A Guide To Hookahing

[K1024]

i was bored one day and decided to write this, its been about 2 months since then and its pretty clear that im not going to get back to work on this.... so im posting it here for scrutiny/support.

feel free to add to it, just include what section your addition belongs in. something like this post isnt really finish-able, for example i wrote this before crown bowls were made so i dont have any info on them here...




Bowls:
egyptian: Egyptian bowls are all similiar in that they are a bowl, with holes in the bottom. To use this bowl, pack in tobacco, put a piece of foil on top, poke holes in foil and add coals.
Standard: (10-20g) This is the standard bowl that comes with the majority of hookahs. They vary from 1-2 coals usually for a good burn, depending on the shisha being used.

Mod: (15-25g) Standard bowls for mod type hookahs.

Mya: (15-20g) Standard bowls for mya type hookahs. Uses 2 coals for most shisha.

Combo: (15-20g) Standard Egyptian, except it has a built in screen and wind cover. Some people do not like the screen, so they take it off and use foil. This bowl keeps in heat so you can use less coals.

Glass: (15-20g) A glass bowl. Glass heats differently than a clay bowl. It also breaks easier...

Metal: (10-20g) A metal bowl. Metal heats differently than a clay bowl. Pretty much impossible to break.

[K1024]

Double: (10-15g each) Double, triple and quad bowls are kind of silly. From personal experience though, if you pack all three before a party, then use them one at a time,
sealing off finished ones when you are done, works well. Mixing flavors in them is a lot of fun. if you get it right you get huge clouds.

Triple: see double

Quad: see double

Tangiers tower: Designed so that you can pick it up from the base without burning yourself, thus making it easier to ash coals/remove burnt shisha.

Conservation: (5-10g) An Egyptian bowl that is flatter than a normal bowl, so not as much shisha is used.


Phunnel: Phunnel bowls have improved airflow because there is no way to block the airflow (minus foil failure). Phunnel bowls prevent the juices from getting into the hookah,
which makes it easier to clean, makes the shisha wetter and tastier. They work weirdly, but they work and thats whats important. Originally made by Eric Tangiers, for his Tangiers tobacco.
Tangiers: (20-100?g) A Tangiers phunnel is the easiest way to get Tangiers tobacco to smoke well. These bowls hold their heat well, are made from quality materials, and work well in general.
Come from minis (if your lucky) to extra large.

Chinese: (30-45g) Chinese phunnels often get slander, simply because they aren't the original. They have other issues to though, as they are made of a lesser quality material than
Tangiers phunnels. They are much more standardized though, and if one were to order 2 Tangiers phunnels, and 2 Chinese phunnels the Chinese phunnels would have a
better chance of being the same size. Tangiers phunnels are made by hand, where as Chinese phunnels are manufactured.

Glass: (mini 15-20g, rest are not on the market right now) Glass heats differently than clay, which isn't a bad thing. Available from MNHookah.com. glass breaks easier than clay.

Jet: (20-25g) MNHookah's upgrade on the phunnel. They come with a mod specifically made for that phunnel. The middle part is slightly lower, which prevents foil from getting sucked
onto the top. They have very good reviews, but the price is high for something that can break so easily...

[K1024]

Vortex: Vortex bowls are similar to the phunnel, in that they aren't Egyptian. The middle of the bowl comes up towards the top, almost like a tower in the middle. Unlike the phunnel though,
the vortex has holes in the side this tower, to allow easier airflow than an Egyptian. They help keep in some of the juices, but let some through anyways.
Clay: (25-30g)

Metal: (25-30g)


Super Chief: (70-100g) It is hard to find Super Chief bowls anymore. TexasHookah.com still carries them though! A weird concept, which seems to have been dropped (?) for the phunnel.
The shisha goes around the outside, and stays moist like it would in a phunnel.



