New Hookah Fan Here...

[raytrace]

OK, first off I got hooked on the Hookah pipe about a year ago at a local middle east restuarant and I just loved the flavors that they had.

So after a few months, I decided to buy my own for home. I purchased an Egyptian style two-hose hookah, pretty basic, but works great. No check valves unfortunately so I have to plug the second port when I want to smoke it alone. Which leads to my first set of questions.

1. Where can I find good multi-hose hookahs that have check valves on them?
2. Does the type of hookah (Mya, Egyptian, etc.) have any effect on smoking experience (ie. flavor, amount of smoke, etc.) or is the type of hookah pipe just a personal preference only?

Next set of questions concerns the tobacco.

Most I have smoked has been Starbuzz brands such as Cappucino, Black Grape, Pumpkin Pie (love it!!!!), Orange, Persimmon, Irish Cream, and Christmas Mix (bleh). I have tried Al-Sultan Cappucino and Cinnamon with decent success. A Soex Double Apple herbal smoke (very nice). And a Romman brand Banana flavor (yuck!). So here are my questions.

3. I've noticed that the flavor of the smoke hasn't been quite as strong as I have first experienced, but the smoke is just as dense. Is it just me or am I doing something wrong? I'm pretty anal about keeping my pipe clean. It gets a thorough, or near thorough, cleaning about every 3-4 batches of tobacco. I've tried various coals from various quick lights to a Rolland brand charcoal fingers. Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

4. I've just ordered some Tangiers Rootbeer and Pear. Anything I should be aware of with this brand? Remember, most of my experience has been with Starrbuzz.

5. Any cheaper brands that anyone can recommend that offers a good flavor and smoke experience? I am particularly fond of Cappucino, Rootbeer, and Orange.

Lastly coals.

6. I'm about out of my quick lights. I've been using a brand (can't remember name) that comes wrapped is a gold wrapping from a tobacco shop down the street here in Jacksonville, FL. Can anyone recommend a good quick light that would work well with Starbuzz and Tangiers tobacco?


I know I'm asking a lot of questions all at once, but I do appreciate if anyone can answer any one of the questions I have.

Many Thanks.

[clickhea]

they sell a plug for the hose port so that when your smoking alone, you dont have to plug the other hose

www.hookah-shisha.com has a good selection of hookahs

are your hoses washable? (probably not) that may be your problem in regards to flavor, invest in some nice hoses which are washable (nammor hoses)

al fakher is a good "cheap" brand imo

3 king quick lights are good

[Twang]

1) I stay away from multi hosers, I believe one hosers give the best smoke. But check places like hookahcompany.com socialsmoke.com hookah-shisha.com mnhookahs.com etc
2) Both


3) Heat management and how you pack the bowl effects the flavor and smoke. IMO don't use quicklights.

4)Haha.... search the forum for how to set it up.

5) Laylina

6) If you really want quiclights.... three kings is probably the way to go. But I recommend Exoticas, Nour, Easy-lights

7) Search the forum. Read the reviews.

[Elky]

Ok, I'm gonna go down this list the best I can.

1.Clickhea pretty much nailed it with Hookah-Shisha.com, another vendor that people here are fond of but I personaly have no experiance with is MNhookah.com

2.As long as the hookah is well made, the only differences should be in how easy the draw is and how durable the parts are.

3.If you have been using your hose for a while now, its probably time for a new one. You might want to consider dishing out for a nice washable hose like a Nammor or a Razon. Both are wider than average and produce an easy draw.

4.Most people use a funnel bowl when they smoke Tangiers if you dont know anything about funnel bowls hit up the search and you should be able to find some good information. Also, as you are used to washed tobacco, the Tangiers buzz will be like a kick in the nuts. Just a heads up.

5. Again like clickhea said, Al Fakher is a great brand of tobacco with good flavors and nice smoke. It usualy runs between 10 and 8 bucks for a 250g tub. Also I have had a lot of success using Al Waha.

6. From the sound of it you are probably using golden quicklights. Nothing wrong with those. Another good brand is 3 kings. There are also the japanese easylites, but I still have yet to try those.

Hope all this helped. Edited February 9, 2008 by Elky

[shoresidejake]

another jacksonville, fl local i see! welcome to the forums!

[raytrace]

Many thanks for the replies. Will do some more research and see about getting a Nammor hose and a funnel for Tangiers.