Terrible Smoke

[Mapexdrumboi]

I have been smoking hookah for around 6 months now, and used my pipe once a week since i bought it, i have always used the same tobbacco and same coals. at first it was brilliant. but recently i have not been getting any real flavour from the tobbacco. i always clean my pipe properly aswell, using lemon juice. it was quite a cheap pipe, so is there a possibility that the stem is rusted? and thus explaining why i am not getting any flavour! many thanks alex

[ahwahoo2006]

My guess would be that your tobacco has dried out, especially since you say its the same tobacco you first got. Buy some new tobacco and then try, or you can add honey or glycerine to your old tobacco

[Mapexdrumboi]

i did not mean its the same tobbacco, but its the same brand, i do mix a teaspoon on glycerin with my shisha. it has only been the past 2 smokes where it has tasted bad. so i am still quite puzzled lol

[ahwahoo2006]

What sort of taste is it? Like a metal taste or a chemical taste or what?

[Mapexdrumboi]

erm its just a very bland taste, almost like smoking a bad cigar. it isnt a bad batch either because i have had gd smokes from it. a few weeks a go i washed my stem with detergent, that may be a cause for it?

[ahwahoo2006]

You might not have gotten all the detergent out. I would recommend running it all through the dishwasher.

[Mapexdrumboi]

will give that a try, and let you know what happens, thanks

[Sonthert]

Don't run it through the dishwasher...the soap that is used in dishwashers tends to have more buildup (to keep your glasses spotless). Take a 12 oz. or so glass that was run through the dishwasher...fill it with tap water, carefully watching the bubbles. You'll notice it has a tendency to make largish bubbles, as if it had some soap residue. Take your finger, with the water in the glass and rub it all the way around the glass, on the inside. Now empty the glass and refill it. The bubbles are now small and airy, like the bubbles from water should be. Get a new glass, do the first part, but now, don't rub it with your finger, just empty and refill...the same soapy bubbles. Simply rubbing it with your finger removes it. Detergents often have bleach or oxidizing agents that can act quite badly with glycerine...if you are inhaling it, it could be a risk to your health.

1. It could be humidity effects.

2. A common chamber pipe, like a Mya or some Chinese pipes where you can't really get a brush in every little crevice has been building up. (this doesn't sound reasonable...you don't smoke enough...unless you bought the thing used).

3. Water quality changes frequently throughout the year in many places, it may be the water has developed a stronger flavor/heavy metal presence.

4. Your hose may be ready for the trash-can. If it smells bad, off the hookah, it may be time to replace it...or wash it...if its a washable hose.

[The fabulous Ian]

I went through a patch where nothing I smoked tasted like anything. I was smoking about as much as you are, once or twice a week, and no amount of cleaning or brand-changing fixed it. I just took a two or so week break from smoking to give myself some recovery time. When I came back, it was as good as ever.