New Hole Pattern Thread

[ih303]

Lately, I've been experimenting with hole size and quantity.

Up until recently, my preferred method was to use a corn-cob skewer to poke holes - two rings for small phunnels/egyption clays and holes all over for MYA mod bowl. However, after talking with traditional, middle-eastern smokers, I'm realizing that many of them prefer fewer, larger holes.

What gives?

[gaia.plateau]

Depends on bowl, shisha, session length, blending method, coal, etc. etc. etc.

[ih303]

Depends on bowl, shisha, session length, blending method, coal, etc. etc. etc.

Please elaborate.

I'm trying to figure out why and how it makes a difference.

[Stuie]

with phunnels, Tangiers and Coconaras

Big Holes (Fumari Poker or Ice Pick Size)

None over the hole.

I know it's contrary to what everyone does, but I use less shisha the way I pack and get great smoke.

[destructo]

when you said ice pick i thought of this and went O_O


but i use 3 rings with a tooth pick (not to be confused with a tooth axe)

[twoapplesplease]

Depending on the bowl and tobacco used I'll change slightly.I prefere A few giant big ass holes that line up with the holes in the bottom of the bowl.and a few more bamboo skewer sized holes.

I use egyptian style bowls only.And the giant big ass holes are so big you can see through them.

somewhere around 15 tottal holes

[Stuie]

when you said ice pick i thought of this and went O_O


but i use 3 rings with a tooth pick (not to be confused with a tooth axe)

We've never seen one of those here in Texas... HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA ... do you need when that thing called snow falls from the sky.... we hear about it a lot from Colorado and New Mexico.

[RingsMaster]

personally i find that many smaller holes makes for a smoother smoke, its like heating the shisha without having to burn the crap out of it, at least when i do big holes i burn it bad, but i use the same a stuie a fumari bowl poker and it is awesome

[joytron]

eh doesnt seem to make that big of a deal. I think a clean hookah, good coals/tobacco, heat management, and bowl packing all are more important than the holes poked. I have used a tree thorn when we couldnt find anything and aside from stabbing myself a couple times it worked just fine

[Arcane]

my pattern doesn't fit any of those listed....

on my small phunnel, i do large toothpick holes and a lot of them...maybe 60-80. 4 rings w/ none over the center.

on my egyptian: i poke a lot of large holes...and do rings inside rings until i get to the "bullseye"

[Genie]

Lately, since switching to Diamante coals, I use a ring of large holes poked through the foil and shisha (with a toothpick) at the place where I judge the phunnel to be at its deepest. I fill this ring with small holes poked with a thumb tack--including over the center. It's been working really great for me. Basically the holes are only towards the center of the bowl, leaving nearly 1/3 of the foil "unpoked." That's where my coals rest. Others will tell you that you should only poke holes where the coals are going to be resting. I tried that, didn't like it.

Just use what works for you, don't be afraid to experiment, and don't let yourself get pressured into using a method everyone else insists is the best unless you find it IS the best for you.