[quote name='Chreees' timestamp='1333684413' post='544164']
First off, welcome to HF!
1. One of the largest gauged hookahs is the Khalil Mamoon brand. Biggest is not necessarily the best, though. I own a KM and also an Al Nawras, which has a slightly more restricted (smaller) gauge. I have become fond of the tighter draw over the past few years of my time smoking hookah.
2. Really doesn't matter. Technically the taller the pipe, the less nicotine you will receive because it has a longer distance to travel and because the nicotine sticks to the inside of the hookah/hose. Also, I think it's safe to say taller the hookah cooler the smoke, but really don't worry about this, as you won't notice. I have used a small 14" Mya QT (great hookah, especially for beginners to the hobby), and I have used a 32" KM and can't tell a difference in smoke temperature. Worry more about what size is convenient for your needs/purposes. Everything else I mentioned, don't worry about it.
3. Thicker the hose, easier the draw, just like the diameter of the hookah. But again, I'm not a fan of HUGE OPEN draw, and many others feel the same. I think it's all about a nice balance- not too small, not too big. Nammor, Razan, KM, Elmas, Fancy, etc. are all good brands of hoses you should like if purchased. I am currently rocking a Razan Abu Mahir that I really enjoy. Avoid Chinese hoses (the ones Mya pipes come with, and other generic Chinese brands) as they are really small diameter and just suck in general.
4. You're paying for less coal per dollar if you get the Fantasia Air-Flows, due to a chunk being out of them. Instead go for a good coconut coal brand, and invest in a single-coil burner ($10-15 at Walgreen's here in the States, but I see you're in the UK, so not sure where it would be available there, may have to order one online). As Hass said above me, go for the Cocobricos and don't worry about anything else! Love them and wish they were readily available here!
5. Not sure what's available there, but heavy duty foil is ideal. Cheap thin stuff will only be harder heat management wise.
6. None. I mean, some people do, but it's not necessary by any means.
7. Mixing can be done both ways, layering and mixing the flavors together then packing. I usually just mix them together, but I have made some good mixes like where I layered mint in the bottom and another flavor on top. Just experiment and decide which method you like best.
8. I don't think that's necessarily true about larger the vase, larger the smoke. At this point, I've determined just go for vases you find aesthetically pleasing and know will fit your shank. Everything else, fuggetaboutit! Unless you decide to become a collector of Czech (Bohemian) glass or something, lol.
Need anything else man, or need anything clarified, let us know! We're here to help. No stupid questions.
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I thank and appreciate you for your response, and I thank and appreciate the responses I have received above as well. I have a few things to reclarify. Can you guys please answer the questions below?
1. Does the Regal Melech have the widest stem, downstem, hose port, et cetera, even when compared to Turkish pipes, Hookahjohn's, Teemsahs, et cetera?
2. Based on what you are saying, the KM Beast hose is the widest, but does this still stand even when compared to the unconventional/Turkish/Syrian Elephant?
4. Do the size of both ends of the hose, that is, the hose tip from where you inhale and the hose end which connects to the hose port connector affect the smoke quantity?
5. A friend of mine experimented with shishas, and he found out this in regards to the base: "The surface area theory is in regards to the cohesive properties of the hydrogen bonds in water. The larger the surface area the easier it is to break the bonds. The idea is that because there are a large number of these bonds on the surface therefore splitting and reorganizing the bonds is easier than when there are less bonds. The reason is because the less bonds the more concentrated the force has to be. Therefore due to the standard entropy within the bodies of water it is easier to release the force and break the tension." Based on my understanding, he is stating that there is a correlation between surface area of the vase and pull, but I am having troubles with understanding the theory.[b] Which bases have the largest surface area?[/b]