what to do??? *noobie*

[dragonbokor]

like i said in the intro thread i have been a cigar smoker for years and i wanted a change. so i orderd my first hookah last week from hookahcompany with out really doing much homework on the subject. so i dont know what to expect from this. i gusse i have a few noobie questions about the care and feeding of my hookah (that is coming tomarow). i orderd the hookah as an early birthday gift to myself. along with a selection of tobaccos, a box of instant light coals and a wind screan due to the fact that im only alowed to smoke outside.1) could i use an  old humidor for cigars for the shisha (or what ever the proper name is)?2) the coal type (instant light vs. regular) is it mostly a personal preferance?3)is there any places  that sell hookah supplies in seattle WA?4)is there anything i need to know about smoking outside?I think these are all the questions that i have for now i will post more as i think of them i have been reading alot of threads on this forum and i find that most of the users here are extreamly helpfullim not going to bother asking for free samples of shisha since i am only 17 at least untill next monththank you for any advice you can give to a noobieand sorry about the long windedness of this post

[Loumeer]

1) Make sure to keep you shisha a the humidity you are smoking, otherwise you will have a bad smoke.2) Instant lights are coated in a substance that lights easily (gun powder maybe) I am not sure what it is.  Regular coals are not.  Usually regular coals are all natural and therefore are not processed.  They add less of a taste to the shisha but are much harder to light.-For Instant lights I would recommnd 3 kings coal, they are nice4) Smoking outside is just like smoking inside, just make sure to bring your hookah in before it rains.There are a lot of helpful tips if you need in the topic I started, should still be on the front page.--Amichai Israeli

[web250]

It's a little bit of learning each time.1) Humidors are not meant for shisha2) I like quick lites, just because it is easy, and I can just use a bic. But it's personal preference really.3) I live in NY/DE, cant help ya there.4) Just get a wind cover possibly...also, know how to handle police when they freak out and think you're smoking pot.Other than that, you might get lucky, my first hookah lighting I did it perfectly, and got a decent smoke...you might have trouble, I dont know. Just keep trying/practicing, and you'll get it.

[aronparsons]

I'm in Seattle and don't know of any shops worth your time.  There are lots of Indian groceries, smoke shops, and head shops that carry hookah-related items, but what town doesn't have those?  When you're legal, hit me up and maybe we could smoke a few heads

[steve07]

Don't get discouraged if you have a bad experienc the first time. The smoke is a lot different than cigars. When I first started I used quick lite charcoal but now I almost always use natural. the only time I use quick lites is when I go camping. Just remember different brands of tobacco burn different. And good luck on your first smoke.

[HookahCaterpillar]

For smoking outside the only difference is having a wind cover which
you already got so you should have no problem. The only thing I hate
about smoking shisha outside is that the majority of the time you cant
blow smoke rings due to the wind. Also you cant smoke when you want,
its more like ah its nice out I should take advantage of that and smoke
some shisha. I am also forced to smoke outside because im on a college
campus.If its really windy it can knock your whole hookah over so make
sure if its windy to keep your hookah next to you so you can grab it if
it starts to tip. Also wind tends to constantly blow on the charcoal
even with the cover which makes the coal alot hotter and it wont last
as long and it can tend to be harsh because of the high heat from the
charcoal. I like quick lights, Ive messed around with natural coals but
the flavor isnt any better in my opinion and if it is better not by
much and not worth the hassle of spending so long lighting the
charcoal.Id buy 3 kings charcoals, ive used them for years and they
work very well. Good luck

[surfpico]

i just dont know anymore...i just dont know.

[mushrat]

Pico: When you don't know..fake it.

[smokinshisha4life]

Natural lemonwood, or olive wood coals suck. You spend 10 mins lighting the stupid things till its on fire and glowing red, and then it lasts for a whole 15 mins!!!!!! yippie, that was so worth it, except not . Get 3 kings, smoke and relax.

[smokinshisha4life]

I just wouldnt suggest naturals for someone new to smoking shisha, it just makes it a big hassle and less enjoyable. Id say 3 kings are very easy to deal with, and many people have a few other problems at first, so try naturals later on once you have setting it up down pat. I've tried naturals several times, the only ones that were any good were nour fingers, but they roll off the bowl sometimes. I notice a slight difference in taste with natural coal, but the lemonwood coals would only stay lit if I hit it the entire time. If I got up to go to the bathroom the coal would be out in the 3 mins in took me to come back and then I have to light more for another 5-10 mins and that lasts another 15 mins, so most of the time Im just lighting coals instead of smoking. My friend is from palestine, and he said when he visited his uncle there one time he had some lemonwood coals and his uncle was cursing at the coals in arabic because they wouldn't work. lol

[Sonthert]

[quote name='dragonbokor']1) could i use an  old humidor for cigars for the shisha (or what ever the proper name is)?2) the coal type (instant light vs. regular) is it mostly a personal preferance?3)is there any places  that sell hookah supplies in seattle WA?4)is there anything i need to know about smoking outside?[/quote]1. You could, but I don't recommend it...tobacco is best kept at the humidity level at which it will be smoked. Flavor and smoke volume are always best when the humidity is nearly a fit with the air.2. It is personal preference.  I prefer quick-lighting  Japanese...good ones...not the crappy ones. I think they are easier than standard coals and slightly  less harmful.3. Yes. I don't know who or where, but they are there, I should think.4. You are less likely to set the TV on fire, but more likely to burn a tree down. I suggest a wind hood when windy...when it is windy, small charcoal can get blown off and burn things. Additionally, charcoal burn hotter and faster in the wind (or even a breeze)