Shisha Turning Bitter After ~30 Minutes

[Khronokai]

So, I'm sure this is a very common question, but I've read through as much as I could find, and i can't figure this out.

First, I remember my first smoke being very sweet, IE if it was strawberries, it tasted like fresh strawberries.

Howeverwith my hookah it tastes like burned/roasted strawberries. Not bad, kind of mellow,but not as flavorful as I remember. I guess first question, is this normal?

My major concern however is that after smoking for a while the smoke gets very harsh to where I can't smoke it and becomes very very thick. The shisha is dark/blackened but not ashen (so I don't think it's burning).

Here's my process:

-Ceramic bowl, lined with Al, shiny side inward. perforated at bottom.
-"Sprinkle" shisha in, not packed. (I have appleapple, strawberry, banana flavours)
-Cover with Al, shiny side down. Poke with pushpin, one center, four around middle, than four around outter edge.
-Use self lighting charcoal, get it hot before placing it on the foil (with a slight push down so it makes contact) then I'm off.

I don't know if I'm getting too much airflow, too much heat, should I do less holes? Double Al. on the top? I dunno anymore...

[Johnny_D]

Get rid of the foil on the inside of the bowl would be my first suggestion.

Also what brand of tobacco.

JD Edited April 7, 2008 by Johnny_D

[Khronokai]

I used the Al on the inside of the bowl because it isn't glazed on the inside, and I noticed it tended to absorb some of the flavour (meaning it would pollute the other flavours, although it's a moot point).

I use Nakhla shisha. I got the appleapple from a Moroccan in Paris, and the other flavours from here, but same brand.

[Stuie]

Get a glazed bowl or phunnel. Those unglazed bowls are the reason I have two of them sitting in my closet from my mya's. If you pick one of those to smoke a certain flavor out of great, but if not, they just aren't worth keeping in my opinion.

[mathuv]

well try a little heat management, when the shisha starts to get burnt, take the coal off, ash it, then if needs be, remove the bowl (sans coals..) and blow through the bottom, blow all that smoke out. then replace the coals, in a different position.

[Khronokai]

Get a glazed bowl or phunnel. Those unglazed bowls are the reason I have two of them sitting in my closet from my mya's. If you pick one of those to smoke a certain flavor out of great, but if not, they just aren't worth keeping in my opinion.

Ok, I have another one that's glazed. It's just that it's pink so it doesn't look as cool. I'd also rather use the crappier one to start out with until I get the hang of things. Which apparently hasn't worked so far.

well try a little heat management, when the shisha starts to get burnt, take the coal off, ash it, then if needs be, remove the bowl (sans coals..) and blow through the bottom, blow all that smoke out. then replace the coals, in a different position.

Thanks I'll try that (probably tonight). I'm just wondering why it happens in the first place. It could be that I do with friends and we're all taking turns, never really giving it a break... I dunno. Just aggravating it happens every single time. Edited April 7, 2008 by Khronokai

[mathuv]

Thanks I'll try that (probably tonight). I'm just wondering why it happens in the first place. It could be that I do with friends and we're all taking turns, never really giving it a break... I dunno. Just aggravating it happens every single time.

that could contribute too, dont take hard, short puffs. taking slow, long puffs is better.

[Stuie]

Ok, I have another one that's glazed. It's just that it's pink so it doesn't look as cool.

Just wrap foil all around it... hahahaha

+1 to better heat management also! It does take a little while to get use to doing it. But you will get it!

[Johnny_D]

I smoke Nahkla all the time....

Defo don't use that bowl. Foil inside just cooks the hell out of it too damn fast.

You should get 2hrs from a nahkla bowl - Check out review of Potion Cherry - pics of my setup there. I use the exact same for Nahkla.

No foil on the inside!

JD

[ilikemyusername]

wow, so many variables... i'd say try doing it differently next time.lol about how many coals are you putting on it?

[Khronokai]

that could contribute too, dont take hard, short puffs. taking slow, long puffs is better.

Yeah, I just have to hit my friend more when he comes over. It looks like he's trying to suck a golf ball through a garden hose.

No foil on the inside!

JD

Thanks I'll give that a try. I guess it never really occured to me that the inside foil would be reflecting so much heat.

wow, so many variables... i'd say try doing it differently next time.lol about how many coals are you putting on it?

Just one, I don't have a huge bowl...

Too bad you can't use image tags, hopefully this link works:
http://a188.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/image...064aa4156ab.jpg Edited April 7, 2008 by Khronokai

[ahwahoo2006]

Definately do not put foil on the inside of your bowl.

Personally, I would add more holes, since you say you only have 9 for your entire bowl. I use a lot less than most people and I still have a minimum of 16 holes

[ilikemyusername]

may i suggest;
use the unglazed bowl. as long as you wash it really well it should be good with other types of shishas as long as you stay in the same range of flavors. i wouldnt smoke strawberry then coffee then mint out of it but if you stick with fruit flavors it will be a good first bowl.
when you put shisha into the bowl DON'T fill it all the way, it will end up touching the foil and burn (bad)
put more holes in the foil, remember the aim here is more holes that are smaller, try using a needle instead of a fork (good)
when you put your coal on top, just let it rest on the foil, you dont want to push it down to make contact (bad)

[ilikemyusername]

[/quote]

i'mm sorry i thought i read something in there about a fork.... my bad

[Venzor]

So, I'm sure this is a very common question, but I've read through as much as I could find, and i can't figure this out.

