I'm A Hookah Noob

[blackknife36]

Okay, so my friends got me a hookah for my birthday so we've been smoking it fairly frequently now, and they picked up some Tangie's F-line Kashmir.

First off, I don't have a funnel bowl, and after reading many posts and watching a few of Snoopy's videos, I'm assuming that's a fairly important thing for me to buy if I wanna smoke Tangiers? Should noobs even be smoking Tangier's or something else like Layalina? Any suggestions?

Secondly, I need coals. I didn't think buying more coals would be complicated, then I saw all the options. So now I need advice on that too.

I think I have the whole packing thing down, just need the funnel bowl for it. And since I'm here I guess I'll throw out a third question that seems kinda important: what do you guys store your shisha in once you open it?

Any and all advice would be amazing. Edited May 29, 2008 by blackknife36

[jfaltous]

You don't *need* a phunnel. I know a fair few people smoke tangiers from regular bowls, and I myself have done so with success.

Kashmir is a pretty odd flavor to take on its own though (in my opinion), you might want to try mixing it up with some other flavors. As for what you should be smoking, its entirely personal preference. Tangiers is tougher to pack and get smoking perfectly and gives a strong buzz, which is why its not exactly "noob-friendly", but its entirely up to you. AF, Starbuzz, Tonic and Fantasia are the ones that I have found to be very forgiving in packing and heat management, so they're always a good starting point until you get more experienced.

Coconaras are my #1 coals right now (mostly because I'm too lazy to cut exoticas). Keep in mind they're natural coals and will need a constant heat source such as a stove top or coil burner to light them.

As far as storing shisha, there's the simplistic ziplock bag approach that works well, but most people here use cheap Tupperware containers such as the Glad or Ziplock disposable/reusable containers. The most popular around the forums is the Lock'n'Lock ones. In reality, anything airtight works. Just store it in a cool, dry place (like a cupboard) afterwards and you're set.

Welcome to the forums!

[blackknife36]

So, coconaras, flavors, zip locks, got it.

But the phunnel bowl I don't *need*? I assume that means it would probably be better?

Thanks btw !

[mattarios2]

So, coconaras, flavors, zip locks, got it.

But the phunnel bowl I don't *need*? I assume that means it would probably be better?

Thanks btw !

Not neccessarily better, just easier to get smoking right, at least in my experiences. My first time with tangiers and phunnel it worked great, I still cannot get my traditional bowl to smoke right with tangiers. I can get a decent smoke but nothing great like w/ my phunnel bowl.

[Stuie]

Welcome to the forums.

JF is right you don't need a phunnel to smoke tangiers. First few bowls I smoked were traditional bowls. Lightly pack it in just over the rim. Foil and Big holes all over.

Kashmir isn't what I would start out with, its INTENSE! the whole Kashmir Line is...it's good but you might want to start with a different flavor.

My Opinion Skip Layalina, Go for Romman, Potion, Fantasia, Nakhla or Al Fakher.

+1 to the Coco Nara's. Used some quicklights a few nights ago and I really missed my Coco's Great Coals.

I typically store my tobacco in ziplock bags and place back in the box they came in. For Large amounts and Tangiers Rubbermaid Containers. Got a varying size set for 30 bucks at Sam's Club. Great for if yuo have a sample of Tangiers or just bought a Kilo of Nakhla!

[EternalSoil]

wow... you started out on f-Line Kashmir!!! that sucks... cant get much better in terms of full bold flavor with an ass kicking!!!

You do not *NEED* a phunnel. But if you have an extra $15 bucks laying around i suggest grabbing a small or medium.

There are 3 things that changed my hookah smoking entirely.

They are: Nammor (razan, KM, home depot, some kind of thicker hose), Tangiers (love it!), and a phunnel.

The phunnel helps bring out the flavor in all shisha IMO.

[NickReppinThe909]

you forgot the scalli mod eternal

[Joshmmc]

kashmir is pretty harsh for your first shisha, take stuie's advice.

[EternalSoil]

you forgot the scalli mod eternal

Nope, left it out on purpose =)

i have used mine less than 5 times....

I like the idea, but its not for me. I'm not saying its bad or stupid, i just dont like it.

[NickReppinThe909]

i'll take it off your hands eternal i broke mine and need a new one

[blackknife36]

Lol... you guys are funny.

Anyways, I'm gunna buy a funnel.

And I didn't really start with kashmir... long story short, we smoked hookah on weekends with a friend that became crazy. So that's why I have my own. Now I have to learn to be a pro.

[ilikemyusername]

Lol... you guys are funny.

Anyways, I'm gunna buy a funnel.

I start kashmir... long short, we smoked on we end with a friend that became crazy. So why I have my own. Now he to be a pro.

good luck on your quest, you'll get it. i had a few friends spill thier marbles when i was young.i think we all did, we just couldn't see it.