Improve Your Smoking Experience With the Best Hookah Charcoals
Hookah Charcoals: Buying Guide
Choosing the right hookah charcoal for your set-up can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. To make the shopping process easier for you, here is our guide detailing all you need to know and consider when buying hookah charcoals.
Things To Look for When Buying Hookah Charcoals
Material quality
The material quality of hookah charcoals is an important factor to consider when deciding which one to buy. You should look for charcoals made from materials such as coconut shells and compressed wood, as these create an even heat distribution and provide a long burning session when used correctly. These materials also produce less smoke and odor, which is a plus.
Temperature sustenance
When buying hookah charcoal, it’s important to consider how much heat it can sustain throughout your session. You should ensure that the hookah charcoals you pick provide a consistent heat level that won’t fluctuate during your sessions. With lower-quality charcoals, the heat may drastically dip, resulting in an uneven smoking experience. You can check if the hookah charcoal you got can sustain its temperature well by going through its reviews.
Tips for Buying Hookah Charcoals
Check the ignition time
Save yourself precious time by selecting a hookah charcoal that ignites quickly and is ready to go within minutes of lighting up. You can also go for self-igniting hookah charcoals that only require a flame to help them get started and reach their full temperature potential. Charcoals with longer ignition times can be frustrating to wait around for and can cause delays while setting up your smoking session. So opt for one that lights up quickly and requires less maintenance.
Go for a larger pack size
The amount of pieces included in a package is also an important factor to consider when it comes to buying hookah charcoals. Buy the pack size that best fits your smoking habits. Larger packs will usually last longer than smaller ones and also give more bang for your buck.
How We Chose the Top Hookah Charcoals
Smoke levels
It is generally best to avoid hookah charcoals that produce too much smoke, as it can ruin the flavor. This is why we only choose hookah charcoals that produce low smoke levels, so you can get the best flavor from your hookah. You can check if hookah charcoal produces too much smoke by going through its product description or reviews.
Odorless
Not everyone enjoys the smell of burning charcoal embers. We ensured that the hookah charcoals we chose produced no odor that could ruin the taste of the smoke. This way, you can get the optimal hookah experience.
Cautions To Take When Using Hookah Charcoals
Watch out for carbon monoxide
Burning hookah charcoals without sufficient ventilation can be dangerous. This is because charcoals can produce carbon monoxide, which can be deadly. The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, confusion, and blurred vision.
You should keep an eye out for these symptoms when using your hookah charcoals. Additionally, avoid buying hookah charcoals that produce too much carbon monoxide. You can check if a hookah charcoal pack produces excessive carbon monoxide by looking at its reviews.
Keep fire safety in mind
Hookah coals pose a fire hazard when burned near flammable objects such as clothes or papers, so make sure to clear out flammable substances away when handling hookah charcoals. Also, follow the storage instructions mentioned on the box of the hookah charcoal carefully to ensure longevity and better fire safety.
Reviewing the Top Hookah Charcoal of 2023
M. ROSENFELD Hookah Charcoal – Best Overall
For the first spot on our list, we have this hookah charcoal pack by M. ROSENFELD that comes in nine size variations. It is made of a natural coconut shell with 0% impurities, allowing the smell and taste of your shisha hookah flavor to stay pure. Not only that, but due to its long burning time, you can enjoy your hookah for up to 90 minutes without having to change coals. This pick is compact which results in less ash being left behind in your hookah tobacco. The coconut coals briquettes are very strong and organic which makes them stay lit for longer than quick-light coals, making them ideal for hookah use.
They are also odorless and tasteless, which is a plus. Additionally, they are very strong, so if they happen to fall down, they won’t break. You can also use the charcoals for BBQ coals and coconut charcoal grilling. The tastelessness, long-lasting burning, and odorlessness of this product have earned it the first spot on our list.
Pros
- Zero taste or smell from the coals
- No sparking or cracking when heated
- Long lasting burning
- Less ash produced
Cons
- Can take some time to light up
Charcoal Master Hookah Charcoal – Long-lasting
The runner-up on our list is this hookah charcoal by Charcoal Master, which includes ten rolls. This pick is made from 100% natural fruit tree wood without any added chemicals or toxins. The best part is that the large capsules allow for a slow-burning flame that lasts for 45 minutes or more. This means that you can enjoy a long-lasting burn, allowing you to relax and fully appreciate the rich incense flavor. It is also free of odors or flavors, so you can enjoy the true aroma of your chosen incense.
You can also easily light it up using a match or lighter. Additionally, the charcoal briquettes offer a smooth and even flame making them great not just for incense burning but also for spa treatments, Turkish treatments, and aromatherapy. For extra peace of mind, there is a 30-day money-back guarantee included so you can purchase with confidence.
Pros
- Burns for long periods of time
- No bad smell after the smoke dissipates
- Comes in two charcoal sizes
- Provides a slower and steady burn
Cons
- It is on the pricier side
Coco Nara Hookah Charcoal – Natural Coal Option
Next, we have this hookah charcoal pack by Coco Nara, which is a great choice for those looking for a natural charcoal option to use for their hookah or shisha. This product is made from 100% natural coconut shell with sulfur. It also leaves less than 5% in ashes after burning. Not only is it clean-burning and tasteless, but it is also economical and environmentally friendly.
