How to light hookah charcoal properly

Well-lit charcoal is half the battle. Under-lit coals taste harsh, overheated ones burn the tobacco. This is the method we use ourselves.

What you will need

• Coconut charcoal — pressed cubes, most often 25 or 26 mm.
• A heat source — an electric hot plate or charcoal heater, or a gas burner with a mesh.
• Tongs to handle the hot coals.
• A heat-resistant tray or dish to put lit coals on.

This guide does not cover quick-light charcoal (the kind that catches from a lighter in a few seconds) — we compare the two types in a separate article about charcoal.

Step by step

1. Prepare the spot. Put the hot plate on a stable, non-flammable surface, ideally under an extractor hood or next to an open window.
2. Place the coals on the heat. Leave a little space between the cubes so air can reach them.
3. Heat and turn. On a typical hot plate, coconut charcoal takes roughly 8–12 minutes. About halfway through, turn the cubes with tongs so they heat evenly on all sides.
4. Check that they are ready (see the next section). If not, give them a couple more minutes.
5. Move them to the bowl. Always with tongs, never by hand — even a coal that looks grey is hundreds of degrees inside.

The exact time depends on the power of the hot plate, the size of the cubes and how dry the charcoal is. So it is better to judge by how the coal looks than by the clock.

How to tell the charcoal is ready

A properly lit coal is covered all over with a thin layer of grey ash and has no dark spots. When you turn it with tongs, the underside should also be grey and glowing slightly.

If a black patch remains in the middle or on an edge, the coal is not ready yet. On the bowl it would burn unevenly and give the smoke an unpleasant, "charcoal" taste.

Common mistakes

• Rushing. Under-lit charcoal is the most common cause of a bitter or harsh taste.
• Not turning the coals. A cube heated on one side only crumbles and burns unevenly on the bowl.
• Too many coals at once. Three cubes are usually enough to start; you can add more as needed.
• Damp charcoal. Store it dry in a closed pack — damp coals take longer to light and crack more.

Safety

Burning charcoal produces carbon monoxide — a colourless, odourless gas. Only light and use charcoal in a well-ventilated room and never leave it unattended. If you prepare a hookah at home regularly, consider a carbon monoxide detector.

Only throw out the ash when it is completely cold — it can keep smouldering inside even an hour later.