Schause Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 Hi! I´m a beginner when it comes to hookahs. I bought my first about a week ago, and posting here you might figure out that I have some trouble getting a pleasurable smoke I´ve really read everything I can find on the net about how to set up the hookah properly and also viewed most of the videos concerning the matter on youtube. I´m pretty convinced that I do everything right, right enough atleast that it should work on some level! But, I only manage to get small puffs of non-consistent "fumes" out of the damned thing! It´s a proper hookah, or so it seems when one takes a look at the quality of the material used and how it´s built. The vase is a round one of thick and strong glass, and shaft and the rest of it is made out of stainless steel. The hose seems very compact and well made. It is air tight, very much so. So having taking everything I´ve been able to lurke out by the help of nice chaps like you that post information about these things on the net into consideration and still failing to deliver, I´ve started to speculate in a more conclusive way, I guess My theory is this: the stem, the pipe that goes into the vase that is, is too long! Stupid? May very well be, but in desperate times desperate ideas flourish! The stem is abou 1.4 inches from the bottom of the vase, making the ideal water amount (stem about 1 inch sub surface?) much less than a half filled vase. Is this too little water? Is it possible that I should shorten the stem by some inch? Well that´s my hookah story so far (not sharing with you why there are black spots on my livingroom floor )! No happy ending yet but I have great confidence in you more experienced smokers, so if you have any insights concerning the matter, please share them with me, it would be immensly appreciated. I really look forward to having a working hookah in my life! Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zinite Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 That's not your problem. Not having enough water might make your smoke hot, but it wouldn't stop you from having smoke all together. You have one of two problems: A. There's a leak somewhere. Test this by setting your hookah up without the bowl on top. Place your thumb over the port where the bowl would go, and suck in on the hose. You should get no airflow at all, since your thumb is covering up the only possible entrance for air. B. Even though you've read about hookahs and watched videos, you don't have proper heat management down. What type of coals are you using? You might need to be using more coal. If you are using a disc shaped quick light, try cutting it into thirds and placing the pieces around the exterior of the bowl, rather than crammed in the middle. Even adding more pieces would help. If the most gets harsh, or burns your throat, that means that you have too much coal. Please put up pictures of your setup so we might deduce what is going on. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nars2k Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 Welcome, It could be a variety of things. First and foremost check your purge valve and make sure it has the ball. If it's a multi hosemake sure the extra ports are blocked. What kind of head are you using? What do you make your holes with on the foil. How are you packing it? What coals and how many of them do you use? Is the hose fit in tight and snug? If it is check all your gromets and make sure you don't have any air leaks the long stem shouldn't make a big difference. You shoulds still be getting good clouds The water should be no more than an inch and a half higher than the stem end. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NIGHTS OF BAGHDAD Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 hey buddy, first of all welcome to the forum..when you do get a minute please go over our forum rules to help you out on what you can,cant do and what can and cant say..it will make your time here with us more enjoyable and educational http://www.hookahforum.com/index.php?app=forums&module=extras§ion=boardrules ok lets get to your problem, first of all you cant shorten the stem..its not like you can take a chainsaw to it you will damage it..it does sound like your vase is too small..but first help us out by answering these questions and im sure we will pin point the problem for you what brand of shisha are you attempting to smoke? what type of bowl are you using? what brand of coals are you using? how many coals are you using? how many holes and how big are you punching the holes? what brand of hookah do you? do you have a pic of the hookah? also, are you sure your stem is all the way in and there are no air leaks? i know i had that problem and i had very little smoke, no taste at all and it tasted very warm cause my pipe was not air tight 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacob Shock Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 the problem sounds like a coal problem. you wanna make sure you got enough heat on the head. you may need more coals. or maybe your coals are not fully lit. if there not fully lit they wont put out as much heat. are you putting enough tobacco in the bowl? to much space from foil to tobacco will prevent proper smoking. is your bowl securly atached to the hookah. the coals should glow brighter as you hit it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schause Posted December 14, 2009 Author Share Posted December 14, 2009 The coal it was! Feel stupid now but more so happy because I´ve had some good smokes! Now I guess im giving the bowl to much heat as it lasts for about 15 minutes, and ive understood that if you do it right it should last for about 30min. I have an egyptian bowl, medium size i guess. So any good advice concerning durability of session? Thanks to everyone who helped me out whit the previous problem! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhineholt Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 [quote name='Schause' date='14 December 2009 - 03:21 PM' timestamp='1260825680' post='438963'] The coal it was! Feel stupid now but more so happy because I´ve had some good smokes! Now I guess im giving the bowl to much heat as it lasts for about 15 minutes, and ive understood that if you do it right it should last for about 30min. I have an egyptian bowl, medium size i guess. So any good advice concerning durability of session? Thanks to everyone who helped me out whit the previous problem! [/quote] Well... it all depends on the tobacco and coals. If you smoke tangiers with a phunnel bowl, people have been known to get 2+ hrs out of it with still a lot of smoke and flavor. What tobacco are you using? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zinite Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 [quote name='rhineholt' date='14 December 2009 - 02:30 PM' timestamp='1260826228' post='438968'] [quote name='Schause' date='14 December 2009 - 03:21 PM' timestamp='1260825680' post='438963'] The coal it was! Feel stupid now but more so happy because I´ve had some good smokes! Now I guess im giving the bowl to much heat as it lasts for about 15 minutes, and ive understood that if you do it right it should last for about 30min. I have an egyptian bowl, medium size i guess. So any good advice concerning durability of session? Thanks to everyone who helped me out whit the previous problem! [/quote] Well... it all depends on the tobacco and coals. If you smoke tangiers with a phunnel bowl, people have been known to get 2+ hrs out of it with still a lot of smoke and flavor. What tobacco are you using? [/quote] Like rhineholt said, it depends on the type of bowl, tobacco and coals. We had a session today with a Medium Tangiers Phunnel, Tangiers Noir tobacco and Coconara coals that lasted over 4 hours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schause Posted December 15, 2009 Author Share Posted December 15, 2009 Well the bowl I believe is an egyptian, medium size. I´m using quick lit soex coals. The tobacco is nakhla (two apple, mint and vanillia). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fineout Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 1st get different coals, second theres a few reasons it could be dieing in 15 mins. You could very well be putting too much heat but with nakhla thats pretty tough. If it starts getting really smoky and tough on the back of your throat then thats the problem, if not then it could be the coals are just dieing and you have to put more on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NIGHTS OF BAGHDAD Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 [quote name='fineout' date='15 December 2009 - 07:55 AM' timestamp='1260881746' post='439192'] 1st get different coals, second theres a few reasons it could be dieing in 15 mins. You could very well be putting too much heat but with nakhla thats pretty tough. If it starts getting really smoky and tough on the back of your throat then thats the problem, if not then it could be the coals are just dieing and you have to put more on. [/quote] i agree change your coals..if you have to use quick lights then you john's CH ql's http://www.hookahjohn.com/product.sc?productId=15&categoryId=6 they are the ql's in the business, also when using any quick lights make sure they are fully lit before putting them on the bowl 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rj_skillz Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 If you dont mind waiting for about 10-15 minutes for coals to heat up, get the Coconaras because they are well worth it! They last longer and dont give out any odours as some quicklights do. You can get these from the same website as NOB has stated above and possibly go for a smaller box (84 coals box) and see how you like them! Its best to try a variety of coals as Im sure you'll find one that suits to your requirements. