Naturals Vs. Ql's

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Okay, so after my Mya Base statistics thread, I thought I'd start this one as well.  What do you smoke with? Naturals, or Quicklights, or both?

For the sake of arguement, this is how the coals will be divided
Anything with a lighting catalyst is a QL - 3k's, Rollands, Starlights, and all Japanese Style Coals too.
Anything without any special coatings is Natural - Nour, Stargate, Smiley's, etc. Pretty much any finger, or lump coal.


Here's why I decided to make this thread:
I used to smoke both 3K's, Jap Coals, and Nours.  But then I sort of had an "Epiphany" today when smoking.  When compared back to back, I believe QL's just suck ass.  When smoking a bowl that completely started with QL's, like 3k's, you don't really notice a chemical flavor, but its there, real subtle-like.  I started off smoking today with a finger of Nour coals, smoke real nice, tastes like it should, etc.  Since I'm lazy, and don't want to run down stairs to light up another finger, I just whip out my lighter and light up a 3k.  First thing I notice: Nour ash is very very light grey, almost a white color.  QL ash is dark grey, and black. Ew.  Second: Immediate taste difference.  Tastse a little worse, and now I can definately detect a chemical flavor I'd never gotten before.  3rd: The QL's actually made me nauseous.  I am a frequent hookah smoker, smoking generally 4 times a week or more, and have been for 2 years.  I was smoking Al Fakher, with a low nic level, and I actually got nauseous, and it certainly isnt nicotine sickness.  I stuffed my face beforehad, and I can smoke a session of Nakhla or Tangiers without it giving me nic sickness (a short session... approx 50 min).  So my conclusion - its chemicals in the coals.

From now on, I smoke explusively natural coals, Smiley's, Nours, Stargates, whatever.  Just gotta be natural

Though I'd see what everyone else uses, and there thoughts on this matter, and if anyone has ever had an experience like this.

[lilbrownindian]

I like to use my naturals more but i usually cant go downstairs to light it up, on those occasions i just use a quick light, and yes i think they taste nasty!

[chinamon]

i strictly use 3kings because im usually smoking away from home but now im thinking about picking up a bag of naturals from a local shop and keeping them here at my buddy's place where there is a stove in the next room.

[olooko]

i strictly use 3kings because im usually smoking away from home but now im thinking about picking up a bag of naturals from a local shop and keeping them here at my buddy's place where there is a stove in the next room.

buy a blow torch , they work faster than a stove and you can do alot more than light your coals, i.e. melt army men

Sorry a bit off topic, getting back

I use both. I do notice that the ash from the QL is darker than my finger coals. I have box of Rolland Japs but i really don't like them because i have to wait for the paint to come off. I use finger naturals when I have time to sit and light them with my blow torch, I use the QL when I'm in a rush. It all depends on the molasses and and the time. If i have time to set up for a good session I use the fingers, otherwise QL here i come. Edited August 16, 2007 by olooko

[sdmopar]

Jap coals ftw!

[MechAnt]

Jap coals have best heat time to burn time to heat to awesomeness ratio

[symptom CY]

Yeah, I think Japanese coals are the best -- the real kind, with the sulfur removed. Though I'm not sure it's a fact that natural coals have less chemicals than quicklights -- sure, the quicklights have the starting agent, but I don't see any reason to believe it's not all burnt out by the time the coal is fully lit. Actually, I'm pretty sure the naturals are higher in sulfur, which is what affects the taste. I've tried Nour fingers, Stargate fingers, "Japanese" Easylites, and bulk natural, and I prefer 3 Kings 40mm over them all -- not because they're convenient, but because I think they have comparatively little effect on the flavor of the smoke.

[The fabulous Ian]

I've noticed that 3K's have more of an effect on the taste than my Golden QL's did, and both quicklights gave me a nauseous feeling almost without fail. "Japanese" Easy-Lites, once they're red hot and the paints off had somewhat of an effect on the taste, but not on my tummy. Natural coals were the same.

[stryet]

For me, Japs give the thickest smoke, Naturals give the best flavor, and I stay away from Quicklites because I'm cheap. Being cheap, however, has got me some real smelly Japs and really hard to maintain Naturals (stay away from Kwikstart brand Japs and Al-Ajdad Naturals--I swear they changed the formula). Honestly, quicklites are the most convienient in all regards. You can always count on your shop to carry the same brand, and that brand can be relied on for even heat. Yeah, there's a little chemical taste, but no chemical taste from a quicklite can compare nastiness these Kwikstarts I got.

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also - whats the deal with Nour and Al Ajdad coals? they come in the same bag, same nour "mascot" of the dude sitting there smoking, just different names printed? same coal, or different?

[Khaled]

I use both but I prefer the natural coals. The naturals have no taste, don't get harsh, and give a nice thick white smoke. The quicklights have an odd taste, get harsh easy, and they make a mess. The only good thing about quicklights is that I smoke 2-4 times a day so they are a lot easier to do then lighting natural coals.

[chinamon]

i strictly use 3kings because im usually smoking away from home but now im thinking about picking up a bag of naturals from a local shop and keeping them here at my buddy's place where there is a stove in the next room.

buy a blow torch , they work faster than a stove and you can do alot more than light your coals, i.e. melt army men

Sorry a bit off topic, getting back

I use both. I do notice that the ash from the QL is darker than my finger coals. I have box of Rolland Japs but i really don't like them because i have to wait for the paint to come off. I use finger naturals when I have time to sit and light them with my blow torch, I use the QL when I'm in a rush. It all depends on the molasses and and the time. If i have time to set up for a good session I use the fingers, otherwise QL here i come.

i would but there isnt enough room in my toolbox for a blow torch since i have three ziploc containers of shisha in there, a roll of alcan foil, hoses, two pairs of tongs, rolls of coals.... unless the make mini torches.. or mini cans of propane...

and when you light with a torch, where do you put the coal? do you hold it with the tongs? Edited August 16, 2007 by chinamon

[MechAnt]

My Berzomatic torch came with a heat spreader and i just place one or two coals atop it and let it rip! It lights them like a dream.

Also, butane torches that are meant for cigars work like a charm too. Just ignite the corners of the coal and let them sit while you pack a bowl and blow on them occasionally. Edited August 16, 2007 by MechAnt

[racemyghost]

SAFE, i think you already know what im going to choose...lol

[Sonthert]

What's Sonthert going to say?

Rhymes with Happazeeze...starts with a J...ends with and aponese....

[Ocrap]

Started with 3k, moved on to Golden QL, and now.............................................................................
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....................................I'm hooked on Nours. I can't stand QL's once I discovered Nours. The Triangles give the best smoke.

I tried Stargate natural, Diamante natural, but I can't stand them because of how good Nours is.

[NorthEastSmoker]

I voted for both, depending on the circumstances. If I'm visiting a friend, camping, fishing, etc, I will use the Golden quicklights..

if I'm at home and have the time; I'll use my small hotplate from my college days to light up the Al-Ajdad/Nours I have.. I prefer the old school round nours, but can't find them anywhere.. they're all the triangle al-ajdad now

[leadpipecinch21]

i do both. If i'm just chilling by myself, watching some TV or something, the QLs are much easier and much more convenient to use...also when i'm in a rush i use them. Naturals are reserved for one or two friends who don't care how long it takes to set up, or if i'm chilling by myself and want to get a real good, nice smoke. I don't notice much of a difference in flavor, though it's definitely there, with the quick lights, but the heat and all of that from the naturals is just much more ideal for the shisha...most of the time.

[Scoop]

japanese should not be considered quick lights...

[SafeSearchOff]

SAFE, i think you already know what im going to choose...lol

yep, cheap japanese "knockoff" coals.

[racemyghost]

SAFE, i think you already know what im going to choose...lol

yep, cheap japanese "knockoff" coals.

lol

[ReverieForest]

Despite the convenience of the quicklights. I've just got to stay the the naturals. The taste is just night and day for me, and since hookah is all about the taste, how could I use otherwize.

[ASUSEAN1]

3 kings

[SafeSearchOff]

wow, naturals are losing the battle! i though it would be the other way around.

[Brownman18]

buy a stove $20 for a hot plate, works fine the coil kind

box of naturals $4.99
box of quick lights $20

those are for me as i buy them locally.

The naturals dont give me headaches