First Km...what Am I Doing Wrong?

[digitalbass]

I just got my first KM but I have problems already. First of all I cant get the bowl to stay tight on the stem. I push down as hard as possible without pushing to hard and risk breaking something and it still loosens up without touching it throughout the session. Also the stem wont go all the way in the base but its still air tight so thats not a biggie I assume. I cannot seem to get any flavor or smoke out of this hookah. Tried phunnel bowl 2x and regular egyptian bowl 2x and all 4x there was hardly any smoke or flavor. I tried using 3 coals on each bowl because 2 coals on both bowls didnt produce much at all. But after putting 3 coals it would get harsh and I would have to go back to 2 coals. I also tried my Mya Vortex after each session and it produced more smoke and thicker and more clouds than my KM. The Mya also uses a regular egyptian bowl so I dont see how im loading the other egyptian bowl for my KM wrong. If you have any suggestions please let me know. Thanks

[rhineholt]

I just got my first KM but I have problems already. First of all I cant get the bowl to stay tight on the stem. I push down as hard as possible without pushing to hard and risk breaking something and it still loosens up without touching it throughout the session. Also the stem wont go all the way in the base but its still air tight so thats not a biggie I assume. I cannot seem to get any flavor or smoke out of this hookah. Tried phunnel bowl 2x and regular egyptian bowl 2x and all 4x there was hardly any smoke or flavor. I tried using 3 coals on each bowl because 2 coals on both bowls didnt produce much at all. But after putting 3 coals it would get harsh and I would have to go back to 2 coals. I also tried my Mya Vortex after each session and it produced more smoke and thicker and more clouds than my KM. The Mya also uses a regular egyptian bowl so I dont see how im loading the other egyptian bowl for my KM wrong. If you have any suggestions please let me know. Thanks

I had the same problem with the grommet. What you can do it take a coarse sandpaper and rough it up so the bowl has something to hold on to.

[digitalbass]

Ill try that out. I know im not using the wrong grommets in each place because the bowl grommet wont fit the hose grommet and vise versa.

[ryno]

If you're packing hasn't changed from the Mya to KM, theres probably a leak in your pipe. I've almost stopped using bowl grommets as the bowls and hookahs vary so much, its hard to find ones that work. I take a piece of cloth (or a strip from a tshirt or something similar) and wet it and wrap it around the top of stem and put the bowl on there.

If 2 coals isnt enough, and 3 is too much, try using halves of coals and using a windcover. If you don't have a windcover, you can make one out of foil.

To check if the hookah is airtight, put water in the base, and the hose in. Put your hand over the top of the stem where the bowl goes and try to suck through the house. If your're getting bubbles, theres a leak. Try doing that with the bowl packed and your hand over it. You will probably get some bubbles, but you should feel the air being pulled by your hand.

As for the base grommet, it's better to have it too tight than too loose. You can always sand it down some to make it fit better.

[Chiefin]

1) What type of shisha are you trying to smoke?

More importantly, make sure you get your equipment right first.

2) Like Rhineholt said - try and sand it down - also make sure the grommet is wet, and twist the stem as it goes into the vase vs. pushing it in.

3) In regards to the bowl sliding up off the stem. Make sure that both the bowl and the rubber 'gasket?' at the top of the stem are dry. It is sliding up because the 'gasket' is too large and probably has a steep incline. May have to sand this down as well, or go to home depot and get something comparable but smaller.

Pictures would be helpful here.

[rhineholt]

Ill try that out. I know im not using the wrong grommets in each place because the bowl grommet wont fit the hose grommet and vise versa.

Yes, it would be very helpful if you gave us pictures.
is it by any chance this kind?
http://www.hookahjohn.com/product.sc?produ...p;categoryId=20

[Chiefin]

is it by any chance this kind?
http://www.hookahjohn.com/product.sc?produ...p;categoryId=20

Jesus... You could mount a 7/11 Big-Gulp on top of the hookah with that thing

[rhineholt]

is it by any chance this kind?
http://www.hookahjohn.com/product.sc?produ...p;categoryId=20

Jesus... You could mount a 7/11 Big-Gulp on top of the hookah with that thing

Ahah, thats the kind i use. I got them from my local shop.
My bowl kept falling off, so I asked about it and somebody on here, I can't remember who, told me to sandpaper it down.

