Kingsford Charcoal Grills, Premium, Kettle, Barrel, Cart
The Kingsford charcoal grill story is a fascinating one. Edward G. Kingsford was a relative of the great auto magnate Henry Ford (actually the husband of Ford's cousin, a woman named Minnie Flaherty). Kingsford himself was a real estate agent and also owned a Ford dealership. How did the name Kingsford become associated with grilling and the Kingsford charcoal grill? Kingsford observed Henry Ford's production facilities (where the Model T was being produced) and he noticed that the assembly plant was using a large amount of wood that was simply discarded after being used. He approached his relative Henry and proposed that they try to reclaim some of this used wood and re-sell it in some form. They decided to open a chemical plant that would produce, among other things, charcoal from the waste wood. They found that over 600 pounds of charcoal could be recovered from every ton of scrap wood (30%). The charcoal was made into small squares (briquettes) and sold as "Ford Charcoal Briquettes" -- at local Ford dealerships. Later on Ford renamed the company the Kingsford Charcoal Company. The number-one brand of charcoal used by grillers in the US today is Kingsford charcoal. That is why most Kingsford grills are Kingsford CHARCOAL grills. What Types of Kingsford Charcoal Grills Are Available? In recent years, the MasterBuilt Outdoor Products Company, located in Columbus, Georgia, has been producing a very high-quality line of Kingsford charcoal grills. The following models are available: Premium Grills - High capacity Kingsford charcoal grills, stainless steel, covers, some grilling racks are porcelain coated, some models with warming racks, bottom cabinets, temperature gauge, 450-780+ sq. inches of cooking space. Barrel Grills - These Kingsford charcoal grills resemble a locomotive on wheels: a barrel-shaped design and very durable construction, 350-800+ sq. inches of cooking space, warming racks, temperature gauge, wire bottom shelves. Kettle Grills - These Kingsford charcoal grills come atop a pedestal or cart (the cart-type positions the grill higher from the floor). They have lids, heavy gauge charcoal racks, chrome cooking grates, black porcelain coated lids and bases. Cart Grills - These Kingsford charcoal grills are in the familiar cart-style, with 4 legs (2 legs on wheels for easy movement). They have black porcelain coated lids and bases, chrome cooking grates, warming racks, side shelves, tool hooks and cup holders. A perennial favorite among grilling enthusiasts. Kingsford Charcoal Grills - Choosing The One That's Best For You If you are having trouble in deciding which Kingsford charcoal grill is right for you, consider 'The 3 C's' - construction, capacity and clean-up. Construction: how durable is the unit? What types of metal are used - and how thick is it? Will it rust? Is it wobbly or is it sturdy? Kingsford charcoal grills are high-quality and built to last. Capacity: unless you want a portable charcoal grill, buy the biggest capacity grill you can afford. You can grill small amounts of food on a large Kingsford charcoal grill, but you can't grill large food amounts (at the same time) on a small grill. Clean-up: is the unit hard to clean? A lot of small parts? Nooks and crannies that have to be scrubbed out? Kingsford charcoal grills are world-famous for being easy to clean, both the grilling surfaces and the charcoal pits. |
