in the center.
Step Three: Build a loose pyramid of charcoal briquettes over the first layer.
Step Four: Spray roughly one fluid ounce of lighter fluid over the pyramid, and wait a minute for it to soak in.
Step Five: Imagine a compass rose over the pile of charcoal. Spray a small amount of lighter fluid on the North, South, East, and West briquettes at the bottom. Then light all four points, starting with the farthest point from you.
Step Six: Let the charcoal briquettes burn until the ones at the top are tinged with white. Then spread the charcoal out into your preferred pattern.
This method spares you from having to overuse lighter fluid or dangerously spraying it on a live fire.
Where Can You Buy Kingsford Charcoal Lighter Fluid
Kingsford lighter fluid is sold at most of the same stores that sell Kingsford charcoal. This includes national retailers like Lowe’s, Home Depot, Walmart, Ace Hardware, and Target.
How Much Is Kingsford Charcoal Lighter Fluid?
The 32 fluid ounce jug of Kingsford lighter fluid is usually sold for .99 to .99, and you can find it just about anywhere that also sells Kingsford charcoal.
How Much Do You Need to Use?
Kingsford themselves note that you only need to use 1.6 fluid ounces of their lighter fluid to light a typical batch of charcoal briquettes. However, in the real world, 2 to 3 fluid ounces is more appropriate for a pile of charcoal briquettes sufficient enough for a typical 22-inch diameter kettle grill.
Final Thoughts
When used safely, and in small amounts, Kingsford lighter fluid is a very easy way to ignite charcoal briquettes. This is due to the complex combination of hydrocarbons of solvent naphtha petroleum, medium aliphatic that it’s made from, which support vigorous combustion.
The 32 fluid ounce jug of Kingsford lighter fluid is usually sold for $5.99 to $7.99 at national retailers like Lowe’s, Home Depot, Walmart, Ace Hardware, and Target. Though, you can find it at pretty much any store that also sells Kingsford charcoal and grilling accessories.
Kingsford lighter fluid is one of the best ways to start charcoal if you don’t already have a charcoal chimney. Kingsford claims that all it takes is 1.6 fluid ounces of their lighter fluid, but 2 to 3 fluid ounces if more realistic.
Robert is a certified Pitmaster, with over a decade of experience in smoking the best meats you’ll ever feast upon. He also has a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas at San Antonio. When he’s not researching technical topics, he’s most likely barbecuing in his backyard.