Each box contains 120 charcoal pieces, each of which can burn for up to 60 minutes, making it ideal for longer smoking sessions. It is also made without cutting down any trees during the manufacturing process. The customers really loved the longevity of this product and they were also impressed by its nice flavorless smoke.
Pros
- No accelerant or taste added
- Produces minimal coal dust
- Does not produces any aftertaste
- Suitable for incense and wood burning
Cons
- A little pricy
eCoal Hookah Charcoal – Fast Lighting
eCoal has created high-quality hookah charcoal which is quick and easy to light. It boasts amazing versatility, working on practically any type of hookah, pipe, or smoking instrument. It also provides a strong burn that helps to keep your hookah perfectly heated up and ready to smoke. Additionally, it comes in boxes of 100 pieces, with ten bags containing ten pieces each. The coal tablets have a size of 33 mm which offers long-lasting burning and fast results so that you can enjoy your shisha session as soon as possible.
The low amount of ash produced also makes cleanup much easier. Overall, the eCoal Hookah Coal is a great choice for an easy and efficient way to light up your hookah. Its quick burning impressed the customers the most. They also liked the great value for money it provides.
Pros
- Lights up quickly with a normal lighter
- Burns slowly and evenly to generate a good amount of heat
- Provides good value for money
Cons
- Only comes in one size option
320° Hookah Charcoal – Stylish Pick
This hookah charcoal by 320° is completely natural and made using a unique Indonesian method. It is produced without any chemical additives, making it safe and sustainable to use. It also comes in a large pack size with 72 cubes, each of which is 25 mm. This pick can provide a burning time of up to 100 minutes, making it perfect for smoking hookah shishas or barbecues. It burns with little to no smoke and with minimal ash residue, reducing the time and effort needed for cleaning up after each session.
Additionally, it produces consistent heat upon ignition, which is a plus. It also has very low sulfur content, which results in an enjoyable taste with no unpleasant smells. This product is highly reliable and efficient, making it the perfect choice for hookah enthusiasts. It is also very easy to prepare and light.
Pros
- Easy to use and setup
- Provides good value for the price
- Reliable and strong burn
- Low ash residue
Cons
- More size options would be nice
People Also Asked
A: The right type of hookah charcoal for you depends on your personal preferences, as each type offers unique benefits. Different materials used to make charcoal affect its taste, flavor, heat transfer, and burn time. Popular types of hookah charcoal include quick-lighting charcoals, compressed wood charcoals, and coconut shell charcoals. Coconut shell charcoals generally create higher temperatures. Compressed wood particles offer more moderated levels throughout their burn time, depending on airflow.
A: Finding the right size and shape for your smoking needs can be tricky. Different charcoal sizes have different burn times. Generally, a larger piece of hookah charcoal will burn for much longer. Most hookah users prefer to use cube-shaped charcoals that measure 1 inch in diameter. However, some people prefer to use bigger cubes for even longer smoking sessions. Pick the hookah charcoal size that best fits your smoking habits. If you are unsure, you can always go for a medium-sized hookah charcoal and light another one if you run out. You can also pick a larger coal size and put it out when you are done. You can then relight it when needed. Relighting isn’t generally recommended due to diminishing quality over time, but it can be quite useful if you need extra burn time during your sessions.
A: Typically, it takes about 5-10 minutes to fully heat a piece of hookah charcoal. The exact amount of time will depend on the type of charcoal being used and other factors such as temperature and airflow. You should use a hookah that allows you to control the airflow to the charcoals so you can use the hookah charcoals more efficiently. Having control over how much oxygen reaches your coal will help prevent unwanted effects such as overheating during active smoking sessions. This allows you to extend the lifespan of hookah charcoals over multiple uses.
A: Yes, there is a difference between natural and flavored hookah charcoal. Natural charcoal is usually made from compressed wood chips or sawdust and provides an even, consistent heat source without any flavoring. On the other hand, flavored charcoal contains additives such as fruit juices, oils, or spices that infuse their flavor into the smoke when heated up. Keep in mind that flavored hookah charcoals are different from ones with impurities or additives. Low-quality hookah charcoals use additives or fillers throughout their production process. This results in more ash residue production and difficulty lighting up the hookah charcoal. So avoid hookah charcoals with additives.
A: Yes, there are certain health risks associated with smoking hookah, including the risk of contracting contagious diseases due to sharing the mouthpiece among multiple users. Additionally, hookah tobacco contains toxins and carcinogens like the ones found in cigarette smoke, making it harmful to your lungs and heart health over time.
A: The number of pieces of hookah charcoal you should use depends on the size of your bowl and how hot you want your smoke to be. Generally speaking, you can get good smoke going by only using three to four hookah charcoal pieces per session. You can also adjust the number of pieces according to your personal preference as needed.
