The pleasure that smoking hookah brings depends on many factors, and the choice of charcoal is one of the primary ones. Well-selected and properly used hookah charcoal can make the smoke taste pleasant, smooth, and as harmonious as the act of breathing itself. There are several main types of charcoals for igniting, which this article will help you understand.
So, hookah charcoal can be:
- Coconut;
- Wooden;
- Chemical;
- Electric.
Coconut charcoal.
As can be guessed from the name, coconut charcoal for hookah is made from coconut shells. It is important to understand that we are talking specifically about the shell of the fruit, not the pulp, which means this material does not have any additional aromatic properties. However, it has another advantage: it burns 2-3 times longer than wooden charcoal for a hookah. It needs to be lit on a burner or stovetop, a process that can take about 10 minutes. The burning time of coconut charcoal is usually at least 30-40 minutes (often even longer).
Wooden charcoal.
This is a classic charcoal not only for hookah, but also for any kind of ignition in general, and it is this type of charcoal that most gives that pleasant aroma we talked about earlier. It is produced as a product of burning non-resinous types of wood material, which is compacted into convenient forms for use. It also does not ignite from a match or lighter, and requires prolonged exposure to an open flame (again, around 10 minutes). Wooden charcoal usually burns for about 30-40 minutes.
Since there are many types of wood, wood charcoal for hookah can also be divided into categories depending on the material it was made from. The following options are the most interesting:
- Olive wood charcoal, made from a mixture of olive wood and olive pits;
- Lemon wood charcoal, obtained from lemon tree wood;
- Grape wood charcoal, made using grapevine.
Chemical charcoal.
This material is also known as self-igniting charcoal for hookah. It is made from dry alcohol or saltpeter, which allows this charcoal to ignite literally within a few seconds of exposure to an open flame. In addition, it is significantly cheaper than many other varieties.
However, despite all its advantages, it has a number of drawbacks. Firstly, even during the ignition stage, it can spark and, accordingly, create a fire hazard for nearby objects. Secondly, it has a fairly distinct and not very pleasant chemical smell. And finally, thirdly, it does not burn for a long time (usually less than half an hour).
It can be said that this is a good option for “field conditions” when there is no access to a burner or stove, and there is plenty of space and fresh air around, quickly dispersing the smell of alcohol or saltpeter.
Electric coal.
This is the most modern and environmentally friendly material – coal, which ignites without smoke. More precisely, it is not so much ignited as heated, as it essentially is an electrical device.
Electric coal for hookah includes a coil that is placed on top of the tobacco bowl covered with foil, just like when using traditional charcoal. This coil needs to be plugged into a socket, and it will start heating up immediately, while also heating the air around it. In other words, the traditional process of lighting charcoal for hookah with smoking, regular checking, and shuffling when using such a device is not necessary at all. Naturally, constant access to electricity is required for the electric coal to work.
Tips and recommendations.
The precise answer to the question of which hookah charcoal to choose depends on your specific case. Thus, you should take into account the following key parameters:
- Price. The most expensive option is electric coal, followed by natural (with the cheapest subtype being wood), and then chemical;
- Location. Natural and electric coal are best suited for smoking indoors, while chemical material is better used outdoors;
- Environmental friendliness. If you are a staunch advocate of a healthy lifestyle, you are unlikely to be able to use chemical coal, and you will probably feel most comfortable using electric coal.
To turn any of your hookah sessions into a true work of aromatic art, you need to learn how to deal with each type of coal and choose them wisely for each specific case. Don’t be afraid to try something new and develop your skills!