Before you start: how to take a sample
Take pieces from several cartons and several boxes, not from one spot. The goal isn't to find one excellent piece but to make sure all the pieces are alike, because consistency is what protects your brand's reputation.
1. Visual inspection
Look at the shape, edges and surface. Good pieces are uniform in size, with intact edges and no visible cracks. A lot of powder at the bottom of the box usually means weak pieces that crumble in transit.
2. Drop test
Drop 10 pieces from a height of one meter onto a hard floor and count how many stay intact. This is the same test we use: Platinum scores 8 to 10 out of 10, Super Premium 7 out of 10 and Premium 5 to 6 out of 10.
3. Lighting time
Light the pieces on a stove or electric heater and time how long they take to glow fully. Lighting time for our products is about 10 minutes. Pieces that crackle or throw sparks may be damp.
4. Burn time on the hookah bowl
Test the charcoal in a real session with the same bowl and the same number of pieces, and record how long it takes for the heat to fade. Also note whether the heat stays steady and whether the taste of the tobacco changes. Remember that burn time increases with larger sizes.
5. Ash
Note the color and amount of ash, and whether it holds together on the piece or falls off. For a rough figure, weigh several pieces, let them burn out completely, then weigh the ash. An exact percentage requires lab analysis.
6. Moisture
Excess moisture slows lighting and adds useless weight to the shipment. Weigh a sample, dry it in an oven at a low, steady temperature until its weight stops changing, then weigh it again. The difference gives an approximate moisture content; the exact figure comes from a lab.
When do you need a lab?
For large orders or disputes over specifications, request an independent lab analysis of ash, fixed carbon, moisture, volatile matter and calorific value. Then compare the results with the specifications in the contract. Our grade specifications are published on our quality & specifications page.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if hookah charcoal is good?
Little, white ash; long burn time; no smell once fully lit; no crackling; and a good drop test result.
What is the drop test?
Ten pieces are dropped from 1 metre and the intact pieces counted. The higher the number, the less breakage in shipping.
When do I need a lab analysis?
For large orders or disagreements over specs, to measure ash, fixed carbon, moisture and volatile matter.
Further reading: