Natural Coals

[ZenSilk]

Well, i just recently started using Natural Coals exclusively (Exoticas of course).
I get them all lit and stuff, and they start to ash, you know the drill.
When i put them on the bowl and take a couple hits, the part that is on the bowl goes back to dark grey/black color.
I lift it up, blow on it, and it stays that color except on the edges where it turns red.
So i flip the coal around to a different red side and the whole thing starts over again.
Does this happen to anyone else?

>No the shisha is not toasting.
>Yes, the coals are lit completely, when they aren't on the foil they turn red hot in the O2 rich air.

[anathema]

I think they need to be more thoroughly heated. I've had that problem with natural coals and regular firewood before.

That just seems like the outer coat of your coal is burning. Have you tried letting them sit for a while to get the core to start burning?

Plus, how black does it turn? enough to cause a problem? because since it's touching something else, there's no oxygen getting to that part right away so it turns black and the immediate transfer of heat is also likely.

Or you just have shitty coals.

[ZenSilk]

hehe Exotica's are the kings of coals.

And i have them heated enough, cause they turn redhot when i flip them.

I guess just lack of 02. But that means i have to make a space between the foil and coal surface to get airflow.. and that's boring.

[anathema]

That's why oddly shaped firewood chips are awesome.

[ZenSilk]

Ahh that's a good point.. maybe some smiley coals are in order?

[NoDeadBodies]

when you say firewood do you mean a piece of a tree that is in the fireplace kind of thing? ive never heard of doing that

[NoPeace]

I actually have a question about natural coals. I use lemon wood coals and the first thing that I noticed was that they are really odd shappen. When I light them I can never get a side of them that steadily sits on the bowl or covers any of the top because there will be like two points that rest on the aluminum foil and the rest of it is like elevated. Is there a tip for getting natural lights to work better?

[Estariol]

it's certainly a matter of how well heated they are. you can get a good solid outer layer of red that can wear off quickly. you need to heat them to the core. shouldn't spend less that 10 minutes of direct flame before taking them off (unless your stove is like a flamethrower). Once you've taken them off and have them in your coal holder, hold the coal holder by its handle and twirl it round. centrifugal force will hold the coals in and while they twirl they light up tremedously well. this ensures that they will stay alight and have burned deeply.

[Estariol]

it's certainly a matter of how well heated they are. you can get a good solid outer layer of red that can wear off quickly. you need to heat them to the core. shouldn't spend less that 10 minutes of direct flame before taking them off (unless your stove is like a flamethrower). Once you've taken them off and have them in your coal holder, hold the coal holder by its handle and twirl it round. centrifugal force will hold the coals in and while they twirl they light up tremedously well. this ensures that they will stay alight and have burned deeply.

*please delete this double post. my internet was lagging and it posted twice. Edited November 25, 2007 by Estariol

[boulderkid303]

I use these all the time, I believe they are rayvers fav coals aswell. I let them heat up for 8-10mins actually. Flipping every 3 mins. Also when you put them on the bowl take hits really quick like 5-6 and then flip them and ur set!

[poopooshaboo]

god, that sounds like so much work, my baroodys take like 5minuts on the stove and theyre set. thats it. no finicking

[NoPeace]

I actually have a question about natural coals. I use lemon wood coals and the first thing that I noticed was that they are really odd shappen. When I light them I can never get a side of them that steadily sits on the bowl or covers any of the top because there will be like two points that rest on the aluminum foil and the rest of it is like elevated. Is there a tip for getting natural lights to work better?

still wondering....

[nitrousconsumed]

I actually have a question about natural coals. I use lemon wood coals and the first thing that I noticed was that they are really odd shappen. When I light them I can never get a side of them that steadily sits on the bowl or covers any of the top because there will be like two points that rest on the aluminum foil and the rest of it is like elevated. Is there a tip for getting natural lights to work better?

still wondering....

i buy lemon wood coals too, but i usually choose a big one (coal[not too big]) and put it in my fireplace for about ten minutes. then when it's basically red and on fire (without the fireplace/stove being on) i break it up into three or four smaller pieces. that way those smaller pieces are emanating the same amount of heat that a larger chunk would and at the same time they're able to cover more of the bowl. you get a nice even burn throughout the bowl and you're able to add/subtract coals to your liking. also, using a chimney/wind cover works pretty well to keep them hot. if you dont have one just cut the bottom of a soda can and poke some holes through it and set it on top of your bowl. or wrap foil around your bowl, that works too. Hope that helped. Edited November 27, 2007 by nitrousconsumed