Harshness Question

[Nexter]

Hey, I have a MYA Bohemian hookah http://www.myasaray.com/store/item.asp?ITE...EPARTMENT_ID=49
However I've noticed this problem that tends to happen everytime we smoke it. It varies, but usually after about 25 mins it randomly gets very, veryyyyyy harsh. I've tried pretty much everything, moved the coals around, taken it off, got it all down to like a tiny tiny bit of like 1 coal left on it, and the little smoke i get from that will still be harsh. I've tried different hole sizes on the top, thinking that I might be making too big of holes so the coals are touching the shisha too much, but no, tiny tiny holes, or larger holes, all the same. Also tried with different coals and shisha and everything. The only thing I haven't really experimented with is water level, but that shouldn't really have a difference, or should it? Any helps is appreciated, thanks a bunch! Edited May 22, 2007 by Nexter

[tkato]

Actully the water level has a great influence on the overall smoke since it actully cools the smoke down, beside that i think you just burn you shisha fast and then you don't understand why it's harsh so you actully don't burn anything... but besides that try placing ice in the water. address the harsh smoke issue with colder water and maybe a better bowl packing.

Good smoking. Edited May 22, 2007 by tkato

[ezie]

I have a small 10' pumpkin hookah but i never have problem about harsh or burning the shisha quickly. It's probably your heat managenment. About the water level i always fill my base 1 to 2 inch of water above the stem. I do agree that for a small size hookah the water is an issue but if you set it up correctly you'll have a great session that last 2-3 hour. What type of coal are you using? And if you open the foil do you have burn shisha? Try doing a search here at the forum. I have post this before and have great tips and tricks for the guys here at the forum.

Peace

[nofrendo]

Try double foil. I have a very similar hookah

Harshness was never a real problem, but it happened.

Using double layered foil took the incidence down to about 1 in every 25 sessions.

Possibly pack the bowl better too.

The hookah probably has little to do with it

No offense

[OrangeLazarus]

+1 on double layer of foil.

I initially used one of the metal screens, but it burned the shisha too fast because of the large holes, so i tried 3 layers of foil. this was too much and it didnt heat the tobacco well. 2 layers seems to be the best in my limited experiences.

[rbyers]

It could be how you're packing it and how big the bowl is. If you do use the metal screen (which I do) you don't want the shisha to touch the screen, and after you have bypassed that problem you'll want to experiment with how much to pack into your bowl, making sure that it's packed in nice and loose.

best of luck.

[Nexter]

Thanks everyone, I'm gonna try all of these suggestions, one quick question is, when all of you mention the packing of the bowl, could you possible be more specific, I haven't really varied the way I pack it, are you saying try to break it up more and make it looser, or pack it in better? Also, if it matters, the bowl is pretty big.

[ghostofdavid]

Lightly sprinkle the tobacco in to the bowl. Do not pack it like you would a regular pipe. Cover with foil. Poke holes. Blow in the stem end of the bowl for more airflow. Light, smoke, repeat!

[Nexter]

lol, well yeah I know that, I had a 30" egyptian before this MYA that never had a problem with harshness, so I know how to pack a bowl.

[Johnny_D]

Double foil is a good start.

However take a real good look at how your packing the bowl. If it's too tightly packed it could start getting harsh.

My own personal opinion is that once the smoke is harsh the water is not going to make much difference... The Harsh taste/feel is created by the tobacco becoming burnt (i believe).

JD

[3rooker]

Double foil is a good start.

However take a real good look at how your packing the bowl. If it's too tightly packed it could start getting harsh.

My own personal opinion is that once the smoke is harsh the water is not going to make much difference... The Harsh taste/feel is created by the tobacco becoming burnt (i believe).

JD

+1 It happened to me and some friends. I believe the same thing. And ours was within 25-35 minutes. Maybe 40. But I believe it was heat management (shisha burning).

[Nexter]

Thanks everyone for you help, arg, figured out the problem was that I was making way too big of holes ontop of the bowl, tried making hooles with a pin, smoked with the pin size holes, and it was all good, no harshness. Had less smoke though, But i'll just try to figure that one out.

[ezie]

The more coal you put on your hookah means the more smoke you get but this also means burning the shisha more quickly. For best result try breaking the coal into pieces. Practice with the heat managment and once you master it you'll have the best session every time you smoke shisha. Good luck dude i hope this helps. Peace keep smoking shisha.