OAKLAND, CA -- (Marketwire) -- 01/07/09 -- Today the Kingsford Products Company brings tantalizing cook-off quality home with a charcoal briquet that combines convenience, high heat and long burn times. From grilling to searing to slow cooking, 100 percent natural Kingsford® Competition Briquets are designed for fast lighting too.

The briquet once ruled on the cook-off circuit, where tangy scents linger and competition sizzles, but lately chefs have shifted to using lump charcoal instead to achieve the high heat necessary to bring home a trophy. Now Kingsford offers the best of both worlds.

"These new briquets are going to give folks at home the versatility and quality I get at competitions without the expensive equipment," said Chris Lilly, owner of Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q in Decatur, Ala., and six-time Memphis in May world champion. "The briquet form is going to give you a much easier time controlling the hot burn compared to traditional lump charcoal."

Kingsford® Competition Briquets will help take grilling to a new level -- whether it's a quick meal fired up for a family of four or championship cuisine cooked low and slow overnight to impress the judges on the barbecue competition circuit. Made with all-natural ingredients for an authentic barbecue flavor, Kingsford® Competition Briquets allow the temperature flexibility needed for advanced cooking methods including grilling, searing and slow cooking.

To showcase the versatility of Kingsford® Competition Briquets, Lilly has created these recipes for home cooks:

   -- Peppered Ahi Tuna with Cantaloupe & Pineapple Salsa -- Utilize high
      heat by searing fresh tuna steaks to perfection
   -- Beer-Basted Pulled Pork Sliders -- Get low and slow with competition-
      worthy pulled pork in bite-sized form
   -- Apple Cider Ribs -- Use direct and indirect grilling methods to
      prepare baby back ribs with a tasty twist

Kingsford® Competition Briquets light more quickly than traditional charcoal briquets with a light-to-cook time of approximately 14 minutes. Temperature is controlled by arranging the briquets and adjusting the vents according to the cooking method and food choices. Lilly's instructional videos are available on www.Kingsford.com, along with how-to's for advanced grilling techniques and information about Kingsford® Competition Briquets.

"We want the home chef to knock the socks off their families and friends with competition-quality barbecue," said Ryan Elvers, Kingsford marketing manager. "Now anyone can grill like an expert at the next backyard barbecue."

As with all Kingsford® charcoal products, Kingsford® Competition Briquets are manufactured in an environmentally conscious way: Wood waste is converted into useful fuels, combustion gases generate heat for use in production and process water is contained to be reused for the next batch of charcoal. Because of their all-natural ingredients, Kingsford® Competition Briquets leave less ash than traditional charcoal.

Kingsford® Competition Briquets will ship to grocery, mass, club and home improvement retailers in January 2009 and will be widely available by April 1, 2009. The new briquets are available in a 12-lb bag (lasts the same as 14-lb original) for the approximate retail value of $9.49 and two 16.5-lb bags (lasts the same as two 21-lb original) for the approximate retail value of $16.99. For more information about new Kingsford® Competition Briquets, charcoal grilling recipes and tips, visit Kingsford.com.

The Clorox Company

The Clorox Company is a leading manufacturer and marketer of consumer products with fiscal year 2008 revenues of $5.3 billion. Clorox markets some of consumers' most trusted and recognized brand names, including its namesake bleach and cleaning products, Green Works(TM) natural cleaners, Armor All® and STP® auto-care products, Fresh Step® and Scoop Away® cat litter, Kingsford® charcoal, Hidden Valley® and KC Masterpiece® dressings and sauces, Brita® water-filtration systems, Glad® bags, wraps and containers, and Burt's Bees® natural personal care products. With 8,300 employees worldwide, the company manufactures products in more than two dozen countries and markets them in more than 100 countries. Clorox is committed to making a positive difference in the communities where its employees work and live. Founded in 1980, The Clorox Company Foundation has awarded cash grants totaling more than $73.9 million to nonprofit organizations, schools and colleges. In fiscal 2008 alone, the foundation awarded $4.2 million in cash grants, and Clorox made product donations valued at $10.2 million. For more information about Clorox, visit www.TheCloroxCompany.com.

The Kingsford Products Company, LLC

The Kingsford Products Company, LLC is a subsidiary of The Clorox Company, headquartered in Oakland, Calif. Clorox is a leading manufacturer and marketer of consumer products with fiscal year 2008 revenues of $5.3 billion. With 8,300 employees worldwide, the company manufactures products in two dozen countries and markets them in more than 100 countries. For more information about Clorox, visit www.TheCloroxCompany.com.