Kingsford says damp briquets won’t ignite efficiently. This guide covers what Kingsford and Cowboy Charcoal say about storage, how to handle a Match Light bag once it is open, and what to do when a bag may have taken on moisture. Where a step does not come from a manufacturer, the text says it is practical advice.
What the manufacturers say
Kingsford’s FAQ says Kingsford™ Original Charcoal can have several years of shelf life when stored in a cool, dry place. It adds that you should always seal the bag tightly and store it away from humidity.
Cowboy Charcoal’s FAQ says to store it in a cool, dry location for the longest shelf life. It also says to seal bags after each use, or store in a sealable container.
It also says that when stored properly, charcoal and wood products can last almost indefinitely.
The two shelf-life statements differ. Kingsford’s FAQ gives a timeframe of several years for Kingsford Original Charcoal. Cowboy says charcoal and wood products can last almost indefinitely when stored properly. Practical advice: judge a bag by how it lights rather than by how it looks.
Match Light bags and the open-bag problem
For Match Light, Kingsford’s FAQ says to expect a shelf life of 1–2 years under proper storage conditions. The same FAQ says these products contain a lighting agent that evaporates if the bag is left open or torn, making ignition difficult.
Practical advice: once the bag is open, close it tightly after each use, and do not leave it open between cooks. Practical advice: if a bag is torn, move the contents into a sealable container as soon as you notice the tear.
Moisture: what damp charcoal does
Kingsford’s FAQ says moisture is the main culprit.
Practical advice: if a bag has been rained on or has sat in a damp garage, light a small test batch before you rely on it for a long cook. If the charcoal is slow to catch, treat the bag as damp. For a lighting method that does not use lighter fluid, see how to light a charcoal grill without lighter fluid.
Where to keep the bag
Keep bags in a cool, dry place, as both FAQs quoted above say, and away from humidity, as the Kingsford FAQ says. Practical advice: keep bags off concrete floors and out of rain, and use a sealable bin or container in a humid garage or shed. For storing the whole grill over winter, see how to store and winterize your grill.
Common mistakes
- Practical advice: do not leave a Match Light bag open or torn. Kingsford’s FAQ says the lighting agent evaporates in that case.
- Practical advice: do not trust how a bag looks. Charcoal can look dry and still be damp, so test it before a long cook.
Limits of this guide
This guide relies on two manufacturer FAQs, one from Kingsford and one from Cowboy Charcoal. The answers quoted here do not name lump charcoal. Practical advice: the storage steps below apply to lump as well as briquets. For how briquettes and lump differ in use, see charcoal types explained.
Sources
- Kingsford, FAQ: https://www.kingsford.com/faq/, checked 2026-10-08
- Cowboy Charcoal, FAQs: https://www.cowboycharcoal.com/faqs, checked 2026-10-08