First Time Trying Natural Coals.

[Moose]

Exotica. Bought a 2.5 pound box for $7. Please tell me that isn't a bad brand (' - ')
Anyway, didn't take as long as I thought to get lit, though it doesn't seem as intense as Three Kings. Probably will last longer though, started it ten minutes or so ago.

[Epoch]

Enjoy! You won't regret making the switch.

[Moose]

Nah, they were decent enough. Don't think they were hot enough, but maybe I should have used two coals. Did like how they didn't have any chemical smell.

As for the orange shisha... not nearly strong enough. I doubt I'll ever get it again.

[hookah hippie]

I usually like to break those into 1/4s or 1/3s they work better then instant lights imo

[TheyCallMeDave]

Nothing wrong with exoticas, I do know from other's opinions that they burn too quickly and sometimes crack, but still, nats are nats. I would recommend CoCoNaras on your next purchase, however. Very clean, hot, long lasting coals.

[Dom]

many of us experienced a headache from the Exoticas. (and cue the haters...) the binding agent used can create a "hookah head" effect or even a headache. here is the best advice for Exoticas: let them light all the way up and all the way through before putting them on your hookah or else run the risk of a headache.

good coals, though. they do burn hot for their surface area. for a regular Egyptian bowl, I cut each finger into thirds and use two of those pieces per bowl and I kinda rest them on the edge or else they will be too hot. Then I move them inwards as the session continues.

I think the best naturals are coals from the fireplace. (those also have to be lit all the way through.) (and no evergreens!)

[Fusion]

[quote name='Dom' timestamp='1309119681' post='513736']
here is the best advice for Exoticas: let them light all the way up and all the way through before putting them on your hookah or else run the risk of a headache.
[/quote]

Seconding this. If for some reason I can't use my wood or coconut coals, I go with Exoticas and do as Dom said. I also use the coal sparingly and found it helped greatly with reducing or avoiding headaches.

[MichaelLCP]

I agree with dave Coconaras are great nats. Also you should check out HookahJohn. He has QL Naturals. They work quite well.

[IainUM]

also, nazrhookah.com has the razan natural coals and i really loved them. gonna get more in my next order

[Chreees]

Exoticas are fine coals, I believe. Coconara and Razans are legit, too. But now I only get Golden Canaries. But I also only smoke Tangiers, which needs a lower-heat coal (meaning Exoticas are also good for Tangiers). Just try different brands and see what works best for you.

[kevin2323]

[quote name='INCUBUSRATM' timestamp='1309140568' post='513768']
Exoticas are fine coals, I believe. Coconara and Razans are legit, too. But now I only get Golden Canaries. But I also only smoke Tangiers, which needs a lower-heat coal (meaning Exoticas are also good for Tangiers). Just try different brands and see what works best for you.
[/quote]

yea i doubt he wants GC since he complained about less heat from exoticas. try coconaras or CH coals if you want more heat. and most of the time 1 3kings quicklight = 2 natural coals. just the way it is if you want a better smoking experience.

[ezxen]

i love exoticas thers my #2 coals next to coconara flats

[Chreees]

[quote name='kevin2323' timestamp='1309145685' post='513779']
[quote name='INCUBUSRATM' timestamp='1309140568' post='513768']
Exoticas are fine coals, I believe. Coconara and Razans are legit, too. But now I only get Golden Canaries. But I also only smoke Tangiers, which needs a lower-heat coal (meaning Exoticas are also good for Tangiers). Just try different brands and see what works best for you.
[/quote]

yea i doubt he wants GC since he complained about less heat from exoticas. try coconaras or CH coals if you want more heat. and most of the time 1 3kings quicklight = 2 natural coals. just the way it is if you want a better smoking experience.
[/quote]

I wasn't saying he should get GCs. I was just trying to put some different brands into perspective.

[kevin2323]

[quote name='INCUBUSRATM' timestamp='1309204091' post='513870']
[quote name='kevin2323' timestamp='1309145685' post='513779']
[quote name='INCUBUSRATM' timestamp='1309140568' post='513768']
Exoticas are fine coals, I believe. Coconara and Razans are legit, too. But now I only get Golden Canaries. But I also only smoke Tangiers, which needs a lower-heat coal (meaning Exoticas are also good for Tangiers). Just try different brands and see what works best for you.
[/quote]

yea i doubt he wants GC since he complained about less heat from exoticas. try coconaras or CH coals if you want more heat. and most of the time 1 3kings quicklight = 2 natural coals. just the way it is if you want a better smoking experience.
[/quote]

I wasn't saying he should get GCs. I was just trying to put some different brands into perspective.
[/quote]

i know I was just mentioning that GC dont give of alot of heat just incase he confused it with something people were recommending.

