Size Does Matter

[GolovA]

In any case, all sexual referendum aside (even though size does matter there as well), let's talk about advantages and disadvantages between larger and smaller holes


As the common notion goes, the smaller the holes get – the more of them you need to allow for "normal" suction (normal being the one where the air goes in smoothly without users passing out like intoxicated flies, trying to suck on the vacuum!).

Less ambiguous talk – more real-life examples, right? Here:



More but Smaller Holes:


1. More heat is preserved, since
smaller holes don't let it out
as much as large holes do,
allowing for thicker smoke
and better taste.


2. Smaller holes become clogged
with coal particles and reduce air
intake, making us suck harder on
that pipe, until our heads go spinning.

3. Punching many small holes
will consume time and energy.

4. Heat is distributed more evenly
with smaller holes, spreading through
all sheesha instead of just certain
areas bellow large holes.

5. Smaller holes can be made bigger
if need arises.


Less but Larger Holes:


1. Preserving more heat means,
unfortunately, more risk of burning
sheesha that results in harsh smoke.
Larger holes avoid this issue by
allowing less heat to enter phunnel.

2. Large holes don't become clogged
as often; however, they let larger
pieces of coal get through the foil
which results in burning sheesha.

3. Time is of concern? No problem!
Just punch one with your pinky!

4. Heat is more direct, and the coal
needs to be moved constantly to
guarantee even distribution of heat.

5. Large holes cannot really shrink.
So, design with care!



For me – smaller holes distributed evenly and in large quantity wins! Then again – that's my personal preference. I punch small holes (with a needle – not toothpick, since it's big) all throughout the phunnel area. Such on the phunnel, and if the air isn't smooth, I may punch a couple large holes (WITH a toothpick this time) on the periphery of the phunnel to allow more air in.



Any advantages/disadvantages? Any tips, preferences, secret techniques, like Kamasutra, you, guys, possess? Please, share! Edited October 29, 2007 by GolovA

[Dekon]

I have no real reason to post here except to ask the following :

Why are all your posts so freaking long? -__-

[GolovA]

I have no real reason to post here except to ask the following :

Why are all your posts so freaking long? -__-

I have no life!

P.S. My replies are really short!

[Geiseric]

I also punch holes with pins. Not for any real reason, I just happened to run out of other sharp things one day and busted open my sewing kit. New problem, I've lost all but one of those, so now I'm screwed if I need to patch a hole in something.

[Johnny_D]

Well.

I use the tiny holes, but lots of them approach.

If I need to make the tobacco a little hotter then i just use less holes. But still keep them small.

I tend to start with less holes. Then poke extra if needs must.

I also never move the coals [see previous thread about my setup]

JD

[RayVer]

I do a combination of both... I do a good amount of small holes and a few larger holes spread out evenly to avoid the **I cant suck out of this** issue if it arises

[GolovA]

I also punch holes with pins. Not for any real reason, I just happened to run out of other sharp things one day and busted open my sewing kit. New problem, I've lost all but one of those, so now I'm screwed if I need to patch a hole in something.

Real Tragedy!

[GolovA]

Well.

I use the tiny holes, but lots of them approach.

If I need to make the tobacco a little hotter then i just use less holes. But still keep them small.

I tend to start with less holes. Then poke extra if needs must.

I also never move the coals [see previous thread about my setup]

JD

Never move them at all? Wow! Hit me with the link to that post, JD.
Also, i noticed if you don't move the coals and have small holes, the holes tent to clutter faster.

[GolovA]

I do a combination of both... I do a good amount of small holes and a few larger holes spread out evenly to avoid the **I cant suck out of this** issue if it arises

I hear you

[MechAnt]

I have no real reason to post here except to ask the following :

Why are all your posts so freaking long? -__-

I have no life!

P.S. My replies are really short!

Just like your "hookah" if you know what I mean! Hahahaha, jk. I'm extremely tired.

The holes I poke are medium size. About that of a toothpick.

[GolovA]

I'm not the one who's name is an ANT! Catch my drift?
Kidding as well.
But yeah - i seems that everybody' using either small or medium holes; yet most sites i visited that offer a basic hookah setup and FAQ's try to push the large-hole idea. Not sure why.
And i still can't imagine how people can smoke the thing without any foil screan! he he! That's so harsh!

