Memorial Day charcoal sales are some of the best times to stock up on charcoal. As the unnofficial start of the bbq season, many places have sales to bring people into their stores. approaching. However, you can't straight up compare bag to bag as every retailer has their own sizes and packing. Big bags, medium bags, 2-packs of medium bags, advertised on-sale charcoal in the back of the store and regular price stuff in a slightly different bag up front, you name it! A seasoned Grillfella (get it?, lol) will calculate the
cost per pound and purchase accordingly.
You don't need a degree from MIT to figure this out. Just
take the total cost of the charcoal bag(s) then divide by the total bag weight (don't mess up the order of operations if using a calculator).
Exhibit 1:2-pack of 18.6lbs of KBB for $9.88 found here:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Kingsford-18-6-lb-Charcoal-Briquettes-2-Bag-4460031239/205796026Cost/lb = $9.88/(2*18.6)lbs = $9.88/(18.6+18.6)lbs = 9.88/37.2lbs= $.265/lb =
26.5 cents/lbExhibit 2:15.4lbs of KBB at Walmart for $5.00 found here:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Kingsford-Charcoal-Briquets-15.40-lbs/43750715Cost/lb = $5.00/15.4lbs = $.324/lb =
32.4 cents/lbExhibit 1 is the better deal even though you only get 2 smaller looking bags for more money. Don't be fooled by the bigger bags with the lower per unit price! You are looking for the
price per pound of charcoal.
Are your eyeballs crossed yet? When should you buy? I thought you would ask so here's my take on it.
Gummi's guidelines to purchasing KBB on sale$.50/lb+= This is basically regular price. Don't buy unless you really need it.
$.33/lb= This is usually the sale threshold. I will purchase enough bags to get me through the next sales (I've been stocked up for the past few years so I still don't purchase KBB at this price)
$.27/lb or less = This is a good price. Stock up at will!
$.23/lb= This is the lowest I've seen. Load up the truck and come back for seconds and thirds.
I think the charcoal sales are best on Memorial Day. YMMV for other types of charcoal.
Troy says the smoke from the cheaper bags of charcoal tastes better. YMMV for that too.