| Hookah smoking involves a variety of elements | | | | based "logs" of coal. Often times referred to as |
| working together to bring you a quality smoke. One | | | | "natural" coal, these tend to burn cleaner thus |
| vital yet overlooked element is in fact, the heat. | | | | eliminating excessive coal flavors. They will not light |
| Hookah smokers will often sit around and talk about | | | | with a portable flame unless you happen to keep a |
| the greatest shisha (hookah tobacco) flavors and | | | | porto-torch in your glove compartment. Generally, you |
| brands that exist. Then, they will move onto hookah | | | | will require a stove top and a short waiting period. The |
| sizes and styles from large to small, cheap to | | | | end result could be well worth it since you won't be |
| unaffordable, colors, hoses, and more. Yet, the most | | | | tasting the chemicals of the self lighting coals. |
| frequently overlooked piece of the hookah smoking | | | | Finally, there is the "charcoal bricks" which are often |
| experience is in fact what makes the whole thing | | | | referred to as "Egyptian coal". These charcoal bricks |
| work. The coal. | | | | are also lemon wood and they resemble random |
| Once you sprinkle your shisha/hookah tobacco into | | | | shapes that appear as though you could barbeque |
| your bowl and wrap a nice layer of aluminum foil | | | | with them. They have a long heating period on an |
| around it, you will then place this important item on top. | | | | average electric stove so you might want to get out |
| This item known as "the coal" will transfer its heat | | | | that propane camp stove to fire up these coals. The |
| down through the tobacco which will ultimately fill the | | | | smell of the coals cooking can overwhelm the |
| base with smoke and end up (momentarily) in your | | | | pleasant smells of your house, so you might want to |
| lungs. However, its not that simple. | | | | think twice before cooking coals in your kitchen. |
| Several types of coal exist in the growing hookah | | | | Despite their dominant heating odors, these coals |
| market and a beginner may find it difficult to select the | | | | provide the most flavorless heat source available in |
| best flame. The most common is the self lighting coals | | | | the hookah coal market. The charcoal bricks are often |
| made by Three Kings. They are convenient since you | | | | large and also burn quickly so don't clutter your bowl. |
| can light one up with a Zippo, in the wind, possibly while | | | | Whichever hookah coals you smoke should ultimately |
| its raining. However, the same chemicals that make it a | | | | depend on your preference and situation. If you are a |
| quick lighting coal also add (often unwanted) flavors to | | | | natural coal smoker at home, it never hurts to keep a |
| your hookah smoking experience. Thus you exchange | | | | box of quick lighting coals around for those last minute |
| taste for convenience. | | | | trips to the beach. |
| The next option is the lemon wood or olive wood | | | | |