something i learned about hookah charcoal

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so i usually buy large orders online and have them shipped to my address in MD. This is the first year that I started using coconut (natural) coals rather than Quick Lights. The last shipment I ordered (which was over 300 bucks) included several kinds of coals that I've used in the past from the same vendor I've always used. This is the first winter I've used natural coals but I didn't think that the temperature or the fact it was snowing outside would impact my smoke session. Boy was I wrong. I think something happened during the shipment. The coals all turn black and hard (get your mind out of the gutter) and are actually cold to the touch after about 25 minutes. I can put them back on the burner to get them going again but I have to keep repeating the process. I was able to pick up a box of the same coals at a hookah supplier near my office and they work great. I guess the lesson to be learned here is to pick them up yourself when there are drastic changes to the weather rather than having them shipped. Granted, some coals suffer from humidity shock so if you live in a similar climate to where they were made/stored, you should be okay. Anyways that's it. Have a happy new year everybody!

linnova:
I had no idea coal was so sensitive to temperature (with it being fossilized carbon and all)! lol glad to hear you were able to get some "good" coal. 
hookahmatt:
Thanks and thanks for the follow! Yeah, I called up the vendor to see what's up. They said it must be the drastic change in the temperature from outside (about 18 degrees F) to inside my apartment (about 65 degress F) causes humidity to build up inside which makes the coals damp. They likened it to trying to start a fire with damp firewood (ever try building a fire when it's snowing out?). It might start eventually but it will burn out pretty fast. I've been trying to dry them out by keeping them in an airtight container in the freezer which works okay. The problem is, as soon as I open the container to get coals, they are exposed to the humidity again. I finally figured out a way to keep them going for about 40 minutes. It basically boiled down to ensuring they get enough oxygen to stay lit, so now I'm using smoking them with foil or just bottom of the lotus. It kinda sucks though because I can't use a windcover to get more heat because the little amount of oxygen it does allow through isn't enough to keep the coals lit. Oh well. 

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