First, I remember my first smoke being very sweet, IE if it was strawberries, it tasted like fresh strawberries.

Howeverwith my hookah it tastes like burned/roasted strawberries. Not bad, kind of mellow,but not as flavorful as I remember. I guess first question, is this normal?

My major concern however is that after smoking for a while the smoke gets very harsh to where I can't smoke it and becomes very very thick. The shisha is dark/blackened but not ashen (so I don't think it's burning).

Here's my process:

-Ceramic bowl, lined with Al, shiny side inward. perforated at bottom.
-"Sprinkle" shisha in, not packed. (I have appleapple, strawberry, banana flavours)
-Cover with Al, shiny side down. Poke with pushpin, one center, four around middle, than four around outter edge.
-Use self lighting charcoal, get it hot before placing it on the foil (with a slight push down so it makes contact) then I'm off.

I don't know if I'm getting too much airflow, too much heat, should I do less holes? Double Al. on the top? I dunno anymore...

First off, the point is to not have the coals touch the shisha. You don't really "burn" the shisha so much as superheat it. In this way, it's different from any other kind of smoking.

Secondly, sounds like you're getting too hot. The foil on the inside will heat up and burn your shisha (which is what we don't want, see above), and if that doesn't fix it, try reducing the amount of coals you put on. Break them in half or quarters (before lighting them, of course ) if you need to.

It sounds like you are packing your bowl correctly, so just keep aware of the heat. I've had similar issues, and it mostly boiled down to improper heat management. I'm still perfecting mine, and it's different for everyone, based on the types of bowl, shisha, foil, coal... a lot of variables. So find what works for your setup, and I hope you figure it out soon!

[Khronokai]

nah, I don't use a fork, although I've read some people do.

I minimized the amount of holes I had because i figured there was too much airflow, meaning too much heat. However now I'm starting to think it's from the inner foil.

Thanks for all the ideas, good stuff.

[Johnny_D]

nah, I don't use a fork, although I've read some people do.

I minimized the amount of holes I had because i figured there was too much airflow, meaning too much heat. However now I'm starting to think it's from the inner foil.

Thanks for all the ideas, good stuff.

Report back if things getter better!

JD

[Anxiety]

nah, I don't use a fork, although I've read some people do.

I minimized the amount of holes I had because i figured there was too much airflow, meaning too much heat. However now I'm starting to think it's from the inner foil.

Thanks for all the ideas, good stuff.

Report back if things getter better!

JD

get rid of that middle coal and ur golden

[Khronokai]

Success! I have the Hookah for probably about six months and it's been the first time I've been able to truly enjoy it.

I did everything as normal but removed the foil lining, smoke wasn't as thick (which is good for me, I'm a "social smoker") and it didn't turn bitter.

So much for turning towards random internet pages for help (which recommended the foil lining)... Thanks guys.

[Stuie]

So much for turning towards random internet pages for help (which recommended the foil lining)... Thanks guys.

Those are the same people saying stor your shisha in the fridge.

Congrats on the excellent smoke. It take a little getting use to but you will get it!

[Johnny_D]

Success! I have the Hookah for probably about six months and it's been the first time I've been able to truly enjoy it.

I did everything as normal but removed the foil lining, smoke wasn't as thick (which is good for me, I'm a "social smoker") and it didn't turn bitter.

So much for turning towards random internet pages for help (which recommended the foil lining)... Thanks guys.

SUPERB!

And Thanks, really thanks, for reporting back. Nice to know.

You will probably get the really thick smoke again - Just start messing around with the coals a little. Try adding a little more heat

Nice one.

JD

[Khronokai]

And Thanks, really thanks, for reporting back. Nice to know.

You will probably get the really thick smoke again - Just start messing around with the coals a little. Try adding a little more heat

No problem, thanks for this forum, it's hard to find many hookah enthusiasts where I live. Seems whenever I mention it they get this weird grin and go "ya uh... Tobacco... Riiiight."

As for the light smoke, I almost prefer it. I used to take a couple of drags and drop to the floor from nicotine overdose. lol

[Johnny_D]

Where abouts on this planet are you then?

I have the same problem being in the uk.

[Khronokai]

I'm in Oregon, USA. Although I'll say I'm English as well, lived in France for a few years. I'd have to say that's where I picked it up.

Most "water pipes" around here are used for the other purposes, so some people seem to think you're weird if you don't use it for those purposes...

[r1v3th3ad]

I'm in Oregon, USA. Although I'll say I'm English as well, lived in France for a few years. I'd have to say that's where I picked it up.

Most "water pipes" around here are used for the other purposes, so some people seem to think you're weird if you don't use it for those purposes...

gotta love the NHT heads and their NHs as well
just tell em to cram it