Most hookah coals will burn for up to 60 minutes before needing to be changed. It’s recommended to use tongs to move the coals around every 5-7 minutes.

Having a coal starter on hand can make enjoying all the benefits of hookah at home easy. The first thing you’ll want to consider when shopping for a coal starter is whether you like to light your charcoal the old-fashioned way or by using a shortcut. If you tend to enjoy the process of lighting charcoal the old-fashioned way then a starter may not be for you. If you’re looking for an easier shortcut then a charcoal starter can be a great option. After you’ve confirmed that you are actually in the market for a coal starter you’ll then want to consider how much charcoal you will be needing to light. Small coal starters work great for small amounts of charcoal while larger starters can better handle the job of larger amounts of charcoal. Now that you've narrowed down what size you’re shopping for you will want to consider how much you are willing to spend on a coal starter. Starters can range anywhere from $10 to $30 or more, with the more expensive models featuring bonus aspects such as an auto turn off function. Lastly, now that you’ve gotten size and price figured out you will want to think about what features you want your coal starter to have. For example, some coal starters come with temperature control settings that help with regulating the heat of your coals. Other coal starters can be basic models that don’t have any extra features, but even the simplest model will get the job done, so this part is up to you. All in all, having a coal starter on hand will make using your hookah as you please an easier and more enjoyable process.