Finally Got My Hookah, Couple Questions

[SmokingDjinn]

Well, I finally got my hookay in today, beaitifull 36" Al Fakher. I must say I'm quite impressed with this thing, its very large and functional. I will try to get my dads digital camera and post a review soon. Christening shisha was Al Fakher grape, very good and not quite what I was expecting. Smoke alarm went off while I was heating up the coal, pissed my dad off. Anyhow, I got a couple questions:
A. How long does the shisha last while it has not been opened.
B. How long does shisha last after being opened. I want to try different types but i'm afraid to open more then one up for fear they will dry. By the way, I am storing it in a zip lock.
C. What is the valve on the opposite side of the hookah for?
D. Should I heat the coals up until they are completely white or leave some of it black?
E. I've heard I can convert my hookah into a two house. What would I have to buy that would work with my hookah and how would I go about doing this?
F. I've heard about acclimating, could someone explain this?
G. Where can I get a scalli mod, I can't find one on H-S
Thats it for now I think, any other suggestions or comments appreciated. Enjoy the puffing.
SmokingDjinn Edited November 29, 2007 by SmokingDjinn

[ZenSilk]

Well, I finally got my hookay in today, beaitifull 36" Al Fakher. I must say I'm quite impressed with this thing, its very large and functional. I will try to get my dads digital camera and post a review soon. Christening shisha was Al Fakher grape, very good and not quite what I was expecting. Smoke alarm went off while I was heating up the coal, pissed my dad off. Anyhow, I got a couple questions:
A. How long does the shisha last while it has not been opened.
B. How long does shisha last after being opened. I want to try different types but i'm afraid to open more then one up for fear they will dry. By the way, I am storing it in a zip lock.
C. What is the valve on the opposite side of the hookah for?
D. Should I heat the coals up until they are completely white or leave some of it black?
E. I've heard I can convert my hookah into a two house. What would I have to buy that would work with my hookah and how would I go about doing this?
F. I've heard about acclimating, could someone explain this?
G. Where can I get a scalli mod, I can't find one on H-S
Thats it for now I think, any other suggestions or comments appreciated. Enjoy the puffing.
SmokingDjinn

A. Any amount of time. When you open it, just check to see if it is still juicy and if it smells close to it's flavor.
B. It lasts 2 years according to the Manufacturers, but it depends on your surrounding, your atmospheric conditions, etc. Once again, if it's wet and smells good it's fine.
C. The valve on the opposite side of the hose port is the "Purge Valve". Blw into your hose to clear out your stale smoke sitting in the base if it has been there for a while.
D. Heat up the coals until they are red hot and begin to ash. Make sure all of it is lit.
E. I would not reccomend converting an AF rig into a 2 hose. it's not meant to function that way, and the pull out of the modded hose port will be bad. Just pass the hose in a traditional sense.
F. Acclimation is letting the shisha sit out in an open container for 4 or more hours, in order for it to get used to it's new atmospheric conditions (temperature, humidity, etc). It does not necessarily always need to be done with tobaccos that aren't made by the company "Tangiers"
G. Mnhookahs.com carries scalli mods, the only site i believe.

And, by the way, VERY nice choice as your first rig.

[SmokingDjinn]

Thanks ZenSilk, you were very helpfull.

[poopooshaboo]

I agree, excellent choice on your first rig. Stick with the one hose for now, if you really get the itch for more hoses buy a two or three hoser later, but don't convert the AF rig. As long as you're storing the shisha in ziplocks with all the air pressed out, it shouldn't dry out at all. Honestly, if this is your first hookah I wouldn't worry about the Mod for now. I've been smoking for a while, and while I used it for a bit, I no longer ever use my mod with my phunnel. Lasts longer without, with the same flavor and smoke. Just focus on getting good a packing a bowl before you start dealing with all the add on stuff. Likewise, don't worry about acclimation, you most likely won't be smoking anything that require it for a while.

Good luck!