You finally bought a hookah. Maybe a shiny Moze Sphere 2 or a classy Stainless Steel from Linkup Hookah. You have tobacco, a cuvettes de narguilé, a tuyaux de narguilé. What’s next?

Every new smoker must make a decision. Will you buy quick-light coals or natural coconut coals? The type of coals you choose influences each session, determining the flavor, heat, buzz (or headache), and duration of the smoke.

Walk into a hookah shop. You will find bags of each type side by side on the shelf. Quick-light coals promise fast and easy use. Coconut coals promise a clean smoke and good quality. If you have no idea what happens when you use each type, you could buy the quick-light coals and then have a smoke that tastes like you BBQed cement.

This article will be your guide. Here, you will find the chemistry of each type of coal, the best way to light coals, the price of coals, and the type of coals that are healthy. You will also find common mistakes people make when using hookah, and how to fix those mistakes, so you have the best experience when using hookah.

This article will tell you what each coal are, how each coal performs, and most importantly, how each coal compares to each other. After you read this, you will never have the same opinion towards coconut coals.

What are Quick-Light Coals?

Quick-light coals are coals that self-ignite in about two minutes. Self-lighting or instant-light coals are all interchangeable terms.

Users can spot them from their pillowy disc-like shape. Just like the standard coal, these bad boys can be lit with a standard lighter. Users will see some sparks fly, but the coals will start to glow and will be ready to go just within a minute.

Sounds great! Fast and easy, no special equipment required. So where’s the downside?

It all comes down to the composition of the coal. What are commonly referred to as “quick-light coals” are not actually pure charcoal. To make the coal easier to ignite, sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate, and other accelerants are soaked into coal. Other fillers and binders hold the disc together. When these burn, they give a distinct smell and taste that most experienced smokers refer to as ‘chemical’ or ‘ashy’.

Quick-Light Coals — The Advantages

Approximate 2 minute light time

No special equipment required, just a lighter

Easily found in convenience stores and smoke shops

Less expensive upfront cost per coal piece

Quick-Light Coals — The Disadvantages

The coal smokes too harsh and gives a chemical taste from the nitrate accelerants

Harsh on the throat, especially for beginners

The coals burn at uneven temperatures

The ash is too light and messy

Less burn time, needing a replacement in 30-40 minutes

The lighting of the coal also gives an unpleasant smell

What is Natural Coconut Coal?

They are literally natural coal. A byproduct of the coconut industry, the shells of the coconuts are burned in a low-oxygen environment to create pure coal and ground up to create consistent cubes or flats.

That’s all there is to it. No fillers, no accelerants, no nitrates, just natural carbonized coconut shell and a pinch of starch.

Thanks to their purity, coconut coals have neither a smell nor a taste, allowing you to appreciate every note in your tobacco.

The Benefits of Coconut Coals

• – Pure flavor with no chemical taste or smell
• – Last longer (60 to 90 minutes)
• – More even and less harsh hits
• – Densely produced, less ash and mess
• – Less difficult to heat and keep at preferred temperature for the session
• – Better for the environment (uses agricultural waste)

The Downsides of Coconut Coals

• – Need separate heating element (coil burner or electric stove)
• – More time (5 to 8 minutes)
• – Originally, more expensive (but cheaper in the long run)
• – Can be more difficult for beginners to heat

Factor	Quick-Light Coals	Natural Coconut Coals
Lighting Time	~2 minutes (lighter)	5-8 minutes (coil burner)
Equipment Needed	Lighter / matches only	Coil burner or electric stove
Taste Impact	Chemical / ashy aftertaste	Neutral — no added flavour
Burn Duration	30-40 minutes	60-90 minutes
Heat Consistency	Uneven — spikes then fades	Steady, controllable
Ash Volume	Lighter, messier	Denser, less mess
Health Considerations	Nitrates, accelerants inhaled	Pure coconut carbon
Cost Per Session	Cheaper per coal but more coals used	Slightly more per coal but fewer needed

You’re smart for buying coconut coals after reading this article, but they need to be heated separately, otherwise you have to blame yourself for holding them like a normal coal.

This is what almost everyone does wrong when starting to smoke, lighting coconut coals with a typical lighter.

