How to properly light your hookah charcoal?

The entire success of a hookah lies in lighting the charcoal. The quality of the charcoal as well as its lighting guarantee a good time. Here are our tips for knowing how to light your hookah charcoal.

How to light natural charcoal for your hookah?

Natural charcoal does not burn with a simple flame. It must be preheated with a hot source. Here are three methods to use:

• The gas stove: turn on the gas stove to the maximum and let the charcoal heat until it is glowing
• The gas charcoal starter: preferable for outdoor use, as it works with a gas canister. It is easy to carry for vacations, outings in nature, etc. Set the flame to the maximum and place the charcoal in it. Let them glow before using them.
• The electric plate (or the electric coal starter): same principle, turn it to maximum, place the coals, wait about 3 minutes per side, then turn them over, until they are glowing red.

It should be noted that the electric plate method is the one that provides ideal ignition for long and intense heating.

Good to know : some additional equipment allows you to regulate the heat of the coals to optimize your hookah experience. The Kaloud Lotus can hold 1 to 4 natural coals for perfect heating power. In addition, it avoids the use of aluminum foil, which is controversial and causes an additional cost.

Which type of coal to choose?

There are two types of charcoal: natural and self-lighting. Natural charcoal is made from wood, bamboo, coconut, or olive pits. Their burning time is longer, but also more intense than others. Being natural, they do not release any odor or taste. They also do not produce smoke.

Natural coals also take on various shapes depending on the brand that produces them. Thus, it is possible to find triangular, flat, cubic, pellet-shaped, etc., coals. Their carbon content is also more or less high. Those that contain a lot will have a longer heating time, as will those that are larger in size. However, for ignition, specific equipment is required. The combustion duration is about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

For self-lighting charcoal, this is what is called classic charcoal and burns quickly. The first layer is the one that contains a self-igniting substance and catches fire within a few seconds. They are capable of burning even at a low temperature. On the other hand, they give a chemical taste to the smoke. Their burning capacity is regular, but not very high, around 30 minutes.