N00b Questions

[atz413]

Hi All,

OK, I got my MYA QT home and set up last night, and I filled the bowl with Al Fakher Jasmine (I like jasmine, what can I say?) and I got it up and running with a single quicklite golden coal. Nice smoke (but I don't know if it was "enough"), I had to use another quicklite coal after about 45 min, and then I let it go out for a while.

About an hour later, I broke open my bag of lemonwood coals, found one that looked likely and got it going on my electric stove. I couldn't get quite as much smoke from it, but it gave me the impetus to ask the following questions. And I've looked around, but I couldn't find answers to these questions around here or at any of the links I've found. (I must admit that maybe I didn't look around as well as I could have...)

1. How do you know when a bowl is finished?
2. Is it OK to let a bowl "die" and then re-start it later on? If so, how long is too long to wait?
3. How the heck do you break up huge chunks of "natural" coal without getting coated with dust and black lung to boot?
4. Is it OK to not fill the bowl all the way to the top if you're going to be smoking solo? Is there some way to modify the bowl if you want less shisha in it?
5. The lemonwood seemed to get some "dark" (cold?) spots, no matter what I did to it. Is this common? Is there some way to fix that?
6. How much is "enough" smoke?
7. Should I maybe find a local hookah lounge and go there to learn more, or someone in my area who's more experienced?

I hope I'm not being too "needy" with all these questions... And I thank any and all of you (in advance) who take time to reply.

Thanks,
Andy

[Apoc Genesis]

Hey there Andy, welcome to the wubbulous world of hookah =)

Now on to your questions

1. A bowl is dead when you dont want to smoke it anymore. Alot of it is personal taste, some people will smoke the same bowl until all the tobacco charrs white, although thats not the healthiest thing to do. Personally, I stop smoking when the bowl starts to taste like ash, or the smoke starts to die noticiably to where I dont get the nice big fluffy clouds I like. But then again your definition of "kicked" may be different from mine.

2. The tobacco is going to oxidze if you wait too long, but I dont know the specifics of that.Chweck the tobacco before you smoke. If its dry or blackened, you may want to use a fresh bowl

3. Hold your breath and snap them like thick twigs. Be prepared to get messy, thats how coals are. Our ancestors killed theselves getting the stuff, getting some on your shirt isnt going to give you black lung.

4. If you dont pack the bowl enough, the amount of heat from the coals is going to completly char if before it gets enjoyable. I wouldnt reccomend it. You'd have to ask someone else about mods, I just leave that as is.

5. When you cook the coals, be sure to use an even flame and make sure that you tend to each part of the coal, otherwise the burn of the coal will be lopsided

6. Enough that you arent choking everytime you pull in. Again, personal preference

7. Always a good idea to go learn from someone more experienced than yourself. But more importantly go to a lounge with good friends and enjoy yourself. They cafes not schools.

Hope that answered at least some of your questions

Happy smoking!

[a_shimoon]

I'll answer the questions that I can:

1. How do you know when a bowl is finished?

The smoke will become harsh, lose its flavor, and start to taste ashy.

2. Is it OK to let a bowl "die" and then re-start it later on? If so, how long is too long to wait?

Yes, this is fine. However, I do find that a re-started bowl doesn't taste quite as good. If I don't have to conserve tobacco, I normally just pack a new bowl.

4. Is it OK to not fill the bowl all the way to the top if you're going to be smoking solo? Is there some way to modify the bowl if you want less shisha in it?

Yes, it shouldn't be a problem. Having a little bit of space between the foil and the tobacco isn't a problem, it will just take a little bit longer to get started. Also, you can consider making a DIY Funnel mod (foil) with an extra large funnel, leaving less room for tobacco.

6. How much is "enough" smoke?

This is a matter of preference. I personally like a very full body smoke. To achieve a strong and full smoke, I normally use multiple coals. This sometimes makes the smoke quite harsh. The best way around this is to put ice cubes in the base.

7. Should I maybe find a local hookah lounge and go there to learn more, or someone in my area who's more experienced?

I found at first when I started smoking hookah, I learned quite a bit going to shisha bars. Now, however, I find that going to shisha bars is a bit disappointing because the servers know much less about shisha than myself. They don't prepare the pipes to my standards. You're almost better off to go to a shisha bar and chit chat with some pros and ask questions.

I hope that helps.

[atz413]

And now I'm thanking you all, after the fact!

I'm still not too sure about the "natural" coals... I live in an apartment, and I think I'll have to take them outside and take a hammer and wood chisel with me...

[a_shimoon]

Why not just use quick lites? I prefer them, they are very easy to get going.

[Stuie]

And now I'm thanking you all, after the fact!

I'm still not too sure about the "natural" coals... I live in an apartment, and I think I'll have to take them outside and take a hammer and wood chisel with me...

So far the only natural coals i have liked so far are Coconaras. I have some exoticas on the way but those lemon wood coals are a pure hassle man

[srawas89]

If you dont like the hassle of lemon wood charcoal than try natural finger coals which you do not have to break, such brands are Exoticas, Coco Naras, and Easy Lite Japanese Coals. Check the reviews sections for further descriptions and advice on those coals.

[flick92]

Answer to No. 2

When you are done smoking just take the coal off and put it in the trey so you don't burn the tobacco. This way you have more tobacco to enjoy when you come back. I've let it sit for hours I usually clean it out if I'm done for the night.