How to choose the right hookah coal?

There are two things that matter the most if you’re eager to a great hookah experience – the tobacco and the coal. Choosing the right coal isn’t, however, as easy as it seems. But don’t worry, we’re here to help you. In this post we’ll talk you through on:

• how to choose the right hookah coal
• what’s the appropriate amount of coal for Hekkpipe hookahs
• the comparison of main coal types available

Let’s go!

Charcoal categories

In a nutshell, the hookah coals can be divided into two categories – instant (quick lighting) and natural coals. Broadly speaking, we can compare them as following – choose the natural coal if you have time and you want to experience a fresh, all organic hookah. On the contrary, choose the instant quick lighting coal if you want to be start your sessions fast. On average, traditional natural coals take up to 10 minutes to fully ignite, while quick lighting coals take only as little as 30 seconds.

When we compare the price, we noticed that traditional natural coals are the cheapest offering you a session for as little as 0,04 to 0,1 €. Next up is the quick lighting natural coal – a growing range of products that are rocking the market, combing the fresh taste of the traditional natural coals and the short igniting time of quick lighting coals. You can get them for 0,1 to 0,17 € a piece, depending on quantity you buy. Quick lighting or instant coals, however, can go up to 0,2 € a piece, being the most expensive of those three.

In terms of taste, we highly recommend choosing traditional natural or quick lighting natural coals. They offer you the purest tobacco taste. Quick lighting coals, on the other hand, smell a bit wierd when igniting. If you use instant coals, let the coal sparkle until the end and fully ignite before placing it on the tobacco bowl!

Also, did you know that hookah sessions with a natural coal rarely end with a headache? This is the second reason we always suggest preferring those over quick lighting or instant hookah charcoals.

Here is an overview of three different kinds of coals on average based on our research and tests.

Summary of recommended coals for Hekkpipe

Next we bring out the list of charcoals and their sizes based on multiple tests. All these coals are Hekkpipe-approved and work well with our hookahs. 

Curious for more? See how those charcoals look like

Well, if you wish to have closer look about all of these charcoals, see the photos below. Note that not all of those producs are available in each country, but maybe the photos help you on your way. There are also other brands or products what are similar to these and might work as good as these with Hekkpipe. Please just keep in mind how much each Hekkpipe model needs charcoal.

1. Tom Coco Gold hookah coal 26x26x26mm

2. Tom Cococha Diamond hookah coal 22x22x22mm

3. Black Coco hookah coal 26x26x26mm

4. Fastcoco hookah coal

5. Forty Four instant hookah coal rings

Another really great instant coal is the donut-shaped Forty Four. Despite its large dimensions like the name suggests (44mm), it features a hole insite it which enables to experience a good hookah session.

6. CarboPol Crown 40mm instant hookah coal

Bonus! Ecocha natural hookah coal

So, these were our thoughts on how to choose the right hookah coal. ​Let us know which one of them is your favorite and post a memory of it to Instagram using hashtag #hekkpipe.