Edited June 5, 2009 by K1024

[K1024]

Stems: The stem of the hookah is how the smoke gets from the bowl to the water in the base (duh). This allows the smoke to cool a little, and some of the particles to float down/stick to the
walls, thus getting removed from the smoke. It is an important part of the hookah, though how important is hard to tell. A while ago there was an ultimate showdown,
between KM, MZ, and Nour, and later I posted the same measurements for a Mya Obelisk.
Inner diameter: KM, MZ, and Nour all pretty much had a .5" inner diameter, where the Obelisk has roughly a 5/8" id. The smaller the id, the harder the pull...however at
some point as it gets larger the pull is going to get harder too. Clearly its less than 3/4" otherwise the major companies would be making bigger down stems for easier airflow.
Overall length: It is hard to describe how the overall length of the stem affects a hookah. It doesn't effect pull, because it is an open system. It effects the smoke quality though,
but not in a very noticeable way. A longer stem would technically remove more particles than a shorter stem, because they get stuck to the sides and have a longer time to deactivate.
Amount in the water: This is one of the most asked questions. Basically it is .5" - 1.5". However, the best way to tell is to add water, pack your bowl, then try the pull.
If it is too hard there is to much water...if it is light you could try adding more water. The more water that the smoke goes through the better it is for you!
Ice stem: Ice stems are an interesting concept. Realistically cool smoke can be achieved easier/cheaper without one (ice in the base), however they potentially create some condensation on
the inside of the stem, getting rid of some of those nasty particles you don't want in your lungs. The cold also helps some of the carcinogens deactivate which is good!

Base: The most important thing about selecting a base, is if you like it! Though there are a few other things to take into consideration.
Width: The width of the base is important for one simple reason, the wider it is the harder its going to be to knock over. Also a wider base means more smoke in the base.
Height: Make sure that the height of the base is tall enough for your stem. You also want a decent amount of water in the base, so that the water doesn't get filthy after a few pulls.
Depth of stem: A good amount of space should be left for the smoke. probably half and half is good. How important this is can be hard to tell...for example a Leila only has like a cans worth of smoke,
where as a regular base could probably hold 3-4 times as much..

Hose ports:
Common vs separated: Mya hose ports are generally common chamber style. This means that the smoke goes up and into an open area before going to the hose. In something
like a KM they use a metal tube to go from the hose port to the inside of the base, this is a separated style. Some people believe that separated is better, but mostly for
reasons of purging the smoke. Apparently you can not purge the entire chamber with a common port style, though I have never had a problem with this.
Inner diameter of port: KM: 5/16"; MZ: 2/8"; Nour: 5/16"; Mya 7/16". The hose port diameter should be wide in order to allow more air through easier. The less constraint on the pull the better.

Purge: Purge valves come in many different styles, usually with a ball bearing inside to keep air from coming in, but allowing you to blow smoke out if it is harsh.
Purging: This is what they are used for. If you dont like the way that the smoke is going, blow into the hose and smoke will come out of the purge. This will allow you to refill the hookah with new fresh smoke.
Intake: My friends hookah's purge is actually very interesting. Instead of having a ball bearing it simply unscrews. If he wants he can let in more air, so if the bowl is getting harsh he can lighten it
with some fresh air instead of wasting all that smoke. I don't believe that most hookahs can do this though, and it isn't really necessary...just a cool snippet.

Hoses: Hoses come in many different styles, colors, lengths, and materials. It would be pretty much impossible to cover everything so I'll do some of the basics.
Washable: A hose is washable if it doesn't have a metal coil inside of it. Mya "washable" hoses are not really washable (with water anyways) look for nammor/razan/grand washable.
Nammors and Razans are actually the same hose, just made for different sellers: (nammor = romman backwards (hookah-shisha.com's brand), razan = nazar backwards (nazarhookah.com)).
There have been reports of some problems...though how much of that is user failure is left up to your own research. I have heard nothing but good from the grand washable.
Inner diameter: The wider the hose the less it will obstruct the pull. This is an important thing, though most hoses that aren't a standard hose a wide enough to be ok.
Length: General hose lengths range from 24" to 72". People make bigger hoses though, and I have heard of a 10 foot DIY hose that worked really well.
Handles: Handles are cool. Find one that suits you, with a hose that suits you, and your set. Optimal for me would be either the Mya Cloissone handle or the KM handle, just because they both look good.

