Introduction/a Few Questions.

[desjawn]

Hey guys, I'm new, obviously. My name is Desiree, I'm 19, I live in Philadelphia, and Im really bad at introductions. So anyway, I bought my boyfriend this hookah for Christmas along with 12 boxes of 50g Layalina shisha so he could get a feel of the flavors and pick out the ones he did and didn't enjoy. My first question is: 1. Does the tobacco go bad? Even if it hasn't been open? You see, some of the flavors he was hesitant to try so he hasn't and now that its been almost two months since I've purchased them I'm sort of afraid to convince him to try them. I wouldnt want him to get sick from them or something. My second question is: 2. How do you set up your foil/coals? We purchased a box of foils from Artifax (smoke shop in Philadelphia) and we just use one of those, poke some holes in it, and throw one these coals on top. Lately we've been getting a bitter taste and we normally clean the hookah right after we use it, or right before we use it the next time so I dont think its that. I think it might be the way we're setting up the coals/foil that is effecting the taste. Ok my last question is: 3. How does the water level effect the smoking? And how much water (I guess percentage wise) do you normally add to the base?

Ok and I know I said that was my last question but what are some things you can add to the water/shisha to make the expierence more interesting? I feel like the same old routine is just getting, well, Old.

thanks a lot!

[jfaltous]

The tobacco will last a couple years at least, especially if unopened. I wouldn't worry about small amount slike that going bad

As for water level, you want to fill the vase so that it covers about 1/2" to 1" of the bottom of the stem that's sticking into it.

As for foil/coal setup, we'd need a picture of the bowl itself to best advise you. As for the taste you're getting, chances are it's due to the coals not being completely lit. After you light the coal, blow on it for a bit or let it sit there for a minute until it gets red hot all around... if it's still black, it will be lit but it will give off a chemically smell/taste.


As for things you can do to the water/shisha, just browse the forum. There's a plethora of ideas available here... one simple change is to try new brands of shisha, they all taste/smoke differently. Others can include adding coconut milk to the water, using a different type of bowl (phunnels are the popular choice), etc.

[NIGHTS OF BAGHDAD]

Hey guys, I'm new, obviously. My name is Desiree, I'm 19, I live in Philadelphia, and Im really bad at introductions. So anyway, I bought my boyfriend this hookah for Christmas along with 12 boxes of 50g Layalina shisha so he could get a feel of the flavors and pick out the ones he did and didn't enjoy. My first question is: 1. Does the tobacco go bad? Even if it hasn't been open? You see, some of the flavors he was hesitant to try so he hasn't and now that its been almost two months since I've purchased them I'm sort of afraid to convince him to try them. I wouldnt want him to get sick from them or something. My second question is: 2. How do you set up your foil/coals? We purchased a box of foils from Artifax (smoke shop in Philadelphia) and we just use one of those, poke some holes in it, and throw one these coals on top. Lately we've been getting a bitter taste and we normally clean the hookah right after we use it, or right before we use it the next time so I dont think its that. I think it might be the way we're setting up the coals/foil that is effecting the taste. Ok my last question is: 3. How does the water level effect the smoking? And how much water (I guess percentage wise) do you normally add to the base?

Ok and I know I said that was my last question but what are some things you can add to the water/shisha to make the expierence more interesting? I feel like the same old routine is just getting, well, Old.

thanks a lot!

hello and welcome to the forum, usually shisha has a expiration date on the box itself..but i know who do smoke even the expired stuff and claim to be better then the new batches..but i dont suggest it..for hole punching if im smoking anything but tangiers i usually start with a circle pattern going around bowl and then doing another circle pattern getting smaller each time working my way to the center..that for me works with 99% of the shisha out there..also i only use 3 kings quick lights because i dont feel like waiting 5-10 minutes for natruals to light up..for quick lights i belive they are the best with minimal smell and they give me about 45 minutes of use per coal..i dont really know how much water level can effect..because i havent experimented with that, but i always make sure the nozzle is atleast a 1/4 inch under water..far has what you can add to the vase..i dont add anything..just water...so goodluck folks..

[ebarnes02]

Hey to start

1 - most of the tobaccos will have an 'expiration date', but most times the tobacco will likely smoke fine past this expiration date.

2 - don't even bother with the 'hookah foil', just use regular reynolds aluminum foil. For the coals, just make sure they are glowing red all over before you are putting them on.

3 - fill enough water to cover about an inch of the downstem, if you fill the water too high it'll end up getting into your hose and ruining it.

Anyway, welcome, i am a local philly smoker as well. Seeing as how you went to artifax, i'm assuming you live up in the NE? Most of the 'smoke' shops in the city are going to overcharge you on whatever you buy, 9 times out of 10 you are better off ordering online. THe only shop i go to in the city is on 3rd Street right off of South St, it's called SJ Cigars, they have a good variety of tobacco and coals for a 'decent' price. Edited February 17, 2009 by ebarnes02

[mustang_steve]

A good idea is to check out the mediterranean grocers in your area for shisha and coals. Their prices tend to be far more reasonable. I can get a 250g box of Nakhla for $5, and $2 for a roll of 3kings coals at the one I go to. They also have Al Fakher, Havana and some other brand...but those are all $11 for a 250...not a bad price at all, it's internet pricing on everything except Nakhlha, which was lower.

For Foil, I just use Reynolds heavy duty foil. Punch an outer ring, a ring between the outer ring and the middle of the foil, and then punch a closely spaced 3 hole in the middle of the bowl. This gives me a really good smoke.

If you are worried about the shisha, just stick the 50g boxes individually into ziploc baggies...that will reduce the amount of air exchange greatly. If the shisha did dry out, many folks here say to add a bit of glycerin into it (glycerin is a normal ingredient of shisha...it helps produce that thick smoke we all love).

Water level is subjective upon the stem and the vase. I typically go as high as I can so long as I have no issues with water bubbling up into the hose port. If I do experience that, I will reduce the water level slightly until I reach the happy point on that vase/stem combination. For my Glyph, it's just a hair above the gold ring on the tapered part of my vase. A good way to start is 1" to 1-1/8" above the end of the stem....not the nut at the end...the very end.

[jeremyk]

i would just try new shisha brands

[erufiku]

Try smoking with wine in the base... heard the flavor's sensational, but personally I can't justify wasting alcohol

[newjacksm]

Half Wine, Half Water + AF Rose = very good If you want to mix some shisha then do Al Fahker Rose and Al Fahker Orange with Half Red Wine and Half Water.

[Zinite]

here's a pic I stole off Flickr:



do that