What is the main purpose of coal when using a hookah?

Coals are used to heat the tobacco and flavoring enough to produce steam and smoke. Hookah tobacco mixes contain sugars (either molasses or honey) and natural/artificial flavors. read more

Coals are used to heat the tobacco and flavoring enough to produce steam and smoke. Hookah tobacco mixes contain sugars (either molasses or honey) and natural/artificial flavors. Unlike cigarettes, cigars, and dry pipe where the tobacco is incinerated hookah rather aims to bake the flavors and nicotine out of the shisha tobacco mix. read more

Fantasia makes a compressed, hardwoord coal that is comparable to the coconut coals. The above options require either an electric stove or about 10 minutes of being in a natural gas flame. A butane torch is not really a good option for starting coals like these. read more

For best results, you'd like the hookah charcoal to rest at a cooler temperature when the hookah isn't in use, and heating up to simmer the tobacco when one pulls air through the hose (and over the coal). read more