100% All Natural Hardwood Charcoal...

[Archigram]

I had a question about charcoal...

Originally, I wanted to know the difference between the specific "Hookah" charcoal, and a big bag of lump charcoal, such as a brand called Cowboy Charcoal that I use for grilling. (http://www.cowboycharcoal.com/) I'm obviously not talking about regular "briquettes" here. (I wouldn't even use that stuff for grilling)

It seems this topic has been touched on once or twice in the forum already, but I'm interested in more of a specific comparison...

I can pick up an 8 lb. bag of this stuff for around 6 bucks. It's 100% all natural hardwood, no additives, no coal. It's basically just burnt wood. Not to mention, it's readily available at supermarkets and hardware stores. There seems to be many advantages, most of all price...

Even some of the so-called "natural" hookah coals I've used still seem highly compressed, perfect little squares, whereas the lump charcoal is just big chunks of wood, that actually still look like wood. I light a handful of the stuff with a chimney starter and newspaper, and it's glowing red hot in about 10 minutes or less.

I can't seem to figure out why I would then go and buy a tiny little box of natural hookah charcoals, when I can get a giant bag of a similar, if not better, product for the same price. I assume something like Coco is only so expensive because it's marketed for the very specific purpose of hookah smoking.

So, because I'm relatively inexperienced with different kinds of hookah coals, and hookah smoking in general, I was wondering if anyone here who has a great deal of experience with the high-end of hookah coals has ever compared them to something like a bulk bag of all natural lump charcoal. It doesn't seem to add any flavor at all, and a lot of the more premium hookah-specific coals I've used have definitely added a somewhat unpleasant flavor or harshness.

[Barnaby]

There are some who have used charcoal for the grill without issue. You have to make sure though, that it is all natural, with nothing added. Now, the problem though with the Cowboy brand is that they use leftover lumber for their charcoal. ANY lumber. I have found nails in bags of this stuff before, and who knows what kind of wood they used. Is it treated lumber? Is it stained? etc..

I don't know what brand others have used, but I would say MUCH research needs to be done before smoking with this stuff. I know alot of people used afire coals, which is a coconut coal used in grilling, but those things are huge, and you need to saw them up to get them useful.

[djhookahfourm]

[quote name='Archigram' date='07 April 2010 - 07:30 AM' timestamp='1270650611' post='462378']
I had a question about charcoal...

Originally, I wanted to know the difference between the specific "Hookah" charcoal, and a big bag of lump charcoal, such as a brand called Cowboy Charcoal that I use for grilling. (http://www.cowboycharcoal.com/) I'm obviously not talking about regular "briquettes" here. (I wouldn't even use that stuff for grilling)

It seems this topic has been touched on once or twice in the forum already, but I'm interested in more of a specific comparison...

I can pick up an 8 lb. bag of this stuff for around 6 bucks. It's 100% all natural hardwood, no additives, no coal. It's basically just burnt wood. Not to mention, it's readily available at supermarkets and hardware stores. There seems to be many advantages, most of all price...

Even some of the so-called "natural" hookah coals I've used still seem highly compressed, perfect little squares, whereas the lump charcoal is just big chunks of wood, that actually still look like wood. I light a handful of the stuff with a chimney starter and newspaper, and it's glowing red hot in about 10 minutes or less.

I can't seem to figure out why I would then go and buy a tiny little box of natural hookah charcoals, when I can get a giant bag of a similar, if not better, product for the same price. I assume something like Coco is only so expensive because it's marketed for the very specific purpose of hookah smoking.

So, because I'm relatively inexperienced with different kinds of hookah coals, and hookah smoking in general, I was wondering if anyone here who has a great deal of experience with the high-end of hookah coals has ever compared them to something like a bulk bag of all natural lump charcoal. It doesn't seem to add any flavor at all, and a lot of the more premium hookah-specific coals I've used have definitely added a somewhat unpleasant flavor or harshness.
[/quote]

well
you are right
everytinme me and my boys go BBQ and planing to hit a hookah after a great meal
we usualy get the big bag of lamb charcoal BBQ with it and then use these charcoal for the hookah its a great thing and its keps the flavor all natrual cuz since it was lite for a few hours

[Archigram]

[quote name='Barnaby' date='07 April 2010 - 09:46 AM' timestamp='1270651611' post='462380']
There are some who have used charcoal for the grill without issue. You have to make sure though, that it is all natural, with nothing added. Now, the problem though with the Cowboy brand is that they use leftover lumber for their charcoal. ANY lumber. I have found nails in bags of this stuff before, and who knows what kind of wood they used. Is it treated lumber? Is it stained? etc..

