Hookah coals, or shisha charcoals, play an eminent role in helping you enjoy the exceptional flavor profiles of the shisha. However, they are also the most ignored aspect of hookah smoking. Coal alone can enhance or ruin your entire smoking session. So, never rush to pick your hookah coals. Instead, explore the different types of hookah coals available on the market and assess their pros and cons before buying them. Many find it hard to differentiate between the coals and decide which one is ideal for their smoking session. If you are also having such questions in your mind, worry no more. You have arrived at the right place. Today, we will help you compare different hookah coal types so you can pick the best coal for your next smoke.

Different Types of Hookah Coals

There are two main types of hookah coals, each of which has a significant role in the smoking process. Each of the hookah coals has certain advantages and disadvantages. While quicklight hookah coals light up quickly and are more practical, they are not always better than other types of hookah coals. With the increase in popularity of hookah use in the western world, hookah smokers are switching to natural hookah coal options. These coals are popular for offering extended sessions with better heat production without any undesirable flavors or aromas that interfere with the hookah tobacco flavors. Let us study the hookah coals further.

Natural Hookah Coals

These are hookah charcoals made of natural ingredients like compressed coconut shells, orangewood, lemonwood, bamboo, and more. However, coconut shell charcoal has become the standard for most hookah smokers these days. Though natural hookah charcoal takes around eight to ten minutes to ignite on an electric coal burner, it also stays heated for longer. It is almost double the duration that quicklight coals stay lit. They burn consistently throughout the entire session. Being prepared with natural coconut shells, they also produce less ash and less mess. These charcoals come in a variety of sizes and shapes, including flat squares, cubes, large cubes, recently introduced circular shapes, and wedges to accommodate HMD, depending on your preferences.

Natural Hookah Charcoal Rundown

Pros.

• Natural hookah coals have a known extended burn time.

• They get the best flavors out of the hookah tobacco.
• They offer clean and consistent heat throughout the session with less ash.
• They are comparatively less expensive.

Cons.

• The only downside of natural coals is that they require a separate heating source, like an electric burner, and take more time to ignite.

Quick Light Hookah Coals

Just like they sound, these hookah coals ignite instantly within a few seconds with a lighter or torch. Quicklight coals usually contain a flammable chemical like benzene that works as an accelerant, making them practical and handy when you want to smoke outdoors or while traveling. It is advised to light the coal completely and burn the flammable chemicals before smoking, as they may release carbon monoxide. If you light them up properly, Quick Lights can provide you with a handy and fun hookah time. Quick Light hookah coals are typically available in small sizes of 33mm and large sizes of 40mm, allowing smokers to manage the heat production and duration of the smoke. However, they are also available in a few more sizes these days. Try out the different charcoal types, shapes, and sizes available to find the heat that suits your requirements and preferences the best.

Quick-Light Hookah Charcoal Rundown

Pros.

• Quick-light hookah coals are effortless to light. You can light them easily with a match or lighter.
• They come handy and convenient for smoking outdoors.

Cons.

• They offer a brief burn time and require multiple coal changes during the session.
• They contain flammable materials that can produce an unwanted odor and taste, which may interfere with the shisha flavor.

Natural vs. Quick-Light Hookah Coals

We have shared all the pros and cons of the major types of hookah coals. Whether natural coals or quick-light coals are better for you is a subjective matter that depends on the situation and personal choices. Though natural coals take longer than quick lights to light up, they are much better in terms of heat distribution, flavor output, smoke production, and burn time. However, if you are somewhere where you don't have access to a butane torch or electric burner to burn natural coals, quick-light coals come in handy. You can also use them to light a couple of natural coconut coals. So take your time to assess when and where you need to use the coals and accordingly assess the benefits of the coals before you use them to enhance your next hookah smoke session.