What do you think of when you hear the word "coal?" I bet many people would answer with something like, "a piece of coal" or "used to start a fire." But did you know that there are different types of coals? One type is designed explicitly for hookah-based lounges. A hookah is an ancient form of smoking that has recently become popular again in America.
It is in hookah lounges where lovers of shisha go to smoke. It is a social event where friends gather and smoke together, usually from the same shisha bowl. This form of smoking uses charcoal as its heat source instead of matches or a lighter.
Different types of coals are used in different ways in order to produce the best flavor profile of each kind of shisha. Certain coals are better for certain types of shisha, while others may not be suited for any smoking experience at all.
Coals Used in Hookah Lounges
All coals are either made using coconut husk, bamboo, or wood.
- Coconut-based hookah coals
Coconut coals are the most popular type of hookah for sale. They provide a slow and long-lasting heat source that is much cleaner to use than other types of charcoal. These types of coals are made from coconut husk. They are coated in a variety of flavors or scents, such as apple and grape.
These type of lounges and bars use coconut coals because of their ability to stay lit for up to an hour and a half. This stable heat source allows the flavor profile of shisha tobacco to develop fully, as well as makes it easier on the lounges' utility bills.
Many people who use charcoal often complain about the taste that they leave behind in both food and drinks after using them. Because these types of coal are made from natural ingredients such as coconut, there is no chemical or tar residue left over at all!
Coconut-based charcoals come in several different sizes: small, medium, large and extra-large. The size you need will depend on what type of bowl you are using and how many people are smoking at your lounge.
How to light Coconut Hookah Coals
Coconut coals can be lit using a torch lighter or match. You do not need to use charcoal fluid with these types of coal because they are naturally soaked in coconut oil.
You will want to heat your coal enough so that it glows slightly orange and has some ash on the surface before placing it onto the bowl of shisha tobacco for smoking. This allows for an even distribution of heat when you place your shisha above the hot coals, ensuring that no area is hotter than another inside your bowl, which could cause problems when inhaling from a hose.
The primary downside of coconut-based charcoals is their slow-burning time due to being made up of all-natural ingredients such as wood and coconut husk. If this is a problem for your lounge, you could always speed up the process by using a larger piece of coal instead of many smaller pieces together.
Coconut coals are typically priced at around $12 per box or bag and can last from 30-90 shisha sessions, depending on how big they are and how frequently people smoke in your location.
- Quick Light Hookah Coals
If you are looking for a faster way to light your coals, quick lighting charcoals may be the right choice. These types of charcoals have been soaked in lighter fluid and should only be used with extreme caution because they will burn intensely hot from being so highly flammable.
Quick Light Coals produce a lot more heat than Coconut Charcoal but also burn through much quicker as well. This type of charcoal can get too hot if left on top of shisha tobacco while it is being smoked, which could cause problems for people who inhale directly from their hose or mouthpiece without using a coal cover tray (or wind cover). Because this type of coal burns up quickly after one use, it is best used on a hookah that is not passed around and shared with many different people.
Quick Light Hookahs do not need to be lit using fire; they will light by simply holding the coal up to your lighter flame for several seconds until it begins melting onto itself, which means you can get smoking faster! These coals are typically priced at around $15 per box or bag and last about 15-25 shisha sessions before replacing them. For most lounges, we recommend finding a middle ground of price and quantity between Coconut Charcoal and 59*Quick light Coals if possible to save money while still providing top-notch service for their customers.
The downside of quick lighting charcoals is how quickly they burn out and the fact that people cannot use them without a coal cover tray. These coals can also leave behind an aroma and flavor in your bowl, depending on what type of fuel they were soaked in before being sold to you (so be sure to ask for high-quality charcoals with no added chemicals or petroleum products).
Convenience vs. Performance
There isn't a "right" or "wrong" choice between coconut coals and quick light coals; it is simply down to whichever type of coal you are more comfortable using at your lounge. Coconut charcoals need to be lit by hand with fire before smoking begins, so people cannot start inhaling right away as they can with Quick Light Coals. Still, their slow-burning time means that customers will not have to constantly replace them throughout the day that saves money in the long run for lounges providing shisha services on an hourly basis instead of just one session per customer.
On the other hand, some people may prefer fast lighting coals because many do not want to wait around while their bowl finishes heating up if they plan to smoke multiple rounds throughout the day. The added convenience of not getting out your lighter or matches whenever someone wants to smoke can be well worth it for some lounges who need quick coals to meet demand. This depends entirely on what type of atmosphere you want your hookah lounge to have and how often customers visit when they come in!
In the end, people have different preferences on how they want to light their hookah shisha and what coals work best for them. It is vital that you keep in mind your customers' needs when deciding which type of coal to buy so everyone can leave happy with a great experience at your lounge!