[K1024]

Coals: Quite possibly the worst part of the hookah...Coals are the heating element for the shisha. Instead of burning the shisha, the cook it, releasing delicious flavors.
They come in different shapes and sizes, and can be bought in bulk where they are random sizes.
Quick light: 3Kings is my staple ql. Quick lights are made so that when you apply fire, they spark across and heat the coal. Apply oxygen until they appear red hot, then add to the top of the bowl,
wait a little, and smoke.
Natural: Natural coals impart no taste (or little), and probably have less carbon monoxide in them...though thats hard to argue. Add coals to the stove, then let sit till the bottom is red hot,
flip repeat. When they are red hot on all sides add to hookah, wait a little, and smoke.
Health concern: Coals add a lot of carbon monoxide to the hookah smoke, which is very bad for you. Though carbon monoxide will eventually leave your system, while it is in there it
prevents oxygen molecules from attaching to your blood. To much carbon monoxide and you start losing oxygen to vital parts...which can create a sort of buzz,
but is not the buzz you want from hookah. They also impart several other things, but it varies from coal to coal.
Electric: There aren't any easily available (I say easy because I have seen them, but they cost lots of money, and are hard to order). If someone were to create an electric heater for the goals,
they may be the next Scalliwag. Someday it will happen, I am sure of that...However there are many standards to be met for such a thing, so it probably won't be for a while. No one
wants to use an electric coal if it costs more in the long run than regular coals, is harder to use, or is very bulky. They would also need some sort of check to see when you are pulling,
so that it would add more heat when your pulling, and cool slightly when no one is taking a hit.

Shisha: The delicious reason that you smoke hookah. If you don't know what shisha is GTFO. But seriously, its tobacco with some other things to make it cook/taste better.
Components: Tobacco. sweetener: the most traditional is molasses; honey is used in the rest of the shisha mass produced; agave is something new on the scene, that apparently works pretty well.
Glycerin is included in the shisha to add smoke. Flavor is included for flavor (duh)
Consistency: Shisha ranges in consistency, from almost dry like Nakhla to mostly honey and glycerin like Fantasia.
Making your own: Search the "How-To Funhouse" on HookahForum.com to figure this one out.
Herbal: Herbal shisha is shisha without tobacco. Sugar cane, or grass, or something else that will make smoke when flavor is added. These are not necessarily more healthy than tobacco, just different.
Watch for Scalliwag's incredible Herbal Pirate shisha, from what I've heard it's most excellent (Yar and Blarg and whats nots)

[K1024]

Tips and tricks:

Bowls:
Egyptian: The foil ring: I have never tried this, but i feel like it would work well. http://www.hookahforum.com/?showtopic=27823

Base:
Other liquids:
Milk: If your going to do this, use like 1 part milk 8 parts water or something. Some people say it will enhance the thickness, though its hard to say.
Do not fill with just milk or your killing your hoses!
Juice: This works well, clean it out afterwards.
Cut up fruit: Do not jam it in there, otherwise you wont be able to get it out. Wash thoroughly afterwards.
Soup: Please, someone, put soup in your base and tell how it is. I really do not care, tomatoe, cream of something, chicken soup for the Tangiers bowl...just do it!
Ice: Put it in there, smoke, decide if its worth the trouble each time...Sometimes I do it, most of the time I just use room temp water.
Warm water: Same as ice, try it for yourself and decide how you like it. Warm water should technically filter better (more absorbent or something like that).

Snow: Snow is awesome, go sled in it and then bring in some clean snow for your hookah!
Instead of liquid: I've done this once, and it is a different experience. I would consider doing this again in the future when it snows. Literally no water in the base, just packed full of snow.
Smoke like that, and it is interesting. Eventually it will melt into a very cold liquid, commonly known as water.
Around the hookah: Get a trashcan, insert hookah in trash can, pack snow around hookah. This is dangerous with a glass base, I have done this with a pyrex base, and probably if your
going to do this use a plastic container instead of your expensive glass base. But hey, who am I to tell you what to do.

