oksanaar Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Hi, all, I'm Oksana, a new member on the forum. Originally I'm Ukrainian, however, currently I'm married to a Jordanian, so I am happily residing in Amman I'm managing a small company (Based in Ukraine) involved in wood processing and furniture manufacturing.We've made a decision to start a production line for shisha charcoal, since /as you can understand/ we have a lot of wood that can be utilized. We've done our samples, however, I wanted to ask your expert opinion on what a great shisha charcoal should be like. If you had to make an ideal one, how would it look like/be like? We have hardwood in excess, additionally, we can get some soft wood like apple tree, cherry tree, etc. In particular we are curious of beech - how well it can be used. Based on the fast forum glance, there are indeed big lovers of shisha/arguilah here, and we hope you can give us some insight. Note: I hope this will not be perceived as an advertisement, since I did not even give the name of the company, and the product is not in the market yet. Looking forward to your responses, Oksana Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modisess Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 To generalize, ideally it has to be precut (squares), so the coals will have flat surfaces to make it easier to be placed on the bowl. Also,Long lastingDoesn't ash too muchDoesn't impart any "coal" flavor into the shisha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathrynx Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 QUOTE (modisess @ Feb 3 2009, 07:20 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>To generalize, ideally it has to be precut (squares), so the coals will have flat surfaces to make it easier to be placed on the bowl. Also,Long lastingDoesn't ash too muchDoesn't impart any "coal" flavor into the shishaI agree with this, and the "cubes" should be like 1 inch by 1 inch or a little bigger.Ukraine! I have a friend from Ukraine. She is currently in the capitol finishing up her school at the university, or that was the case when I last talked to her. Do you know a Kateryna Hrechko? I know, you don't know everyone, and its a pretty common name..lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fluffy Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 no specific order here.1. the coal should not fall apart when lit2. less ash=better coal (a wood coal will ash more than a coconut coal)3. no coal taste (this is the most important)4. shape well i dont care i use finger coals but squares or disks would be nice5. a good burn time. i should be able to have 1 set of coals last me an entire episode of desperate housewives (so 1 round should be at least an hour for light-moderate smoking)6. good price Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oksanaar Posted February 3, 2009 Author Share Posted February 3, 2009 Thank you all for fast replies!And no, unfortunately, I don't know Kateryna Hrechko I'm trying to understand exactly what you mean by 'no coal smell/taste'. I guess I've smoked shisha only in good places in Jordan, therefore I don't really know what 'bad taste/smell' is . I've tried locally produced charcoal in Jordan, and then tried our charcoal from Ukraine and it seems to be the same smell/taste. Additionally, is anyone of you located around Middle East? I'd love to give you a sample Regards, Oksana Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathrynx Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Japan close enough? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modisess Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 QUOTE (oksanaar @ Feb 3 2009, 06:10 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Thank you all for fast replies!And no, unfortunately, I don't know Kateryna Hrechko I'm trying to understand exactly what you mean by 'no coal smell/taste'. I guess I've smoked shisha only in good places in Jordan, therefore I don't really know what 'bad taste/smell' is . I've tried locally produced charcoal in Jordan, and then tried our charcoal from Ukraine and it seems to be the same smell/taste. Additionally, is anyone of you located around Middle East? I'd love to give you a sample Regards, OksanaCoal taste as in a chemical like flavor that some coals impart on the flavor of the shisha.QUOTE (Kathrynx @ Feb 3 2009, 06:12 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Japan close enough?How about Malaysia? Heh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zinite Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Precut is a must. I think 1"x1"x1" is too much though. Maybe .5" height.Some lesser quality coals smell and taste like charcoal after they are lit.Coal should last an hour AT LEAST Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atdi Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 QUOTE (oksanaar @ Feb 3 2009, 07:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Hi, all, I'm Oksana, a new member on the forum. Originally I'm Ukrainian, however, currently I'm married to a Jordanian, so I am happily residing in Amman I'm managing a small company (Based in Ukraine) involved in wood processing and furniture manufacturing.We've made a decision to start a production line for shisha charcoal, since /as you can understand/ we have a lot of wood that can be utilized. We've done our samples, however, I wanted to ask your expert opinion on what a great shisha charcoal should be like. If you had to make an ideal one, how would it look like/be like? We have hardwood in excess, additionally, we can get some soft wood like apple tree, cherry tree, etc. In particular we are curious of beech - how well it can be used. Based on the fast forum glance, there are indeed big lovers of shisha/arguilah here, and we hope you can give us some insight. Note: I hope this will not be perceived as an advertisement, since I did not even give the name of the company, and the product is not in the market yet. Looking forward to your responses, OksanaMost of what I was going to say has already been said - long lasting, pre-cut squares, no taste, acceptable ash content and no crumbly charcoals. However, i have one more suggestion: consistency! I guess this is just "quality control," but it's super irritating to buy a box of, say, exoticas and have them work great only for the next box to be garbage. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canon Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 fast lighting (not quicklights), dense so it lasts long, no coal taste, precut is a bonus, and cheap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wpw36 Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 precut cubes similar to coconara disks wouldn't be horrible, fast lighting, long lasting and most definately reasonable prices( no fancy ass packaging), no campfire smell when lightingi would happily test em if ya need it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scoop Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 my perfect charcoal exists...golden canary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yoyoyo Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 QUOTE (oksanaar @ Feb 3 2009, 07:10 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Thank you all for fast replies!And no, unfortunately, I don't know Kateryna Hrechko I'm trying to understand exactly what you mean by 'no coal smell/taste'. I guess I've smoked shisha only in good places in Jordan, therefore I don't really know what 'bad taste/smell' is . I've tried locally produced charcoal in Jordan, and then tried our charcoal from Ukraine and it seems to be the same smell/taste. Additionally, is anyone of you located around Middle East? I'd love to give you a sample Regards, OksanaHey man, im living in Cyprus, its very very close to Jordan! If you would like to send a sample here, i would appreciate it very much! Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuburbanSmoker Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 The top three for most people i smoke with would be easy to manage shape i.e flat on the bottom, easy to hold with a pair of tongs. the second would be taste. If you have a taste to it, less people will buy it. we smoke for the flavor and enjoyment of hookah. if you ruin the taste, kinda ruins the whole point to it. lastly, consider the longevity. I wouldnt want to have to light a new coal any sooner then 35-45 minutes after the first set was lit. You can call up the more popular companies that make charcoal for hookah smoking and ask them questions about their process. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scalliwag Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 QUOTE (oksanaar @ Feb 3 2009, 07:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Hi, all, I'm Oksana, a new member on the forum. Originally I'm Ukrainian, however, currently I'm married to a Jordanian, so I am happily residing in Amman That almost makes you Jamaican the quicker they light, the longer they last, that they have nice flat surfaces (so they sit nice on the foil), no smell/taste, and low cost. The less handling (breaking, etc.) and less ash the better.Best of luck on your endeavor Ok and welcome aboard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mustang_steve Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 If the coals are coconut, that the ash does not have huge particles in it that often plug the holes in the foil (if it's possible to make coconut coals like that though). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mustang_steve Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 LOL I had a "steve" moment....these are going to be wood coals, so here we go:Definate on the flavor...it must be neutral. Same for the odor imparted when lighting. In general, if you can smell it, you can taste it.Shape...I like discs myself, convex top, concave bottom (typical quicklight disc shape), as it stacks better, which helps with heat management on some bowls. I know I'm probably the only one here that prefers that.definately must last though....long lasting coals are great coals. Nobody likes having to interrupt a great hookah session every 40 minutes to drop new coals on....especially if they have a large phunnel bowl or other massive bowl, which can last 3-4 hours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drabin Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 everything everyone else has said.but one other thing. The lower you can keep the price the more people you will see trying your product. if you product is the same or more than the other natural coals no one will try it. bulk bags would be sick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inino Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 very dense wood that is cooked all the way through. i hate getting bulk coal that is still slightly woody. it adds a campfire smell and dies out. maybe overcook it if thats possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MechAnt Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 I want to agree with what everyone has said previously.One thing I can tell you that no one has yet....Consistent quality. Consistency has been a problem with many coal companies and I hope that you can create a shisha coal that is everything that everyone said with a consistent quality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oksanaar Posted February 4, 2009 Author Share Posted February 4, 2009 Thank you all so much. It has been extremely valuable to receive all these inputs. I will try to ship off to Cyprus Please, send me your contacts over email: oksana.arkhypchuk@gmail.comTake care all and enjoy your evenings with a nice shisha )best of luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeHT Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 I believe starch is added to the coal in the production process and that's that helps it "stick together" and gives out the bad "burnt potato" smell during lighting. So that's one thing to look into. Also, apart from what everyone has already said, packaging is important. The package should be easy to access and not too flimsy to break or tear during shipping or handling. If the coals will be in long blocks and no precut, something should be done to make sure they won't break during shipping. Have you looked into using different materials? Coconut cases, olive seeds, lemon tree?Good luck with your process? И привет из Москвы! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oksanaar Posted February 4, 2009 Author Share Posted February 4, 2009 QUOTE (MeHT @ Feb 4 2009, 11:59 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I believe starch is added to the coal in the production process and that's that helps it "stick together" and gives out the bad "burnt potato" smell during lighting. So that's one thing to look into. Also, apart from what everyone has already said, packaging is important. The package should be easy to access and not too flimsy to break or tear during shipping or handling. If the coals will be in long blocks and no precut, something should be done to make sure they won't break during shipping. Have you looked into using different materials? Coconut cases, olive seeds, lemon tree?Good luck with your process? И привет из Москвы! Privet We don't add starch to the coal. All our production is fully natural and environmental friendly. I'll take packaging into consideration.We thought of using mainly hardwood (beech - buk, oak - dub, etc.) as well as some soft wood (Cherry, apple, etc.). We want to focus on the wood we have around - of course Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fluffy Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 in my expirence all wood coals have a smell when lighting but should not smell when lit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yoyoyo Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 QUOTE (oksanaar @ Feb 4 2009, 12:37 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Thank you all so much. It has been extremely valuable to receive all these inputs. I will try to ship off to Cyprus Please, send me your contacts over email: oksana.arkhypchuk@gmail.comTake care all and enjoy your evenings with a nice shisha )best of luck!I send you my contacts on your email... I send you 2 emails, forgot some info on the first one Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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