Marianne Martinez
Hookah coals are an essential ingredient for a good smoke session. The coals are placed on top of your bowl, which is wrapped in tin foil, and they provide the heat that burns your shisha. There are three main types of hookah coals: quick-light coals, coconut coals, and natural coals. Quick-light coals are easy to light and typically contain a chemical accelerant that allows them to ignite quickly. Coconut coals, also known as natural coals, are made from compressed coconut shells and are a natural option with longer-lasting heat and a cleaner taste. Natural coals are the cleanest way to smoke shisha and will let the flavor of your shisha shine. In this article, we will discuss how to light hookah coals in a pan and provide a step-by-step guide to help you get a solid smoke session.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Types of Hookah Coals | Quick-light coals, Coconut coals, Natural coals |
| Quick-light Coals | Easy to light, coated in a chemical accelerant, ideal for beginners, may leave a chemical taste |
| Coconut Coals | Made from compressed coconut shells, natural option, longer-lasting heat, cleaner taste |
| Natural Coals | Made from coconut husk, bamboo, orange wood, or lemon wood, no chemicals, healthier and more flavourful |
| Tools Required | Hookah Tongs, Heat Source (stove, charcoal burner, or lighter), Charcoal Basket, Wind Cover (optional) |
| Lighting Quick-light Coals | Hold coal with tongs over an open flame, wait for sparking and smoking, place on hookah tray once covered in ash |
| Lighting Coconut Coals | Place coals on coil burner or electric stove, turn on the burner and wait for coals to turn red hot and covered in ash |
| Safety Recommendations | Light coals outside or in a well-ventilated area, keep away from pets, ensure coals are fully lit to avoid carbon monoxide inhalation |
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What You'll Learn
- Quick-light coals: Use a lighter or match to ignite the chemical accelerant
- Coconut coals: Use a coil-top stove or burner for even heating
- Natural coals: Avoid flat-top stoves as these will crack
- Heat management: Ensure coals are fully lit to avoid carbon monoxide inhalation
- Safety: Use tongs to handle hot coals and light them outdoors if possible
Quick-light coals: Use a lighter or match to ignite the chemical accelerant
Quick-light hookah coals are easy to light and typically contain a chemical accelerant that allows them to ignite quickly. They are ideal for beginners or those looking for a quick setup. However, some hookah smokers avoid them due to the chemical taste they can sometimes leave behind. Quick-light coals are made from a composite of materials ranging from wood, sawdust, rice husks, coconut shell pieces, or coconut husks.
To light quick-light coals using a lighter or match, simply hold a tablet of coal in a pair of tongs above the source of the open flame. Be careful, as the tongs may become hot! The coal will begin sparking and smoking when the accelerant ignites. Watch to make sure that the sparking spreads across the entire surface of the coal. After the sparking ceases, place the coal on your hookah's tray or in a hookah charcoal holder, until there is a layer of ash covering it. Charcoal that still shows large sections of black (un-ashed coal) is not quite ready to smoke, as it is still giving off the combustion fumes that all coal gives off when heating up.
Quick-light coals typically take about 1 minute to light, because of the chemical accelerant they contain. They are ready when they are red hot and covered in a layer of grey ash. This ensures they are fully lit. It is important to handle them safely. Use tongs to move the coals from the burner to your hookah bowl. For larger batches, a coal carrier (charcoal basket) is helpful for safe transportation.
Quick-light coals are mostly used by beginners and new hookah smokers. They are coated in a chemical accelerant that helps them light and burn quickly, as the name implies. The downside to these coals is that the chemical accelerant gives a chemical flavor to your hookah smoke, which can negatively impact your smoke session. Quick-light coals also tend to burn faster and hotter than natural coals, which can lead to burnt shisha, hot smoke, and shorter sessions. But, the upside is they light very quickly, so if you are in a rush or don’t have the resources to light natural coals, quick-light coals can be a good idea for your smoke session.
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Coconut coals: Use a coil-top stove or burner for even heating
Coconut coals are made from compressed coconut shells, offering a natural option with a longer-lasting heat source and a cleaner taste. They are the preferred choice for a natural, clean smoking experience but require more time and care when lighting.
To light coconut coals, it is recommended to use a coil-top stove or burner for even heating. This is because coconut coals take longer to light than quick-light coals, and a coil-top stove or burner ensures even heating, which is crucial for lighting coconut coals.
Firstly, ensure you have the right tools: hookah tongs for handling hot coals safely, a heat source (in this case, a coil-top stove or burner), a charcoal basket for placing the coals while they heat up, and a wind cover (optional) to help the coals retain heat and burn evenly.
Now, for the step-by-step process:
- Place your coconut coals directly on the coil burner or the coil-top stove.
- Turn on the burner or stove and wait for the coals to turn red hot and be covered in a layer of gray ash. This usually takes around 8-12 minutes, depending on the size of the coal.
- Once the coals are fully lit, remove them from the burner or stove using the hookah tongs and place them on your hookah bowl.
