Og Tangiers Shisha.

[dizzbizz]

So just recently my order came in and I recieved three packs of OG Tang: Orange soda, Horchata, and Schnozzberry. I acclimated them all and they all smelled delicious no bbq sauce or soy sauce smell. I smoked Orange soda first it smelled frighteningly close to orange soda. But the flavor was lacking. The tobacco taste just over powers it. I also noticed this with my older flavors:Kashmir peach, and Maraschino cherry. Am I packing it wrong or does Tangiers just have a strong tobacco taste?

[mattarios2]

Even if it smells good, it can still need more acclimation.

That is the problem I have with Tangiers, smells good, tastes like nothing but tobacco.

What is your setup?

And how do you acclimate? Type of tupperware? How long? Where? etc.

[Sonthert]

Good question....Mattarios and some other guys seem to have recurrent problems. Does it smell/act like its burning when its idling....when you're not sucking through the hose? Sometimes I'll get an off burnt flavor when drawing through the hose if its out of acclimation. Why it should do that all the time, I guess we're still wondering.

[dizzbizz]

[quote name='mattarios2' date='08 January 2010 - 05:17 PM' timestamp='1262996267' post='444028']
Even if it smells good, it can still need more acclimation.

That is the problem I have with Tangiers, smells good, tastes like nothing but tobacco.

What is your setup?

And how do you acclimate? Type of tupperware? How long? Where? etc.
[/quote]
Last night my set up was a little different than normal but I use the same bowl. I used my small Tang Phunnel, Mya petite and a Narbish hose with two Coconaras split into four halves. HD foil with a ton of toothpick holes all the way to the bottom. I use the foil test too.

I started to acclimate as soon as I got them. I put them in gladware containers #5 plastic. I stirred them and let them sit for an hour or so before stirring again, but by then I had to go to work so I left them all uncovered until I returned 8 hours later so I'd say they had time to breathe for 10 hours and then I closed them up until last night at about 11pm. So they had a good 10 hours of breathing and 24 hours to sit. I let them acclimate in my room, however I smoke outside. It hasn't rained or anything so the humidity should be the same, but its colder outside, thats why I pack the bowl and let my hookah and everything sit outside for a good 20 minutes before I put the coals on.
[size=2]
[/size][size=2][quote name='Sonthert' date='08 January 2010 - 05:25 PM' timestamp='1262996749' post='444036']
Good question....Mattarios and some other guys seem to have recurrent problems. Does it smell/act like its burning when its idling....when you're not sucking through the hose? Sometimes I'll get an off burnt flavor when drawing through the hose if its out of acclimation. Why it should do that all the time, I guess we're still wondering.
[/quote][/size][size=2]It's not that its burning or tastes burnt. Its just not as flavorful as my other shishas, the tobacco taste over powers all the flavor leaving only a hint of the said flavor. I'm only asking this because practically everyone on this forum raves about tangiers shisha and how great the flavors are.
[/size][size=2]Do we have to acclimate the shisha because its vaccum sealed? No disrespect, Eric, but why don't you just ship the shisha like AF or Starbuzz?[/size]

[twinturboa51]

ya i have problems acclimating here too always smells good but sometimes smokes not so good. i just buy lucid and it smokes a lot better here. i tink its because our humidity changes so fast around here

[liquidglass]

[quote name='dizzbizz' date='08 January 2010 - 09:18 PM' timestamp='1263003536' post='444055']
[quote name='mattarios2' date='08 January 2010 - 05:17 PM' timestamp='1262996267' post='444028']
Even if it smells good, it can still need more acclimation.

That is the problem I have with Tangiers, smells good, tastes like nothing but tobacco.

What is your setup?

And how do you acclimate? Type of tupperware? How long? Where? etc.
[/quote]
Last night my set up was a little different than normal but I use the same bowl. I used my small Tang Phunnel, Mya petite and a Narbish hose with two Coconaras split into four halves. HD foil with a ton of toothpick holes all the way to the bottom. I use the foil test too.

I started to acclimate as soon as I got them. I put them in gladware containers #5 plastic. I stirred them and let them sit for an hour or so before stirring again, but by then I had to go to work so I left them all uncovered until I returned 8 hours later so I'd say they had time to breathe for 10 hours and then I closed them up until last night at about 11pm. So they had a good 10 hours of breathing and 24 hours to sit. I let them acclimate in my room, however I smoke outside. It hasn't rained or anything so the humidity should be the same, but its colder outside, thats why I pack the bowl and let my hookah and everything sit outside for a good 20 minutes before I put the coals on.
[size="2"][quote name='Sonthert' date='08 January 2010 - 05:25 PM' timestamp='1262996749' post='444036']
Good question....Mattarios and some other guys seem to have recurrent problems. Does it smell/act like its burning when its idling....when you're not sucking through the hose? Sometimes I'll get an off burnt flavor when drawing through the hose if its out of acclimation. Why it should do that all the time, I guess we're still wondering.
[/quote][/size][size="2"]It's not that its burning or tastes burnt. Its just not as flavorful as my other shishas, the tobacco taste over powers all the flavor leaving only a hint of the said flavor. I'm only asking this because practically everyone on this forum raves about tangiers shisha and how great the flavors are.
[/size][b][size="2"]Do we have to acclimate the shisha because its vaccum sealed? No disrespect, Eric, but why don't you just ship the shisha like AF or Starbuzz?[/size][/b]
[/quote]



Allow me to try to answer some of your questions until Eric gets around to the thread again (not saying I'm the end all to be all, just some ideas)

- as far as acclimation goes, I know you had to go to work but honestly if you don't stir them every few hours it really does seem to mess up the acclimation process b/c the top layer seems to dry out.

