So I Cant Get A Good Smoke Out Of Mine

[Soeffinblack]

Today I set my hookah up this way, I packed the tobacco very loosely, I used very cold water,I set the water line to about 3/4ths of an inch past the stem that sits in the water, used one coal... I set my hookah up closely to the way they do it at the hookah bar. I just can not seem to be able to get the same taste out of it that they can and they take 2 minutes to set one up.

I get very thick clouds, the smoke isnt very harsh... I just dont get that taste or feeling on my tounge like I do there. I use the same shisha. Only difference with my shisha and theres is I got it at a store instead of buying it from the, same shisha though. I am getting so agrivated with it. the other day I used a needle and poked alot of small holes in it, today I poked less holes with somthing slightly larger, very slightly larger. I am about to try on more time for the night...



there is a more recent post about another person that couldnt get a good taste. His setup was a little different though so I figured I would make a new post. what exactly do you guys do or what should I do to get a good taste? I am so confused as to what I am doing wrong... I am gunna go lay down. thanks again!

[EvansLight]

While not the same setup, same basic rules apply. here is the post i made there:

Couple things to look out for. If im right the hookah is a screw base, correct? If so you need to watch for leaks. Threads arent perfect, as many plumbers can tell you. You can usually fix it with either some teflon tape, or a new gasket for the stem. Outside air entering the picture can both diminish the amount of smoke, and also the flavor.

Of course as its been said the flavor is being killed mainly by the heat of the coals. Also remember that everyone tastes differntly. Also you don't taste with your tounge, as weird as that sounds, your tounge can only taste a few things, savory, sweet, salty, bitter, etc. The more complex flavors from things is picked up by your nose. Hence if you have ever smell something you swears smells like something youve eaten So if your nose aint getting any of the smoke, guess what, no flavors. For most people there nose gets some when you breath in, but nasal problems, or a stuffy nose can hinder your tasting ability.

Now onto the coal part. I am a big advocate of the screens. Most people hate them, but personally i love em, if there was one for my funnel bowl, i would still use em. I also go differently on how i pack a bowl for screens. I actually tend to pack the baccy down good, then use either the poker on some tongs, or a toothpick, and poke up through the holes in the bowl for air flow. And the most important tip for screens: DON'T LET THE TOBACCO TOUCH THE SCREEN!!! This is the biggest problem people have. The solid metal of the screen heats up, and retains its heat longer, so even removing the coals, its easy for it to burn the baccy, unlike foil which quickly dissipates its heat.

Beyond that, remember new hookahs need a good initial clean. If you have ever, say got a new cup or bottle and tried to fill it up and drink out of it right away, you might get an interesting taste, that is leftover from the creation of the item. This is no different in hookahs. A good soak or at least wash with lemon juice and water works best. You can get a big bottle of lemon juice at wally world for cheap!!

Another great hint, go somewhere, or watch someone you know who can pack a good bowl. Learning by watching is alot easier.

Anymore help, check out the beginners guide at the top of the page!!

[Soeffinblack]

well today I tried again with the orange, once again I couldnt taste anything, I also went and got some acia berry with a friend.... No taste, at all. Cold water out of the tap, lots of tiny needle holes really tiny ones. Packed it VERY loosely, I get like a salty taste out of it? My first try with the hookah was golden now i dont know what the hell I am doing wrong all I get out of it is headaches and burnt shisha... so confused

[Chogh]

1. What brand of shisha is it?
2. How old is the shisha?
3. Be sure to rotate your stored shisha every so often so the "juices" dont settle in one part of the tobacco (Be sure it is in an airtight container such as a ziploc bag, etc.).
4. Try 2 coals instead of one, you never know (if too harsh, then take it off obviously)

Those 3 are the ones that seem as if it might be making the most impact, if not, try these..

4. Be sure to pack the bowl to the brim, but not overpacked, and not too loose as you say.
5. Shake the bowl once packed for 30 seconds to get loosened up and the "juices mixed up"
6. Poke small holes in layers of circles.
7. Make sure when you store the shisha, dont keep it in a hot place (to sustain optimum shelf life).

[Soeffinblack]

1. What brand of shisha is it?
2. How old is the shisha?
3. Be sure to rotate your stored shisha every so often so the "juices" dont settle in one part of the tobacco (Be sure it is in an airtight container such as a ziploc bag, etc.).
4. Try 2 coals instead of one, you never know (if too harsh, then take it off obviously)

Those 3 are the ones that seem as if it might be making the most impact, if not, try these..

4. Be sure to pack the bowl to the brim, but not overpacked, and not too loose as you say.
5. Shake the bowl once packed for 30 seconds to get loosened up and the "juices mixed up"
6. Poke small holes in layers of circles.
7. Make sure when you store the shisha, dont keep it in a hot place (to sustain optimum shelf life).

Should I worry about more than one coal flavor wise? even if i am getting really nice big clouds? Shisha was brand new today, dont know how many times its been opened at the store though. I shake the container everytime I go to use it. Its hookah hookah tobacco, when I get the same stuff at the hookah bar its good but it even has liek sorta a different taste to it... Idunno anymore suggestions?

[Bean]

Try cleaning the hookah VERY well.

Tobacco may be old, look and see if there is a date on the container.

[Soeffinblack]

Try cleaning the hookah VERY well.

