My Shiny Two Pennies On Tangiers

[beyondfinite]

First penny.
Kudos to me for getting a positive Tangiers experience on the first try; plus tons more kudos for everyone else on the forum for their wonderful tips.

Second penny.
Its a question. Has anyone taken into account the bowl temperature when smoking Tangiers? I really did not get much flavor or smoke until the head was hot and the tasty juices were pooling around my grommet. So my real question/suggestion is could someone smoke a head and then, while the head is still hot, pack their tangiers to more quickly get to that tasty tangiers smoke? Its just a thought. Might help those who are having trouble getting their tangiers to smoke well. Furthermore, I imagine a funnel bowl would (obviously) help keep the juices present but also enhance the speed the shisha gets to this optimum temperature.

For you further enjoyment. Ignore the rest if you don't care.

My set up and method.
Tangiers Blueberry. Acclimated out of the package for about 31 hours, but the weather has been changing recently.
I used a standard egyptian clay bowl, gently packed to a level slightly above the lip of the head. Single foil with many small holes (I did not poke too deep into the shisha [old habit], but I think I have seen this suggested for tangiers. I'll try it next time).
Two coals (easylight Goldens came free from H-S) placed on opposite ends of the head.
Chilled base. Ice water. Diffuser.

I began the smoke gingerly moving the coals around to get an even heating of the head. I did feel a little tickle/dryness at the back of my throat while warming the bowl.
Once the head was hot and the juices were flowing, I knew it was on. By now what little dryness/tickle I had was gone.
I actually smoked gingerly the whole session, no really strong pulls. I was reading and wasn't going for much of a headbuzz. Didn't move the coals too much once the bowl was hot.

My impressions.
Flavor: Good, definite blueberry. Not in-your-face fruity but much more like a blueberry muffin (which I love). Lasted until the very end. I did get some harshness from some burning, but I imagine this would be fixed with a funnel bowl retaining the juices, and better coal management on my part.

Smoke: Thick and white, did not get any huge thick clouds, but I wasn't pulling too hard and I was going for the more meditative, incense-like smoke trail.

Buzz: It was definitely there. Subtle and euphoric. I got some great ideas on that buzz.

Overall: Great smoke, just what the doctor ordered. Excellent product.

Suggestions.
Almost overpack the head. More shisha will help trap the juices and prevent it from drying out and getting harsh. Again, a funnel head may really enhance the experience.
Start the session of gingerly, aim to get the head hot and the juices flowing. The sooner the flavoring is liquid, the sooner it can get evaporated into flavorful smoke.
As for the tingle, sip some water when you are starting off. It will slow you down and help with the dryness at the back of your throat. Hopefully it will subside once the bowl is hot and you can enjoy the rest of the session.
Take your time, revel in your session.
Have a positive attitude, it does wonders.
Lastly, take my two cents with a grain of salt. All this was based off one session. It could all be beginners luck.

-bf

[racemyghost]

I feel you on your last sentence.

My first session with tangiers on saturday was wonderful.
Tonight being my second, i screwed up somewhere even though i did everything the same. Total disappointment.

Ended up tossing the stuff and packing my all time favorite, Al Fakher.

[OBY]

Going with your idea of jump starting the session with a hotter head..... What if you got and oven mitt and stuck the clay/ceramic bowl face down on a stove burner to get it hot.... then with the glove put it back on the hookah and load as normal...

I have never had problems with any shisha... Therfore I don't know words like acclimation and coal rotating and stuff... I just load the bowl 3/4th full and put a single layer of foil and holes only where the coal sits....