A Few Noobie Questions

[HookahHoff]

Im new to hookah and have a few questions about hookah that I wanna get down before I start taking care of my own.

1) is there any particular way to pack the bowl?
2) how do I know when the bowl is done?
3) where should the coal go on the top, middle or edge?
4) i got a brush to clean my hookah, any other tips?

[Arcane]

1) is there any particular way to pack the bowl?
depends on the bowl and shisha. also, different methods work for different people.

-Tangiers/Nakhla in a phunnel: overfill bowl about 1/4in over the rim with tobacco, place foil on top and push down with your palm. there should be a 1/8-1/4in depression. tighten down foil
-Everything else in a phunnel: pack loosely a bit above the rim, foil over and tighten foil. don't push down the tobacco with your palm/fingers, the foil will do that itself
-Everything but Tangiers in an egyptian: pack as loosely as possibly, fill bowl up to the rim, foil and tighten. actually, with Nakhla I'd make it a bit tighter pack.

2) how do I know when the bowl is done?
when theres no flavor or the smoke tastes like ash/crap.

3) where should the coal go on the top, middle or edge?
start on the perimeter of the bowl and push towards the middle as the bowl gets used up.

4) i got a brush to clean my hookah, any other tips?
put a little baking soda and lemon juice in the vase/stem when you scrub with your brush.