Charcoal - Tong
Picking a pair of shisha tongs
Tongs let you place, turn and move hot coals without your hands going near the bowl. The main differences are length, weight, material and the shape of the tips.
Kinds of tong
- Sharp or dagger ends, for example the Shishagear Large Dagger or the Starbuzz Carbine tongs: the pointed end helps you break coals apart.
- Flat, round tips, such as the Apple On Top Flip Tong: long arms pivoted close to the handle for careful placing of coals.
- Serrated, wide tips, like Target's tongs: the broad gripping surface holds a coal firmly so it does not slip out.
- Compact tongs, for instance the Embery Mini Tong at 62g or the Kaloud Vestara Niris Tong in aluminium and solid wood at 17.9cm. Handy at home.
- Long-reach tongs, such as the Aeon Sparta at about 33cm, which also has a bottle opener, or the 30cm Target Venom. They keep your hand further from the heat.
- Boxed designs, for example Alpha Hookah tongs with an engraving and velvet pouch, or Na Grani tongs in a wooden box with a carved section to hang them on your tray.
Which suits you?
If your coals stick together, choose a sharp end. For setting coals exactly where you want them on a bowl or heat management device, flat or serrated tips are easier. If you mainly lift coals from a coal burner to the bowl, a lighter, shorter pair handles well.
Simple care
Let the tips cool before you put the tongs away, and wipe off ash after each session. Keep them with your coal basket so they are to hand when the coals are ready.
Questions
Do brand-matched tongs only work with that hookah?
No. Tongs like the Starbuzz Carbine ones are styled to match a hookah, but any tong can handle coals for any shisha.
What length of tong should I choose?
Many tongs are around 20 to 24cm, which suits everyday use. Longer pairs keep your hand further from the heat, and compact ones are easier to store and carry.