Lost First Timer

[crimsonkingjv]

If I have missed something in these forums I am sorry. I have never used a hookah before and I am trying to learn everything I can about them. I am looking at reviews and trying to find a good brand to buy but I can do that on my own. What I need is someone to point me in the right direction for the most basic of information. Also if the information is already on the forums just let me know what I should be looking up in the search to find it. I read the first time FAQ but that didn't help me that much. Thanks you in advance for any help.

ps- after re-reading that I thought I should be more specific. I want to know the differences in coals, types of tobacco, types of pipes, good first timer items, things of that nature. Thanks again for any help. Edited May 9, 2008 by crimsonkingjv

[shesha1]

If I have missed something in these forums I am sorry. I have never used a hookah before and I am trying to learn everything I can about them. I am looking at reviews and trying to find a good brand to buy but I can do that on my own. What I need is someone to point me in the right direction for the most basic of information. Also if the information is already on the forums just let me know what I should be looking up in the search to find it. I read the first time FAQ but that didn't help me that much. Thanks you in advance for any help.

ps- after re-reading that I thought I should be more specific. I want to know the differences in coals, types of tobacco, types of pipes, good first timer items, things of that nature. Thanks again for any help.

Egyptian ice hookah ( stay away from hookahs that are for looks only)
Canary golden charcoal (jap square lights)
Al-fakher tobacco

Setting it up is a ritual in itself.
If you are new, the best part about it is experimenting with different flavors, and different set ups. Everyone is different with different tastes. The joy you will get will be from experimenting with different types of tobacco, and different hookahs. The list I gave you is the easiest in my opinion. Ill explain how to properly light the jap coals for you, and when they will be ready to use.

Light them on a stove, then fix your bowl. when you see that one side is red( the top will still have silver on it. Place the coals on your bowl I take two squares and break them off. Basically I have one stick I break it in half and place one half on one side of the bowl, and the other half on the other side of the bowl. I wait 2- 3 min, and when the silver on top is gone I start to smoke. Trust the reviews of tobacco on this site.

[mjdx88]

First off, Welcome to the Forum,

I would say order from Worldhookah, Devils Playground when you are ready.

The two types of coal, which Im assuming you already know are quicklights and naturals. The major differences quicklights do what they say you have a coal ready anywhere from a matter of seconds to a min or two. The natural coals take a while to light up, you need to light these on a stove, the quick lights you can use a lighter. The naturals dont have any chemicals in them or leave a smell in the air or taste in the shisah, this is the main reason why so many poeple like using em. Personally all I use is QL since I cant light coals inside. I use 3 Kings and Goldens I have never tasted anything other than the shisha, except for when the coals werent fully lit.

The coals regardless of type should be glowing red all over and ashed over before you start using them.

Do you smoke cigs or cigars? If you do you should be fine with smoking any type of tobacco the buzz wont hit you too hard. Though I would stay way from Tangiers till you know what your doing. Everyone has there own opinion, but I would say I love Al Fakher, easy to get going and great flavor. Also up there but I havent tried are Starbuzz(costs a lot more than the others), Al Waha, Nakhla, and Potion( pretty pricey).

If your smoking indoors or not moving alot go for a 25- 30" pipe great smoke and what not. If your going to be always going to a friends house or somewhere with your hookah get a mini. If you are living in a dorm and cant smoke inside I would say go for something about 15 - 22" for easy movement in and out. I got a 30" egypitan and its a pain to move insides and out. If your going to be smoking with 3 to 4 people at most go for a 1 hose if any more go for 2 hose, anything more and I think its overkill.

In terms of bowls get a small phunnel, its worth it and you will love it. Make sure you get lots of samples of shisha as well to try.

Well I think that covers quite a bit. I will let others add to this, im still quite new myself but you will pick this up quickly.

Cheers,
Mike

[crimsonkingjv]

Awesome information, thank you both. It's a bit overwhelming at first because it seems there is so much variety so it's hard to know what is good. Again, thank you both.

[mushrat]

Awesome information, thank you both. It's a bit overwhelming at first because it seems there is so much variety so it's hard to know what is good. Again, thank you both.

For basic set up..there is a nice video in our video section. Also some cool reviews of tobaccos by Rayver. Yu can also check the review section for peoples takes on everythign from hookahs to coals to tobaccos.

