When it comes to hookah smoking, the type of charcoal you use is crucial to the overall flavor and experience. In fact, there are two main types of hookah charcoal to choose from: natural charcoal and quick-ignition charcoal.
Here are the differences
- Natural coconut charcoal (effectiveness 10/10)
Coconut charcoal is the most popular and you can also find it in our“charcoal” store. This type of charcoal is the most effective one because it is 100% natural, is made of pressed coconut shell and does not emit any odor when smoking - Natural walnut charcoal (effectiveness 9/10)
Natural walnut charcoal is a recent product, it is very similar to coconut charcoal but with the only difference that it does not emit any odor not only when smoking like coconut charcoal, but it is odorless even during the lighting phase. The only downside is that it emits more ash than coconut charcoal and lasts a little less. - Natural lemon charcoal (efficacy 8/10)
Natural lemon charcoal is popular in the Middle East and was the first hookah charcoal! It is difficult to find but it is also difficult to use, despite the excellent properties of the lemon tree used to make it this charcoal tends to “crackle” becoming dangerous in an enclosed environment, another problem is that it gives off less heat and more ash than coconut charcoal and it takes much more. - Natural bamboo charcoal (efficacy 6/10)
Natural bamboo charcoal has very similar characteristics to lemon charcoal, only it emits more heat but gives a specific aftertaste while smoking. It is more common in the United States but still remains hard to find! - Rapid ignition charcoal (efficacy 4/10)
Quick-ignition charcoal is still used by some locals or by people who take hookahs to places where they do not have the ability to light charcoal with a stove. This charcoal is available on our website, but we still always recommend coconut charcoal.
Whatever the type of coal one rule always applies: heat the coal well before using it.
When you put the charcoal on the stove you have to let all sides heat up well so that the black patina present on the surface goes away,a good way to tell if it is well accessed is to catch it with the pliers and blow on it a little bit, if the charcoal turns all reddish it means it is well accessed!
