Natural Cowboy Charcoal...

[Giant Ninja Robot]

So I'm sick of plopping down 2 bucks for a roll of 3ks at the local shop while I wait for moneys to place my intended big order. My work sells these natural lump hardwood coals for $5 per 8.8lb bag.

http://www.nakedwhiz.com/lumpdatabase/lumpbag6.htm

Pics of the actual coals are further down the review page

Ignore the wierd stuff they've found in the bags commentary cuz i've used this a few times for grilling and it's not true. The review this site gives em seems almost tailor fit to use them as hookah coals.

My only reservation is that I don't really have a place outdoors (I read the reviews on other lump coal and they were all like "you must light them outside!") to light them and I'm concerned about A: carbon monoxide and B: smoking the shit out of my kitchen. What do you think?

BTW money is super tight right now so the "eh it's only 5 bucks" thing doesn't apply here.

Thanks peoples!!!

edit: I think I still have my charcoal chimney in the storage unit and could probly rig it up somehow to use outside if need be... Edited July 19, 2008 by giant ninja robot

[Snoopy1966]

They would definitely be need to be lit outside. If they are all wood coal I would see no reason you can't use them, Just make sure you get them really hot before you use them to smoke. May take some time to get it ready for use, thats the only draw back I see. Lighting in the kitchen would not be a good idea imo.

[NickReppinThe909]

notice the big CO warning at the top of the bag anyone ?

[Giant Ninja Robot]

notice the big CO warning at the top of the bag anyone ?

Yeah that's what the concern about carbon monoxide is spawned from. Although all similar coals have the same warning.

[NickReppinThe909]

i would just stick to coals designed just for hookah or wait for codename067 to chime in

[Snoopy1966]

notice the big CO warning at the top of the bag anyone ?

Ah yes, good catch I did not see that. But are they all natural wood GNR?? Could be a warning to light them in a well ventilated area also. If they are wood, it is no difference from the lump wood coal we can purchase I would think.

[mjdx88]

Dont try to cut too many corners, I would pass on this stuff. I have thought about it myself and have been even asked about this stuff at work if it could be used for hookah, (this stuff should be sold at your local home depot). I think that its going to produce too much CO and its gonna add a smokey taste to your shisha, since this is pretty much for smoking and cooking meats.

[Giant Ninja Robot]

I love how everyone notices the CO warning but not the label of the bag LOL.

It says 100% natural hardwood right on the bag

And Codename is who I got the idea from
http://www.hookahforum.com/?showtopic=5415&st=20
bottom of page... Edited July 19, 2008 by giant ninja robot

[NickReppinThe909]

if they are endorsed by codename i would give them a shot

[Giant Ninja Robot]

if they are endorsed by codename i would give them a shot

Different brand but Code said try em. I just want some more opinions. Really I want to know about lighting them inside. I could close the sliding door to the kitchen and throw open a window, turn the fan on... My gut says no but my laziness screams YES!

[Canon]

it says to light them outside for a reason. just fork out the money. i know your smoking but why take the extra risk? also do what i do, order bulk coals online. get a 3 pack deal from H-S (golden quicklights) and save a few bucks that way

[mjdx88]

could start buying potion too =P

[pigpen]

charcoal is charcoal - the major differences is from additives.
ALL charcoal gives off carbon monoxide. ALL.

[rowland]

charcoal is charcoal - the major differences is from additives.
ALL charcoal gives off carbon monoxide. ALL.

While i am not expert i would say that Cowboy charcoal is just as safe as a quick light. However being safe would not be my only concern, i have used this brand many times before (in my forge not hookah) and i can tell you it has issues. First off your talking huge chunks which your gonna have to break down. Sure charcoal is easy to break but its gonna make one hella mess. You also need to know that this brand burns really fast!

If your willing to live with that, i say go for it. Just do a short session outdoors and stop if you start feeling wonky.

[hookah hippie]

I would probably pass on it not sure how safe it is

[Giant Ninja Robot]

Decided not to try em. I figure if I refuse to smoke cigs because of the chemicals, why risk it with coals I'm not 100% sure of. Patience is a virtue after all.

[Codename067]

That warning advises you to make sure that you start the coals in a place where enough oxygen is flowing in.

Lightning these coals up in a closed room is not the brightest of ideas, and you could pass out/get CO poisoning if you inhale enough carbon monoxide.

I always smoke in my garage, so I always do my coals outside. Just make that the coals are completely lit from the inside out so that you will get no taste on the coals.

[Bulldog_916]

I'm sure somewhere in the city has to have easy lites or the diamante coals. Every place I've been to that's smoking related has had the diamante naturals. Every....single....one.

[Giant Ninja Robot]

I'm sure somewhere in the city has to have easy lites or the diamante coals. Every place I've been to that's smoking related has had the diamante naturals. Every....single....one.

maybe in CA dude. ive never seen nats in a michigan shop.

[Bulldog_916]

Also look for markets. I didnt expect a sleeper Mediterranean market here to have hookah stuff, but they did and LOTS of it. Dont give up. I'm absolutely certain there are naturals somewhere in your town. Search every hole in the wall.

http://yp.yahoo.com/ypResults.py?stx=smoke...144241&cs=4 Edited July 20, 2008 by Bulldog_916

[Giant Ninja Robot]

thanks for the tip bulldog there are plenty of mediteranean shops around here so ill check em out when i pass em by