Guides3 min read
Coconut shisha charcoal: sizes, shapes and how to use them
25, 26 or 27 mm cubes, flats and discs: what changes with each coconut shisha charcoal, how long it lasts, how to light it and how to use it safely.
Charcoal is the heat source for the whole session, and a few extra millimetres change the result quite a bit. Here are the usual shapes, what each one offers and the precautions you should not skip.
Shapes and sizes
| Shape | Approximate size | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Small cube | 25 mm | Very common, less heat per piece |
| Standard cube | 26 mm | Fits nearly every HMD |
| Large cube | 27 mm or more | More heat per piece, can be too big for some HMDs |
| Flat | About 25 × 25 × 15 mm | More contact surface and slightly shorter burn |
| Disc or cylinder | Varies | Mostly used with foil |
There is no single standard size: depending on who you ask, it is either 25 or 26 mm. What matters is that it fits your HMD once lit, because charcoal shrinks as it burns. There are also flat or wedge shapes designed to use the space in Kaloud-style HMDs.
Coconut or quick-light
- Coconut charcoal: made from pressed coconut shell. It takes longer to light, but its heat is steady and it adds little taste.
- Quick-light: catches in seconds thanks to additives, which can leave odours and change the taste.
How many coals to use
It depends on the HMD, the bowl and the tobacco. As a guide, an HMD usually takes 2 or 3 of the 26 mm cubes. Two 26 mm cubes can give similar heat to three 25 mm ones, so adjust the number when you change size.
The tobacco decides: a delicate one needs less heat than a tough one. See the heat tolerance guide, and for managing heat during the session, the heat management guide.
Lighting and burn time
- Light them on a burner: this usually takes 10 to 15 minutes.
- Check they are fully lit: they should glow red on every side, with no black patches.
- Remove the ash carefully before placing them.
- Replace them when spent: a common sign is white ash covering most of the coal and no red glow inside.
A cube usually lasts 45 to 90 minutes, depending on size, density and airflow. The higher figures some manufacturers quote are unusual in practice.
Safety: carbon monoxide and burns
- Always ventilate. Lit charcoal gives off carbon monoxide, an odourless, colourless gas that can be fatal. Do not use it in enclosed spaces.
- If you feel a headache, dizziness or nausea, get into fresh air and seek medical help if it doesn't pass.
- Use tongs and a heat-resistant surface.
- Let the embers cool completely before throwing them away.
Keep learning
If you are curious how that heat reaches the tobacco, see the bowl clay types. And if a term loses you, there is the shisha glossary. In Humarea, community mixes state the setup they were made with.
Humarea is a platform exclusively for adults aged 18 and over. Tobacco is harmful to your health.