For the second time in four years, Kingsford is changing up the design of its charcoal in an attempt to maximize burn time.  In 2006, they introduced sure fire grooves, a move that sent many Kingsford fans scrambling to the store in an attempt to stockpile the old formula.

And beginning in January, America’s top-selling charcoal will feature deeper, wider and longer grooves that "increase the surface area to volume ratio and provide more edges and air channels so that more of the briquet is exposed to oxygen. This groove innovation combined with more wood char allows Kingsford® regular charcoal to light easier, heat faster and burn just as long as before."

Enhanced grooves, along with the increased investment from Kingsford in quality raw materials, translate into a 7.5 percent lighter briquet. The result is briquets that are ready even faster, burn just as long as before, and offer several environmental benefits:

• Due to more wood char, the new formula produces less ash, which means less waste going to the landfill.
• Lighter briquets mean lighter bags. As a result, Kingsford can pack more charcoal on its trucks, which cuts down on the number of trucks on the road, and translates to 800,000 less miles traveled per year.
• The new formula reduces Carbon Dioxide emissions by 11,000 metric tons per year.
• The new formula uses 57 fewer tons of coal per day or 10 percent less non-renewable resources per year.

“Our goal was to produce a better functioning product for our customers and we feel that we really hit a homerun with our improved Sure Fire® grooves said Nick Meyer, marketing manager. “While the weight of the new charcoal bag is going to decrease, the number of uses will not change – meaning you can grill out as many times with the old bag as with the new bag. And, the price per bag is not changing either.”

The new and improved Kingsford® regular charcoal will ship to grocery, mass, club and home improvement retailers in January 2010 and will be widely available by April 1, 2010.  In the meantime, here' s a great coffee rubbed pork chop recipe, courtesy of Kingsford spokesperson, Chris Lilly.




PORK CHOPS with COFFEE DRY RUB
Recipe created by world champion pitmaster, Chris Lilly, on behalf of Kingsford® charcoal

You’ll Need:
4 teaspoons salt
4 teaspoons ground coffee
4 teaspoons chili powder
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/2 teaspoons onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4-1/2 teaspoon cayenne
1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
6 medium bone-in pork chops about 1-inch thick

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients and stir until well blended. Preheat the grill.
2. Generously rub both sides of the pork chops with the coffee rub.
3. Grill the pork chops for about 5 to 7 minute on each side over a medium heat.
4. Let the chops rest covered with aluminum foil before serving. Discard any unused rub.

- SmokeInDaEye.com, Home of Bigger, Badder, Bolder Competition BBQ(c)