I don't know what brand others have used, but I would say MUCH research needs to be done before smoking with this stuff. I know alot of people used afire coals, which is a coconut coal used in grilling, but those things are huge, and you need to saw them up to get them useful.
[/quote]


That was a really good point, because now that you mention it, I've actually found that some of the pieces still have tongues and grooves as if they were once siding or flooring, or something similar. So After I read your post, I e-mailed the customer service dept. at Cowboy charcoal, and here is their reply:

[font="Arial"][size="2"][color="blue"]Thank you for your email.[/color][/size][/font]

[font="Arial"][size="2"][color="blue"] [/color][/size][/font]

[font="Arial"][size="2"][color="blue"]We get our wood from several sources, one of which is the dimensional timber industry. The wood is prepared from seasoned hardwoods that are cut into dimension strips, kiln-dried for dehydration, then graded for cosmetic purposes. We then purchase the off-cuts that result from these processes. These off-cuts are virgin wood, prior to any chemical additives.[/color][/size][/font]

[font="Arial"][size="2"][color="blue"] [/color][/size][/font]

[font="Arial"][size="2"][color="blue"]Our charcoal is produced from 100% all-natural hardwoods. That is our commitment and our pledge, and we stand behind that statement.[/color][/size][/font]

[font="Arial"][size="2"][color="blue"] [/color][/size][/font]

[font="Arial"][size="2"][color="blue"]We trust this addresses your concerns. If you need further information, please let us know.[/color][/size][/font]

[font="Arial"][size="2"][color="blue"] [/color][/size][/font]

[font="Arial"][size="2"][color="blue"]Thank you.[/color][/size][/font]

[font="Arial"][size="2"][color="blue"]
[/color][/size][/font]

Now, that is direct from the company, so of course I expected them to say something like that. But their explanation seems to make sense, that they don't get "used" lumber, but rather scraps that aren't pretty enough for the building industry.

So far, I've been relatively reassured in my choice of using this stuff. You just can't beat the quality to price ratio. So unless there was an equally huge difference in some other regard, I think I'll stick with it. Why go out of my way to buy something I already have tons of on hand?

[Stuie]

problem i have with lump coal is heat management and consistency.

I can smoke it great for months then all of sudden when i start pulling more out of the bag... it's a disaster every time.

[antouwan]

[quote name='Archigram' date='07 April 2010 - 11:58 AM' timestamp='1270659521' post='462408']
[quote name='Barnaby' date='07 April 2010 - 09:46 AM' timestamp='1270651611' post='462380']
There are some who have used charcoal for the grill without issue. You have to make sure though, that it is all natural, with nothing added. Now, the problem though with the Cowboy brand is that they use leftover lumber for their charcoal. ANY lumber. I have found nails in bags of this stuff before, and who knows what kind of wood they used. Is it treated lumber? Is it stained? etc..

I don't know what brand others have used, but I would say MUCH research needs to be done before smoking with this stuff. I know alot of people used afire coals, which is a coconut coal used in grilling, but those things are huge, and you need to saw them up to get them useful.
[/quote]


That was a really good point, because now that you mention it, I've actually found that some of the pieces still have tongues and grooves as if they were once siding or flooring, or something similar. So After I read your post, I e-mailed the customer service dept. at Cowboy charcoal, and here is their reply:

[font="Arial"][size="2"][color="blue"]Thank you for your email.[/color][/size][/font]

[font="Arial"][size="2"] [/size][/font]

[font="Arial"][size="2"][color="blue"]We get our wood from several sources, one of which is the dimensional timber industry. The wood is prepared from seasoned hardwoods that are cut into dimension strips, kiln-dried for dehydration, then graded for cosmetic purposes. We then purchase the off-cuts that result from these processes. These off-cuts are virgin wood, prior to any chemical additives.[/color][/size][/font]

[font="Arial"][size="2"] [/size][/font]

[font="Arial"][size="2"][color="blue"]Our charcoal is produced from 100% all-natural hardwoods. That is our commitment and our pledge, and we stand behind that statement.[/color][/size][/font]

[font="Arial"][size="2"] [/size][/font]

[font="Arial"][size="2"][color="blue"]We trust this addresses your concerns. If you need further information, please let us know.[/color][/size][/font]

[font="Arial"][size="2"] [/size][/font]

[font="Arial"][size="2"][color="blue"]Thank you.[/color][/size][/font]

[font="Arial"][size="2"] [/size][/font]

Now, that is direct from the company, so of course I expected them to say something like that. But their explanation seems to make sense, that they don't get "used" lumber, but rather scraps that aren't pretty enough for the building industry.

So far, I've been relatively reassured in my choice of using this stuff. You just can't beat the quality to price ratio. So unless there was an equally huge difference in some other regard, I think I'll stick with it. Why go out of my way to buy something I already have tons of on hand?
[/quote]

i don't things like coco naras and john's ch coals have anything added, they're just charcoal powder made from coconut husks that have been heat pressed together. some of the other finger type coals, i don't doubt that there's all kinds of shit in them.

i used a similar hardwood coal from whole foods that was like scrap unprocessed lumber...but i could never get that stuff to stay lit. the only 'lump' charcoal that i would highly recommend is best of the west coals, or a similar product. those are actually just hunks of legit wood, uncut (as in they were not lumber, just like sawed tree branches) and rather unprocessed, and of course lemon and orange wood coals.

there is no question that stuff like chron coals and coco naras are HEAVILY marked up because they are specifically marketed for hookah use. look at something like tom cocobrinco coals. those are MUCH cheaper (only available in europe though :/) and almost identical to the new coco naras (the cube type).

not to mention, ccn only owns 51% of the factory in indonesia, so even though they mare majority shareholders, there's no doubt that other coals, likely identical, are being produced there that are being marketed for other purposes.

[rhineholt]

I'd like to try some of these eventually....