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Question About Partially Lit Coals


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When I smoke, often the top side of my coals goes out. I mainly use Coconaras but it seems the same for most other coals too...and I do make sure they are fully glowing on all sides first. I've been getting a bit lightheaded rather easily.....could it be CO generated from the bit that went out, whether it relights or anything like that?
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Yeah I have not heard or experienced the top going out, that shouldn't be happening because their is sufficient oxygen getting to the top. The bottom is another story.
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I think if the whole coconara was fully lit when you put it on the bowl and one side happens to turn black, that side would not create more CO. Its already been burned and lit, therefore its already released most if not all of the CO it had to begin with. On a side note, I've been having the same problem with my Coconara's, but I haven't been getting light headed or anything like that. I usually just flip the dark side up to let it burn.

Edit:
I just saw the last post, and yeah there is a difference between cooling off and going out. But when a coal cools off it ashes. Ive seen BLACK ash, or whatever, come off of my coconaras. Its not like the rest of the grey ash. But I assumed it was the juices from my shisha coming up and getting into the coal.
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I really don't understand... Maybe you're not heating them all the way? Or you just think they're not heating up or whatever by seeing black on one side. This does not mean it's still not lit. You'll notice if you leave a CCN laying down for a bit, then flip it over, the side that was face down will be black, and not glowing anymore. This is normal. Do this to ensure your coals light fully: Place your burner on high, throw on coals. When they are fully lit on the sides, but the top isn't lit yet flip them over. Let them heat up for about 3-4 minutes more. They should be completely glowing orange/red. When you place them on your tray before putting them on the bowl, you'll notice the face-down sides will be black when you pick them up... Again, this is normal.
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[quote name='INCUBUSRATM' date='04 February 2010 - 09:38 AM' timestamp='1265294308' post='449658']
I really don't understand... Maybe you're not heating them all the way? Or you just think they're not heating up or whatever by seeing black on one side. This does not mean it's still not lit. You'll notice if you leave a CCN laying down for a bit, then flip it over, the side that was face down will be black, and not glowing anymore. This is normal. Do this to ensure your coals light fully: Place your burner on high, throw on coals. When they are fully lit on the sides, but the top isn't lit yet flip them over. Let them heat up for about 3-4 minutes more. They should be completely glowing orange/red. When you place them on your tray before putting them on the bowl, you'll notice the face-down sides will be black when you pick them up... Again, this is normal.
[/quote]

Yeah, I do this exact lighting procedure. Trust me, they're 100% chunks of glowing orange when I put them on the bowl.
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One possibility is if your holes aren't big enough in the foil, or not enough holes, not enough air travels over the coals to keep them lit well.

A few of my friends had issues with them going out when they were using small, or not enough holes, which is prob why I have never had any issues with my CCN's going out. I use big holes and a good amount of holes as well. I never flip them throughout an entire session either.

Try more or bigger holes.
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[quote name='Hassouni' date='04 February 2010 - 05:33 PM' timestamp='1265330032' post='449772']
I might try bigger holes. I use a pushpin or safety pin, perhaps I'll try a toothpick.
[/quote]

I used to use push pins and noticed how much longer it took my shisha to get going. Toothpicks are perfect.
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[quote name='Hassouni' date='04 February 2010 - 04:33 PM' timestamp='1265330032' post='449772']
I might try bigger holes. I use a pushpin or safety pin, perhaps I'll try a toothpick.
[/quote]

Definitely try a tooth pick, that's been the standard hole maker for me for the past several years lol.

Regarding your problem, just make sure that the entire coal is completely lit before you slap it in top of the bowl.

Bottom side turns black due to insufficient supply of Oxygen, but it's fine to smoke.
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