Bulk-charcoals, Any Consensus?

[redjako]

For those who have purchased giant bags of bulk natural charcoal like:

AFire: Coconut Husk (same as Coconara's)
http://www.afireinc.com/Merchant2/merchant...Product_Count=0

And

Cowboy Charcoal: Natural wood (lemon?) coals
http://www.cowboycharcoal.com/press.htm

Is there any preference as to which of these works the best FOR hookah and is SAFE for such? AFires get good reviews, but look retarded to manage for the odd angles you probably get when breaking them.

Cowboy charcoal is very oriented for barbequing, though is supposedly just pure wood-based (no additives, lighter fluid, etc) charcoal, that would worry me to smoke.

Anyone tried different / cheaper / had them work safely, or is Afire the natural choice for a giant bulk bag?

[inino]

I use a brand called best of the west 100% natural. it comes in forty pound bags, works great, no odors, perfect heat and cheap. like 13 bucks a bag or something. I have asked other people if they have heard of it, but it might be just a regional thing.

[destructo]

i use afires and they rock. cut them into 1/4ths with a hack saw and put 2 on the very edge of a small phunnel on the flat side. then every 15 minutes as flip to the curved side and rotate. i had what looked like a repackage for walmart before i got the true afires. i think they got less dense but they still work well

[RingsMaster]

http://www.southsmoke.com/pd_romman.cfm
you have to figure out how much coal to use at first cause they dont burn that hot like cocos but once you get it down its a great smoke with these coals, and they are cheap as hell

[destructo]

http://www.southsmoke.com/pd_romman.cfm
you have to figure out how much coal to use at first cause they dont burn that hot like cocos but once you get it down its a great smoke with these coals, and they are cheap as hell

afires are 15$ for 7lbs on amazon and 1 coal cut into 2 sets of 2 4ths lasts about 3 hours. just looking at the price and weight afires are a better deal. side not they kind of stink when lighting

[Hippo_Master]

they work great for black style tobaccos. I prefer them.

[mjdx88]

Afires are easy to break and i havent ran in to many issues regrading angels of the coals.

[destructo]

black style tobaccos are?

[RingsMaster]

black style tobaccos are?

all i was saying is that they are great coals, havent had any troubles with them, not that there are better or worse coals out there

[Lilmopho]

http://www.southsmoke.com/pd_romman.cfm
you have to figure out how much coal to use at first cause they dont burn that hot like cocos but once you get it down its a great smoke with these coals, and they are cheap as hell

Yea romman lemonwood coals are awsome

[ryno]

I'd suggest a foil windcover with lump coal. Its the only way I've been able to keep them lit

[destructo]

I'd suggest a foil windcover with lump coal. Its the only way I've been able to keep them lit

my afires keep lit fine but you have to flip them ever 10-15 minutes. i do use a cover but only after they are 3/4 done and small

[antouwan]

i don't know where inino is at but we have best of the west here as well and i have to say, they're great and REALLY cheap for outdoor smoking. i find natural bulk hardwood coals are WAY too messy to use indoors. the ash is very fine, powdery and gets everywhere possible.

i used to use the afires but quickly decided just to grill with them. i found them kinda awkward to use and just really not the hassle and awkward usage. plus, i don't pay for the cocos they go on the parent's grocery bill.

[inino]

i don't know where inino is at but we have best of the west here as well and i have to say, they're great and REALLY cheap for outdoor smoking. i find natural bulk hardwood coals are WAY too messy to use indoors. the ash is very fine, powdery and gets everywhere possible.

i used to use the afires but quickly decided just to grill with them. i found them kinda awkward to use and just really not the hassle and awkward usage. plus, i don't pay for the cocos they go on the parent's grocery bill.

I live in cali. ya i smoke outdoors primarily : ). for the cost though I love them and you never feel bad about cooking too much coals at once. If i smoke inside I use coco's or GC's but i rarely do that, well cuz... i live in cali

[antouwan]

i don't know where inino is at but we have best of the west here as well and i have to say, they're great and REALLY cheap for outdoor smoking. i find natural bulk hardwood coals are WAY too messy to use indoors. the ash is very fine, powdery and gets everywhere possible.

i used to use the afires but quickly decided just to grill with them. i found them kinda awkward to use and just really not the hassle and awkward usage. plus, i don't pay for the cocos they go on the parent's grocery bill.

I live in cali. ya i smoke outdoors primarily : ). for the cost though I love them and you never feel bad about cooking too much coals at once. If i smoke inside I use coco's or GC's but i rarely do that, well cuz... i live in cali

for sure man. the weather is just now starting to get REALLY enjoyable here so i'm looking forward to lighting up the bulk wood again

[redjako]

Well bought AFire 7lbs from Amazon..gonna see how this shit works.

My initial thought is to cut it in half LENGTH wise (so I get two circular discs), which then should keep it more flat hence less flipping etc. We'll see

[destructo]

Well bought AFire 7lbs from Amazon..gonna see how this shit works.

My initial thought is to cut it in half LENGTH wise (so I get two circular discs), which then should keep it more flat hence less flipping etc. We'll see

i never thought of that. the only 2 problems i see is way too much heat and no airflow. ill try it next week unless you say it sucks

[Hippo_Master]

Black style - for people who are sick of fruity and want complexity instead.

[frost91]

hmmm i think lump coal works out well, i mean codename, an old memeber uses it al the time and he gets huge clouds