Coconara Charcoals - What Am I Doing Wrong?

[Caila]

I have been smoking hookah for a while but i have always used three kings coals. I recently decided to try natural charcoal to see if i like it since they are supposed to be better for you. I tried Shisha Co and didn't like it and a couple of nights ago i tried CocoNara. The first night everything went great with two charcoals and Nakhla using a clay bowl. The second night did not go well at all. I don't know if i didn't light the charcoal the whole way or what but it tasted awful and I had the worst headache when i was done smoking. I took them off when there was fire under the bottom of the coal and it was mostly red. There was also a weird black residue on rim of my bowl when i took the foil off. It was dripping everywhere. I have never had this happen before. Is this from the CocoNara Charcoals? Its frustrating because i want to use natural coals but i want the experience to be consistent. I love three kings and it is going to be difficult to switch. Any tips? Amount of time to leave it on the burner and when to flip it? Can it have any black or should it be all glowing red?

[LIQUIDGSR]

How many coals did you use? You may have put much heat on it. I put them on the burner till they glow then put two on my bowl on the outsides.

[Caila]

[quote name='LIQUIDGSR' date='06 May 2010 - 02:59 PM' timestamp='1273175976' post='467000']
How many coals did you use? You may have put much heat on it. I put them on the burner till they glow then put two on my bowl on the outsides.
[/quote]

I used one coal and it wasn't enough heat so i tried two. The first time i tried two it worked really well but the residue it left was really weird. The smoke wasn't harsh i really liked them but the second time using two coals it was so much different and i felt like i did the same thing as the first time.
Is there any black left on the coal when you put them on your bowl?

[the_cool]

Make sure they are glowing fully red, no black bits at all! That sounds like why you are getting the horrible taste.

Also, im not sure by what you mean when you say residue, but whichever side you put the coals on, it will eventually go black as there is no oxygen getting to it. Just flip it over, blow the ash off the bowl and you will be fine. The black side will eventually go red again and you can flip it after a while as neccessary. A windcover for a few minutes will also help get your coals red again.

Hope I have been clear and helpful. Happy smoking

EDIT: oh and although i havent got a coil burner (yet), i would assume 5-6 mins on the burner, then flips and leave for another 5 mins. definitely flip the coals! Edited May 6, 2010 by the_cool

[Caila]

[quote name='the_cool' date='06 May 2010 - 03:40 PM' timestamp='1273178435' post='467008']
Make sure they are glowing fully red, no black bits at all! That sounds like why you are getting the horrible taste.

Also, im not sure by what you mean when you say residue, but whichever side you put the coals on, it will eventually go black as there is no oxygen getting to it. Just flip it over, blow the ash off the bowl and you will be fine. The black side will eventually go red again and you can flip it after a while as neccessary. A windcover for a few minutes will also help get your coals red again.

Hope I have been clear and helpful. Happy smoking

EDIT: oh and although i havent got a coil burner (yet), i would assume 5-6 mins on the burner, then flips and leave for another 5 mins. definitely flip the coals!
[/quote]

Thank you. There were black spots on the coal so that was probably it and now i know and will make sure the coal is All red haha because it was a horrible taste.
The residue was on the outside of the bowl it was really strange. If it happens again i will definitely take a picture of it.
Thank you for your help this is my first time with natural coals. I have always been an instant lite person.

[the_cool]

[quote name='Caila' date='06 May 2010 - 09:49 PM' timestamp='1273178956' post='467013']
[quote name='the_cool' date='06 May 2010 - 03:40 PM' timestamp='1273178435' post='467008']
Make sure they are glowing fully red, no black bits at all! That sounds like why you are getting the horrible taste.

Also, im not sure by what you mean when you say residue, but whichever side you put the coals on, it will eventually go black as there is no oxygen getting to it. Just flip it over, blow the ash off the bowl and you will be fine. The black side will eventually go red again and you can flip it after a while as neccessary. A windcover for a few minutes will also help get your coals red again.

Hope I have been clear and helpful. Happy smoking

EDIT: oh and although i havent got a coil burner (yet), i would assume 5-6 mins on the burner, then flips and leave for another 5 mins. definitely flip the coals!
[/quote]

Thank you. There were black spots on the coal so that was probably it and now i know and will make sure the coal is All red haha because it was a horrible taste.
The residue was on the outside of the bowl it was really strange. If it happens again i will definitely take a picture of it.
Thank you for your help this is my first time with natural coals. I have always been an instant lite person.

[/quote]

Let us know how you get on with the coals, naturals are way better that quicklights. One day, smoke with the naturals, and then for your second round, put a quick light on. Taste the difference!

Please take a pic of the residue, im really baffled by what you could mean. In this on the bowl itself? Or the foil? Is it on the rim or just the outer bit?

[LIQUIDGSR]

I had that problem of them turning black the first time I used them, but I never got a "residue." Jut gotta flip and flip, as cool said, and make sure they fully glow all the way around. You should be good with that. I tend to get a burning taste if I put them in the middle so I leave them on the outer side of the bowl.