Thickness Of Foil

[mikecsy]

For weeks now i thought i was in a shisha-making slump, every one of my batches would taste burnt in the first fifteen minutes of smoking. I had tried everything from changing coals, taking meticulous steps to cut up the shisha into small bits, water level and temp., etc...
and i've finally realized my problem: the foil i've been using for the past few weeks is too thin (250mm). So today i tried doubling the foil, and now it is smoking beautifully (standard egyptian + nakhla mint).
Have anyone else had this problem before? What thickness of foil would be thick enough so that I won't have to double the foil every time? Help!

[Zyram]

I've had the same problem before, because the heat management is very different with the thin and heavy foil. I usually buy the heavy duty foil, saves money! If not, the double foil works, but next time you're at the store grab some of the heavy duty foil, it makes a world of difference IMO.


-Z

[ih303]

I use the Social Smoke hookah foils from HJ. They're only $6/100 and they're precut. The foil is heavier than Reynolds and has worked perfectly for everything I've smoked. You might want to give that a try if you've got a few extra bucks lying around.

[GreatPigHookah]

It all depends on how you manage heat and what coals and foil you are using. I've had the reverse case be true, where I couldn't get a particular brand to smoke very well - I knew it was heat related - so I switched from heavy duty foil to normal foil and BAM! - Perfect flavor. The root problem was not just the foil alone, it was how I was managing heat with the coals and foil I was using. I can get the same results by changing to a different type of coal and using HD foil, but I liked the coals I was using and didn't want to start breaking them up into odd-sized peices, so I just changed foil. Sometimes it's just easier or more convenient to change foil, and sometimes, a foil change alone may not be enough. Lots of variables you can play with to find what works for you.

[mushrat]

Stick to name brand foils. The store brands and off brands tend to be thinner thus cheaper.

[Majid]

It all depends on how you manage heat and what coals and foil you are using. I've had the reverse case be true, where I couldn't get a particular brand to smoke very well - I knew it was heat related - so I switched from heavy duty foil to normal foil and BAM! - Perfect flavor. The root problem was not just the foil alone, it was how I was managing heat with the coals and foil I was using. I can get the same results by changing to a different type of coal and using HD foil, but I liked the coals I was using and didn't want to start breaking them up into odd-sized peices, so I just changed foil. Sometimes it's just easier or more convenient to change foil, and sometimes, a foil change alone may not be enough. Lots of variables you can play with to find what works for you.

Ah i hand't thought of that yet, good tip. I always use two layers of thin foil. Had some trouble with a new brand i'm trying and maybe using one layer will make a difference, i'll try it thanks.

[adike]

i use double layer of heavy duty foil, medium phunnel and 3 cocos...

[newjacksm]

I thought HD foil burns shisha faster by retaining the heat in the bowl.

[Bulldog_916]

Stick to name brand foils. The store brands and off brands tend to be thinner thus cheaper.

The off brands have been all I've used and I cant get a better smoke from anything else. Thin foil helps me control the heat better, I get quicker results. Mine is "Chef's Choice" foil. If you're a hookah chef, I swear by this stuff.

[hookah hippie]

I always buy heavy duty reynolds wrap and never run into problems

[Raziel510]

I've actually had the opposite be true for me. I was getting okay smoke from my bowls most of the time but I always saw pics of people on this forum getting thicker clouds than me. On a whim, I ordered some of the special hookah foil from HC and it was a lot thinner than the heavy duty foil i was using before. turns out that was the trick and I started getting really thick clouds. Now i feel i'm experienced enough that I can compensate for heavy duty and thinner foil, but I definitely prefer using the thinner hookah foil sheets.

[delSol_si]

Not trying to go against the professionals here, but I personally use cheap ass generic foil (Dollar General Great Value) and love it. I tried using my roommates thicker name brand stuff and just can't get it to work. The foil I use is actually so shitty and cheap that I have to be careful covering the bowl because the shit rips with the slightest amount of pressure. But, like I said, it does work amazing for me, and its cheap. Edited March 11, 2009 by delSol_si

[SuburbanSmoker]

reynolds heavy duty. ive tried some of the bulk foil sheets used for bbq/cooking and its just not the same. i find once i start to burn a bowl with that stuff that the bowl is shot, where as with reynolds HD i seem to be able to salvage my bowls better if i get lazy or retarded.

[Sonthert]

Costco or Smart and Final's heavy duty foil is excellent.

I've never noticed a difference. I like thick foil because its easier to poke holes without tearing the foil.