Exotica Haterz

[mushrat]

What we have here is a perfect example of the problems with Exoticas. They are inconsistant in quality.

Now mind you I use them in my shop and I sell them because, overall, they are the best finger coals i have found, but their widely varying quality problems still are an issue.

[newjacksm]

What we have here is a perfect example of the problems with Exoticas. They are inconsistant in quality.

Now mind you I use them in my shop and I sell them because, overall, they are the best finger coals i have found, but their widely varying quality problems still are an issue.

What kinda problem is that??do they fall apart when you try to break them apart? Ill be so mad!!!! Edited October 16, 2008 by newjacksm

[mushrat]

What we have here is a perfect example of the problems with Exoticas. They are inconsistant in quality.

Now mind you I use them in my shop and I sell them because, overall, they are the best finger coals i have found, but their widely varying quality problems still are an issue.

What kinda problem is that??do they fall apart when you try to break them apart? Ill be so mad!!!!

I have all the problems addressed in these posts. They break or shatter when you are cracking them unlin, they split on the stove or one the bowl, they ash white sometimes and dirty the next, within the same box soem sticks are so dence i have to break them over the edge of a counter, other crumble in your hand.

This is a result of the "improvements" exotica apparently made to the newer "version." They had origianlly pumped up the idea they were going to pre-score them so they would break easier because the original versions were so hard i had to use a hack saw to get them into small enough pieces. So then they just said "we're making them easier to break." wich can only mean they made them less dense in the first place. Less dense means less matererial is being compressed to make the same size coal. So what they have really done is cheap out on the manufacturing and materials while calling it an "improvement." And they are still inconsistant in quality with fingers from the same box. As i've discussed in various threads before, many coals will start of great to capture the attention of the market, then slowly reduce the quality over time. As i've been told a number of times, there isnt much money in charcoal production, so companies do what they can to maximize profit.

[Stuie]

I like Exoticas. They are my backup coals. Here are the few little annoyances i have with them.

1) I got to break them kind of annoying (but plus i can make them 4ths or 3rds)

2) Don't last long as my Cocos (just the truth)

3) They tend to fall apart on the bowl...right down the middle it's weird

But on the plus side they do ash better than my cocos. More flaky than fine so it does fall down the holes into the bowl.

[newjacksm]

What we have here is a perfect example of the problems with Exoticas. They are inconsistant in quality.

Now mind you I use them in my shop and I sell them because, overall, they are the best finger coals i have found, but their widely varying quality problems still are an issue.

What kinda problem is that??do they fall apart when you try to break them apart? Ill be so mad!!!!

I have all the problems addressed in these posts. They break or shatter when you are cracking them unlin, they split on the stove or one the bowl, they ash white sometimes and dirty the next, within the same box soem sticks are so dence i have to break them over the edge of a counter, other crumble in your hand.

This is a result of the "improvements" exotica apparently made to the newer "version." They had origianlly pumped up the idea they were going to pre-score them so they would break easier because the original versions were so hard i had to use a hack saw to get them into small enough pieces. So then they just said "we're making them easier to break." wich can only mean they made them less dense in the first place. Less dense means less matererial is being compressed to make the same size coal. So what they have really done is cheap out on the manufacturing and materials while calling it an "improvement." And they are still inconsistant in quality with fingers from the same box. As i've discussed in various threads before, many coals will start of great to capture the attention of the market, then slowly reduce the quality over time. As i've been told a number of times, there isnt much money in charcoal production, so companies do what they can to maximize profit.

The exotica japanese split when they are on the stove it gets me mad. I had a fireworks show in my room when I went to pick it up with my tongs and they exploaded every where... I really do hate those coals dont recommend them to anyone. Hopefully I will have better luck with the Exoticas and if I dont I will get the Lemon Wood, they use them at some hookah bars here and I really like them. They seem to go out pretty quick though.

[melanko]

My take on most of these coals, from Exoticas, CoCo Naras, and HC Coconut coals, they all smoke great and produce good heat. My problem between them is definitely the user friendliness.

Coco Naras take longer to light, but come pre-cut, don't produce much ash, and I find them much more durable.

HC Coconut coals are quicker to Light than CoCo Naras (if only by a minute or two), come pre-scored, but produce a lot more ash and I find them a tad more brittle.

With Exoticas, I found it a pain to have to cut them myself (eventually took my dremel to them) and are brittle and ashy.

So I'm cool with spending a little more for CoCo Naras just due to them being easy to use and work fantastic.

[Scoop]

i think exoticas are great for 5 bucks a box. thats what they sell out here.

my gf doesn't like them however, so ive switched to coco (not naras) coals...personally ive never had 1 bad box of exoticas and ive used over 36 of them. i break them in half with my hands, start the halves and break them with tongs in my coal carrier.

[DarkParade]

The exotica japanese split when they are on the stove it gets me mad. I had a fireworks show in my room when I went to pick it up with my tongs and they exploaded every where... I really do hate those coals dont recommend them to anyone. Hopefully I will have better luck with the Exoticas and if I dont I will get the Lemon Wood, they use them at some hookah bars here and I really like them. They seem to go out pretty quick though.

ive had every brand you can think of blow up on me its not just them