King Of Coal!

[ih303]

I'd like to try to get an idea of the kinds of coal being used in lounges out there.

I know we all have our own personal preferences, but the requirements of lounges are often different and require different types of products. The biggest factors for this type of use, I figure, are 1) Absence of smell/flavor and 2) Cost. So it would seem this would rule out QL's. But I don't know, what's everyone's feelings on this?

[Arcane]

seems like exoticas (barring quality issues) would be the best bet for lounges. mush uses them. but, most coals i see being used are jap style coals...i doubt they're canarys...probably the easy-lite chinese knockoffs.

[ih303]

Interesting, that. I've found most Japanese style coals flavor the smoke. And Exoticas just plain stink. They are cheap, though!

[supersubby]

hookah john ql coals !!

[Arcane]

Interesting, that. I've found most Japanese style coals flavor the smoke. And Exoticas just plain stink. They are cheap, though!

the canarys don't add much flavor when they're fully lit...when i'm lighting a coal on top of other coals, i can taste it...but it goes away.

the chinese knock-offs are extremely cheap...which i think is an acceptable trade-off for a slight slight disadvantage.

[fcbayern]

And Exoticas just plain stink. They are cheap, though!

I have never noticed a stink or flavor from Exoticas, I think between the leading brands (Coco's, CH, AF, and Exoticas) the best for the price are the exoticas. I have smoked them all (just about everything except canary's) and I still come back to exoticas.

Even if, like you say Exoticas have a flavor, its way less than any QL. From what I have found, most lounges use QL's and most of their customers dont smoke enough to know the difference, I dont think your customers are any different.

You may want to offer a Coal up-grade for those smokers who want a better coal. Charge an extra dollar a bowl and give them Coco's..

[white_rabbit]

I have never noticed a stink or flavor from Exoticas, I think between the leading brands (Coco's, CH, AF, and Exoticas) the best for the price are the exoticas. I have smoked them all (just about everything except canary's) and I still come back to exoticas.

Even if, like you say Exoticas have a flavor, its way less than any QL. From what I have found, most lounges use QL's and most of their customers dont smoke enough to know the difference, I dont think your customers are any different.

You may want to offer a Coal up-grade for those smokers who want a better coal. Charge an extra dollar a bowl and give them Coco's..

+1

99% of lounges that I have been to use QL. Everyone around me is having a good time and im like this taste like shit...

but exoticas are the best imo. I like HJ/CH coals but they get to be to expensive...same for coconara etc... im stuck on exotica lol

[joytron]

natural bulk tree coals

[Crys]

Ive been to one lounge where they used Starlight QLs....bleh not enough heat for the AF

and my favorite lounge uses naturals (I think cocos but I'm not sure because they have the bowl windscreens on all the time)

[Zinite]

Email John and see what his wholesale rates are. His naturals are AWESOME for the price.

[newjacksm]

All the hookah places i have been to use bulk coal they are huge chunky pieces of coal.

[Zinite]

All the hookah places i have been to use bulk coal they are huge chunky pieces of coal.

It also might be worth looking into the A-Fire coconut coals. People have had great success buying them in bulk (was it like 18 pounds for $40 or something?). You have to cut the coals up, but if you can get a bulk discount straight from AFire (even though amazon has free shipping) it might be worth it.

[BBKakes]

I would use CH Quick light coals for a couple of reasons:

1. You could just light them outside with no need for a hotplate / burner inside
2. They really have least amount of taste out of all the coals I've tried.
3. They really are good for brands commonly served at lounges such as AF and SB.

[ih303]

I really like CH coals. The only problem is we light them inside and I've had issues with the coals smoking rather severely, stinking everything up. I'm not sure if it was just a batch issue or what, but it has gotten me looking for alternatives.

If I can get golden canaries cheap enough, I might try those. I've used the chinese knockoffs before and don't really care for them. They taste like crap unless you get every last speck of silver burned off. Even then I find they still flavor the smoke. Are Golden Canaries any different? I've never used them.

[demonix]

I really like CH coals. The only problem is we light them inside and I've had issues with the coals smoking rather severely, stinking everything up. I'm not sure if it was just a batch issue or what, but it has gotten me looking for alternatives.

If I can get golden canaries cheap enough, I might try those. I've used the chinese knockoffs before and don't really care for them. They taste like crap unless you get every last speck of silver burned off. Even then I find they still flavor the smoke. Are Golden Canaries any different? I've never used them.

