Natural Hookah Charcoal FAQ
Hookah experts around the world widely consider natural hookah charcoals to be the best hookah charcoal to use when looking to achieve the highest quality of smoke sessions possible. With all-natural hookah coal formulas, you will experience smooth flavors from your shisha that won't be affected by any chemicals added to your charcoal, such as sulfur or quick-lighting accelerants. Both the quality and performance of natural coals are unmatched by any other type of hookah charcoal, making them the go-to choice for millions of hookah smokers around the world.
What is the difference between natural and quick-light hookah coals?
Manufacturers coat quick-lighting hookah coals with a chemical accelerant. This accelerant allows each piece to be lit quickly using nothing but an open flame (like from a candle lighter or torch). The convenience offered by quick-light charcoal is unmatched. However, the chemical accelerant may interfere with the flavor of your shisha. Since natural hookah coals do NOT contain any chemical accelerant, they can only be lit using an electric coil stove or charcoal burner.
Needing an electric coil stove or charcoal burner to light natural hookah coals makes them less convenient than quick-lighting coals. Still, some significant advantages may prompt you to choose coconut hookah coals. First, natural coals tend to burn longer and more evenly than quick-lighting coals. This means your smoke session will last longer. Natural hookah coals also produce less ash and often provide a cleaner taste, delivering a more accurate flavor profile to your smoke session and ensuring you enjoy the ultimate hookah smoking experience.
What tools do I need to light natural hookah coals?
You'll need a standard stove with electric coils. If you don't have an electric stovetop with coil burners, you can invest in a charcoal burner. Single-coil electric hookah charcoal burners typically weigh less than four pounds. They are generally 10 inches long by 10 inches wide and are up to 7.2 inches high. Single-coil burners are both lightweight and compact, making them easy to store when not in use. Their size also makes them easy to move. Due to their portable nature, you can take your smoke session equipment with you when you travel or visit friends. You can also plug in your single-coil electric burner anywhere because it has a standard three-prong plug that fits in grounded outlets.
In addition to the stove or burner, you'll need metal tongs. Using metal hookah shisha tongs enables you to flip or remove coals easily and prevents you from burning your hands. You can choose from various sizes, although most hookah shisha tongs are approximately six inches long. It's easy to clean metal tongs, and they're rust-resistant, ensuring they'll look great and work perfectly for years. Tongs with sawtooth edges are perfect for gripping coals. Some tongs have a hook you can use to hang your tongs when they're not in use. It's also possible to get tongs with a poker, which can also be used for poking holes into your foil.
How do I light natural hookah coals?
Use a clean electric coil stove or charcoal burner to light your natural charcoal. Start by placing your coconut coals directly on the electric coil or burner. Once your coals are in place, turn the burner on and crank it to the highest setting.
It takes between 5 and 15 minutes to fully light natural hookah charcoal depending on their size. The length of time required also depends on your burner. Powerful burners take less time to light the coals fully. When the coals are fully lit, they will be coated with a layer of grey ash, which means they're ready to use.
Once you're familiar with your burner's lighting time, you'll have a good idea of when you'll need to flip the coals. When the bottom half of the coals are lit, use your metal tongs to flip each coal and light the top half. Hookah experts recommend flipping your coals. This is the best way to ensure all six sides are lit. Taking these extra steps ensures you start your smoke session with fully lit natural coals that will stay lit.
How do I know if the coal is lit?
Natural hookah coals are black. Lit coals develop a thin layer of ash, which turns them gray. When all the black color is gone from the exterior, it's a good sign that your coals are fully lit. Fully lit coals also glow red.
You'll have a better smoke session if you start with fully lit natural hookah coals. Natural hookah coals are less likely to go out, so you don't have to worry about re-lighting coals during your smoke session.
What are natural hookah coals made out of?
Natural hookah coals are most commonly made using compressed coconut husks. However, some brands may use wood gathered from fruit trees instead. Natural hookah coals are more likely to stay lit than cheap coals, which is one of the big reasons they're worth the investment. Natural coals are also environmentally friendly because they don't release carbon dioxide, a factor that appeals to environmentally conscious hookah enthusiasts.
How are natural coals made?
Natural coal manufacturers collect coconut husks and turn this organic waste into natural coals. Manufacturers start by carbonizing the coconut shell. The oxygen supply is limited while the shells burn, producing coconut shell charcoal. Next, manufacturers grind the coconut shell charcoal into powder. Manufacturers mix the powder with an adhesive, such as corn starch and water. This mixture's compressed and shaped into briquettes. Compressed coconut shells have a higher density than other coals, which is why natural coals burn longer. They also get hotter than other coals when burning. The extra heat and longer burn times make natural coconut coals a popular choice for smoke sessions and for people who use coal to heat their homes.
