Bowl/lid combo review.

[Lakemonster]

So I get that my delivery from tobaccoimportUSA.com in today.
First thing I inspected was the bowl/lid job. Its a basically a Sultan (chinese) bowl with the lid on it.
The one I got was not chrome but irredescent gold plating on the lid.
I filled the bad boy up with some Zag light and some finger coal.
The lid does get hot..... keep hands clear of that. but the latch just gets good and warm... and as long as you dont linger when unfastening.. you dont get burned.
I have walked away from it several times so far. and the coals dont get snuffed. Cheers!
I'm gonna feel much better having this....... taking this thing to friends house and sharing will be done a bit more stress free.
One good thing about this bowl is that if it breaks....... all you have to do is get another sultan bowl...... or at least one that will fit the lid.. then drill out the latch rivet and replace it using a cheap rivet gun. ( its not hard.)
Lake likes.

[[LB]]

[img]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y126/SillySnare/Ceramic_Bowl_With_Lid1.jpg[/img]

Is that what you mean? and doese anybody know anything about Lotus Bowls? or This Iranian one which looks crazy/

[img]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y126/SillySnare/614_big.jpg[/img]

I own a regular clay bowl, a double bowl, and an ice bowl (which is very hard to use!)

[img]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y126/SillySnare/ice.gif[/img]

[mushrat]

Cool..now we know, the suckers actually WORK!
My next hookah will use an egyptian style head so i can use all the goodies. I know, I know, but I just don't feel like getting an adapter...

[Lakemonster]

LB... I am talking about the first pic you have there.
I read somewhere that the Iranian one you posted is for smoking tombek. where you whet the leaves and set the coal directly on top of hte tobacco.
Have no idea what that tastes like... my guess would be more like a cigar.....
With the lid model. I suggest dumping the lame screen sent along with and workin some foil around..... takes a few more seconds than normal.... but worth it compared to using the screen. (I like foil)
Use a hair less coal..... the lid will hold residual heat. I prefer Fingers (preferably) or Naturals.......
Quick lights seem great to me for fast start up... but I think fingers and nats give a sustained finish.
Mushrat, think brass garden hose splice and two grommets...... I'll get back to you on that.
 

[[LB]]

I used to use instand charcoals, then i switched to natural charcoals,
just regular charcoals i bought at a supermarket- but it was so messy
and hard to keep those charcoals going and ignite heat them initially i
gave up. Now i am back to instant charcoals. I should get a camera to
show all the goddam burn marks on my carpet from natural charcoals and
the ash filling my kitchen. Do you have any techniques to share for
lighting and keeping natural charcoals going? the table top grill is
not working out for me.

[Lakemonster]

I have an electric coil range on my stove. I just turn it on high and put the coals on it till they are ready.

[brother812]

[quote name='[lebanese_blonde']]I used to use instant charcoals, then i switched to natural charcoals, just regular charcoals i bought at a supermarket-[/quote]
are you talking grill coal like kingsford?? if so do not use them coals ever for smoking. they are filled with chemicals and other junk. i use finger style natural coals like Nour and Diamante i like the Diamante best because they are a bit smaller and easier to get the right heat. i just place them on the burner of my electric stove until they are red.
i have a box of Golden's but the only time i use them is when i have to. the naturals take a bit longer to get going but if you put them on the stove first then get everything else ready by the time you are set up your coals are ready.

[mushrat]

To light my naturals, I use something like this:
[url="http://www.instawares.com/Refillable-Chefs-Butane-Torch.CHE40067.0.7.htm?trackcode=WREPTECCHE40067#gallery"] [url="http://www.instawares.com/Refillable-Chefs-Butane-Torch.CHE4"]http://www.instawares.com/Refillable-Chefs...tane-Torch.CHE4[/url][/url] 0067.0.7.htm?trackcode=WREPTECCHE40067#gallery
BTW thats a pretty good price. I was given mine as a gift, but I see them at the local flea market for about 25 bucks.
Some people use full sized benzo-matic torches from the local hardware store.
Both of these can be used OUTSIDE to light the coals and then they can be put into something to carry in.

[cypress]

Get a cheap pot and drill some holes in it if you have gas. I have an
old steamer pot.  I use the top portion of it.  As far as
Tombek well its quite strong. Verry much so a tobacco flavor and thats
its. Headache buzz if you are not use to it. I tried it once for an
hour and that was the last time. It leavs a remnant taste in your mouth
for a while. 

[[LB]]

[quote name='brother812'][quote name='[lebanese_blonde']]I used to use instant
charcoals, then i switched to natural charcoals, just regular charcoals
i bought at a supermarket-[/quote]
are you talking grill coal like kingsford?? if so do not use them
coals ever for smoking. they are filled with chemicals and other junk.
i use finger style natural coals like Nour and Diamante i like the
Diamante best because they are a bit smaller and easier to get the
right heat. i just place them on the burner of my electric stove until
they are red.
i have a box of Golden's but the only
time i use them is when i have to. the naturals take a bit longer to
get going but if you put them on the stove first then get everything
else ready by the time you are set up your coals are ready.[/quote]

i like the idea of using both typers. By natural charcoal i mean like
really really natural charcoal not kingsford. I have a whole foods
supermarket that sells charred wood basically thats what ive been
using. Whats the difference with that and finger charcoal or lemon wood?

[cypress]

I dont like lemon wood. Some of the coals are petrafied (sp) and they
are irregular shaped. Fingers are a long stick that can be broken off
to what ever size you want. 

[mushrat]

Fingers are actually pressed mix of charcoal and a cellulose binder. They use real charcoal mind you, kind of like a hotdog i guess, charcoal mash, add binder, put in molds, pop out uniform "fingers"/bars of the stuff. Most don't have chemicals like quicklites to make em burn, so yu have to treat them like bulk, natural, real charcoal.
I use the bilk stuff, comes in all shapes and sizes including round branch shaped pieces. Messier and more prep to chop em down to useable size. I did buy some finger stuff last week locally just to try. Haven't yet.

[Corona]

Whats the deal with japanese coals? how do you guys like them?

[Lakemonster]

they say "easy light" on the box............ but they arent.
if you look at how much dark ash is left over.... you will find that they leave a dark ash behind in pockets... which lets you know that it doesnt burn very clean.

[cypress]

[quote name='Corona']Whats the deal with japanese coals? how do you guys like them?[/quote]

I dont like them. I have tried a couple brand and the silver coating seams to come out of the flavor.

[HAKOOH]

Good to know these things work. Its about that time to order one.