I think GC's would work well for a lounge because you can just have them light off whatever is already on the bowl, they aren't pricey, don't stink or give off much flavor, and they ash rather well.

[Brandon`]

I've never been to a hookah lounge that use anything but Three Kings Quick Lights. Been to over 6 lounges to.

[Click]

Every lounge I have ever been to here in LA uses bulk lemon wood coals.  They must be the cheapest overall.

[Scoop]

I really like CH coals. The only problem is we light them inside and I've had issues with the coals smoking rather severely, stinking everything up. I'm not sure if it was just a batch issue or what, but it has gotten me looking for alternatives.

If I can get golden canaries cheap enough, I might try those. I've used the chinese knockoffs before and don't really care for them. They taste like crap unless you get every last speck of silver burned off. Even then I find they still flavor the smoke. Are Golden Canaries any different? I've never used them.

I think GC's would work well for a lounge because you can just have them light off whatever is already on the bowl, they aren't pricey, don't stink or give off much flavor, and they ash rather well.

if i ran a lounge i would never let customers do start coal on the bowl...thats asking for problems.

i like golden canary the most but id say ive seen exoticas used the most at lounges

[RingsMaster]

bulk lemonwood, they are cheap and last a good amount of time, my new favorite coal period lol

[demonix]

I really like CH coals. The only problem is we light them inside and I've had issues with the coals smoking rather severely, stinking everything up. I'm not sure if it was just a batch issue or what, but it has gotten me looking for alternatives.

If I can get golden canaries cheap enough, I might try those. I've used the chinese knockoffs before and don't really care for them. They taste like crap unless you get every last speck of silver burned off. Even then I find they still flavor the smoke. Are Golden Canaries any different? I've never used them.

I think GC's would work well for a lounge because you can just have them light off whatever is already on the bowl, they aren't pricey, don't stink or give off much flavor, and they ash rather well.

if i ran a lounge i would never let customers do start coal on the bowl...thats asking for problems.

i like golden canary the most but id say ive seen exoticas used the most at lounges

Eric uses GC's at his lounge, I'm not sure if he has had any problems like that with them, but a friend and I both dropped a coal I'm pretty sure.
Sorry Eric! Don't kill me!

[srawas89]

The lounge here uses 3kings and if at a lounge I always thought that if you are using coils or gas to light the naturals you come across 2 potential problems A) you use up alot of energy especially when you get real busy to light coals customers may have to wait longer to get new coals and timing would have to be pretty damn good to please em.

Honestly I dont know how lounges can use naturals except for mayb lemon wood coals cuz you dont have to light those with a stove or anything just some lighter fluid and a place to burn em.

[Zinite]

The lounge here uses 3kings and if at a lounge I always thought that if you are using coils or gas to light the naturals you come across 2 potential problems A) you use up alot of energy especially when you get real busy to light coals customers may have to wait longer to get new coals and timing would have to be pretty damn good to please em.

Honestly I dont know how lounges can use naturals except for mayb lemon wood coals cuz you dont have to light those with a stove or anything just some lighter fluid and a place to burn em.

I don't think it would cost too much to leave a single coil on all day. Then you just have to be aware of who needs new coals, and put them on 3 minutes before you want to give them the coals. If the burner is already hot, it doesn't take very long to light up the coals.

[Sonthert]

Yeah, I use Golden Canaries. Customers can light their own coals if they want to without too much hazard. There are a number of knock-offs that taste and stink awful and don;t light on themselves...so why save the money?

[ih303]

Yeah, I use Golden Canaries. Customers can light their own coals if they want to without too much hazard. There are a number of knock-offs that taste and stink awful and don;t light on themselves...so why save the money?

Why'd you choose GC's over nats? I don't think they're any cheaper.

[white_rabbit]

The lounge here uses 3kings and if at a lounge I always thought that if you are using coils or gas to light the naturals you come across 2 potential problems A) you use up alot of energy especially when you get real busy to light coals customers may have to wait longer to get new coals and timing would have to be pretty damn good to please em.

Honestly I dont know how lounges can use naturals except for mayb lemon wood coals cuz you dont have to light those with a stove or anything just some lighter fluid and a place to burn em.

personally, i have a hard time going to a lounge and getting served a hookah with quicklights. a single coil burner is cheapers over time than wasting money on lighter fluid and burning the lemonwood... lol dont do it lol and i would wait for a good hookah and good coals rather than hurry up for the QL taste.

The lounge i go to has about a 5-10 min wait but its worth it so much. They use exotica coals and serve so many brands. awesome!