Hoses:
Getting water out: If you can feel the hookah bubbling, but more than usual, you should check for water in the hose. Simply stand up, put the hose in a bowl, then blow out. get as much water out as you can.
Using a rusted hose: Depending on how it is rusted this is possible to do without getting rust in your mouth. Simply make a loop near the hose end, and take slow careful draws.



Common problems:

Pull is hard: This is such a vague statement to a complex problem.
Step 1: The first thing to do is take off the bowl and take a pull, if it is still hard move to step 2, otherwise pack the bowl better.
Step 2: Pull the stem off the hookah and look down it, if there is blockage use a stick to clear it. If this doesn't fix it, step 3 is for you!
Step 3: check the hose port for good clearance...try taking a pull on just the hose, there can be a clog there. Still not fixed? Step 4 would be the last step and probably the easiest...
Step 4: use less water.
If all the above steps do not work then get on HookahForum.com chat and ask someone.

Overheated tobacco: You are using to much coal...use less coal. Often people say that once it goes harsh it never goes back...But there is a simple fix to this! In the same way
that one would use a candle-snuffer to put out a candle, use a bowl snuffer to put out a burning bowl. http://www.hookahforum.com/?showtopic=29767

Pulling "ash" through the hose: This means your hose is rusted..see tips and tricks or get a new hose.

Broken base: get a bottle that fits your stem and jerry-rig a new one.

Ghosting flavor: wash your hookah. if its in the hose and the hose isn't washable the best bet is some lemon juice, followed by some alcohol to avoid rusting.

Leaky hookah: find the leak and tape that shit up. electrical tape works as a grommit for the stem, and hoses, though not so well for the bowl.

Bad grommets: electrical tape for the non-hot parts. Wet paper towel for the hot parts, or if you don't have electrical tape.

Drunk people: If this is a consistent problem for you, buy a shitty hookah. Hookah-Shisha.com gives you a free hookah for orders of 100$ or more of tobacco, do that and use that hookah for smoking
at parties. Keep yours for yourself and friends when they aren't drunk.

[K1024]

Diffuser: Diffuser's are great for many reasons...but they often get overlooked for the most important reason: they help filter..
Filtration: Diffusers break up the bubbles. This creates more surface area. More surface area = better filtered smoke. Also it allows the temperature of the water to effect the smoke better...whether that is warm or cold.
Quietness: This is what most people have them for. It's like a silencer for your hookah. Great for movies.
Draw: If you have a diffuser it makes the draw on the hookah easier. Some people insist on capped diffusers, but if you leave it open it will allow you to take as big a pull as you want.
DIY: There is really only one specific hookah diffuser on the market, the Heba. Unfortunately it does not fit all hookahs, which leaves only one option: make your own. It's very simple,
there are a crapton of topics about it in the "How-To Funhouse" on Hookah-Forum.com. Important things to remember: you dont want the wholes too close, otherwise the bubbles
will just recombine...try a spiral pattern. If you cant put wholes in the bottom, leave the bottom as a big hole, this way your never limited on how much you can pull on your
hookah-sometimes people want to take huge hits.

Scalli mod: Scalliwag gifted upon us this invention, (blarg) in order that we may improve our hookah experience (yar). It is for phunnel bowls only, as it would serve no real purpose on an Egyptian bowl.
They may work on a vortex bowl, though it would raise up the middle....(avast!)
What its suppose to do: Essentially it draws the air through the shisha, instead of over the shisha (aye). This gives more flavor, and technically should provide longer bowls.(yar)
It is hard to say exactly what it does though, as its hard to empirically test what someone tastes.
What it really does: It takes up space so you can use less shisha. It makes it so that the foil can not get stuck on top of the phunnel. (arg)
These 2 things make it worth it, even if it wasn't flavor enhancing. (Note: not saying that it doesn't add flavor, just hard to prove that it does)
Scalli mod get: Go to MNHookah.com to get a spiffy glass one, or one that is specifically made for one of their bowls...or make one yourself. search "Tealight scalli mod"
in either the "How-To Funhouse" or the "Discussion Group" on HookahForum.com (argensblarg)

