3 Ways To Light Hookah Charcoal for Optimal Sessions

3 Ways to Light Hookah Charcoal for Optimal Sessions

Getting your hookah charcoal fully lit is essential for an enjoyable session. Properly burning charcoal generates the right amount of heat to bring out the flavors in your shisha tobacco and produce thick, satisfying smoke. Here are three common methods for lighting different types of hookah charcoal.

Types of Hookah Charcoal and Their Differences

Before diving into the methods, let’s take a quick look at the types of charcoal you might be working with:

1. Quick-light or instant-light charcoal: Ignites quickly due to a chemical accelerant, lighting up faster than natural charcoal.
2. Natural coconut charcoal: Made from coconut husk, this is a popular option for those seeking a cleaner, chemical-free smoke.
3. Wood charcoal: Options include bamboo, orange wood, and lemon wood, each potentially adding a unique hint to your shisha flavor.

Natural charcoal (coconut or wood) typically requires more time and a stronger heat source to ignite fully compared to quick-light charcoal.

Method 1: Lighting Charcoal with a Lighter

Quick-light charcoal can be ignited using a standard lighter or match. Here’s how:

1. Use Tongs: Hold the charcoal piece securely with tongs.
2. Ignite the Charcoal: Use a lighter to ignite it. The charcoal should begin to sparkle as it lights up.
3. Wait for Full Burn: Let the charcoal burn until it turns red and eventually gray. This process takes only a minute or two.
4. Place on Hookah: Once the charcoal is fully lit, place it on your hookah setup, whether using aluminum foil or a heat management device.

Note: This method is generally for instant-light charcoal. While you can try this with natural charcoal, it’s often too time-consuming and may not get the charcoal fully burning.

Method 2: Lighting Charcoal on a Gas Stove

Using a gas stove works well for natural charcoal pieces and allows you to light multiple pieces at once:

1. Turn on the Stove: Set the stove to medium or high heat.
2. Place Charcoal on Flame: Use tongs to place the charcoal on the flame. If you need more than one piece, position them together.
3. Monitor the Flame: Flip the charcoal as necessary to get an even burn on all sides.
4. Wait for Full Color Change: Once the charcoal turns red, then gray or whitish, it’s fully burning and ready to be placed on your hookah.

With a gas stove, natural charcoal usually takes 5–10 minutes to light fully. This method can be used for both coconut and wood-based charcoals.

Method 3: Lighting Charcoal with a Charcoal Burner

For dedicated hookah enthusiasts, a charcoal burner is a great investment, especially for natural coconut or wood charcoal:

1. Preheat the Burner: Turn on the burner if it’s electric or plug it in and wait for it to heat up.
2. Add Charcoal to Burner: Place the charcoal pieces directly onto the burner.
3. Allow Time to Burn: Give the charcoal 5–10 minutes to burn thoroughly, flipping them with tongs as needed to ensure even burning.
4. Ready to Use: Once the charcoal is completely gray or whitish, it’s ready to go on your hookah.

How Long Does It Take to Light Hookah Charcoal?

• Instant or Quick-light Charcoal: Takes only a few seconds to ignite but about a minute to fully burn.
• Natural Coconut or Wood Charcoal: Requires 5–10 minutes using a gas stove or charcoal burner; a lighter or matchstick will take longer.

Be sure to burn charcoal thoroughly on all sides to prevent uneven heating, which could disrupt your session’s quality. Remember, properly burning charcoal should be gray or whitish, not red or orange.

Using the right method for your charcoal type ensures a smooth, flavorful, and enjoyable hookah experience every time.