Better Than Tongs

[MechAnt]

After I lost my tongs, i've found an alternative that is better than any tongs i have ever used PERIOD.

They are called:

Chopsticks. That's right, chopsticks.
Not your standard wooden ones, but good quality metal ones.
Being Asian, it is a necessity for me to know how to use chopsticks.

The good quality ones are made from stainless steel and must be very well made seeing that you put them in your mouth. Here's what I use:

[attachment=409:hookah.jpg]

If you want to use these, you must learn the proper technique on how to use chopsticks otherwise they are only useful for holding up long hair. Look it up and you will surely learn. It'll take practice but once you get it they work better than any pair of tongs on the market.

Chopsticks have extreme precision in everything they do. You can pick up the coals with ease, break coals by stabbing at them, anything you will them to do, they will follow. I highly recommend those to anyone in search of a more flexible tool to handle coals with to use metal chopsticks

[SafeSearchOff]

wow, thats really clever, and I am fully adept in the art of the chopstick!

although, being part asian myself and growing up in japan, im gonna go out on a limb and disagree that the metal ones are good quality. maybe as hookah stix, but the ornate wooden ones are much better.

[MechAnt]

Oh yea, definately.

Its jsut good quality ones in that they are stainless steel and such.

Nice wooden ones over steel ones any day. Either way, a pair costs all of $1 Edited June 30, 2007 by MechAnt

[yashman19]

Just a quick reminder for all you non asians out there who don't have experience with chopsticks. Really listen to Mechant and take his advice in practicing before you give them a go on coals... Don't learn how to use chopsticks with burning hot coals, nothing but trouble can come out of it..

Also have you noticed the metal chopsticks getting at all hot? Have you tried holding a hot coal long enough to test this? Or is it really no different than holding regular tongs? Just seems that since the chopsticks are so thin, they'd absorb the heat pretty fast and move towards your fingers.

[MechAnt]

Just a quick reminder for all you non asians out there who don't have experience with chopsticks. Really listen to Mechant and take his advice in practicing before you give them a go on coals... Don't learn how to use chopsticks with burning hot coals, nothing but trouble can come out of it..

Also have you noticed the metal chopsticks getting at all hot? Have you tried holding a hot coal long enough to test this? Or is it really no different than holding regular tongs? Just seems that since the chopsticks are so thin, they'd absorb the heat pretty fast and move towards your fingers.

Just as with tongs, they will get quite warm however I did not notice the heat rising up the chopstick itself at all. Surprisingly enough they stayed cooler longer than tongs ever did for me. The tips get hot tho just like tongs so one must be careful.

[SafeSearchOff]

i think im going to post an faq for you interested ones on using chopsticks... not for hookah specifically, but in general. when i got to any asian eatery and i see you white folk (kind of funny.. im half white) trying furiously to scoop up rice to no avail only to ask your waiter who speaks minimal english for a fork and spoon, it tickles me, and also makes me feel pity for you silly people who havent yet realized to keep the damn chopsticks about 1 inch, a little less maybe apart and make scooping motions from the side... silly white folk!

[anathema]

metal chopsticks do transfer heat faster but they're also longer and thinner.
most of the heat is already dispersed into the air before it reaches you because of the huge surface area to volume ratio (lol i actually used this expression in a forum post gg).
just like how the thin metal pokers u use for roasting marshmellows don't get uncomfortably hot at the other end.

[Hearsay]

I drop coals frequently enough using my wide ass tongs. No thanks on the chopsticks.

[*HOT&SMOKING*]

Great idea with the chop sticks....I definetly have to try this!
Especially since I am ,how should I say this, chop stick literate LOL

H&S

[Johnny_D]

Ha ha ha!

I would have to be NUTS to use chopsticks LOL!

JD

[MechAnt]

You will all be shocked tho. If you become adept in the art of chopstick use, they work better than tongs! You can pick up those small little cherries that burn your carpet and even small little piles of ash off the bowl rather than blowing it off. I will too work on a FAQ on chopstick use in general. Perhaps SafeSearchOff and I can collaborate on it.

[Sonthert]

If you pick up charcoal by the flat, rather than the edge, tongs work a lot better, too. I pick them up by the edge, too, though.

[tkato]

lol im good with tongs and placing by hand it's hot but if you practice you can hold coals for a few seconds before the heat really kicks in

[glz88]

interesting idea although i'm happy with my tongs if i get some spare cash i might invest in that.

[Sonthert]

There's a lounge owner here in San Diego who carries hot Japanese coals with his bare hands.

[oggie505#2]

There's a lounge owner here in San Diego who carries hot Japanese coals with his bare hands.

hes proally got some good ole fisherman hands. Those things are like pieces of leather

[Calcartman]

I use tongs like this:


not quite the same ones, but same idea. BBQ tongs. they hold the coal without putting pressure on it if you grab it right, or you can use em like regular tongs (just grab a silver covered side on a jap coal or you'll crush it.