DrSmokes Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 I've been using QLs since I started hookah earlier this year. After reading and reading, I bought some Coconaras yesterday. So now I'm on the hunt for some sort of hot plate or electric coil. What do I look for when buying? I ask this bc when I searched for hotplates on this site, I saw that someone had posted that they used a hotplate that wouldn't light their coals and then saw another members state you just need a 100w hotplate. Which would be better, a [url="http://www.amazon.com/Maxi-Matic-ESB-301F-Cuisine-Single-1000-Watt/dp/B000B2WOWE/ref=sr_1_1?s=appliances&ie=UTF8&qid=1315949840&sr=1-1"]hot plate[/url] or an [url="http://www.amazon.com/Toastess-THP-432-Electric-Single-Coil-Cooking/dp/B002SPRFZS/ref=sr_1_20?s=appliances&ie=UTF8&qid=1315949644&sr=1-20"]electric coil[/url]? Those are links to Amazon products, is there somewhere else I should look? I went to Walmart today and they only had a double hotplate and nothing else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hassouni Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 Electric coil definitely Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheyCallMeDave Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 Hot plates rarely, mostly never work. You want a coil burner, no thought needed, hands down. Your best place to find a coil burner would be Walgreens. If they don't have one, check all your local "big" stores. Groceries, Sam's Club, possibly Home Depot/Lowe's, you get the idea. They typically range from about 13-18 dollars and will work just fine, no need to pay 25 or over unless you truly want to. Happy Hunting, Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chreees Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 Electric Coil, hands down. I use my one coil on my stove for lighting all my coals. Works great. What you posted from Amazon should work well. They can also be found at Walgreen's usually for around $15. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skoozle Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 (edited) As a temporary solution until you getknow a coil, you could try a tea light candle under a metal screen. I've been meaning to try this, but I haven't lit a coal since I had that idea. Those are items that most of us have anyway and would be easy to travel with. I might give it a try this weekend, but if someone has a chance to try it before me, I would be interested in the results. Edited September 13, 2011 by Skoozle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelLCP Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 Others already said it. But yes, coil burner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrSmokes Posted September 13, 2011 Author Share Posted September 13, 2011 Thanks guys!! Really appreciate the fast responses! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burning Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 I've been looking at a mini butane torch. Runs about $10 at Home Depot and is like a pen version of the one that H-S.com sells. Anyone tried such a thing? The reviews at H-S claim that the other version works exceedingly well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Epoch Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 [quote name='Burning' timestamp='1315953136' post='523725'] I've been looking at a mini butane torch. Runs about $10 at Home Depot and is like a pen version of the one that H-S.com sells. Anyone tried such a thing? The reviews at H-S claim that the other version works exceedingly well. [/quote] Great for lighting instant-light coals, but not ideal for natural coals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rahl071 Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 I think H-S just got some in stock, FYI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezxen Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 wall green electric coil hands down Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atalanta Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 [quote name='Skoozle' timestamp='1315951108' post='523722'] As a temporary solution until you getknow a coil, you could try a tea light candle under a metal screen. I've been meaning to try this, but I haven't lit a coal since I had that idea. Those are items that most of us have anyway and would be easy to travel with. I might give it a try this weekend, but if someone has a chance to try it before me, I would be interested in the results. [/quote] I don't know that that would work (course I'll have to try it out, I have tons of tealights). I would think that the candle wouldn't put out enough BTUs to get a coal going. I read in the DIY section someone made a coffee can chimney (a chimney in this case is something used to light coals such as: [url="http://www.virtualweberbullet.com/chimney.html"]http://www.virtualweberbullet.com/chimney.html[/url] I advocate them all the time for grills) and he said it worked well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hassouni Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 A coffee can chimney sounds like a really good idea, except you'd have to use it outdoors Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skoozle Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 [quote name='atalanta' timestamp='1316010975' post='523815'][quote name='Skoozle' timestamp='1315951108' post='523722'] As a temporary solution until you getknow a coil, you could try a tea light candle under a metal screen. I've been meaning to try this, but I haven't lit a coal since I had that idea. Those are items that most of us have anyway and would be easy to travel with. I might give it a try this weekend, but if someone has a chance to try it before me, I would be interested in the results. [/quote] I don't know that that would work (course I'll have to try it out, I have tons of tealights). I would think that the candle wouldn't put out enough BTUs to get a coal going. I read in the DIY section someone made a coffee can chimney (a chimney in this case is something used to light coals such as: [url="http://www.virtualweberbullet.com/chimney.html"]http://www.virtualweberbullet.com/chimney.html[/url] I advocate them all the time for grills) and he said it worked well.[/quote] That's a good point. I would most likely use it for Golden Canary which don't take much heat to get going, but if I try it I will try some coconut coals too just to see if it works. It may light them eventually but take too long to be practical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atalanta Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 [quote name='Hassouni' timestamp='1316011595' post='523818'] A coffee can chimney sounds like a really good idea, except you'd have to use it outdoors [/quote] I believe he said he used it for camping and other outdoor activities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vendetta_revived Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 (edited) [quote name='Skoozle' timestamp='1316012454' post='523821'] [quote name='atalanta' timestamp='1316010975' post='523815'][quote name='Skoozle' timestamp='1315951108' post='523722'] As a temporary solution until you getknow a coil, you could try a tea light candle under a metal screen. I've been meaning to try this, but I haven't lit a coal since I had that idea. Those are items that most of us have anyway and would be easy to travel with. I might give it a try this weekend, but if someone has a chance to try it before me, I would be interested in the results. [/quote] I don't know that that would work (course I'll have to try it out, I have tons of tealights). I would think that the candle wouldn't put out enough BTUs to get a coal going. I read in the DIY section someone made a coffee can chimney (a chimney in this case is something used to light coals such as: [url="http://www.virtualweberbullet.com/chimney.html"]http://www.virtualwe...om/chimney.html[/url] I advocate them all the time for grills) and he said it worked well.[/quote] That's a good point. I would most likely use it for Golden Canary which don't take much heat to get going, but if I try it I will try some coconut coals too just to see if it works. It may light them eventually but take too long to be practical. [/quote] Also, if you put a windcover on top of a stove while lighting the coal, it should get them started quickly since it will basically work like a chimney. I wouldn't use a good windcover for it though. I use a homemade windcover so I used that for a while before getting the coil burner. Edited September 14, 2011 by vendetta_revived Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuie Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 I use a hot plate for Japanese coals, typically don't crack as much that way. Coil hands down. Walgreens usually have cheap ones around $10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Satou Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 I like using a coil burner and a small butane pencil torch but if you have a gas stove that works too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boludo Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 it looks like I am in the minority here... I used to use coil burners, and I would have to change them about once a year... then Eric suggested to use a hot plate instead; he said they last longer. I have been using the same hot plate for about 2 1/2 - 3 years now and it still works great. Easy to light cocos and easy to light japanese coals... here is the link to the one I owned... [url="http://www.amazon.com/Maxi-Matic-ESB-301F-Cuisine-Single-1000-Watt/dp/B000B2WOWE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1316030309&sr=8-1"]http://www.amazon.com/Maxi-Matic-ESB-301F-Cuisine-Single-1000-Watt/dp/B000B2WOWE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1316030309&sr=8-1[/url] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheyCallMeDave Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 [quote name='Burning' timestamp='1315953136' post='523725'] I've been looking at a mini butane torch. Runs about $10 at Home Depot and is like a pen version of the one that H-S.com sells. Anyone tried such a thing? The reviews at H-S claim that the other version works exceedingly well. [/quote] Lighting coconut coals with a butane pencil torch (or even an industrial blue canister torch) would be like trying to make fire with a toothpick and a piece of cloth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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