Mixing Bases And Effects On Smoke Thickness

[NY Hookah Fan]

I've been seeing a recent trend with new hookah lounges opening: mixing bases with different ingrediants. A hookah lounge I used to visit for a long time would always give the option to have milk with ice cubes in the base. Some other hookah lounges offer apple juice, gatorade, Coca-Cola, and even mango juice in the base. My question to everybody is do the different bases make a difference in the thickness of the smoke?

From what I understand with hookah procedures, the burning coal draws hot air down the stem of the pipe and into the base, then collects the humidity from the base component to "filter" the air and travel's through the hose. The smoke is composed of the mixture of the hot air and the base component (i.e. water). Does the replacement of water in the base with, say juice, change the composition of the smoke produced? I'm just curious to know because from what I've experienced there has been very little to no difference in smoke thickness when changing bases. However, if I'm missing something from this or perhaps pulling smoke incorrectly (usually taking deep pulls depending on flavor and tobacco producer) please let me know.

[dakur001]

My understanding is that base liquid has no effect on smoke thickness, rather, it simply alters the flavor of the smoke to some extent. However, ice cubes will thicken smoke because lowering temperatures that significantly will condense the smoke by limiting the movements of the molecules. I don't know, that's just what I've heard, and at least in my experience ice does seem to thicken smoke, though it does make flavor more mild. I could be wrong, I'm sure someone else here can give you a better answer.

[NY Hookah Fan]

My understanding is that base liquid has no effect on smoke thickness, rather, it simply alters the flavor of the smoke to some extent. However, ice cubes will thicken smoke because lowering temperatures that significantly will condense the smoke by limiting the movements of the molecules. I don't know, that's just what I've heard, and at least in my experience ice does seem to thicken smoke, though it does make flavor more mild. I could be wrong, I'm sure someone else here can give you a better answer.

I understand why the ice would help with the smoke thickness, but it's a shame that it dulls the flavor too. Maybe it depends on the type of flavor you're smoking? One of my favorite mixes that never dulled with an icewater was Vanilla and Winterflower.

I guess the flavor of the smoke does have something to do with the different bases, but it doesn't seem necessary if you ask me.

[Svaals]

I'm pretty sure the reason why you get thicker clouds with colder water is that you inhale deeper because the smoke is smoother. The cold water condenses tars and other irritating chemicals in the smoke faster than warm water. At the same time, it can also condense the volatile compounds responsible for the flavor of the smoke.

Juice should alter the flavor because, well the juice has a smell, so there are volatile compounds that will add to the flavor on inhalation. Also it's usually kept in the refrigerator, and is cold.

[NY Hookah Fan]

I'm pretty sure the reason why you get thicker clouds with colder water is that you inhale deeper because the smoke is smoother. The cold water condenses tars and other irritating chemicals in the smoke faster than warm water. At the same time, it can also condense the volatile compounds responsible for the flavor of the smoke.

Juice should alter the flavor because, well the juice has a smell, so there are volatile compounds that will add to the flavor on inhalation. Also it's usually kept in the refrigerator, and is cold.

What about scentless mixes like milk? I don't think milk really has a scent to it (except when it goes sour) and a lot of hookah lounges seem to promote using cold milk as a base to produce smoother and thicker smoke. I understand that the temperature will influence the thickness of the smoke, but does flavor add to it's thickness? Or is it purely for flavor purposes?

[mesa1]

To be very honest with you, all these sheesha places that use different bases are just promoting a gimic for the customer to come back.. yes, juice does alter the flavour and yes milk does sweeten the flavour, however neither make the smoke thicker.. that is purely a mental issue and judgement and is furthermore a waste of good juice and milk, thus making the sheesha stink after a while.. stick to using cold cold water from the fridge, don't even put in ice cubes as it alters the water content once melting and then you have the whole issue of over bubbling the sheesha and getting water in the hose..

[*sigh*]

To be very honest with you, all these sheesha places that use different bases are just promoting a gimic for the customer to come back.. yes, juice does alter the flavour and yes milk does sweeten the flavour, however neither make the smoke thicker.. that is purely a mental issue and judgement and is furthermore a waste of good juice and milk, thus making the sheesha stink after a while.. stick to using cold cold water from the fridge, don't even put in ice cubes as it alters the water content once melting and then you have the whole issue of over bubbling the sheesha and getting water in the hose..

I've never had over bubbling issues after my ice melts.

That and Ice is less dense than water, so it takes up more room, so assuming you dont have a huge chunk of ice on top of your water your water level will actually drop slightly after the ice melts.

[hartwell778]

What I have heard and observed myself, is that the icewater causes the smoke to be thicker because the glycerin is more condensed. However, I have noticed that the smoke is thicker but the volume of smoke stays the same