If you have some old charcoal that’s been laying around for awhile you might ask yourself, “Does charcoal go bad or expire?” We’ve got the answer for you.
The short answer is that most charcoal doesn’t have an expiration date and it will be useable for many years as long as it’s stored properly (more on that below).
The exception is instant light charcoal that’s been treated with a chemical that makes it easier to light. Those chemicals will lose effectiveness over time and eventually the briquettes will be difficult to light.
You also don’t want to get charcoal wet. If too much moisture penetrates the charcoal you may have trouble lighting it. This is especially true of charcoal briquettes which tend to fall apart if they get wet enough.
Lump charcoal will hold up to moisture better but you still want to keep it dry. Damp charcoal not only doesn’t burn well, but can grow mold that will produce a nasty flavor as it burns in the smoker.
Related: Lump Charcoal vs Briquettes – Which Works Better?
So if you find an old bag of charcoal in the back your shed and its moist or shows any signs of mold, toss it out.
What about charcoal that is wet but still looks fresh?
If your charcoal is wet, just lay it out in the sun for awhile until it’s completely dry again.
Of course, if you’re grilling in the rain and your work area isn’t covered it’s bound to get a little wet. It should still light just fine even if it gets damp. Just don’t try lighting it up in a downpour or leave it sitting in a puddle of water.
What The Experts Say
I did some research online to check out exactly what charcoal manufacturers themselves say about their product.
The shelf life of Kingsford® Original charcoal is indefinite as long as the product is stored in a cool, dry place. If the briquets become damp, they will not light efficiently.
Kingsford® Match Light® Charcoal and Kingsford® Match Light® Charcoal with Mesquite have a shelf life of 1–2 years if stored properly. If a Kingsford® Match Light® Charcoal bag is left open or becomes torn, the solvent will evaporate. This will also prevent the briquets from lighting properly. To extend shelf life, we recommend that you re-close the bag properly after each use.
Kingsford Charcoal
How To Properly Store Charcoal
Whether you buy lump charcoal or briquettes, it usually comes in a heavy duty paper bag. While the bags are pretty strong they aren’t waterproof.
Sure, they’ll keep out some water as long as the bag is sealed. But once you open it up any moisture and humidity in the air will start to get inside.
And if rain water pools around the bag it’s only a matter of time before it soaks through and leaves a soggy mess at the bottom of the bag.
If you typically have leftover charcoal laying around for awhile I strongly suggest you invest in a sturdy plastic container like this one. You can also use a plastic or metal garbage can with a cover.
Whatever you decide to store your charcoal in (plastic container, garbage can, or paper bag) make sure you keep it in a cool, dry area where it will be safe from the elements.
Either a garage or well-covered shed makes a perfect storage place for charcoal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best way to dry charcoal that got wet?
If your charcoal is wet, just lay it out in the sun for awhile until it’s completely dry again.
Can charcoal be used in the rain?
If you’re grilling in the rain and your work area isn’t covered your charcoal is bound to get a little wet. It should still light just fine even if it gets damp. Just don’t try lighting it up in a downpour or leave it sitting in a puddle of water.
Is Moldy Charcoal OK To Use?
While some people will tell you moldy charcoal is safe to use because the mold will burn off anyway, I’d rather play it safe and recommend discarding any charcoal that has mold on it.
I mean, it might not make you sick…but do you really want to take that chance?
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