Tobacco may be old, look and see if there is a date on the container.

not sure no date on it, hookah gets cleaned rediculously everytime I use it, besides the hose, the people at the hookah bar say it might be the hose, it is used, the hookah bowl isnt very deep. even when they make a bowl for us the tobacco touches the foil, its packed a little, they have tons of holes, the hookahs are a little taller, and the water goes up higher on the stem, around an inch and a half to almost 2 compaired to mine only goes about 3/4ths of an inch on it but when its that high it touches the top when it bubbles and gets water in the hose. I might try and elongate the hose.

what exactly happens when the water is too high or too low? also what about the hose does it matter in the end? one more thing is the shisha if its packed too loosely does that make an affect on it? if there shisha burns and tastes good why cant mine? ITS NOT FAIR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

man I wish it just set itself up for me....

[ASUSEAN1]

you only need the water level to be about 1/2" above the downstem, it will affect the size of your smoke chamber, and "pull" of the hookah. The hose is probably your problem, I have had a dirty hose ruin a session.. wash it out.. if its not a washable spend the money and get a nice mya washable

[Soeffinblack]

sweeeet! any suggestions on where to get this new washable hose? the one I use now tastes like salt from getting wet I think, pretty sure its one of the reasons why I cant taste a thing.

what do you mean though on size of the smoke chamber and pull? I notice that if I let the smoke sit in the hookah for a few seconds and let it condense more it has more taste? I cant figure it out hahaha. but I am sure as hell trying.

[ASUSEAN1]

the salt you are tasting are probably rust particles..

nargileclub.com sells mya washables for around 7 bucks which is a good price

also make sure your coals are lit completely

[Soeffinblack]

the salt you are tasting are probably rust particles..

nargileclub.com sells mya washables for around 7 bucks which is a good price

also make sure your coals are lit completely

rust from what the hose? I'm confused haha

[bolt in blue]

rust from what the hose? I'm confused haha

Yes. Even some "washable" hoses have their metal inner coil rust over time. Search the forum, there's a lot of threads about rusted hoses, some with pictures. Sounds like exactly what you're describing.

[GordonMac]

you don't need to pack it very loosley, try adding more coals, more water... at least inch over stem. get a needle and poke holes in foil but you don't need an extreme amount. just make a circle then spiral it down

[[LB]]

As said before, hookah hygiene can be essential to the taste you get. Make sure you swab your stem, hose, bowl and vase before (or after) each session. Another thing, because its kindof hard for us to help you through fourm, just try and replicate EXACTLY your first session, since you said that is when you got the most taste. One little technique i use to get a little extra flavor is flipping the bowl upside down for 10-15 min before i smoke (or I pack it way before my session and just keep it flipped). All the syrup settles on the top of the shisha, and thats where your flavor comes from, the syrup. Make sure the tobacco your pikcing out of the box isnt dry (mix up the bag so the syrup is evenly distributed).

[Sonthert]

Assuming, your clouds are big and thick, I would guess what you are experiencing is that your pipe is nice and new and clean while the pipes at your local lounge are grimy and dirty. That difference in flavor is from not washing a pipe and using mint and double apple in every pipe. Is the flavor "flatter, less distinct" from your pipe? Less spicy? If so and if you want to duplicate the experience, smoke 10 bowls without washing the pipe...if it still isn't what you want, you can always wash the pipe and get back to square one. Edited May 1, 2007 by Sonthert

[skk]

Yeah i get this really small and thin smoke. It doesnt taste anything! nothing at all. what am i doing wrong??? pleeease help!

[Soeffinblack]

Assuming, your clouds are big and thick, I would guess what you are experiencing is that your pipe is nice and new and clean while the pipes at your local lounge are grimy and dirty. That difference in flavor is from not washing a pipe and using mint and double apple in every pipe. Is the flavor "flatter, less distinct" from your pipe? Less spicy? If so and if you want to duplicate the experience, smoke 10 bowls without washing the pipe...if it still isn't what you want, you can always wash the pipe and get back to square one.

flatter and less distinct, still "spicy" the hose is crap I ordered one last night off line along with my favorite hookah hookah flavors. I figured, if I cant get an amazing taste out of my favorite flavors there has to be somthing wrong. I elongated the hookah stem since the part that sits in the water was too short, I used vacume hose for a car from autozone, it fit nice and snug, no problems, didnt taste or smell like anything so I am guessing there is no problem using this, worked fine if you ask me. I got a LITTLE bit more taste yesterday from the orange and vanilla but still not perfect like usaul. The cocomint that Igot was a little too minty I felt liek I was smoking a blizzard, good tasting, just not somthing I could use all the time, I am going to replace the hose and try again when I get my new flavors in the mail.

this is the hose I ordered by the way, think it will work good?

[Soeffinblack]

wait youre saying if I dont wash my pipe.... it should taste good?

[ASUSEAN1]

this is the hose I ordered by the way, think it will work good?

i dont think it is washable hose so as long as you dont get it wet then it will work good

[Soeffinblack]

yeah I got that impression when I bought it so I figured I would only smoke it with one type of tobacco and buy another for others. what kinds are actually washable? I heard somthing about making all your hookah hoses washable by making them vinyl or somthing?

[NorthEastSmoker]

Yeah you can go to your local hardware store and just buy vinyl tubing for very cheap and make your own hose.. just use the ends from your old hose (cleaned out)..

MYA Washables are nice hoses, but they're not rust proof, as myself and others on here can attest to.

[lazria]

Check out the "How to section" - a simple and cheap hose mod involves a piece of plastic tubing (water line or even aquarium type). You just use the tips of the old hose and replace the "hose" part with the tubing.

MAKE SURE to BRING THE TIPS with you when you buy the hose - otherwise it won't fit!