what is hookah charcoal?
From the perspective of hookah smoking experience, I think the most important point when you want to get a great hookah experience is to use high-quality hookah charcoal.
You should know that the role of hookah charcoal is to provide the continuous heat required to evaporate the tobacco, molasses, and spices in the hookah.
But not all charcoal is made equal. After my personal testing, the best charcoals, like coconut charcoal, burn evenly and slowly – lasting through an entire hookah session. And its production method is also very complicated. Coconut charcoals are made by burning raw coconut shells without oxygen, then crushing and mixing the charred coconut with water and cassava before extruding into briquettes.
What are the common hookah charcoals on the market?
Quick light coals
Quick light coals are a kind of charcoal prepared to glow instantly, thus becoming the favorite of hookah smokers who demand fast lighting of their hookah. Therefore, I learned that many manufacturers in the United States and even Europe will produce this kind of hookah coal, and the shapes made are also very diverse, such as (triangular, cube, or cylindrical)
The rapid lighting of quick-light coals is made possible because chemical accelerators are mixed with charcoal. Among those on the market that are commonly used are solid alcohol (the basic ingredient is hexamine) and oxides (potassium nitrate). These substances aid the burning of the coals by liberating heat and gas during the process, making it easier for them to light. I must say, right from the time we started using Quick Light coals – we were ready for the shisha in no time.
On the other hand, however, it should also be said that harmful substances may be profusely emitted during the burning of quick-lighting coals due to the chemical additives used in them. So for the sake of our health, it is advised to use natural coconut coals or other types of hookah coals free of any chemical contents. Therefore, I need to introduce another common hookah coal here, which is coconut shell hookah coal.
Coconut Hookah Coals
Coconut charcoal has become a favorite among hookah enthusiasts seeking a pure, clean-smoking experience. Unlike quick-light coals, natural coconut charcoal has a simple, wholesome origin –It is made entirely from coconut shells
It is processed under high pressure to make it burn up to 4 times longer than regular fast burning charcoal. This means you can use less charcoal in a hookah session and don’t need to add new charcoal as often.
Hence, you will not have to use as much charcoal during a hookah session as well as frequently adding fresh charcoal. Coconut coals are available in many shapes and sizes including cubes, flats, wedges, and rounds. However, cubes are perhaps the most popular as they fit most hookah bowl setups. Typically 2-3 cubes can sustain a 1-2 hour smoking session. Factors like desired heat output, coal size, tobacco type, and heat management device impact the configuration.
Many brands claim to be 100% coconut charcoal, but some products contain metal, wood and other impurities – but these products are harmful to your health, so I recommend you buy pure natural coconut charcoal from Indonesia.
Among the many brands of natural coconut charcoal, my personal favorite and top choice is Golden Desert Coals. It has a long burn time, sufficient heat output, and suits my hookah needs perfectly. When it’s unavailable, I would opt for other coconut charcoal brands like CocoUrth, Superior Coco, King of Fire, and Cocourth as alternatives – I highly recommend these brands of hookah coals. Maybe you can try them.
fruitwood charcoal
Other than the coconut shell hookah coal, fruits wood charcoal has been increasingly added in the past years to the strong list of substances preferred by many hookah lovers.
Fruitwood charcoal, on the other hand, uses branches of fruit trees, like apple or plum wood, for concentration while making charcoal. These fruit woods are just exposed to the phase of carbonization in a certain oxygen-free environment and then, through a series of operations, form fruit wood hookah charcoal after compression molding.
There is a unique dimension fruit wood adds to the already-produced hookah taste. Just as in good barbeque, the wood adds a touch of fragrance on the meat to make every bite taste awesome; similarly, the fruitwood smoke this time gets teamed with the tobacco.
Fruitwood has its own distinct taste and when it is combined with Hookah Tobacco it makes the hookah more tempting. When I tried it for the first time, I’ve become enamored with this Unique taste
And the temperature produced by fruitwood charcoal is relatively higher than that of coconut charcoal and it also burns quite steadily. If you are smoking shisha and want to add a little something different to the flavor, try buying a few pieces of fruitwood charcoal, I promise you won’t be disappointed.
How To Quickly Light A Hookah Coal
For beginners, I recommend using a dedicated burner with a heating coil (recommended 1000W+ power 11) to prevent the flat-bottomed electric stove from damaging the glass countertop. Of course, if you don’t have a dedicated burner, you don’t have to go to the store to buy one. Instead, you can use a gas stove or butane torch at home. They’re all simple to use, although their average ignition times may differ, which I’ll detail in the blog below.
To make it easier for beginners to learn, my good friend William and I demonstrated the process of lighting hookah coals. First, we arranged the coal pieces in a single layer, ensuring they don’t overlap, and maintained a 5mm spacing between coals for optimal airflow, just like in the image below.
I hope I haven’t overwhelmed you with all this information about hookah coals—I promise it’s all doable. These methods have been extensively tested by William and me, and that’s part of the fun of smoking hookah, right?
Heat Application:
Start with maximum heat for 3-4 minutes
Look for a faint red glow at the coal’s edges
First Flip (t = 4 minutes):
Use long-handled tongs to flip each coal 180°
Observe for consistent color change across 40-50% of the surface
Second Flip (t = 7 minutes):
Rotate coals 90° to expose unheated sides
Check for ash formation on previously heated areas
Step 5: Ongoing Heat Management
Your job isn’t done once the coals are placed. Proper heat management is crucial:
Rotate coals 120° every 15-20 minutes to ensure even burning
Add a new coal when existing ones have diminished by ~40% in size
Use a dedicated ash tray to remove excess ash, which can impede airflow
Advanced Technique: The “Coal Bridge”
For experienced users, try the coal bridge method:
Place two coals parallel, 1cm apart
Balance a third coal across the gap
This setup increases airflow and can extend session time by up to 25%.
FAQ: Hookah Charcoal Basics
Q: How many coals should I use for my hookah?
A: Generally, use 2-3 natural coals or 1-2 quick-light coals for most bowls. Adjust as needed based on bowl size and desired heat level.Q: Can I reuse hookah charcoal?
A: No, hookah charcoal is designed for single use. Once it’s fully burned, dispose of it safely and use fresh coals for your next session.Q: How do I know when my charcoal is ready to use?
A: Natural coals are ready when they’re glowing red and covered in gray ash. Quick-light coals are ready when the sparking has stopped and they’re fully covered in ash.Q: Is natural charcoal better than quick-light?
A: Many enthusiasts prefer natural charcoal for its longer burn time, consistent heat, and neutral flavor. However, quick-light coals are more convenient for beginners or when time is limited.Q: How can I make my hookah charcoal last longer?
A: Use a wind cover, rotate coals regularly, and consider using a heat management device to optimize coal efficiency.
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