Using a Lighter in Shisha: Why Charcoal is the Only Choice
, by M Ahmad, 5 min reading time
When it comes to enjoying the perfect shisha session, the heat source plays a vital role. Traditionally, shisha charcoal is used to heat the tobacco, unlocking the rich flavours and producing the thick, smooth clouds that smokers love. However, some may wonder if using a lighter could be a convenient alternative to charcoal. While it might seem like a quick fix, using a lighter is not a suitable replacement for hookah charcoal. In fact, it can drastically affect the quality of your session, leaving you with poor flavours and an overall disappointing experience.
Can You Use a Lighter Instead of Charcoal for Shisha?
The simple answer is no – you cannot use a lighter effectively in place of charcoal when smoking shisha.
A lighter might seem like an easy shortcut, but it doesn’t provide the slow, consistent heat that’s essential for a great shisha session. Charcoal burns steadily and evenly, offering the long-lasting heat needed to extract the full depth of flavours from your tobacco. A lighter, on the other hand, delivers short, intense bursts of heat, which can cause your tobacco to burn unevenly and quickly, leading to harsh smoke and an unpleasant taste.
Why Charcoal is Crucial for Shisha
Charcoal is the backbone of an enjoyable shisha experience. It delivers even, long-lasting heat that warms the tobacco slowly, allowing the rich, layered flavours to come through while producing thick, satisfying smoke. Without the slow-burning properties of high-quality charcoal, your tobacco can either burn too fast or fail to heat properly, resulting in weak smoke or an unpleasantly harsh taste.
By using premium charcoal, you ensure that the heat is distributed evenly, making the entire session smoother and more flavourful. The difference in quality is particularly noticeable when compared to inconsistent heat sources like lighters, which can cause your shisha to taste burnt and bitter.
Why a Lighter Won’t Work for Shisha
Using a lighter instead of charcoal is not only ineffective but can also harm your setup. Here’s why:
- Inconsistent Heat: A lighter produces high-intensity, short bursts of heat, which are unsuitable for the steady, slow burn required to heat shisha tobacco. This concentrated heat causes the tobacco to burn unevenly, resulting in a harsh and unenjoyable smoke.
- Potential Damage: The direct flame from a lighter can overheat and damage your shisha bowl, potentially cracking it over time. The high temperatures can also cause the tobacco to burn too quickly, ruining the flavour and shortening your session.
- Unpleasant Flavour: The uneven heating from a lighter can lead to burnt tobacco, which produces a bitter and harsh taste. The smooth, rich flavours you expect from a proper shisha session will be lost.
Risks of Using a Lighter in Shisha
Choosing a lighter over charcoal can introduce several risks, both to your shisha setup and your health. Here are some of the main concerns:
- Poor Flavour: The high, uneven heat from a lighter burns the tobacco too quickly, resulting in a harsh and bitter taste that’s far from enjoyable.
- Equipment Damage: A lighter’s direct flame can overheat and crack your shisha bowl, which can impact the longevity of your setup and ruin future sessions.
- Uneven Heating: A lighter doesn’t distribute heat evenly, leading to poor smoke production and an overall lacklustre experience.
- Shorter Sessions: Using a lighter can cause your tobacco to burn out faster, cutting your session short.
- Health Risks: Lighters release chemicals like butane, which can mix with the tobacco and create potentially harmful substances in the smoke.
- Fire Hazards: Continuous use of a lighter increases the risk of burns or fire, especially if your setup overheats or becomes unstable.
Conclusion: Charcoal is the Only Choice
When it comes to smoking shisha, using a lighter as a heat source simply doesn’t compare to proper charcoal. The inconsistent heat, poor flavour, and potential equipment damage make lighters an unsuitable option. For a smooth, enjoyable, and safe shisha session, high-quality charcoal is the only choice. Whether you prefer coconut-based charcoal or traditional options, investing in good charcoal ensures your tobacco heats evenly and slowly, unlocking its full flavour potential.
At The Premium Way, we stock a wide range of premium shisha products, including top-quality charcoals, to enhance your smoking experience. Shop with us today and enjoy Australia’s best prices, fast shipping, and premium products for the perfect shisha session every time.