Are Bases Interchangeable, Across Brands?

[filmigeek]

My new hookah broke.

It was Hookah Bros, which I know is a defunct company - maybe now I know why - my husband bought it at an Indian grocery about a month ago. I've used it about six times.

Tonight the base shattered when I was filling it.

Can I buy a new base, or do I need to buy a new hookah? I'd like to know if the stems are basically standard sizes and will fit another base that I buy.

So sad ... I was having a blast with it.

[Voski]

You can get any base and it will work! As long as it holds water and is air tight! Hookah bros is MZ now.

[Scoop]

not all bases work.

some of the inner diameter openings will be too small for your hookah.

if your grommet is size 30 (might say on the rubber grommet) then youll fit most large egyptian vases
if it says 26 then you can fit most syrian vases.

grommets are interchangeable, but you still need to make sure it fits well on both your hookah and the vase.

[EternalSoil]

you need a new hookah =)

well... thats what i did when my base got broked!

[ilikemyusername]

you can measure the outer diameter of the stem and if you order from a company thats decent they'll have on the website the inner diameter of the vase.

[filmigeek]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I measured my stem and ordered a new base that (I hope) will fit. Now I just have to wait ... no smoking for a week or so.

[MechAnt]

Good call on measuring and ordering a new one. Hookah Brothers is now Magdy Zidan.

[vaypourus]

Check this link for some measurements.

http://hookahcompany.com/standard_rubber_vase_308_prd1.htm

Going by this chart:

The Mya bases and small Egyptian bases usually take the mini-small gaskets (size 22 I think?).

The Syrian and Egyptian bases usually use the medium gaskets, which is a size 26.

KMs use the large gaskets, which is a size 30.

[mushrat]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I measured my stem and ordered a new base that (I hope) will fit. Now I just have to wait ... no smoking for a week or so.

the place your husband bought it from didnrt have bases?

[filmigeek]

the place your husband bought it from didnrt have bases?

Nah, it was an Indian grocery that happened to have a few hookahs in their stock - not a smoke shop or a whole hookah supply place. Edited June 9, 2008 by filmigeek

[Sonthert]

The HB jars were Pyrex, though. made in Mexico. Nice jars.

There are like 3 standard sizes of jars and hookah bells (The part of the hookah that goes into the jar), 22s, 26s and 30s. You can adjust one size up or down, but a 30 bell won't fit in a 22 jar, and sizing a 22 bell to go into a 30 jar is kinda tricky. The gasket between the jar and the bell often has a size on it, often backwards, like "22" or "26". If you find out what that number is, you can call a hookah on-line retailer directly. If you tell me how big the bell is, I can estimate for you.