[Neil's butt boy.]

you need the thin grommits like theys http://www.hookahjohn.com/product.sc?produ...p;categoryId=20

or http://www.hookahjohn.com/product.sc?produ...p;categoryId=20

Edited November 1, 2009 by Dreamer_1969

[rhineholt]

Or even these should work.
=)

[digitalbass]

The grommets I recieved were clear not white. The hoer grommet is perfect. My hose never comes lose but I can never get my bowl tight on the stem.

[rhineholt]

The grommets I recieved were clear not white. The hoer grommet is perfect. My hose never comes lose but I can never get my bowl tight on the stem.

Can you get a pic?

[digitalbass]

Ill try to do what was stated as to cover the top of the stem and suck air to check for any leaks. Ill also get pics as soon as I finish work tonight.

[digitalbass]

Im almost done with work and about to head home and try some stuff you guys suggested. Ill post the requested pics and my results to see how things are going.

[NIGHTS OF BAGHDAD]

i had the same thing happen to me with the no smoke and no flavor it was because my pipe was not air tight..

[Lilmopho]

Try putting more water in the vase then you are used to, i had the same problem...

Hopefully this will help

[rhineholt]

Try putting more water in the vase then you are used to, i had the same problem...

Hopefully this will help

Be careful with this though. If you don't have a washable hose and you get water in it, you're screwed.

[Genie]

As for the bowl staying put on the stem, just experiment with different grommets. It's a good idea to have a variety of them on hand. Some are thicker, some thinner, some are rubber, some are silicone, some are harder, some are softer. You may have to resort to wet paper towel instead of a grommet. I've had to learn which grommets to use with which bowls and if I use a different hookah, that changes everything. For some reason I really have to fuss to get the bowls right on my Mya unless I use this one, thin silicone grommet I have, but I have no problems with my bowls on the KM. But, then, I know which grommets to use for the different bowls I have. Just figured it out as I went along.

I don't know what you mean about the stem not going all the way into the base. It doesn't need to, as long as you can get the downstem into at least 1.5 to 2 inches of water, you should be just fine.

If you're using too much ice, you could be killing your flavor. And if you aren't getting enough smoke or enough flavor, you may just need to use more coals, or perhaps fewer or smaller holes in your foil. You just have to experiment to figure out what works with your hookah. With my hookah, I usually have to start out with plenty of coals on top (for the heat) then take off some of the coals once the bowl is going good--ten to 15 minutes into the session. Adding back more if I need to later on. You can also experiment with different foil. I keep a variety of foil around because different foil suits different shisha. One layer of HD foil with Nakhla is usually perfect. Two layers of HD with AF or three layers of super thin (CHEAP) foil works well with AF too. At least with my bowls and hookahs. You just have to figure out what works for you.

Another problem might definitely be your hose. A hose with too small a diameter won't let you draw enough smoke and air. I hate cheap Mya hoses, they produce puny amounts of smoke and flavor. My first "good hose" was some fat, clear tubing I bought at a hardware store, I used the end and mouth piece from a cheap, plastic, washable hose with it. The diameter of this homemade hose made for a much better smoking experience. Now I have a Razan hose and I am SO glad I invested the money in it.

You might check your hose(s) for leaks. If you don't have any leaks in the hose(s), you might double check how well you're connecting it (them?) to your hookah. You may not be using the right grommet and could be drawing more air through the hose port hence less smoke and flavor from the hookah. Here again, it's good to have a variety of hose grommets. When all else fails, wet paper towel makes for a good hose grommet.

Also, make sure your purge valve has a ball in it (no, I don't think you're stupid, just trying to eliminate the possibilities) and make sure you've got it screwed closed all the way. If it's not closed tight (tighten it too much and you can't get it off for cleaning) you could be drawing air from it.