Properly heating hookah charcoal is crucial for achieving the best smoking experience. This is because hookah charcoal plays a key role in the process, and how you heat it will affect many aspects of the smoking experience. Therefore, it is important to know how to heat hookah charcoal correctly to provide the best shisha smoking experience.
A hookah, also known as a shisha, is a smoking device used to smoke tobacco mixed with molasses or fruit syrup. It consists of several main components: the base, bowl, hose, and water chamber. The smoking process involves burning the tobacco using charcoal, and then the smoke passes through the water before being inhaled through the hose.
Shisha Charcoal for Ideal Burning
Shisha charcoal, often referred to as quick-light charcoal, is typically made from materials such as coke or coconut shells and processed with additives to facilitate ignition. This type of charcoal is designed to light up faster than traditional charcoal, allowing it to be ignited with matches or a lighter in a short amount of time without the need for special equipment like a gas stove. Although shisha charcoal has a shorter burn time and lower burning temperature compared to traditional charcoal, it is a practical choice for shorter smoking sessions or situations requiring convenience and quick use.
Shisha charcoal offers significant ease of use as it can be ignited quickly with matches or a lighter, without needing additional equipment like a gas stove or special heater, making it ideal for beginners or quick smoking sessions. With its short ignition time, shisha charcoal allows you to start smoking faster, which is particularly useful when time is limited. Additionally, shisha charcoal is usually lighter and more portable, making it easier for users to carry it outdoors or in situations requiring high mobility.
Equipment Needed for How to Heat Hookah Charcoal
To heat hookah charcoal safely and effectively, several key tools and equipment should be prepared before the heating process begins:
- Hookah Charcoal: Hookah charcoal is made from materials like coke or coconut shells and is designed to light up quickly and be practical for short-term use. Recommended products include coconut shell-based charcoals known for their good quality and clean burn.
- Charcoal Heater: There are two main types of charcoal heaters: electric heaters and gas stoves. Electric charcoal heaters offer convenience with consistent temperature control and can be used indoors without an open flame. On the other hand, gas stoves provide more intense and rapid heat for warming the charcoal but require good ventilation and extra safety precautions. The choice between them depends on personal needs and usage preferences.
- Burn Protection Tools: During the charcoal heating process, protection tools are essential for safety. Heat-resistant gloves protect your hands from the charcoal’s heat, while covers or shields help avoid direct contact with hot surfaces. Additional safety tools, such as charcoal tongs, are also useful for handling hot charcoal.
Read Also: 5 Advantages of Hookah That Users Should Know
How to Heat Hookah Charcoal Properly
To enjoy a satisfying hookah experience, the key factor lies in properly heating the hookah charcoal to achieve the best flavor. Here’s how to heat hookah charcoal correctly.
Heating Time
The heating time for hookah charcoal varies depending on the type. Traditional charcoal usually takes about 10-15 minutes to reach the optimal temperature on a gas stove or electric charcoal heater, while quick-light charcoal, designed for faster ignition, generally takes about 5-7 minutes. It’s essential to ensure that the charcoal is fully ignited and has a bright red color with a white ash coating before use to efficiently burn the tobacco and produce optimal flavor and smoke.
How to Know When Hookah Charcoal is Hot
To determine if hookah charcoal is hot, you can look for visual and tactile indicators. Visually, the charcoal should have a glowing red color with a white ash layer around it. For quick-light charcoal, ensure that the entire surface is covered with an even layer of white ash. These visual signs indicate that the charcoal has reached the required burning temperature to produce quality smoke and burn the tobacco efficiently.
Tactilely, the hot charcoal will feel very hot to the touch with protective tools, such as tongs, and won’t stick to your hand or any other tool that comes in contact with it. If the charcoal still sticks or feels cool when touched with protective tools, it hasn’t reached the optimal temperature for use. Ensuring the charcoal is in this condition before use is crucial for an optimal and safe smoking experience.
How to Maintain Heat
To maintain the temperature of the charcoal during a hookah session, you can follow a few tips. First, place the charcoal in the correct position on the hookah bowl, making sure it’s neither too close to nor too far from the tobacco. During the session, check the charcoal periodically and add new pieces if necessary to keep the temperature consistent. Use a charcoal cover or shield, if available, to help retain heat and prevent rapid temperature loss. Additionally, avoiding excessive airflow or placing the hookah in overly cool areas can help keep the charcoal hot for a longer period.
Why Coconut Charcoal is the Best Choice for Hookah Smoking
Coconut charcoal is an excellent choice for hookah smoking due to several advantages over other types of charcoal. Made from specially processed coconut shells, coconut charcoal offers efficient burning characteristics, with high temperatures and long burn times. This allows for a more consistent and high-quality smoking experience, as coconut charcoal heats the tobacco evenly without altering the flavor or producing toxic smoke. Additionally, coconut charcoal tends to be cleaner and more environmentally friendly, as it produces less ash and contains no harmful chemicals, making it a safer and cleaner choice for an enjoyable hookah session.
Read Also: Benefits and Side Effects of Shisha Use
Where to Buy the Best Hookah Charcoal
In addition to knowing how to heat hookah charcoal properly, selecting the best coconut charcoal can also influence the flavor or aroma produced. Therefore, it is important to choose high-quality coconut charcoal to maximize your hookah experience.
For those looking to preserve the flavor and aroma of their hookah and have a pleasant experience, you can purchase coconut charcoal exclusively from Little Briquette. Little Briquette is trusted as the leading producer of high-quality coconut charcoal in Indonesia, ensuring their products are free from chemical contaminants.
Contact Little Briquette here to enjoy a superior hookah smoking experience!