[crimsonkingjv]

Thank you mushrat. Yeah I have been reading the tobacco reviews. Is there anything to know about different types or blends of tabacco? Also, what is the main difference between foil and a screen? Is it just whatever you find better? Thanks. Edited May 9, 2008 by crimsonkingjv

[mushrat]

Thank you mushrat. Yeah I have been reading the tobacco reviews. Is there anything to know about different types or blends of tabacco? Also, what is the main difference between foil and a screen? Is it just whatever you find better? Thanks.

basically, you have to learn that different tobaccos take different amounts of heat for optimal smoking. Al Amir and Al Fakher for instance take a medium heat. Starbuzz and Tangiers take less heat, Laylina and Nakhla take more heat. what that means is hard to describe, more a matter of experimentation.

Sceens are good if you are underpacking your bowl for instance, you do that with foil and you have to worry about the foil eventually sagging as you mes with the coals. The problem with most screens is that the holes are, in my opinion, are too big and you end up sucking all the ash into the bowl which forms an insulating layer and messes with the cooking effect. If you can find a screen with smaller holes you should be good to go.

[NickReppinThe909]

reynolds heavy duty foil is much better than a screen

[Rani]

You'll find tons of advice and good information here, but in my opinion the best bet is to just jump in with both feet. The first hookah I ever smoked was the first one I ever bought. I'd been fascinated with them as long as I could remember but just hadn't taken the plunge. Now I own 10 pipes though it will be 9 shortly as I pass that first smaller pipe on to another person who's fascinated but hasn't bought their own yet. If you can find a store you that sells the tobacco, then you're in even better shape. Open the jars or tins and just smell. Something will appeal to you. I've never found naturals to be all that much better than quicklights assuming you let it ash all over the surface before you take a draw on the pipe. HOWEVER, stick to the tried and true quicklights - either 3 Kings or Goldens because there are some out there that are very bad indeed. I agree with Mushrat that the holes in screen are too big and I've never had as good luck with them as I have with plain old heavy duty aluminum foil. Reynolds is your friend. It takes experimenting. Every tobacco has it's own best method and heat requirements and those can even vary from flavor to flavor within a single brand. The main thing is for me is when I stop at a local store and we start opening tins to sniff. Something will jump out at me that I have to try. And there are sample packs/sizes out on almost every website. But it's been noticed by nearly everyone that the samples do not do the tobacco justice so if you can afford it, hit a store and when you hit that "gotta have it" scent, buy the regular size then take it home and light up. I find the most interesting thing of all is that what works for you and your pipe may not work so well for someone else. Hookah is an art really. So many things from the weather to the age of your shisha can affect every bowl. That and the beauty of the pipes themselves is part of the enjoyment.

'Rani

[crimsonkingjv]

Wow, awesome information, thank you all. I like buzzing and from what I can find tangiers looks like it offers a good buzz. It seems like it has something to do with washed vs unwashed but I have no idea. I am pretty much looking for a really flavorful with a killer buzz, so if anyone has any suggestions let me know. For now I will keep reading reviews and generally just start trying things until I find something I like. Thanks again for all the info, it is great.

[mushrat]

Wow, awesome information, thank you all. I like buzzing and from what I can find tangiers looks like it offers a good buzz. It seems like it has something to do with washed vs unwashed but I have no idea. I am pretty much looking for a really flavorful with a killer buzz, so if anyone has any suggestions let me know. For now I will keep reading reviews and generally just start trying things until I find something I like. Thanks again for all the info, it is great.

The washed/unwashed thing is how they process the tobacco before turning it into shisha. The majority of the nicotine is on the surface of the leaf, so by literally washing the tobacco a few times they drop the nicotine from .5% to .05%. It doesn't effect the flavour as far as I can tell, but if you are looking for the buzz, go with an unwashed like Nakhla,Tangiers,layalina and the like.

[NickReppinThe909]

Wow, awesome information, thank you all. I like buzzing and from what I can find tangiers looks like it offers a good buzz. It seems like it has something to do with washed vs unwashed but I have no idea. I am pretty much looking for a really flavorful with a killer buzz, so if anyone has any suggestions let me know. For now I will keep reading reviews and generally just start trying things until I find something I like. Thanks again for all the info, it is great.

Al Fakher FTW

[Bushbr]

I'm not a hookah guru on the forum here, amongst my friends... a bit more so.....

as far as i see it, the most apealing part of smoking the hookah is that u earn it. from acclimating the perfect amount of time, perfectly loading your favorite bowl, putting the perfect amount of water in, getting the perfect heat management along with hundreds of other factors, i believe that the "perfect" hookah session can never be obtained and we keep smoking in a constant pursuit of that perfect session.

so don't get discouraged when you are not 100% satisfied with your session, i think nobody ever is.

