Charcoal - Holders

Picking a coal basket

Once your coals are glowing on the burner, they need a way to travel to the bowl. A basket or holder lets you carry them across the room and keep spare coals ready for when the first set fades.

Types of holder

• Standing baskets: a basket on a tall stem with a handle, such as the AMY Charcoal Basket Holder or the El Nefes Corona. They often come in small, medium and large, so pick a basket diameter that suits the number of coals you use.
• Flat baskets with a handle: low and easy to carry, for example the Shishagear Flat Big Charcoal Basket Holder, whose trays lift out for cleaning.
• Weighted baskets: the Moze Flare is cast iron with a heavy, low base that holds the heat and rights itself if knocked.
• Two-tier holders: the Double Decker Shisha Charcoal Holder 19" keeps several coals ready at once, handy for group sessions.
• Burner spares: replacement baskets and handles for a specific burner, such as the Hookatec parts for the Blazn Burner.

How big a basket?

Most bowls take three or four coals, so a small or medium basket covers a single session. If you smoke several sittings in a row or light coals for more than one hookah, a larger basket saves going back to the burner. A basket also frees up the hookah tray for ash.

Handling hot coals

Lift coals with tongs rather than tipping the basket. Put the holder down on a heat-proof surface, and let it cool fully before you put it away. Tap spent ash onto an ashtray or coal plate, and light your next batch on a coal burner.

Questions

Should I get a basket or a two-tier holder?

A basket is mainly for carrying coals from the burner to the bowl. A two-tier holder is for keeping several lit coals ready beside you during a session.

Will a burner replacement basket fit another burner?

Replacement baskets are made for named burner models, such as the Blazn Burner BA120 and BA240. Check your burner's model number against the listing first.

Can a basket be cleaned?

Yes. Let it cool completely, then tip out the ash. Some, like the Shishagear Flat Big, have trays that come out of the frame to make this easier.