[Chreees]

Gotcha man. Good lookin' out.

[king_lunchb0x]

So i usually use 3 coals most of the time: CH nats,Kanara, Easylites

-Coconaras are great coals and burn pretty hot, try some out
-AL fakher is pretty good but they can be very inconsistent with shape size and density
-Ch nats use to be my go to coal.But they were just getting to expensive for me even. And the smell packs a punch
-Kanara is ok the new order i got had a different looking box then the black one, the "new: ones seem to be not as good
-Easylites The only reason i buy these is because its the only non Ql/rounded finger coal available in my town
-Golden Canaries Never tried but don't seem to be worth it. But Eric himself uses these for a lounge and tobacco so i guess if you love tangiers and don't care about price these would be for you
-Exotica Fingers Were pretty decent i had trouble breaking them down the first time around but maybe ill give another go at it, i liked the way they ashed
...That concludes my review of the more common coals. I think its good to get out and try different ones.

[Moose]

Is it just me, or do Exoticas add some sort of taste to the flavor? It might only be at first, but it's odd. They also give a sort of... I don't know, feel? to your teeth, akin to soda.

[king_lunchb0x]

[quote name='Moose' timestamp='1309219846' post='513921']
Is it just me, or do Exoticas add some sort of taste to the flavor? It might only be at first, but it's odd. They also give a sort of... I don't know, feel? to your teeth, akin to soda.
[/quote]

i dont remember much of either, i can't really pick up on such subtle tastes, but im sure that the feel had to be from something else.never heard of smoking a certain charcoal doing that to anyone

[Moose]

Oh, and a question. I started up my hookah last night with a natural, but it started to rain after twenty minutes or so. So I tossed the coal to the deck (brick), and packed everything up. I just noticed that it survived, probably halfway finished, the water having stopped it burning. Do you think they'd be able to be restarted just fine after something like that?

[Moose]

[quote name='king_lunchb0x' timestamp='1309220446' post='513925']
[quote name='Moose' timestamp='1309219846' post='513921']
Is it just me, or do Exoticas add some sort of taste to the flavor? It might only be at first, but it's odd. They also give a sort of... I don't know, feel? to your teeth, akin to soda.
[/quote]

i dont remember much of either, i can't really pick up on such subtle tastes, but im sure that the feel had to be from something else.never heard of smoking a certain charcoal doing that to anyone
[/quote]

Eh, it could have just been the flavor, it's odd. I'll certainly not get it again. Shame I got a 250g bucket of it, I'll not have money for more for a while.

[Dom]

[quote name='Moose' timestamp='1309219846' post='513921']
Is it just me, or do Exoticas add some sort of taste to the flavor? It might only be at first, but it's odd. They also give a sort of... I don't know, feel? to your teeth, akin to soda.
[/quote]

Yes. It does have a very weird flavor. But if you let it light all the way through (gray all over with no black showing) then there should be no taste. But letting one of those light all the way up takes a long time and it's hard for me to be that patient. LOL Edited June 28, 2011 by Dom

[vendetta_revived]

[quote name='Moose' timestamp='1309221114' post='513927']
[quote name='king_lunchb0x' timestamp='1309220446' post='513925']
[quote name='Moose' timestamp='1309219846' post='513921']
Is it just me, or do Exoticas add some sort of taste to the flavor? It might only be at first, but it's odd. They also give a sort of... I don't know, feel? to your teeth, akin to soda.
[/quote]

i dont remember much of either, i can't really pick up on such subtle tastes, but im sure that the feel had to be from something else.never heard of smoking a certain charcoal doing that to anyone
[/quote]

Eh, it could have just been the flavor, it's odd. I'll certainly not get it again. Shame I got a 250g bucket of it, I'll not have money for more for a while.
[/quote]

Which flavour was it? And how are you lighting your coals?

[Chreees]

[quote name='Moose' timestamp='1309220521' post='513926']
Oh, and a question. I started up my hookah last night with a natural, but it started to rain after twenty minutes or so. So I tossed the coal to the deck (brick), and packed everything up. I just noticed that it survived, probably halfway finished, the water having stopped it burning. Do you think they'd be able to be restarted just fine after something like that?
[/quote]

Yep, you can light that sucker up again and use it.