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NIGHTS OF BAGHDAD Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 [quote name='rj_skillz' date='15 December 2009 - 11:25 AM' timestamp='1260894350' post='439214'] If you dont mind waiting for about 10-15 minutes for coals to heat up, get the Coconaras because they are well worth it! They last longer and dont give out any odours as some quicklights do. You can get these from the same website as NOB has stated above and possibly go for a smaller box (84 coals box) and see how you like them! Its best to try a variety of coals as Im sure you'll find one that suits to your requirements. [/quote] it takes you 10 to 15 minutes to light coco's? upwards of 6-8 minutes i can see..but 15..lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rj_skillz Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 [quote name='NIGHTS OF BAGHDAD' date='15 December 2009 - 04:40 PM' timestamp='1260895244' post='439220'] [quote name='rj_skillz' date='15 December 2009 - 11:25 AM' timestamp='1260894350' post='439214'] If you dont mind waiting for about 10-15 minutes for coals to heat up, get the Coconaras because they are well worth it! They last longer and dont give out any odours as some quicklights do. You can get these from the same website as NOB has stated above and possibly go for a smaller box (84 coals box) and see how you like them! Its best to try a variety of coals as Im sure you'll find one that suits to your requirements. [/quote] it takes you 10 to 15 minutes to light coco's? upwards of 6-8 minutes i can see..but 15..lol [/quote] my bad! Because I dont have a coil burner..it takes me a little longer on a gas cooker! But if you've got a coil burner, it should take you only up to 8 mins max. Btw, I still cant find a coil burner here in the UK. NOB, be a princess and send me one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NIGHTS OF BAGHDAD Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 [quote name='rj_skillz' date='15 December 2009 - 11:53 AM' timestamp='1260896020' post='439228'] [quote name='NIGHTS OF BAGHDAD' date='15 December 2009 - 04:40 PM' timestamp='1260895244' post='439220'] [quote name='rj_skillz' date='15 December 2009 - 11:25 AM' timestamp='1260894350' post='439214'] If you dont mind waiting for about 10-15 minutes for coals to heat up, get the Coconaras because they are well worth it! They last longer and dont give out any odours as some quicklights do. You can get these from the same website as NOB has stated above and possibly go for a smaller box (84 coals box) and see how you like them! Its best to try a variety of coals as Im sure you'll find one that suits to your requirements. [/quote] it takes you 10 to 15 minutes to light coco's? upwards of 6-8 minutes i can see..but 15..lol [/quote] my bad! Because I dont have a coil burner..it takes me a little longer on a gas cooker! But if you've got a coil burner, it should take you only up to 8 mins max. Btw, I still cant find a coil burner here in the UK. NOB, be a princess and send me one [/quote] lmao, that $10 burner would cost about $30 to ship there..and i am a king not a princess..lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schause Posted December 15, 2009 Author Share Posted December 15, 2009 Had a pretty good smoke just now, lovin´ the buzz! I´ll have to go and check out what kind of coals we have here in finland up for grabs but the hookah market is almost non-existant here compared to the states. And the problem with ordering from the states to here is that it´s quite unpractical considering how long it will take and the expense of the post company. Are there any good european (brittish, german or maybe even swedish would be optimal) vendors that you know of? I guess I should get me one of those tangiers phunnel bowls once im at it? Are the bowls stadanrized so that they all fit any hookah? Cheers for the help people! much appreciated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zinite Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 [quote name='Schause' date='15 December 2009 - 01:13 PM' timestamp='1260907994' post='439303'] Had a pretty good smoke just now, lovin´ the buzz! I´ll have to go and check out what kind of coals we have here in finland up for grabs but the hookah market is almost non-existant here compared to the states. And the problem with ordering from the states to here is that it´s quite unpractical considering how long it will take and the expense of the post company. Are there any good european (brittish, german or maybe even swedish would be optimal) vendors that you know of? I guess I should get me one of those tangiers phunnel bowls once im at it? Are the bowls stadanrized so that they all fit any hookah? Cheers for the help people! much appreciated! [/quote] hookahshop.co.uk theshishashop.com can't vouch for either. 90% of bowls are standard. The ones that aren't will be obvious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schause Posted December 15, 2009 Author Share Posted December 15, 2009 It seems as if only herbal molasses were available in the uk vendors ive checked out. what´s that about? I sure as hell want nicotine when I smoke. maybe im ignorant but I fail to see the point of it all otherwise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuie Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 Think online sales of Tobacco have been outlawed in the UK some weird law regarding tobacco I forget what, but all i have seen for months on UK sites is herbal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schause Posted December 16, 2009 Author Share Posted December 16, 2009 that sucks major donkey dong! makes me wanna break down and cry, hopeless shit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now