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Short & true: shishaNatural charcoal It's best to ignite with one electric charcoal lighter on: Place coal on the glowing spiral, after Turn once for 4-5 minutes and let it glow until it glows red all around and is covered in gray - no more black spots (Approximately 7-10 minutes). Very important: only light outdoors, because an odorless substance is produced when it is heated through Carbon monoxide – a tilted window is not enough.
The charcoal is the heart of every session: poorly lit charcoal ruins the taste, causes scratching and releases unnecessary amounts of carbon monoxide. Properly burned coal, on the other hand, produces clean, even smoke. In this guide we will show you Step by step, how to properly light shisha charcoal – indoors and out and about, with all the methods, the crucial glow check and the safety rules you need to know.
The easiest and cleanest way is this electric charcoal lighters (a heating plate/spiral with approx. 1000 watts). This is how you do it:
That's exactly what the cheap one is for Mata Leon charcoal lighter (1000 W) for 12,90€ – Switch on the heating plate, put the coal on it, done. Our guide explains how the coal creates heat on your head How does a shisha work?
As a rule of thumb you need Natural charcoal on the electric lighter for about 7-10 minutesuntil it is completely burned through. Other methods are sometimes faster, sometimes slower - here is the direct comparison:
| method | Duration (natural coal) | Suitable? | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric charcoal lighter (~1000W) | approx. 7-10 min | ✅ recommended | evenly, no open flame - CO is still produced, so ventilate well / outside |
| Gas burner / storm lighter | approx. 10-20 min | ✅ v. a. on the way | very hot, but in spots - be sure to turn |
| Charcoal grill / embers | fast | ✅ only outside | no fuel paste/spirit directly on the coal |
| Esbit / dry fuel | approx. 5-12 min | ✅ Camping/emergency solution | 1 cube each under & over the coal |
| Self-igniter + lighter | 1-2 min ignition | ⚠️ Emergency solution | chemical aftertaste – let it glow completely first |
| Ceramic hob / electric stove | — | ❌ no | Burn marks, hob may crack |
| Microwave/oven | — | ❌ no | doesn’t work – smell & danger |
The Turning is the most often forgotten step – and the most important for even embers. The side facing the heat source glows first. If you don't turn the coal, the top (or core) will remain black while the bottom is already done.
Therefore: After about 4-5 minutes, turn the cubes once with coal tongs, a second time if necessary. This is how the coal glows evenly from all sides. This is particularly mandatory with a gas burner because the flame only hits at specific points.
Sturdy pliers protect the fingers and provide control - e.g. B. the Moze Flare coal tongs (in Black and silver). For several coals at once - for example when lighting on the grill or on the go - there is one Coal basket practical.
The coal is fully annealed, if it shows these three characteristics:
The best all-round solution for the home: even heat, no open flame, clean glow in 7-10 minutes. Just switch it on, put the coal on it, turn it over, and you're done.
Very hot and ignites quickly, however selectively – the coal initially only glows where the flame hits. Here you have to be particularly consistent turn arounduntil all sides are glowing. Good for on the go.
Outdoors, natural charcoal can also be burned through the embers of the grill - often the quickest method. Important: no alcohol or fuel paste directly on the shisha charcoal (danger of flash fire and taste).
Neither works reliably and is dangerous: the microwave can cause sparks, the oven spreads soot and smell throughout the kitchen - and the carbon monoxide problem in the closed room remains. Leave it.
No electricity nearby? When camping, at the lake or on the go, there are still ways to burn natural charcoal. The handiest emergency solution is this Esbit method with dry fuel cubes (hard alcohol).
This is how it works: Place one on a heat-resistant surface (e.g. an aluminum tray). Esbit cube, the natural charcoal on top and a second Esbit cube on top. Light both of them - the coal will be like this fired from below and above at the same time and glows completely (approx. 5-12 minutes). A small cylinder made of aluminum foil as a chimney increases the draft and the even glow.
Also possible on the go: a gas burner, a Charcoal grill or the Embers of a campfire (Put the coal in with tongs, let it glow, take it out). One is practical for this Coal basket, with which you can safely hang several dice in the fire and take them out again.
There are two types of charcoal - and the choice is clear for taste and health:
Our clear recommendation: natural charcoal. We rely on them Magic cube natural charcoal – clean coconut charcoal with a long burning time. Self-igniting is at most an emergency solution for when you're on the move - and it also has to be used first burn out completely (no more sparks, uniform gray) before it can be turned upside down so that the ignition chemical is burned off.
This is the most important section of this guide. When the coal glows through, it is created Carbon monoxide (CO) - a colorless, odorless and tasteless gasthat you don't notice before it takes effect. The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) and health authorities expressly warn against this.
Therefore, only light charcoal outdoors – never in the apartment, house, party room or garage. And a Tilted or open windows are not enough: Indoors, CO can accumulate to such an extent that it can cause headaches, unconsciousness or even death. A garage counts as a closed room.
Anyone who goes “outside” often looks for the corners protected from the wind – and thus undermines the protection. A covered balcony, a niche, a pavilion/party tent or a windbreak that is built too tightly can accumulate the CO or even push it back into the apartment. Rule of thumb: A good windbreak will keep it going wind off, but not that Air.