It is important to note that coconut coals should be fully lit before use to avoid inhaling carbon monoxide or unlit accelerants. Also, be cautious when handling hot coals, as they can damage surfaces and ruin furniture.
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Natural coals: Avoid flat-top stoves as these will crack
Natural hookah coals are made from compressed coconut shell husks and are considered the cleanest way to smoke shisha, allowing the flavour of the shisha to shine through. They burn longer and hotter than quick-light coals and do not affect the taste of your shisha.
Natural coals can be heated using a gas stove, an electric coil stove, or a charcoal burner. If using a gas stove, it is recommended to place a stainless steel mesh on the burner to avoid direct contact between the coals and the flame. Place the coals on the burner or mesh, turn on the heat, and let them warm up. It is important to note that natural coals should not be lit on a flat-top electric stove as they will crack the glass stove top.
An electric coil stove with an exposed heating coil or a single coil heater is another option for lighting natural hookah coals. Place the coals directly on the heating element and turn on the burner. After 3 to 4 minutes, flip the coals. They will be ready when the entire surface of the coals has turned red or orange and is covered in a layer of grey ash. This process usually takes between 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the heat setting.
A charcoal burner, specifically one with a coil, can also be used to light natural coals. Place the coals directly on the coil burner and turn it on, waiting for the coals to turn red hot.
It is important to ensure that natural coals are fully lit before placing them on your hookah to avoid inhaling carbon monoxide. This usually takes about 8 to 12 minutes. Visual indicators that the coals are ready include a red-hot colour and a layer of grey ash.
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Heat management: Ensure coals are fully lit to avoid carbon monoxide inhalation
Lighting any type of charcoal releases carbon monoxide, so it is important to ensure your coals are fully lit before you start smoking your hookah. Inhaling carbon monoxide can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, which can cause symptoms such as syncope, persistent chest pain, and ECG abnormalities.
To ensure your coals are fully lit, look for visual indicators: the coals should be red hot and covered in a layer of grey ash. Ensure all sides of the coals are lit, as incomplete ignition can lead to uneven heating and a poor smoking experience.
If you are using quick-light coals, these typically take about one minute to light due to the chemical accelerant they contain. Simply hold a tablet of coal with a pair of tongs above an open flame, such as a lighter or a struck match, and watch for the sparking to spread across the entire surface of the coal.
If you are using coconut coals, these natural coals take about 8-12 minutes to light properly. Place your coals directly on a coil burner, or if you are using a gas stove, place a stainless steel mesh on the burner to avoid direct contact between the coals and the flame. Turn on the heat and let the coals warm up, flipping them after 3-5 minutes. The coals are ready when all of the black surfaces have turned red or orange and are covered in a layer of grey ash.
Remember to always practise good heat management and handle lit coals with care to avoid any accidents or injuries.
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Safety: Use tongs to handle hot coals and light them outdoors if possible
When lighting hookah coals, safety should be a top priority. It is recommended to light your coals outdoors, if possible, as lighting charcoal releases carbon monoxide. If you must light your coals indoors, ensure that you open as many windows as possible and keep the coals away from pets.
To handle hot coals safely, always use a good pair of tongs. Hookah coals can get very hot, and you should avoid touching them with your bare hands. The tongs provided in your hookah kit are ideal for this purpose. They allow you to safely place the coals directly onto your heat source and flip them after a few minutes.
When using quick-light coals, hold the coal tablet with your tongs above an open flame, such as a lighter or a struck match. Be cautious, as the tongs can also get hot. Once the accelerant ignites, you will see sparks and smoke. Ensure that the sparking spreads across the entire surface of the coal before placing it on your hookah tray or charcoal holder.
For natural coals, such as coconut coals, an electric coil stove or burner is recommended. Place the coals directly on the heating element or coil, and turn on the burner. You may need to flip the coals after a few minutes to ensure even heating. Once the coals are red hot and covered in a layer of grey ash, use your tongs to transfer them carefully to your hookah bowl.
Remember always to exercise caution when handling hot coals, and by following these safety guidelines, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable hookah experience.
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Frequently asked questions
The two main types of hookah coals are quick-light coals and coconut coals. Quick-light coals are coated in a chemical accelerant that helps them light and burn quickly, while coconut coals are made from compressed coconut shells, offering a natural option with longer-lasting heat and a cleaner taste.
Quick-light coals are easy and quick to light, making them ideal for beginners or those looking for a quick setup. They can be lit with a simple lighter or match.
Quick-light coals may leave a chemical taste in your hookah smoke, which can negatively impact your smoking session. They also tend to burn faster and hotter than natural coals, which can lead to shorter sessions.
Coconut coals, also known as natural coals, burn longer, hotter, and have no smell or taste effect on your shisha. They offer a cleaner and more flavorful smoking experience.
To light coconut coals in a pan, use a stove or a coil-topped electric burner. Place the coals directly on the heating element and turn on the heat. For a gas stove, you can place a stainless steel mesh on the burner to avoid direct contact between the coals and the flame. Wait for the coals to turn red hot and be covered in a layer of gray ash before removing them from the heat source. This process usually takes between 8 to 12 minutes.
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