Help - Horrible Tasting Smoke, Or Lack Of...

[ViD381]

I smoked a lot when I was in Minneapolis at a friend's house. Before leaving he got me a going away present. It's a small hookah that breaks down and fits in a case. It was something like $20 and not nearly as big or as nice as the ones he had. The base is fairly small, and when I fill it with water I almost have to go all the way to the top because the tube isn't very long, and I read that it needs be an inch. This leaves little to no room for the smoke.
I've smoked with this thing about 20 times. Sometimes the smoke is great. Lots of flavor, and smooth. Other times its like smoking broken glass. And then there are times where there's no flavor at all.
I have been using Romman and have about 5 flavors. I used Cinnamon once and it was amazing, and then another time It didn't have any flavor at all. Then once it was harsh and no flavor. Peach only once. I was disappointed. Started out lacking all flavor, then got harsh. Apple, pineapple, sweet mellon. All of which I can't seem to bring out any flavor, but I can make them harsh. Pineapple was okay only once. Every other time harsh or no flavor. I have another brand Havana rose, which was my favorite in MPLS. But I can't seem to get that to taste like anything other than lemon soap. Only a few times I've had it taste nice.

I use a small pin to make the holes something like 16-20. (how important are holes?) I've been experimenting with the number of holes I use and coals. Once I had 2 small Romman coals with six holes under each coal. The smoke was great. Havana Rose. I tired the same technique with the other tobacco, but it didn't seem to work. I use ice in the water. I use King Quicklights -sometimes- or the Romman naturals mainly. The Romman seem to be worthless sometimes, or good others. The King seem to burn really hot and make things harsh. I don't over pack the bowl, and I sprinkle. (underpacking)

Not everythings air tight, but not overly lean. I know my hose has a few leaks. I can see this when I clear out old smoke. I try to get the foil as air tight as I can too. What am I doing wrong, and why is the peach flavor, which smells amazing, have no flavor?

Thanks

[racemyghost]

do you wash your hookah regularly? you didnt mention it once (unless i missed it somewhere)

[shoresidejake]

can you post a pic of the hookah?

[Codename067]

Only thing comes to mind is the stem being dirty along with the hose.

[ViD381]

Only thing comes to mind is the stem being dirty along with the hose.

I usually wash the base and stem each time. I just run water through it, but no heavy scrubbing. Never washed the hose. I’ll give those a try and let you know.

I smoked last night with the mellon flavor and it was harsh and burned my throat. The mellon itself smells a little acidy. It’s not sweet at all, and reminds me of something slightly astringent. Is that normal for the Romman mellon?

I was thinking of a few things. The bowl I have is really big. It's wide but not deep. I have to put a small amount of tobacco in it in order for it to not stick to the top. Could the bowl be the reason it’s harsh?

I'll try to send a picture

[Canon]

put more tobacco in, it doesnt matter if it sticks tothe top or not, everytime i smoke the shisha is toching the foil.. thats why its so harsh you are underpacking it.