Which aluminium foil to choose to prepare your shisha?

There is no way round it: to set up your shisha you will need aluminium foil. Several types exist, however, which can make the choice difficult. In this article we explain how to choose the foil for your shisha.

The different types of aluminium foil for shisha

Depending on the preparation you have in mind, you will need thin or thick foil. Here is how to choose your sheets. The idea is to give you a starting point; you are free to experiment and settle on the method that suits you best.

Lighting with natural charcoal

To light your shisha with natural charcoal, you will need thick foil for so-called overpacking. Conversely, for underpacking, thin foil will do. Note that if you want a more intense heat, go for thick foil in every case.

Lighting with self-lighting charcoal

Since it heats less, thin foil and a foil punch are recommended with this type of charcoal. Pre-cut or pre-punched XL foil is therefore ideal.

Provost-style lighting

As with natural charcoal, the type of foil has to match the preparation and the heat you are after. For an overpack, with 22 mm cube or flat charcoal, go for thick foil or, failing that, two sheets of pre-cut foil. For an underpack, with the same type of charcoal, or even with 25 mm cubes, use thin foil.

Russian-style lighting

Russian-style lighting calls for a NA Grani rather than a Provost. It heats far more, so thick foil or two pre-cut sheets are preferable, otherwise the tobacco is likely to burn too quickly.

German-style lighting

The same goes for German-style lighting. Here, though, the heating system has to be used differently, by placing the grid on the sheet of foil and using a Turkish clay bowl or another bowl.