Charcoal Question.....

[drizzt495]

Hey all,

I just set up my hookah for the first time tonight and had a smoke. The shisha was good (plum) but I was a bit disappointed with the smoke itself.

The charcoal I used was this:
http://www.hookah-shisha.com/store/pc/view...p?idCategory=24
Apparently its just a generic quick light briquette.

Anyway, I was using a creme brulee torch to sort of "blaze" the chacoal because I couldn't see good evidence that it was really lit. For awhile the smoke was pretty good, bu then it returned to it's previous mediocracy...

Can you give me any suggestions?
Thanks!

[antouwan]

the consensus around here is to get a legit natural charcoal, either legit natural wood (lemon wood, olive seed, or orange wood) or another natural, a lot of people here like either coco naras, al awa'el compressed coconut coals, chron hookah compressed coals, or exoticas...that should set you up

[DJ_HOSSEIX]

how many coals did you use?

I agree with antouwan, dump the chemical instant lights and go for the naturals (coconaras, exoticas, or CH naturals)

[aethiolas]

Personally, I use either exoticas or cocos for most of my stuff however I'll have to say that in the quick lite market, Golden Coals are awesome. I can taste some chemical flavor to it but it is very light so I think that you should be fine for a while(I used mine for 6 months without ever using naturals). As far as it being lit, I never had any problem getting those to light, just make sure they turn completely white all over and u should be fine, you probably just need to use more coals.

[ToncSTAR]

each to his own, i guess. i dont ever mind usin quick lites, i hardly ever taste charcoal. but if i was to choose a brand, i would use CH QL's or 3K QL's

[drizzt495]

Ok thanks!

I was using one little briquette at a time and I did NOT burn it til it was white all over, so thats probably the problem.

I don't know if it made a difference but I had to remove one of the extensions on the hookah (it is originally about 37" tall). I'll post a pic for you to see: http://img113.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00649nl0.jpg

[coplinb]

I would say go with some natural coals and use 2 or 3 of them and tinker around with proper heat management. You will eventually find what works for your bowl and what shisha you are using. It is a lot of trial and error with coals sometimes, but dont give up, because once you get it right the first time, it will be easy as pie.

[mattarios2]

Want something even more legit? Get golden canarys, the things ash black, actually they don't even ash the coals just shrink and the stuff ur left with is pieces of coal, there isn't even really any ash. I'd say one of the cleanest coals you can use.

[DJ_HOSSEIX]

is that the bowl you use for your sessions?

[drizzt495]

is that the bowl you use for your sessions?

No, sorry. I'm using a mya bowl. Don't have a pic, but it's pretty standard. It's female and I'm using a rubber grommet.