If you’re new to the hookah game, you need to know and understand the different types of hookah coals available. Using good quality and the right kind of coal produces a vibrant and robust flavor, adds a little more flair, and elevates your hookah sessions.
Using bad-quality coals could lead to your hookah dying out faster, creating a lot of ash and giving a bad taste. You really don’t want that especially if you have friends or someone you’re trying to impress over. There are endless options to choose from, so finding the best ones can be a challenge at first.
Take a look at the characteristics to help you identify good quality from bad quality hookah coals.
High-Quality Coal
- Does not affect the tobacco’s taste and enhances the flavor. Also, no harshness is felt on the throat.
- Does not smell bad after it’s lit.
- Produces little ash, does not get messy.
- Your session can be extended as it provides heat for a long time.
Bad-Quality Coal
- When smoking the charcoal can be tasted.
- After being lit, it emits a bad strong smell.
- Your session is cut short because not enough is heat produced for a decent time.
- A lot of messy ash is produced.
So the main characteristics you need to look for are heat duration, density, presence of any foul odor, ash content, and materials of the coal.
Types of Hookah Coals
There are two commonly used hookah coal types, namely, quick light coals and coconut coals.
Quick Light Coals: The benefit of using quick light hookah coals is that they light up without using an external source of heat. They can be comfortably used in an outdoor setting. But that’s about it for the benefits.
They’re not the most ideal to use inside, the smell it produces is not a pleasant one and it gives a harsh taste. It also lights for a short duration and cuts short the session.
The pros are that they light up fast and are convenient in particular situations. The cons are that they have a bad taste and smell and shorted the session’s duration.
This is the type of coal that most people start with and the level up to a better option such as coconut coals.
Coconut Coals
These are the best coals available in the hookah market and are produced majorly in Indonesia. Coconut coals are made from sorting coconut shells that are then smoldered and ground. They are then compressed into cubes and briquettes.
If they’re not knock-off coconut coals, they require high heat and take a much longer time to fully light up about 8 to 12 minutes. The most common methods to light coconut coals are coil stoves, gas burners, blow torch, or single-coil burners. These coals are super affordable as well. 70 pieces of coal could cost you around $10-$12.
Coconut coals of good quality can retain heat for up to an hour without replacing them. They don’t have any harsh chemicals added like sulfur and therefore do not produce a foul smell when lit.
Summing up, hookah coals are found in several shapes such as hexagons, cubes, and flats, among others. The type of coal that’s best for you depends on personal preferences if you’re using foil and what type of sheesha you’re smoking.
