Quality Coals?

[dizzbizz]

I've been mostly using those square japanese coals and 3 kings. I want to upgrade to something less ashy and I've heard great things about Coco Nara's but while I was browsing I saw Saalaam's natural orange wood coals. Does anyone know how those are? I just wanted to look for opinions and experiences. I haven't heard of them before but I have seen and rarely used natural coals. But thats only at a hookah lounge and the service sucks anyway. So I cant really judge from my own experience.

[ilikemyusername]

coconaras are really good, but they're pretty expensive. i dislike all of the natural wood coals, theyre all different shapes and sizes, kindof a pain in the ass. i really like exoticas myself, but theyre a bit messy because you have to cut the things down.

[srawas89]

well when you get natural orange wood, or lemon wood coals you have to light them differently. I personally have not been able to light them with a coil stove. I light them much like lighting coals on a barbecue. Find a surface you dont mind scorching (a metal tray for instance) and place a paper towel on it that has some lighter fluid on it. Place some natural coals on the paper towel but leave some of the paper uncovered by the coal. Spray some more lighter fluid on the coals and than place some more coals on top. Light the paper and wait a minute or two and than start fanning the coals and they are ready when they are producing their own flame. I hope I did not confuse you.

If you want coals that you can light with a coil stove than dont buy natural bulk charcoal like orange or lemon wood coals. Most people here will say coconut coals and their suggestions of brands will vary.

[Sherwood]

Coconut coals are excellent, and you owe it to yourself to give them a try. They light by simply being placed on a hot coil of an electric stove, which is easier than you think. It's so easy that I light quicklights this way, if I run out of coconuts and don't plan ahead.

I personally have experience with coconaras, and CH natural coconut coals from hookahjohn.com. They're basically interchangeable to me, save the fact that the CH coals seem to burn a little hotter, a little faster, and they're a fair bit less expensive.

Cocnaras come in 16 packs, so you can give them a try without much commitment. I'd do that -- I doubt you'll go back.

[Giant Ninja Robot]

I recently tried AF coconut coals and they're pretty darn good. They do ash a little bit more than CH.

You can try the AF ones in a 30 pk for about 4-5 bucks.

[evilded777]

I recently tried AF coconut coals and they're pretty darn good. They do ash a little bit more than CH.

You can try the AF ones in a 30 pk for about 4-5 bucks.

Wow.. they ash MORE than CH? Not to slam CH, because I use 'em more frequently than anything else no... but they do ash a LOT (well, at least compared to CoCo)

[Bye bye now have fun]

i use afires now because with 2 quarters i can smoke my small phunnel for an hour and a half. but they do stink when lighting

[Hellaslow]

AF coals A+

[evilded777]

i use afires now because with 2 quarters i can smoke my small phunnel for an hour and a half. but they do stink when lighting

I'm damn close to giving them a try. Where'd you pick up yours?

[delSol_si]

I recently tried AF coconut coals and they're pretty darn good. They do ash a little bit more than CH.

You can try the AF ones in a 30 pk for about 4-5 bucks.

Wow.. they ash MORE than CH? Not to slam CH, because I use 'em more frequently than anything else no... but they do ash a LOT (well, at least compared to CoCo)

+1

[Giant Ninja Robot]

I recently tried AF coconut coals and they're pretty darn good. They do ash a little bit more than CH.

You can try the AF ones in a 30 pk for about 4-5 bucks.

Wow.. they ash MORE than CH? Not to slam CH, because I use 'em more frequently than anything else no... but they do ash a LOT (well, at least compared to CoCo)

It's been months since I've had any CH, but the AFs seem to ash at least as much. My opinion could be skewed.

[judgeposer]

I've been mostly using those square japanese coals and 3 kings. I want to upgrade to something less ashy and I've heard great things about Coco Nara's but while I was browsing I saw Saalaam's natural orange wood coals. Does anyone know how those are? I just wanted to look for opinions and experiences. I haven't heard of them before but I have seen and rarely used natural coals. But thats only at a hookah lounge and the service sucks anyway. So I cant really judge from my own experience.

Are you using genuine Japanese coals (e.g. Golden Canary brand)? If so, why would you want to "upgrade" - the ash it produces doesn't really ever affect the session, and is much less that that produced from other coals.

[Bye bye now have fun]

i use afires now because with 2 quarters i can smoke my small phunnel for an hour and a half. but they do stink when lighting

I'm damn close to giving them a try. Where'd you pick up yours?

amazon but they stink when lighting i need to figure how to counter that. /me looks for scalli

[dizzbizz]

i dislike all of the natural wood coals, theyre all different shapes and sizes, kindof a pain in the ass.

yeah thats what i was hesitant about too

Are you using genuine Japanese coals (e.g. Golden Canary brand)? If so, why would you want to "upgrade" - the ash it produces doesn't really ever affect the session, and is much less that that produced from other coals.

Probably not genuine japanese coals. they look like them but I'm sure they're not. I don't know. Just looking for something different I guess. I also have another question.. I was reading that tutorial on packing a tangiers bowl and the pictured showed the shisha over the rip and the coals sittting right on it. but i found that when my shisha is on the foil it burns and makes my smoke harsh. Is that the same with tangeirs?

[dizzbizz]

well when you get natural orange wood, or lemon wood coals you have to light them differently. I personally have not been able to light them with a coil stove. I light them much like lighting coals on a barbecue. Find a surface you dont mind scorching (a metal tray for instance) and place a paper towel on it that has some lighter fluid on it. Place some natural coals on the paper towel but leave some of the paper uncovered by the coal. Spray some more lighter fluid on the coals and than place some more coals on top. Light the paper and wait a minute or two and than start fanning the coals and they are ready when they are producing their own flame. I hope I did not confuse you.

No I understand buddy. Thanks for the info. I'll probably grab some coconut coals. That just sounds too complicated and too much of a mess.

[srawas89]

haha yea. I only light natural bulk charcoals when I am using like 20-30 hookahs at once. (On occasion I help do a "hookah night" at my college campus). As far as personal use its a pain unless you are planning on smoking for a good 4-5 hours lol.

[redjako]

I recently tried AF coconut coals and they're pretty darn good. They do ash a little bit more than CH.

You can try the AF ones in a 30 pk for about 4-5 bucks.

AF Coco coals ash a little more then Coco Nara's and burn a LITTLE less hot (not much).

Ashing wise if thats your gripe with the japanese coals, coco styles are your best bet.

I like exotica's for tangiers (until I found japanese silver coals), but they really ash quite a bit and are 40-45 min max, where coco's can stretch to nearly an hour.