We have used Match Light for years but it only takes one bad experience to leave a bad taste in your mouth. We bought two bags of the charcoal and used it the same day. It wouldn’t light. Seriously, we had to run to the store to get lighter fluid. I hope this is a fluke but not very happy at the moment.

Bought a bag of Match Light yesterday, and it was VERY difficult to light. We used many matches, and finally got out a gas lighter that could put a constant flame on the briquets. Still, they are not all lit up like they normally did in the past. So, we're patiently waiting to see if they will stay lit. Frustrating, since we've never had this problem before with Match Light. Wondering if we got an old bag.

I generally use the original Kingsford briquettes, that require fluid. I've NEVER had a problem with the original, and love it. Just last night, I decided to barbeque a rack of ribs, and a pack of chicken thighs. My mouth was drooling at the thought of this dinner. Come to find out I needed more charcoal. Ran out & Tried the match light for the first time. I will say that it did light, without any problem, so that was convenient and why I gave it 2 stars.. The smell of the fluid was rather strong, upon opening the bag, but it kind of made sense if it doesn't require fluid, right? Right. So, I carried on. Lit the grill and waited a good 25 mins until the charcoal was coated over with ash, and I felt like any fluid would be burned off! Wrong! My entire dinner was sadly ruined. Everything tasted like fluid, despite waiting. I've always turned to Kingsford, and had high hopes for the match light experience. Unfortunately after this experience, I can't say I'll ever try it again. Literally wasted a whole rack of ribs, pack of chicken thighs, and I have about half a bag of the match light left, that I don't see me using again. I'm sorry to be this person, but I have to keep it real.

We have used this same brand of charcoal for years. Recently, I have had so much trouble getting it to light. I'm not sure if their was a formulation change or something but we have to use lighter fluid most of the time to get the fire going which is completely frustrating not to mention defeats the purpose buying the match light in the first place.

I used to buy matchlight all the time. With recent poor results of having an entire bag not wanting to light I switched to HEB brand. Now I have moved and there is no HEB I decided to try matchlight again. Bought a 11.6 lb bag to find out they were again just rocks. Now looking for another brand.

I use the professional charcoal briquettes, only and every time. I get a consistent heat throughout my grill time. I also use them to maintain the heat in my smoker. I'll do brisket or ribs or extra thick rib eye steak without any worry about burning out. My friends ask me why I dont get a gas grill and make it easier to cook. I just tell them, real meat, real man, real fire. I think I'll get that on a T-shirt.

I've always been a die hard fan of this charcoal but something has changed with the texture within the last year. The charcoals are burning out way too fast. I've purchased several bags from different stores over the past few months and they're all cooking the same. Previously, the charcoals would burn with flames consistently once the juice from the meat hits them and the charcoals were hot. Now, they're barely staying lit and the charcoals are cooking down, filling the grill with ash within 10 minutes. This is becoming very frustrating. Hopefully this will pass and the product is made how it used to be. Until then, I guess I'll be using the regular charcoal that requires lighter fluid.

My boyfriend and I have tried using this product twice-the first time we both got extremely ill. Thinking it may have just been regular food poisoning we tried it again-and we both became extremely ill just from a few bites. Our food smelled and tasted like cigarettes. Overall, a terrible experience and we won’t be buying or using charcoal ever again.

Would not light. I bought this specifically so I wouldn’t need to buy starter fluid. What a mistake that was. Would not light with matches, lighters, etc. I even tried pouring whiskey on it and it still refused to light. Looks like I’ll be boiling my brats tonight. Thanks Kingsford for the horrible product. 0 stars WOULD NOT recommend.

Haven't used charcoal in a few years now simply because of the difficulty of cooking quickly and cleanly with it. However, after reading everything I can hear & learning so much, I'm now using strictly charcoal and only KingsFord charcoal! They're the best!