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Buy hookah charcoal: high-quality natural charcoal for your session

Looking to buy hookah charcoal without walking round every shop near you? In our store you will find a wide choice of high-quality natural charcoal made from coconut shells. Our hookah charcoal comes in cube sizes from 26 to 28 millimetres and in packs from 1 kg hookah charcoal up to 20 kg hookah charcoal. Brands to choose from include proven names such as Cocobration, BlackCocos, Aladin, CocoLoco, One Nation and Magic Cube natural charcoal by Zauberwürfel.

We deliberately stock natural charcoal only. Quick-light charcoal is not part of our range.

The key facts
  • Coconut charcoal is the standard for a high-quality hookah session.
  • Depending on size and heat management, natural charcoal burns for roughly 60 to 90 minutes, and some products last longer.
  • 26 mm charcoal is easier to regulate, 27 mm charcoal delivers heat for longer and more strongly.
  • Natural charcoal has to be glowing through completely, which takes a charcoal burner.
  • An even shape, a firm press and little ash all point to good quality.
  • Barbecue charcoal and ordinary wood charcoal do not belong in a hookah.

Natural charcoal or quick-light charcoal?

There are basically two kinds of hookah charcoal. Which one suits you better comes down to burn time, lighting and taste.

FeatureNatural charcoalQuick-light charcoal
MaterialMostly pressed coconut shellsPressed charcoal dust with self-lighting additives
ShapeUsually sold as even cubesOften round tablets in varying diameters
LightingNeeds an electric charcoal burner or a gas burnerCan be lit with an ordinary lighter
Burn timeAround 60 to 90 minutesAround 30 to 45 minutes
TasteLargely neutralCan create a bitter aftertaste
Smell while lightingComparatively faintUsually smells unpleasant
ResidueUsually leaves little ash and residueOften leaves more residue
Heat managementEven heat that is easy to controlMore for short, uncomplicated sessions
Suited toHigh-quality, longer hookah sessionsQuick lighting without an extra device

The main advantages of natural charcoal are its long burn time, its even heat and its largely neutral taste. So if you care about a controllable smoke and about tasting your tobacco rather than your charcoal, natural charcoal is the way to go.

Careful: barbecue charcoal and wood charcoal are no substitute for hookah charcoal. They are not intended for use on a hookah bowl, and composition, shape and heat output differ from proper hookah charcoal. Briquettes are made of pressed carbon and affect the taste considerably. Wood charcoal is not compacted, so it burns unevenly, throws sparks and breaks apart. It can even give off too much heat at once and scorch the tobacco quickly. So keep your hands off.

Which cube size suits your hookah?

The shape and size of the charcoal affect how much heat it gives off. Which cube size works best depends on your bowl, on the heat management system you use and on your experience.

SizeHeat outputSuited to
Hookah charcoal 26 mmmoderate and easy to controlbeginners and smaller bowls
Hookah charcoal 27 mmhigher and longer lastinglonger sessions and experienced smokers
Hookah charcoal 28 mmhighest of alllarge bowls and special setups

The label 27 mm charcoal means every cube has an edge length of 27 millimetres. Bigger cubes give off heat for longer, but they also need more time to glow through completely. Do check as well whether the charcoal fits your smokebox or HMD.

Two 27 mm options you cannot go wrong with:

One Nation 1kg 27mm: around 100 minutes of burn time with little ash

One Nation hookah charcoal 27 mm 1 kg One Nation Shisha Kohle 1kg 27mm View Product

Aladin Coco 27er 1kg: for medium and large bowls, with no taste of its own

Aladin Coco hookah charcoal 27 mm 1 kg Aladin Coco 27er 1kg View Product

How do you spot good hookah charcoal?

When comparing products, the factors that count are the press, the moisture content and the materials used. Good natural charcoal meets consistent quality standards:

  • a uniform cube shape
  • a firm press with no broken pieces
  • even heat output
  • little ash and residue
  • no intrusive smell of its own
  • no noticeable effect on the aroma

Damp or badly pressed charcoal can burn unevenly, go out early or fall apart while you use it. That is why we test the brands in our range ourselves over several hookah sessions.

Lighting hookah charcoal properly

Natural charcoal cannot be lit with an ordinary lighter. The easiest way is an electric charcoal burner. Place the cubes on the heating coil with enough space between them and turn them with a pair of tongs while they light.

Your natural charcoal is ready when it glows through completely on all sides and no black patches are left. Only then should it go onto the bowl or into your heat management system. A suitable HMD then helps keep the temperature steady through the session.