Double filter: these are new to the hookah scene (or at least new to my knowledge on the hookah scene). The first one was made by agentscot,
and not only works as another filter, but also as an auto locking hose port!
On stem: An on stem double filter would essentially be between the bowl and the vase. It would work, though would probably be limited on space, so the water would get very dirty very fast.
After the main chamber: (agentscot : http://www.hookahforum.com/?showtopic=28948#entry346788). Not only does it run your smoke through another water filtration, but it works for auto sealing,
so no more pesky ball bearings!
Something that needs to be done: Someone with one of these please put ice water in the outside vases, with warm water on the inside. This should provide optimal temperature smoke,
with the best filtration efficiency.

Wind cover: Simple concept right? Winds blowing, and you don't want your coals going everywhere, but like most other things theres more to meet the eye...
Wind blocking: They block the wind kinda sorta. They still let a lot of wind through, but they prevent the coals from falling off which is good. Ideally the would stop wind better, so that the coals
do not heat up and burn the shisha.
Heat management: Wind covers are incredibly useful for this. Coals dieing? Pop on a wind cover and let it heat up, and bam you've stretched your coals just a little bit more. Very
useful for starting a hookah, the heat will start faster, thus making better smoke faster..then before it gets to hot pull off the wind cover and save it for the end, when you need it again. Edited June 5, 2009 by K1024

[K1024]

images are from multiple websites, of which ive lost track. if a vendor does not want me using one of them pm me and i will remove it.

hope this helps someone, though it is a long ass read
Edited June 5, 2009 by K1024

[redjako]

You got bored for a week you mean nice guide.

[MN_Clouds]

I'm impressed. Most extensive guide I've seen. It was good to see all the different bowls out there.

[gunsboy]

Very nice work. There few more types/sub-types of bowls but this is the most number of bowls in the same page that I have seen yet.

[gunsboy]

Soup: Please, someone, put soup in your base and tell how it is. I really do not care, tomatoe, cream of something, chicken soup for the Tangiers bowl...just do it!

RESPECT .. I tried milk 5/1 and more was ok, not much difference.


But Soup!!!!!!!!! hahahaha

[cotsi95]

k1 most of this is in the wiki but good job. Add it to the wiki if you haven't already!

[delSol_si]

From what I understand, correct me if I am wrong, weren't the Super Chiefs made by Eric as well? Being a predecessor to the phunnel?

Couple more bowls to add to the list for those who own them (I don't) are the Scalli olivewood bowls, Smiley's bowls, and Santino's bowls...

[Priapus]

link this to the faq. its good stuff.

mad props to you!

[Click]

Nice job.  Don't think superchiefs hold as much as your listed though.

[BLUE&GOLD]

coolio, very informative

[K1024]

thanks for the response yall. I actually had labeled the superchiefs as erics creation, but i removed the sentence because i was starting to sound very fanboy...i know what olivewood and santinos bowls are, could someone post a link for smileys bowls?

also since ive noticed it a few times, heres an amazing link: http://www.harmreductionjournal.com/content/5/1/19
it is where i got a lot of the info on carcinogens and whats nots.


and could a mod change the title to remove i was hoping to put in a smiley, but that clearly doesnt work there...

[ryno]

You should add these to the wiki!

[delSol_si]

There are different designs and stuff much like Santino's have different designs, but that is the general idea. Click on the picture to go to the thread. There are a few more on here. Let me know if you want a link to them as well. Here is a more colorful one:

[delSol_si]

Oh, and those are Smiley's bowls. I don't know much background on them as I was not a member when they were made.

And I forgot to say, props on making this thread, good job!