Hookah smokers will often sit around and talk about the greatest shisha (hookah tobacco) flavors and brands that exist. then, they will move onto hookah sizes and styles from large to small, cheap to unaffordable, colors, hoses, and more. Yet, the most frequently overlooked piece of the hookah smoking experience is in fact what makes the whole thing work. the coal.
Once you sprinkle your shisha/hookah tobacco into your bowl and wrap a nice layer of aluminum foil around it, you will then place this important item on top. This item known as “the coal” will transfer its heat down through the tobacco which will ultimately fill the base with smoke and end up (momentarily) in your lungs. However, its not that simple.
Several types of coal exist in the growing hookah market and a beginner may find it difficult to select the best flame. the most common is the self lighting coals made by three Kings. They are convenient since you can light one up with a Zippo, in the wind, possibly while its raining. However, the same chemicals that make it a quick lighting coal also add (often unwanted) flavors to your hookah smoking experience. thus you exchange taste for convenience.
The next option is the lemon wood or olive wood based “logs” of coal. often times referred to as “natural” coal, these tend to burn cleaner thus eliminating excessive coal flavors. They will not light with a portable flame unless you happen to keep a porto-torch in your glove compartment. Generally, you will require a stove top and a short waiting period. the end result could be well worth it since you won’t be tasting the chemicals of the self lighting coals.
Finally, there is the “charcoal bricks” which are often referred to as “Egyptian coal”. these charcoal bricks are also lemon wood and they resemble random shapes that appear as though you could barbeque with them. They have a long heating period on an average electric stove so you might want to get out that propane camp stove to fire up these coals. the smell of the coals cooking can overwhelm the pleasant smells of your house, so you might want to think twice before cooking coals in your kitchen. despite their dominant heating odors, these coals provide the most flavorless heat source available in the hookah coal market. the charcoal bricks are often large and also burn quickly so don’t clutter your bowl.
Whichever hookah coals you smoke should ultimately depend on your preference and situation. If you are a natural coal smoker at home, it never hurts to keep a box of quick lighting coals around for those last minute trips to the beach.
Hookahs – It’s all in the Heat
