By Greg Ryatsev, The Coconut Charcoal Briquettes Expert
Introduction
In this article, we will discuss how you, as a businessman and bulk buyer, can order coconut charcoal briquettes directly from the coconut shell charcoal suppliers. I will share my experience and tips + tricks.
My name is Greg Ryabtsev, an expert in coconut shell charcoal briquettes. You may search my name for more information and my hookah coals review websites and expert blog.
Definition of coconut charcoal briquettes
Coconut charcoal briquettes are a fuel made by carbonizing coconut shells into charcoal and compacting them into uniform briquettes.
They are an eco-friendly alternative to wood or coal charcoal, providing high heat output, long burn time, and low ash content.
Produced in coconut-rich, mainly in Indonesia, and exported globally to meet the demand for sustainable fuel sources.
The primary usage of it is hookah smoking as coconut shell charcoal provides high heat, very low ash, and no smell.
Coconut shell briquettes vs wood charcoal briquettes
Coconut shell briquettes burn hotter. They give more consistent heat. Wood charcoal is less hot.
Coconut briquettes burn longer. You need fewer lights while smoking. Wood charcoal only lasts for a short time.
Coconut makes less ash. Less ash gets in the hookah vase. Wood charcoal makes more ash.
Wood charcoal gives a smoky wood flavor. Coconut briquettes have little flavor. The hookah tobacco taste comes through better.
Coconut shells are renewable and eco-friendly. Wood charcoal is not sustainable. It causes deforestation.
Many hookah smokers prefer coconut briquettes. The consistent heat, long burn, low ash, and pure flavor are advantages. Being eco-friendly is a bonus, too.
Wholesale Purchasing Considerations
The main issue for wholesale purchasing directly from coconut shell charcoal suppliers is that most factories are in Indonesia. The shipping is done via sea containers.
Minimum order quantities
That means the minimum order starts at 18 tons, as shipping lines are not allowed to ship shisha charcoal in partial containers or mix it with other products. That is why you have to order one full container. Technically, you can order less than 18 tons, but the delivery cost is the same. So, if you recalculate the cost based on the ton, it will be much more expensive.
Pricing structures
Pricing is based on the grade and packaging type.
The most popular packaging is so-called “full packaging,” with an inner box of 1 kg and a master box of 10 kg.
As for grade – the most common is based on the volume of the ash. Less ash is better. Currently, the finest ash level is 1.6 to 1.9%, considered Platinum charcoal and 1.9 to 2.2% is named Super Premium.
Supplier Selection Criteria
Can your supplier produce charcoal according to the specification, and can it be a stable production from one shipment to another. It is important to remember that coconut charcoal is a natural product, and its characteristics vary. That is why sometimes the first order is good, but another is very different.
Please pay more attention to the stability of the production
Production capacity and consistency
Production capacity is very important, too. In my opinion and experience, the best is 10 to 20 tons per day. If the supplier makes less than that, he is too small and unstable. If the factory makes more than that, it is too focused on volume and can overlook quality.
