Setting the Record Straight: The Evolution of B&B Briquets

Setting the Record Straight: The Evolution of B&B Briquets

 

If you’ve been hanging around the BBQ forums or scrolling through your feed lately, you’ve probably seen the rumors: "B&B changed their briquets," "They’re smaller now," or the most common one—"The quality isn't what it used to be."

As a B&B Charcoal partner, I take these rumors seriously because I use this fuel to feed my family and my customers every single week. To get to the bottom of it, I sat down and did what any self-respecting pitmaster would do: a side-by-side comparison video.

I pitted the new Oak and Hickory Briquets (the ones with the American flag on the bag) against the classic Competition Oak Briquets we’ve known for years. Here is the truth behind the change and why these new briquets are actually a step up for your backyard cooks.

1. Bringing it Home: Made in the USA

The biggest shift isn't just in the bag; it's where the bag is made. Historically, a large portion of B&B’s briquet production took place in Mexico. While the quality was high, the logistics were becoming a nightmare.

  Beating the Tariffs: By moving production stateside, B&B is effectively dodging the rising tariffs and international shipping costs associated with cross-border trade.

  Price Stability: For us as consumers, this is a win. By keeping costs down at the manufacturing level, B&B can keep their prices competitive on the retail shelf while other brands are forced to hike theirs.

2. Unmatched Quality Control

When your product is made thousands of miles away, "oversight" is a relative term. By moving manufacturing to the USA, B&B now has eyes on the process every single day.

Creating the product stateside gives the brand significantly more quality control opportunities. From the consistency of the carbonization to the pressure of the press, being "on-site" means fewer "bad batches" and a much more reliable product for your smoker.

3. Size Doesn't Matter (But Density Does)

Let’s address the elephant in the room: The new briquets are smaller. I saw it, you saw it, and the internet definitely noticed it. But here is what my side-by-side testing proved: Small doesn't mean weak. The new USA-made briquets are more compressed and dense than the old version. In my burn test, the new briquets:

  Ignited just as easily.

  Held a rock-solid temperature for the duration of the cook.

  Burned just as long (and in two of my tests, actually longer) than the larger, old-style briquets.

Think of it like a high-density battery—you’re getting the same amount of "power" in a more efficient package. Plus, the smaller size allows for better airflow in smaller smokers and gravity-fed units.

Are the Old Briquets Gone?

Don’t panic! If you are a die-hard fan of the original "Mexico-made" Competition Oak, they aren't out of stock or discontinued. However, you will notice the "Made in America" variety taking up more space at your local Ace, Academy, or Walmart.

Retailers are demanding more American-made products to meet market trends, and B&B is stepping up to lead that charge.

The Verdict

The quality hasn't gone down; it’s evolved. We’re getting a product that supports American jobs, offers better quality oversight, and performs like a beast in the pit—all while keeping our costs down.

Full transparency, I did consult with B&B regarding the products and gave them a heads-up about my experiment. Reason being, I needed to hear from the source what the rationale was behind the change. Based on their feedback, I firmly support the move, especially since I haven't had any negative outcomes using the new product. From all indications, these briquets were developed with a wide range of customer needs in mind. Greater efficiency, compatible with a wider range of backyard and commercial units, as well as holding the price firm in spite of the economic hurdles. Give these briquets a fair shake. Actually keep an open mind when you use them, and I would love to hear feedback on how it went. Order here. 

Check out the full side-by-side video on my channel to see the burn times for yourself!