[crimsonkingjv]

Thanks once again everyone this is great info. So I think I will try and find some layalina to try since it seems like it is good for beginners. I think I will also go with some golden quick lights although the guy at my local shop was talking up the magnesium coal, is it that much better? I need a little help choosing a pipe however. Is it better to go with a name brand such as Mya or KM or is it fairly safe to go off some of the web sites posted around and trust that they will sell good pipes? Thanks again for all the help and if there is something I am forgetting please let me know. Thanks.

[mushrat]

Thanks once again everyone this is great info. So I think I will try and find some layalina to try since it seems like it is good for beginners. I think I will also go with some golden quick lights although the guy at my local shop was talking up the magnesium coal, is it that much better? I need a little help choosing a pipe however. Is it better to go with a name brand such as Mya or KM or is it fairly safe to go off some of the web sites posted around and trust that they will sell good pipes? Thanks again for all the help and if there is something I am forgetting please let me know. Thanks.

as far as pipes go..stick woth a trusted vendor, look for something that looks like you'd want to own it, see if its in your price range and go for it. If you narrow the choices down to a few, post them and people will be more than happy to give their opinions on them.

[thecoalition]

Thanks once again everyone this is great info. So I think I will try and find some layalina to try since it seems like it is good for beginners. I think I will also go with some golden quick lights although the guy at my local shop was talking up the magnesium coal, is it that much better? I need a little help choosing a pipe however. Is it better to go with a name brand such as Mya or KM or is it fairly safe to go off some of the web sites posted around and trust that they will sell good pipes? Thanks again for all the help and if there is something I am forgetting please let me know. Thanks.

im not a fan of layalina for beginners. i would recommend al fahker for beginners. also as far as quick lites, go with three kings, they are more trustworthy. The brand named pipes are the ones that are a specific brand for a reason. Build, quality, durability, etc. All of those features make a Mya or Km what they are. I would say go for a KM or MZ as they are possibly the best pipes on the market.

[Bushbr]

im not a fan of layalina for beginners. i would recommend al fahker for beginners. also as far as quick lites, go with three kings, they are more trustworthy. The brand named pipes are the ones that are a specific brand for a reason. Build, quality, durability, etc. All of those features make a Mya or Km what they are. I would say go for a KM or MZ as they are possibly the best pipes on the market.

Booo! -2!!

i personally cant stand 3K's. they seem to be anything but trustworthy for me. they are weak as far as heat and stability. i have had a 3K coal turn to dust in my hand simply by picking it up.

3K's FTL!

imho

[Rani]

im not a fan of layalina for beginners. i would recommend al fahker for beginners. also as far as quick lites, go with three kings, they are more trustworthy. The brand named pipes are the ones that are a specific brand for a reason. Build, quality, durability, etc. All of those features make a Mya or Km what they are. I would say go for a KM or MZ as they are possibly the best pipes on the market.

Booo! -2!!

i personally cant stand 3K's. they seem to be anything but trustworthy for me. they are weak as far as heat and stability. i have had a 3K coal turn to dust in my hand simply by picking it up.

3K's FTL!

imho

I've never had that kind of trouble but it does seem like Goldens give off more heat. Could be my imagination of course.....

'Rani

[NickReppinThe909]

sounds like fake 3 kings

[mjdx88]

I had 2 3kings break apart in to almost nothing just after lighting them, the crumble alot. I really prefer goldens but what ever you like try em all just stay away from rollands lol

Mike

[crimsonkingjv]

So I found one that I really like but I wanted to see if any of you knew anything about it? Think it will be a good first time pipe? Thanks.
http://www.hookahcompany.com/jack_o_lanter...h_2416_prd1.htm

[crimsonkingjv]

Edited May 11, 2008 by crimsonkingjv

[NickReppinThe909]

smokes like a champ but be careful cleaning the stem because mine got water in it and rusted after 2 years of great sessions

[crimsonkingjv]

what about those custom build sites such as customhookah.com? Are those any good are are they not worth the money?

[NickReppinThe909]

those sites use cheap chinese parts AVOID them at all costs. IMO go for a nice hookah for your first that way you will be less tempted to upgrade sooner and end up spending more money than necessary (spelling ?) go with a MZ or KM