If you need a windbreak outdoors so that the coal glows evenly, then air permeable: a simple umbrella Aluminum foil, one punched on the side Metal/can, a stainless steel bowl or other kitchen utensils - the main thing is that fresh air continues to come from below. There are also ready-made solutions like this Universal quick lighter with wind protection. Never seal the coal tightly all around - this reduces the oxygen and creates more CO.
Quantity per head: With one Smokebox/HMD are usually enough 2-3 cubes, in the classic Fireplace attachment or aluminum foil setup they usually are 3 dice (large heads 3-4). Distribute them evenly and start with less - you can always add more.
Cube size 26 vs. 27 mm: 27mm cubes have more mass, start hotter and glow longer – ideal for large heads and long sessions. 26 mm cubes can be regulate more finely and fit well with smaller heads and everyday life. Both are available as 26mm (5,90€/kg) and 27mm (5,90€/kg).
Lighter, natural charcoal, tongs and basket - prices live and updated daily from our shop.
You can find more natural charcoal, lighters and accessories in the category Coal & lighters. Large consumers take advantage 20kg package.
With an electric charcoal lighter (approx. 1000 W), natural charcoal takes about 7-10 minutes until it is completely glowing. Lighting is quicker over a gas burner, but it also takes around 10-20 minutes for all sides to glow completely, including turning. Self-igniting charcoal ignites in 1-2 minutes, but must still glow completely afterwards.
The coal is ready when it glows evenly red/orange on all sides and is covered on the outside with a fine gray ash film - without any black spots. Black areas mean that the core has not yet annealed; Such coal releases more carbon monoxide when smoked and tastes worse.
After about 4-5 minutes, turn the coal once with coal tongs, and a second time if necessary. This means it glows evenly from all sides. Turning is mandatory, especially with a gas burner, because the flame only hits the side facing you.
No. On a ceramic hob (glass ceramic hob), the charcoal leaves permanent burn marks that cannot be removed and, in the worst case, the hob cracks due to the localized heat. Use a cheap electric charcoal lighter instead.
The Esbit method works on the go: place one dry fuel cube under and one over the natural charcoal and light them both - the charcoal glows from above and below. A gas burner, a charcoal grill or the embers of a campfire are also suitable. Natural charcoal, on the other hand, cannot be lit with a lighter.
Natural charcoal (coconut charcoal) cannot be burned through with a lighter - it needs a permanent, strong heat source. Only chemical self-ignition charcoal can be ignited with a lighter, but must then burn out completely before it can be used on the head.
Natural charcoal made from coconut shells is the better choice: tasteless, almost chemical-free and with a long burning time (approx. 60-90 minutes). Self-igniting contains chemical ignition aids, can leave an aftertaste and burns for a shorter period of time - practically only as an emergency solution when traveling.
There are usually 2-3 natural charcoal cubes per head with a smokebox/HMD, and with a classic fireplace attachment or aluminum foil setup there are usually 3 cubes (or 3-4 for large heads). Distribute them evenly and start with less - you can always add more.
27mm cubes have more mass, start with more heat and glow longer - ideal for large heads and long sessions. 26mm cubes are slightly smaller, can be regulated more finely and are well suited for smaller heads and everyday use. You can also combine both.
Yes. When the coal glows, odorless carbon monoxide (CO) is produced. Therefore, only light charcoal outdoors - never in an apartment, house or garage, and a tilted window is not enough. If you have a headache, dizziness or nausea, immediately get some fresh air. If in doubt, call 112.
Glow-through natural charcoal lasts about 60-90 minutes per filling before you need to refill it. Compressed ignition burns significantly shorter, around 30-45 minutes. When you add more, you will notice that the cubes become smaller/lighter and the smoke becomes thinner.
Yes, natural charcoal can also be burned outside in the embers of a charcoal grill - this is often the quickest method. Important: do not use spirit or fuel paste directly on the shisha charcoal (danger of flash fire and taste) and turn the cubes here too until they are completely gray.
You've read this far - and noticed: Smoking charcoal requires a lot of equipment and effort.
For a classic session you need: Charcoal lighter, natural coal, coal tongs and – just on the way – one Coal basket, plus one Smokebox or a fireplace attachment on the head. Plus around 10 minutes of lighting outdoors and the carbon monoxide issue.
The electric one XKAH Pro heats the tobacco with a heating head instead of coal and thus replaces exactly that: you save yourself that complete coal equipment (lighter, coal, tongs, basket) and the smokebox – all you need is yours Head and tobacco. No lighting, no flying sparks, no carbon monoxide.
Do you want to compare the options first? Our guide shows which coal-free alternatives are available - electric shisha head, chimney attachment, e-shisha - and when each is worthwhile Shisha without charcoal: the alternatives.
Straight on the way she shows off her strengths: when Camping, traveling and abroad You don't have to burn coals, build an open fire or look for a place protected from the wind - just plug it in, heat it up and start smoking. The XKAH Pro is available in four colors – Graphite, Silver, Blue and Pink - away Original price was: 349,90€.289,00€Current price is: 289,00€..
Be honest: carbon-free means “without carbon monoxide”, not automatically healthy – nicotine and aerosol remain when you use tobacco. More about this in the guide Is smoking shisha harmful?
Note: This article is for general information. Lighting live coals poses fire and carbon monoxide risks - only light coals outdoors. Sales are exclusively to people aged 18 and over.
