How Do You Guys Use Finger/log Coals?

[the_cool]

What size do you cut them to? How many peices do you use? And most importantly how do you arrage them? For example do you lay two peices side by side in the middle? Three pieces in a trainagle around the edge of the bowl? Four peices in a sqaure?

I guess the problem im getting is that I cant get the smoke i want, sometimes its too thin, or way too strong, somestimes even coaly! With the log coals, the surface area that touches the foil is really small but when using more than one coal next to each other, the surface area is huge due to the coals sharing the heat.

Ive searched the forum but can't seem to get a definate answer.

Thanks guys oh btw im using SB flavours on a KM Exotica. Use heavy duty foil, and the holes are a bit smaller than toothpick size and evenly spaced through out the bowl, not too many.

[TBatcho07]

Well for holes I make 3 rings around the bowl and sometimes put 2-4 holes in the middle(toothpick size).

As for the coal its self..The size is what you prefer.I,myself,like to use 3-4 small pieces.




A REALLY good hole technique is to poke holes in square shapes(2-3 squares) around the bowl/tinfoil and lay the coals directly on top of the square holes ..Trying it for the first time today actually..But I've seen this is MANY reviews.

[Mirus]

Well, I used to use some log coals that came in a 2 pound red bag and had an indian dude smoking a hookah with someone on the front. I cut the logs in half to maximize surface area, but they died too quickly. You can also take a metal file and file down one side a bit so it has more surface area and doesn't roll everywhere.

[TBatcho07]

[quote name='Mirus' date='Oct 30 2008, 06:19 AM' post='307040']
Well, I used to use some log coals that came in a 2 pound red bag and had an indian dude smoking a hookah with someone on the front.
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Al-Ajdad...I use those,they are very good coals actually ..What did you think of them? Edited October 30, 2008 by TBatcho07

[Mirus]

They were good and cheap, but I prefer Coco's. Sadly, I ran out of Coco's so I'm back to using the logs until I can afford more Cocos!!!

[AKammenzind]

Back when I used them (mainly just use japs/QL's/bulk now, cheaper) I'd just break them into sections as small as was easy. Normally around an inch long I think. Pop 3-4 on and call it done.

[the_cool]

Well for holes I make 3 rings around the bowl and sometimes put 2-4 holes in the middle(toothpick size).

As for the coal its self..The size is what you prefer.I,myself,like to use 3-4 small pieces.




A REALLY good hole technique is to poke holes in square shapes(2-3 squares) around the bowl/tinfoil and lay the coals directly on top of the square holes ..Trying it for the first time today actually..But I've seen this is MANY reviews.

How did it work out then? Thats a pretty good idea! Gonna try that today. with some SB xmas mix.

[Giant Ninja Robot]

i tried it with the CH coals and it worked well, though i poked two extra sets of the square shape to rotate the spot the coals were on, so I dont know if that affected the smoke at all or not. Got good smoke though.

I'll have to try it again with exoticas and see whats up

[MrMoodz]

With the Nour coals I typically use 2-3 small pieces depending on the size of the bowl. Sometimes I start with 2 and use a windcover then add the 3rd after the 2 aren't putting out as much heat. Nour has always been my go-to coal. One of the local shops I go to carries it for $3.99 per kilo bag which is awesome. I recently have been using Coco's but halfway through my session I light up a small nour to keep the bowl going.

[Scoop]

nour coals have to be some of the worst natural coals ive ever used. some of them had sulphur spots on the ash, straight yellow. thats nasty and terrible

[MrMoodz]

nour coals have to be some of the worst natural coals ive ever used. some of them had sulphur spots on the ash, straight yellow. thats nasty and terrible

Damn man I haven't seen that before.

[Scoop]

nour coals have to be some of the worst natural coals ive ever used. some of them had sulphur spots on the ash, straight yellow. thats nasty and terrible

Damn man I haven't seen that before.

i threw away 3 bags. i wish i took pics. they would ash over extremely quick as well.

[the_cool]

nour coals have to be some of the worst natural coals ive ever used. some of them had sulphur spots on the ash, straight yellow. thats nasty and terrible

The ash from mine is a bit yellowy, you getting me worried now!

I swear if i could find a better coal in the UK I would buy it without hesistation. Edited October 30, 2008 by the_cool

[SixPackSunday]

i heart the nours... hands down...

[inino]

i used to use these type of finger coals. i would first take a flat head screw driver and break the log into 4 equal pieces then i would take the little pieces and cut them down the middle( a small hit to the top of the screw driver can do this) it should have a "D" or a semicircle shape if you look from the side. i would put 3 pieces on a smaller sized bowl and 4 on a larger bowl, all around the edges.
the coal may be small and thin, but if you have the patience to cook up fresh ones every like 15 minutes or so you will get a really good smoke. if you dont have the patience then just break them into 4 even pieces and put them on top. the smoke will be slightly more difficult to handle. you may have to take a coal off and put it back on when they start ashing off.

[Click]

I just snap the finger coal in half. Put it on the coil stove from walgreens. When the two halves are lit, I smack them into quarters with the tongs. And use 3 1/4's.

[Bulldog_916]

I cut them into quarters before I use them. As a matter of fact, I just purchased some Stargate finger coals today. Things are denser than Coconaras, Exoticas, or any other coal I've used, and I've been around the block with coals.

Firing up a smoke later on, we'll see how well they do. But I'm expecting greatness.

[Sahara Smoke Co]

For fingers usually I cut outside with a little hacksaw to minimize pieces chipping off. Outside because it does make little bit of black coal dust. Try to keep them as cubic as possible.

[the_cool]

Wow thanks for the responses guys! Hopefully I can perfect my sessions soon, I actually got a small phunnel today! A friend of mine got it for me out the blue! So im gonna see how the finger coals work on the phunnel, hopefully better!