Regular lighters reach a maximum temperature of around 200 degrees Celsius, whereas a coconut coal can take around 350 to 400 degrees Celsius to light. No matter how long you hold that lighter to the coal, there’s a 0% chance you will light it; it will just blacken a small spot.

What you need is an electric coil burner (or charcoal burner and hot plate). These reach the desired temperature and distribute heat evenly.

Linkup Hookah offers electric charcoal burners for this reason. An electric burner is the same price as three boxes of quick-light coals, but will last for years.

➡ Check out our electric charcoal burners here

How to Light Natural Coconut Coals

Step 1 — Set the burner down.

Put the electric coil burner down on a heat-proof surface away from flammable objects.

Step 2 — Place the coals.

Place 2-3 coconut coal cubes and space them evenly to allow airflow but do not stack them.

Step 3 — Wait.

In approximately 3-4 minutes, the edges will start glowing. Within 5-8 minutes, the coal will glow a nice orange-red and the top will be covered in a thin layer of grey ash.

Step 4 — Flip, if necessary.

For uneven lighting, flip each coal with your tongs. Wait another 1-2 minutes and check the newly exposed side.

Step 5 — Check readiness

Coconut coals should have no black spots and an even glow on every visible surface. If you gently blow on a coal and the glow becomes a brighter orange, the coal is ready to be used.

Step 6 — Transfer to bowl.

Use heat resistant tongs (we carry a great set of custom stainless stee tongs) so you are able to transfer the coals to your heat management device (HMD) or foil-covered bowl.

➡ Check out our stainless steel tongs collection here:

The key to good hookah lies in the balance between controlling the temperature of the coals and the heat in the bowl. Quick-light coals manage themselves, but their lack of self-regulation leads to subpar hookah. Coconut coals are the opposite. For the user that is constantly thinking about the hookah they are providing and constantly adjusting, coconut coals are the reward.

With coconut coals you control the session. Too hot? Remove one coal or move them to the edge of the bowl. Not hot enough? Add a wind cover or place the coals in the center. This adjustability is what makes coconut coals the gold standard for anyone who cares about flavor.

Quality heat management systems like the Kaloud Lotus III and the FNX from Alpha Hookah, eliminate most of the guesswork. These aluminum alloy products are managed to sit perfectly on the bowl with the coals and adjust and manage the airflow.

➡Check out our HMD collection (Kaloud Lotus, Alpha FNX, etc.)

Which Coal is Healthier?

Now, let’s establish something first. Breathable smoke just does not exist. But, if you absolutely have to, then at least try to eliminate breathing the most chemicals as possible.

In contrast to these so-called “quick-light coals”, coconut coals do not have these chemicals in them. Quick-light coals are made of some “nitrates” that they then include in fireworks and some low-quality fertilizers. This means that the coal burns, and along with it, the chemicals that form “nitrogen oxides” and other harmful smoke that are irritants to your lungs and airways. After a hookah session, many people report severe headaches and sore throats, and some report a horrible metallic taste in their mouths.

Coconut coals burn to carbon dioxide and a small amount of mineral ash. Several independent labs have shown that quick-light coals produce huge amounts of carbon monoxide and other particulates. Coconut coals, on the other hand, produce substantially lower amounts relative to quick-light coals.

In simple terms, coconut coals are the best option to reduce the harmful effects of quick-light coals.

Cost Breakdown: What is the Most Economical Option?

Now, let’s see, on average, how much each option costs during a typical 1-hour session.

Quick-Light Setup:

• – 1 box of quick-light coals (120 pieces): ~$5-7 USD
• – 3 coals per session = $0.13-0.18 per session
• – New lighter every few weeks

Coconut Coal Setup:

• – 1 kg of coconut coals (approx. 80-100 cubes): ~$8-12 USD
• – 2-3 coals per session = $0.24-0.45 per session
• – One-time burner purchase: $15-30 USD
• – After ~60 sessions the burner has paid for itself

If you smoke once a week, the burner will pay for itself in a year. For everyday smokers, it pays for itself in under two months. Better flavor, less harsh smoke, and longer sessions make it an obvious choice.

The Verdict: Which Should You Choose?

