Teh_Hookah_Mang Posted November 20, 2005 Share Posted November 20, 2005 Hey, I recently started smoking 3 weeks ago and i believe i have been doing things very wrong. 1) I've been using household foil, after reading previous posts i have learned that is bad, and i should buy Hookah foil. Not having a job, that costs a lot of money. Are there any alternatives that you can buy from a normal store that will be just as good, or should i invest in the special foil? 2) How do you clean the hookah? I dont have a cleaning kit, can I just wash it down with hot water and let it air-dry? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yashman19 Posted November 20, 2005 Share Posted November 20, 2005 Some people claim that they have heard hookah foil has less chemicals than household foil, but exactly where on the package does it say how many chemicals it actually contains? I think someone made this up just to make themselves feel better about participating in a not so healthy hobby. Just use regular non heavy duty foil, and make sure you use the shiny side of the foil down, facing the ma'assel. As for cleaning, most sites recomend that if you don't have a brush, just wash your hookah with warm soapy water, and let it dry. Not too difficult. Washing hoses on the other hand is a different story though. If its a washable hose, you can use either warm water or a solution of warm water/lemon juice, rinse and swish it around for a while, then let it COMPELTEY dry before using it again. If your hose is not washable, you are pretty much screwed, and forced to just keep blowing out all the black particles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teh_Hookah_Mang Posted November 20, 2005 Author Share Posted November 20, 2005 Thanks for the reply, About the foil, i thought u were supposed to have the shiny side facing upwards? And how do u figure out if the hose is washible or not, and how often should you wash the entire hookah? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebastard Posted November 20, 2005 Share Posted November 20, 2005 I've always been keeping my foil shiny side down...heard it retains more heat. But sometimes when friends pack the bowl they do it shiny-side up. I think it only makes a minute difference, if any. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teh_Hookah_Mang Posted November 20, 2005 Author Share Posted November 20, 2005 Thanks for all the replies, I am getting some strange metallic flavors coming out of my hookah, it used to taste real good. I suspected the foil, but i guess thats not the case. I havn't really cleaned it, ever, is that most likely the case? Also now i have a question about lighting the coal, im using 3 kings or w/e. Are u supposed to light it, and wait for it to quick start, then after its lit, put it on the foil? I was putting it on the foil while it was quick starting. I am thinking that my metallic flavor was due to both the dirty hookah and smoking the "qucik-start". Is my analysis correct, anyone else have any suggestions? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yashman19 Posted November 20, 2005 Share Posted November 20, 2005 For quicklights, I would light it and set it down somewhere, but not on the bowl. All that quick lighting agent might contaminate your bowl flavor. Even when it is done sparking, I wouldn't put it on the bowl until it is fully red hot and lit. As for the metalic taste, I would guess this isn't from the foil, but instead your hose. Alot of the time, non-washable hoses have a metal wire coil running through the hose, and when this thing gets wet, it rusts and ruins your hose. So you may have never washed this hose, but it still could have gotten water in it somehow. And yes, shiny side of foil is supposed to be facing downwards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mushrat Posted November 20, 2005 Share Posted November 20, 2005 To put my 2 cents in, I've noticed I HAVE gotten a metallic taste when I used some off brand foil, before I switched to a screen that is. So it COULD be your foil. If your hose looks like this, with our without the metal tip, then you probably have a washable hose, if it looks any different, your hose is likely NOT. As yash said, if the hose got moisture, say from water vapor in the smoke or such, it will rust your inner metal coil. Are you also getting bits of black crap in your mouth when you hit the hose? Did you get your hookah from an online source? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teh_Hookah_Mang Posted November 21, 2005 Author Share Posted November 21, 2005 Hey, I got my hookah from a local smoke shop. I am not geting any bits of black crap in my mouth. I think you were supposed to include a picture in your post mushrat becuaes it seems as if you are referring to a something. Oh, and also i am using the sh*ttiest brand foil there is, made by Longs, could that be the culpirate? