Hookahjohn Natural Coals - Problem

[dune024]

So i've been using coconaras for about a year, used all sorts of quick lights and easy lights, and recently ordered a whole case of CH hookah natural coals. I read and watched a bunch of reviews on them, decided the price and the quality seemed like a great deal.

Been using them for two days, and for the most part they're totally fine. They burn down a little quicker then coco's, but they light a little faster, so I don't mind at all. They taste just as clean too (when being used as a heat source - no, I don't eat coals).

So that brings me to the issue I'm having. For starters, there are some random ones that smoke A LOT when I put them on the burner (stove top coils). But I would occasionally get random ones in boxes of coco naras that did that too, so that didn't really phase me. I just doused them in water and got rid of them, and put new coals on.

But the thing thats been bothering me, and my roommates, who don't smoke hookah often, is that they REALLY smell while lighting. They smell like a campfire, or something similar. Now, this didn't bother me at first, because coco naras smell a little bit while lighting too. But the past 6 coals or so that I've lit have absolutely reeked. So I lit up the burner first, let is sit on high for a few minutes to maybe burn off any residue or anything that could have been causing the smell, but it made no difference when the next round was lit.

Anyone else have this problem? Perhaps they just smell a little more strongly and I'll have to get used to it, or is it possible I got a bad batch somehow?

btw - just lit three, dealt with the smell, and am blowing 3 foot clouds out of my bambino as i write this

[joytron]

So i've been using coconaras for about a year, used all sorts of quick lights and easy lights, and recently ordered a whole case of CH hookah natural coals. I read and watched a bunch of reviews on them, decided the price and the quality seemed like a great deal.

Been using them for two days, and for the most part they're totally fine. They burn down a little quicker then coco's, but they light a little faster, so I don't mind at all. They taste just as clean too (when being used as a heat source - no, I don't eat coals).

So that brings me to the issue I'm having. For starters, there are some random ones that smoke A LOT when I put them on the burner (stove top coils). But I would occasionally get random ones in boxes of coco naras that did that too, so that didn't really phase me. I just doused them in water and got rid of them, and put new coals on.

But the thing thats been bothering me, and my roommates, who don't smoke hookah often, is that they REALLY smell while lighting. They smell like a campfire, or something similar. Now, this didn't bother me at first, because coco naras smell a little bit while lighting too. But the past 6 coals or so that I've lit have absolutely reeked. So I lit up the burner first, let is sit on high for a few minutes to maybe burn off any residue or anything that could have been causing the smell, but it made no difference when the next round was lit.

Anyone else have this problem? Perhaps they just smell a little more strongly and I'll have to get used to it, or is it possible I got a bad batch somehow?

btw - just lit three, dealt with the smell, and am blowing 3 foot clouds out of my bambino as i write this

yeah they just gotta weird smell when lighting them.

[Jacob Shock]

light up some exoticas and you wil know how bad it can be.

i just light an inscence stick were i light my coals. it fights the problem.

[Chreees]

Yeah, CH coals probably smell the worst out of the three brands of naturals I've tried- Coconaras, Al Fakhers, and CH. This is my OPINION. I know others beg to differ...

Other than smell I'd rate the coals right behind Coconaras, Al Fakhers coming in third.

[rhineholt]

I had the same problem today. It was the first time I tried them today and I never got smoke off of nat coals before.
I luckily have an exhaust fan so that solves most of those problems, but they really do smell.

[Arcane]

i like the smell of the AF coco's when lighting them...

[Codename067]

Eh, as long as the coal does not have any taste when it is being smoked, then that's all that anyone should be oncerned about.

All types of coals will smell when they are getting lit, regardless of what kind.

[SweetNut]

I noticed it as well.... only when I forget to put the fan on

[dune024]

Yea I figured...just sucks cuz my roommates hate it. with coconaras they didnt even notice the smell

[Codename067]

Yea I figured...just sucks cuz my roommates hate it. with coconaras they didnt even notice the smell

Any way you can get the coals done outside of the door? Coil burner + long extension will do the job.

[ih303]

I think it's a batch thing.

We've gone through a couple of different brands of coals at my lounge but are now using CH's. We go through thousands of coals, and it seems like every box differs in some way. Like, a few weeks ago, we had a box where coals kept exploding on us when we'd pick them up. We had never had this problem before that box and haven't had it after that box. Some other things I've noticed are coals having a purple flame, excessive smoking, very black/dark even when fully lit, etc. With CH's, it's always exciting to find out what new attribute the current box will exhibit. I have to admit, the purple flame thing threw me off.

Before we used CH's, we were using AF's. Although they were much more inconsistent in size, the composition and behavior of the coals was far more predictiable and consistent. Coconaras are also consistent, although I'm taking this from personal use since they're too expensive to use at the lounge.

John, do you have any input on the consistency issues with your coals?

[skmiller]

I just recently got a box of CH quicklights. They are amazing, easy to light, and no added chemical taste that I can tell The only problem I have, is that after using them my apartment stinks like I had a wood fire place going for a few hours. Does this sound normal? When I was using 3Kings quicklights or coco's I never seemed to have an after smell lingering through my place.

[newjacksm]

you may have had a quick light! one time i lit up a CH coal out of my Natural box and it was a quick light!