[NoDeadBodies]

for me, large holes work well with tangiers, small/medium holes for teh rest

[GolovA]

Hmm... I keep hearing things about Tangiers. Haven't tried it yet, although a new batch is on the way. I don't have that Special Tangiers Phunnel thingy. Have no idea where to get one, and how it even looks. I'm lame! )

[HookahCulture]

It's certainly a delicate balance and it depends on the kind of bowl you are using.
Check out my MySpace for some pics.
Thanks to Zed for the successful common method, while I give a good one for the standard brown bowl and a toothpick.

[ZenSilk]

I on the other hand do not like to mix school with pleasure. I don't have enough liesure time to think about setting up a hookah. Sooner or later it's habit, and you get it right everytime. Like plugging the hose. If you're cool you don't need to think about shit, you just, let it flow.

[Bulldog_916]

I think hookah bars press the big hole idea so that you go through shisha quickly and then have to buy another bowl. Plus, it takes less time from order to delivery to punch less holes but bigger ones.

[olooko]

for me, large holes work well with tangiers, small/medium holes for teh rest

I hear you. Tangiers. Lots of tobbaco and lots of big holes, bbq skewer holes.

Starbuzz under packed and small holes, lots of them, tooth pick or smaller.

[GolovA]

It's certainly a delicate balance and it depends on the kind of bowl you are using.
Check out my MySpace for some pics.
Thanks to Zed for the successful common method, while I give a good one for the standard brown bowl and a toothpick.

I noticed that it also depends on the coals. Some burn really hot, while others - not that much.

[Sonthert]

In any case, all sexual referendum aside (even though size does matter there as well), let's talk about advantages and disadvantages between larger and smaller holes


As the common notion goes, the smaller the holes get – the more of them you need to allow for "normal" suction (normal being the one where the air goes in smoothly without users passing out like intoxicated flies, trying to suck on the vacuum!).

Less ambiguous talk – more real-life examples, right? Here:



More but Smaller Holes:


1. More heat is preserved, since I don't think this is the case. The foil and ceramic conduct
smaller holes don't let it out alot more heat than the air in the holes.
as much as large holes do,
allowing for thicker smoke
and better taste.


2. Smaller holes become clogged True, true.
with coal particles and reduce air
intake, making us suck harder on
that pipe, until our heads go spinning.

3. Punching many small holes I like lots or larger holes. Even harder. I f you want to smoke
will consume time and energy. hookah and be lazy, go to a lounge.

4. Heat is distributed more evenly I don't think thats true.
with smaller holes, spreading through
all sheesha instead of just certain
areas bellow large holes.

5. Smaller holes can be made bigger Thats a little perilous, but OK.
if need arises.


Less but Larger Holes:


1. Preserving more heat means, I think the number of holes/size influences the airflow which may
unfortunately, more risk of burning affect the heat of the charcoal...the more air pulling beside the
sheesha that results in harsh smoke. charcoal, the hotter it runs...right?
Larger holes avoid this issue by
allowing less heat to enter phunnel.

2. Large holes don't become clogged I'm not convinced that charcoal lumps or ash make the tobacco
as often; however, they let larger burn harsh...why would it? I can't see a scientific explanation
pieces of coal get through the foil of how it would.
which results in burning sheesha.

3. Time is of concern? No problem!
Just punch one with your pinky!

4. Heat is more direct, and the coal See #1.
needs to be moved constantly to
guarantee even distribution of heat.

5. Large holes cannot really shrink. Not in this galaxy.
So, design with care!



For me – smaller holes distributed evenly and in large quantity wins! Then again – that's my personal preference. I punch small holes (with a needle – not toothpick, since it's big) all throughout the phunnel area. Such on the phunnel, and if the air isn't smooth, I may punch a couple large holes (WITH a toothpick this time) on the periphery of the phunnel to allow more air in.



Any advantages/disadvantages? Any tips, preferences, secret techniques, like Kamasutra, you, guys, possess? Please, share!