Never move glowing hookah charcoal with your bare hands. Smoking a hookah carries health risks regardless of which charcoal you use. Burning the charcoal produces carbon monoxide among other substances that are harmful to your health.

Which pack size of hookah charcoal is worth it?

One kilogram of natural charcoal holds roughly 64 cubes in the 26 millimetre size, depending on the producer. At three pieces per session, that makes a pack last for around 20 hookah sessions.

PackCubes (26 mm)Lasts about
1 kg643 weeks
4 kg2563 months
20 kg128014 months

If you only smoke now and then, a 1 kilogram pack is the right size. Anyone who smokes regularly with friends gets more content from the bigger packs, often at a lower price per kilo. The 20 kg boxes are particularly interesting for heavy smokers, hookah bars or group orders, and they are easier on your wallet over time.

Store your supply dry and as airtight as you can. Moisture affects how hookah charcoal burns. So close the packaging carefully once you have opened it and keep it away from damp rooms, strong heat and direct sunlight.

Tip: if a 20 kg box is more charcoal than you want in one go, share one with friends who smoke too. You still get the lower price per kilo and nobody has to think about restocking for months.

Zauberwürfel Gastro 20kg 27mm: the catering pack, pure coconut charcoal with no additives

Zauberwürfel hookah charcoal Gastro 20 kg 27 mm Zauberwürfel Shisha Kohle Gastro 20kg 27mm View Product

Popular natural charcoal with us

These three leave our warehouse most often:

Cocobration 26 mm 1 kg: The classic for trying things out, burns evenly and leaves little ash

Cocobration Hookah Charcoal 26 mm 1 kg Cocobration Hookah Charcoal 26 mm 1 kg To the product

Zauberwürfel 26 mm 1 kg: An affordable way in that makes no compromises on quality

Zauberwürfel Hookah Charcoal 26 mm 1 kg Zauberwürfel Hookah Charcoal 26 mm 1 kg To the product

Cocobration 26 mm 20 kg: The bulk pack for anyone who smokes often and wants peace of mind

Cocobration Hookah Charcoal 26 mm 20 kg Cocobration Hookah Charcoal 26 mm 20 kg To the product

Can it be done without charcoal at all?

Yes. If carbon monoxide, lighting and heat management are getting on your nerves, an electric HMD is a genuine alternative. The XKAH Pro heats the tobacco electrically, you set the temperature and you are done with charcoal for good. We distribute it as an official distributor.

Try smoking without charcoal:

FAQ: hookah charcoal

Which charcoal can you use for a hookah?

Natural charcoal made from coconut shells is the right choice for a hookah. Quick-light charcoal works in technical terms too, but it tastes of chemicals, which is why we don't stock it. Barbecue and wood charcoal are not an option, because burning them releases gases that are harmful to your health.

What does hookah charcoal cost?

The price depends on the brand and the pack size. The bigger the pack, the lower the price per kilo, so you get the best deal with the 20 kg bulk packs.

Can you light hookah charcoal with a lighter?

Not natural charcoal. It needs considerably more heat than a lighter delivers, so you need an electric charcoal burner or a gas burner. Quick-light charcoal can be lit with a lighter, but then you taste the chemicals.

How long does hookah charcoal burn?

Depending on cube size, quality and heat management, natural charcoal usually burns for around 60 to 90 minutes. Quick-light charcoal normally lasts only 30 to 45 minutes.

How many pieces of charcoal do you need for one session?

Usually two to three cubes in the 26 mm size. Exactly how many depends on your bowl, your smokebox and your heat management.

Can natural charcoal go off?

No, as long as it is stored dry and properly sealed. Age makes no difference, moisture does.

Does the charcoal have to match the tobacco?

No. You can smoke natural charcoal from any producer with any hookah tobacco. All that matters is that the quality is right and that the charcoal is fully glowing through before you use it.

What is natural charcoal made of?

From natural raw materials, usually pressed coconut shells. There are also versions made from other materials such as coconut fibre or bamboo. That is why charcoal for the waterpipe is also called waterpipe charcoal or coconut charcoal.

Which charcoal accessories are worth having?

Tongs are the one thing you really need, because the charcoal gets extremely hot no matter how you light it. With burners you have a choice: if you like smoking in the park or at the beach, a gas cooker and gas cartridges make sense, while an electric burner is fine on the balcony. In our shop you can filter and read the reviews on each item before you add anything to your basket. That way you find the device that actually fits what you need.

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