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yashman19 Posted November 21, 2005 Share Posted November 21, 2005 I've used cheaper grocery store brands with not a problem, even though Mush is probably right that very lowgrade brands of foil could cause a metalic taste. I'm not positive with what type of picture Mush was going to show you, or even if he meant to post a picture, but here is a picture of a pretty popular washable hose that came with my stargate. I say popular because I have seen it included with many hookahs you get with the purchase of a hookah on a lot of sites. [img]http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/5360/img21006sg.jpg[/img] Also, if you want a real cheap but very popular washable hose, check out Mya hoses on their website for only like 6 or 7 bucks. And a ton of people on here seem to agree that they are the best hose for the price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HookahDuck Posted November 21, 2005 Share Posted November 21, 2005 More than that... Mya's are the best hoses period. As far as quality of smoke at least. The hoses that came with my stargate are gorrrrrgeous =) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teh_Hookah_Mang Posted November 21, 2005 Author Share Posted November 21, 2005 Guys, That is my exact hose pretty much. I verified with my hookah friend and he said that my hose is washable. Im going to give my hookah a wash tonight. Im having my hookah friend comeover tommorow too check my hookah out to make sure everything is fine. I'll give you guys an update after I figure out whats up. To lay this out nicely: 1) Foil is not the issue 2) Possibly Cleaning- will investigate tommorow Thanks for all the help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mushrat Posted November 21, 2005 Share Posted November 21, 2005 ya, there was supposed to be a link atleast..to the mya site. [url="http://www.myasaray.com/store/item.asp?ITEM_ID=602&DEP%20ARTMENT_ID=36"] [url="http://www.myasaray.com/store/item.asp?ITEM_ID=602&DEP%2"]http://www.myasaray.com/store/item.asp?ITE...EM_ID=602&DEP%2[/url][/url] 0ARTMENT_ID=36 But if your friend has confirmed yours as washable, its likely a Mya and NOT the cause of your metallic taste. Unless its something coming off your not quite ash covered quicklites, I still think its your cheap arse foil giving you the metalic taste. spend the extra buck and get reynolds or whatever name brand you can get there... Let us know what your friend says... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sonthert Posted November 21, 2005 Share Posted November 21, 2005 Metal-Tipped hoses will sometimes accumulate nicotine and tobacco residue that tastes metallic and bitter and "mouth numbing". If the hose is washable; cool. If it isn't; sucks. Cleaning your pipe regularly will reduce that. If your pipe is kept clean, then new residue can lay down anywhere before the hose. If the pipe is stuck with the stuff it will "slide" across it and look for new clean areas to stick to, including "the hose". With care and daily pipe cleaning, I have had some hoses for 3-4 years! Non-washable ones. No-chunks or obnoixous flavors either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teh_Hookah_Mang Posted November 21, 2005 Author Share Posted November 21, 2005 It turns out that my water level was too high thats all. Once we lowered the water level, it started to work perfectly. Thanks for all the help Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dizzing Posted November 22, 2005 Share Posted November 22, 2005 hahahah, oh man, it's like trying for hours to fix a computer then realizing the power cable is loose or something Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mushrat Posted November 22, 2005 Share Posted November 22, 2005 glad we could help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teh_Hookah_Mang Posted November 22, 2005 Author Share Posted November 22, 2005 I am now getting lots of smoke but little taste, I seem to be in the same boat as other people posting on recent threads so ill just join in with them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sonthert Posted November 23, 2005 Share Posted November 23, 2005 I have looked and looked, but I can't find the "any key". As I think I commented on some other thread...it could be humidity shock...open the tub of tobacco up to the air where you smoke for 18-24 hours, stirring occasionally (2-3 times) and see if that doesn't work...if it doesn't, try a large duck costume, whilest wedging apple slices in your socks and jumping around, making clucking noises. That works for me generally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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