One aspect that is often overlooked is the coals that are used to heat the bowl. The majority of hookah users will opt for quick light coals because of their convenience. It’s easy to dismiss the importance of using higher quality coals, which is why we decided to give you a more in depth look at what exactly differentiates natural coconut charcoal and quick light charcoal.
We will list both the pros and cons of each and we will let you decide which one floats your boat.
Pros:
– The biggest advantage of natural coals, in our opinion, is how much healthier it is compared to quick lights. The natural coconut charcoal does not contain any of the toxic chemicals found in your regular quick light charcoal.
– They are odorless and more eco-friendly.
– They provide and sustain more heat.
– Much better tasting then quick light coals. Expect a smoother and cleaner smoke when using coconut coals.
However, natural coals are not perfect as they do have some downsides.
Cons:
– They take much longer to light. Usually anywhere between 6 to 10 minutes.
– You will need an independent heat source to ignite them (stove or burner).
Now let us take a look at the quick light charcoal and see how it matches up against natural coals.
Pros:
– It is extremely convenient to use. You can light these guys simply with a lighter.
– More user friendly for beginner hookah users.
– They can be very practical on the road or in emergencies, (I use the term emergency lightly).
Cons:
– People often notice a very chemical taste when smoking their flavored shisha. This is to be expected considering they contain more toxicity.
– They will not provide as much heat as the natural coconut coals. Essentially you have to pick your poison here between both. Either you wait longer for a better heat source (with the natural coal), or you jump into your session faster with a less sustainable fire.
– They are not odorless. Even as soon as you begin to light them, you will likely smell the toxic properties of the quick light coals.
– They can have a negative impact on the flavor.
So now that we’ve put all the chips on the table, here is our take on which charcoal you should use.
It’s a no-brainer, unless it is impossible due to certain circumstances (not having a stove available), you should go with the natural coconut coals. Sure, you might have to wait a few extra minutes to get the party going, but it is definitely worth the wait.
