How Do You Manage Your Heat?

[pauldavis]

I figured I would start a thread about how you manage your coal heat, just so people could try some new things and for the noobs that are around.I personally light one coal (golden quicklights) then after about 5 minutes, put another coal on top of that one to light it. When the new coal is about halfway lit, i move it to the foil. That way that one gains strength as the other one dies down, so it maintains a good balance with little rotation.

[joetuo]

Do you get any alteration of the taste when the quick light stuff from the golden is being burned off?

[nuschultz]

I use fumari quicklight coals. They come in 4 block bars with a silver coating. Basically, I break it in half and put both halves on the bowl. Then once the bowl gets hot, or the smoke starts to get a bit harsh, I pull one coal off and use the other. Once it starts to die out I add the second coal again, and smoke the rest of my bowl.Little rotation, some ashing, thats about it.

[pauldavis]

well i don't draw till the sparkly things are gone, then i don't get any bad taste, or at least not much at all for a very short time.....i did draw one time while it was lighting and it was pretty bad

[Teh Owntt]

Im not a fan of the quick lights for that very reason. I use two or three small pieces of the Romman natural coal, and make a triangle shape around the outsife of foil. Keeps the shisha going, but never burns.

[DizzyGuy]

I've never had bad taste from the quick lights... but I guess that is because I light it like it's supposed to be... light it and let all the stuff burn off, but it'll be all gone by the time you get the entire coal red... yay butane lighters

[EvansLight]

I used to suck at this very thing, but ive setteled into a nice routine that works, produces good constant smoke, and usually only 1 coal per bowl :DFirst i use screens, so i dont know how well this will work with foil, might work the same, but oh well. I also use 3 Kings Quick Light. Havent gotten to try natural yet, hoping to soon though.First i light the coal, and hold it away until all the starter chemicals have been burned off. Then I blow on it a bit, to make sure both sides and the center are nice and glowing. I then place the coal on the center of the screen, and start smoking. Once enough ash gets on the coal to make it kinda hard to see the glowing orange, i take the coal off, knock the ash off into the tray, and make sure most of the ash is off the coal. I then place the coal off to one side, and then around a good 10 min intervals ash again, and move it around the outside edge. Once its gone all the way around once, i place the coal back in the middle of the bowl after a final ashing. I then usually leave it there till i finish the bowl, which is usually about the same time the coal is done.I find this uses all the bowl in a nice uniform fashion. Usually gives a good thickness and flavour throught the bowl as well.

[MrGuy]

yep, i do pretty much the same as evanslight.

[Macho555]

I light a 3 Kings, place it into the middle of the screen, place my wind cover over it and smoke. Always a nice smooth smoke, plenty of thickness, etc. Sometimes I get a picky bowl that I packed, and I may move it around, but other than that...

[Sonthert]

[quote name='nuschultz']I use fumari quicklight coals.  They come in 4 block bars with a silver coating.  Basically, I break it in half and put both halves on the bowl.  Then once the bowl gets hot, or the smoke starts to get a bit harsh, I pull one coal off and use the other.  Once it starts to die out I add the second coal again, and smoke the rest of my bowl.  Little rotation, some ashing, thats about it.[/quote] Try Golden Japanese Coals or Abu Hitham Japanese, they are both as good, but cheaper. In fact, I suspect that Fumari's coals are made by the same manufacturing plant as Golden Japanese. I believe Social Smoke, Hookah Shisha and Hookah Company all carry them.

[Calcartman]

I'm using japanese coals as well, but maybe you can tell me Tangiers; how am I supposed to light them?I haven't been able to do it without using a stove, and thats rather frustrating

[Sonthert]

I've used cigarette lighters, you just have hold the yellow tip of the flame there for a little while and the corner will light. Its not fast, but it works. Zippos are exceptionally good for this application.