New smokers grabbing a bag need this decision tree:

• – Are you at a party, have no gear, and just need to smoke now? Quick-light coals will work in a pinch. Accept the chemical taste and plan your upgrade.
• – Do you own or are willing to buy a $15-30 coil burner? Buy natural coconut coals. Your taste buds will thank you from the first puff.

The investment to upgrade from quick-light coals to coconut coals is more than worth it.  Savor the difference.

Linkup Hookah provides top quality, natural coconut coals and professional electric burners worldwide to lounges and bars. Whether you are looking to outfit a commercial lounge or want to build a personal setup, we have all the equipment to make your sessions tasty.

Every where you look people are debating which coals are better: Quick lights or Coconut? The debate makes up about 90% of all the discussions. To fully understand the hookah charcoal types, it helps to know the broader spectrum of hookah charcoal types. Learn what the other types are and more importantly, why they are less popular. This will help illustrate why coconut coals are the best choice.

Wood Charcoal (Bamboo/Lemonwood)

Before coconut coals became the industry standard, wood-based hookah coals were all the rage. Both bamboo charcoal and lemonwood charcoal burn cleanly and have an odorless finish. They do ash more than coconut coals, burn faster, and produce less consistent heat. These coals are used in traditional hookah lounges in the Middle East, but coconut coals have mostly replaced this niche.

Japanese Charcoal (Binchotan-style)

Japanese charcoal is a high temperature, low ash coal traditionally used for grilling. Some hookah enthusiasts will experiment with binchotan-style coals since they have an ultra-clean burn. While they do work, these coals are expensive, have a harder time sourcing in cube form, and require more patience to light than standard coconut coals. The performance gain is negligible for the increased investment.

Coal-Free Electric Hookahs

Fully electric hookahs use heating elements instead of coals. Linkup Hookah sells the Cube Electric Hookah and the Large Electric Hookah with built-in, lithium-ion batteries. These units completely skip over the coal question — just plug in, heat, and smoke. They are very convenient but won’t quite compare to the heat profile and control that a set of coconut coals, paired with a good hookah mod device, can do.

What is a Good Coconut Coal Brand?

Coconut coals for a hookah can be good for a variety of reasons. Here is what to look for when shopping:

• Density: The cube should feel heavy. If dropped, the coal should sound solid and not hollow. Denser coals burn longer and more evenly.
• Ash color: Premium coconut coals will leave behind white ash. If the ash contains dark flecks, the coal may have impurities or carbonisation that is incomplete.
• Lighting Odor: If the coal smells during lighting, the quality of the binder is poor and/or the carbonization is poor.
• Packaging: Look for sealed bags with no air gaps. Coconut coals absorb the moisture and coals that are moist are hard to light and burn.

Most-Asked Questions

Is there a benefit to mixing quick-light and coconut coals?

You can mix quick-light and coconut coals, but you won’t notice a positive difference. Because of the chemical taste quick-light coals have, it will still burn the taste into your smoke. It’s best to stick to one type.

How many coconut coals do I need to use?

Typically, you need 2-3 cubes for your average phunnel bowl. If you have a bowl larger than standard and/or plan to smoke a longer session, use 3-4. Generally, the best method is to start with 2 and gauge response from there.

Do coconut coals expire?

No, coconut coals don’t expire. They won’t go bad, but if you leave them exposed to air, they can draw in the moisture in the air and lose their ability to ignite. You should keep them in their bag.

Are there different sizes of coconut coals?

Most definitely! The standard sizes are 25mm and 26mm cubes. There are also sizes known as flats (22mm or 26mm) which are also very popular. Because of the way they are designed, they are more stable to sit on HMDs. The best size depends on the bowl and HMD you select.

Can I reuse coconut coals that I have partially ignited?

Yes. If you seal them in a metal container, they will have no oxygen to sustain a flame (which equals no fire) and you can initiate the ignition process later. They will have a shorter burn duration upon reuse.

Ready to Upgrade Your Session?

You can view the entirety of Linkup Hookah’s inventory that features products such as hookah coals, electric burners, HMDs, and other accessories on their site. Serving lounges and bars around the world from China, we get quality products out to you at the best prices.