- humidity can seem the same but rape you when you least expect it lol

- We have to acclimate it because it's an unwashed shisha and just the way it's prepared. AF and Starbuzz are washed and need no acclimation. Also if it was shipped more openly it would acclimate more so to each environment it passed through for a few days which would make it HARDER to acclimate at your personal location (of course this is just what I've deduced)

[dizzbizz]

I understand its unwashed, but what about Naklah? Isnt that unwashed and its still packed like all the others. I dont make shisha so I dont know all the factors, so I guess I just want to know why Tangiers is so hard to smoke to its true potential.
But I understand you need to stir it regularly, I'll give it another try on my day off. Edited January 9, 2010 by dizzbizz

[Sonthert]

I am suspecting that Nakhla puts funny stuff in there that makes it acclimate. Maybe other brands too? Nakhla is also lower in nicotine than Tangiers.

Who said the bags are vacuum packed? We don't vacuum pack them.

All brands have acclimation issues to one degree or another (unless they're cheating). The more nicotine, the more acclimation issues.

I would still think it could be an acclimation thing, but I can't say for sure. Pack a bowl, hit it up with charcoal, see how it smokes. If it doesn't smoke well, try adding more tobacco to the bowl and smoke again. If it gets better, add a little more, etc. If it gets worse/stays the same, try removing some. Why people feel like you can't mess with the bowl once you put charcoal on, I'll never understand.

Leaving the tubs open continuously is a procedure that seems to be common for people with recurrent problems. Some people, sealing them up doesn't work too much better, but most people it does help. 44% of people who had recurring problems left them open for long periods of time, while only 12% of people that never had problems did. I'm recommending 4/20. Open for four, sealed for 20. Please note, the four hours its open should be around the same time you normally smoke, if its consistent. Leaving it open during the day when you intend to smoke it at night doesn't help acclimation at all.

Also, make sure you're using the proper number of holes, proper amount of charcoal. There's a tutorial around here somewhere about dialing in the amount of tobacco/charcoal.

[dizzbizz]

Thanks for helping. I thought it was vaccum sealed by how the packaging looked. Ill have at it again and report back.

[Sonthert]

Ironically, they are cryo-vacuum bags, but we just zap 'em with a standard sealer. Mmmm. Gas impermeable.

[Nabiscuit]

I have just quit Tangiers. No more. Not ever again. I've gotten 5 out of 60 bowls to smoke right (that's right, I've counted). I have done EVERYTHING. I can never get that crap to smoke well. It's ridiculous. Mind you, those 5 bowls were f'n incredible. Having said that, about four months ago I started smoking nothing but AF, some Starbuzz, and the Mizo Nakhla and I've been soooooooo much happier. I never have problems. I just sit down and smoke. Everything is happy. The hookah is fun again. I've just come to the realization that obviously this stuff depends on where you live and I can't support a product like that.

I order my tobacco from this store here in Los Angeles. Really cool guys. They refuse to sell Tangiers. A year ago, I asked them why. The guy responded, "I could never get that stuff to smoke right. I got so frustrated with it, that I got a group of my friends to drive up to Eric's personal shop and smoke one that he set up for me. It was harsh and tasted exactly like it did at my house. Never again."

My sentiments exactly.

[redjako]

[quote name='Nabiscuit' date='12 January 2010 - 06:10 PM' timestamp='1263345033' post='444889']
I have just quit Tangiers. No more. Not ever again. I've gotten 5 out of 60 bowls to smoke right (that's right, I've counted). I have done EVERYTHING. I can never get that crap to smoke well. It's ridiculous. Mind you, those 5 bowls were f'n incredible. Having said that, about four months ago I started smoking nothing but AF, some Starbuzz, and the Mizo Nakhla and I've been soooooooo much happier. I never have problems. I just sit down and smoke. Everything is happy. The hookah is fun again. I've just come to the realization that obviously this stuff depends on where you live and I can't support a product like that.

I order my tobacco from this store here in Los Angeles. Really cool guys. They refuse to sell Tangiers. A year ago, I asked them why. The guy responded, "I could never get that stuff to smoke right. I got so frustrated with it, that I got a group of my friends to drive up to Eric's personal shop and smoke one that he set up for me. It was harsh and tasted exactly like it did at my house. Never again."

My sentiments exactly.
[/quote]

Have you tried lucid?

=insta win.

[Nabiscuit]

[quote name='redjako' date='12 January 2010 - 08:23 PM' timestamp='1263345783' post='444891']
[quote name='Nabiscuit' date='12 January 2010 - 06:10 PM' timestamp='1263345033' post='444889']
I have just quit Tangiers. No more. Not ever again. I've gotten 5 out of 60 bowls to smoke right (that's right, I've counted). I have done EVERYTHING. I can never get that crap to smoke well. It's ridiculous. Mind you, those 5 bowls were f'n incredible. Having said that, about four months ago I started smoking nothing but AF, some Starbuzz, and the Mizo Nakhla and I've been soooooooo much happier. I never have problems. I just sit down and smoke. Everything is happy. The hookah is fun again. I've just come to the realization that obviously this stuff depends on where you live and I can't support a product like that.

I order my tobacco from this store here in Los Angeles. Really cool guys. They refuse to sell Tangiers. A year ago, I asked them why. The guy responded, "I could never get that stuff to smoke right. I got so frustrated with it, that I got a group of my friends to drive up to Eric's personal shop and smoke one that he set up for me. It was harsh and tasted exactly like it did at my house. Never again."

My sentiments exactly.
[/quote]

Have you tried lucid?

=insta win.
[/quote]

No. I haven't. I've only tried the Original. I'll buy some. But if it sucks - I'm going to be very mean to you on the board... What's a good flavor that doesn't "f" up?

[newjacksm]

I have the same issues as the OP.

[dizzbizz]

I'm acclimating Schnozzberry right now. Gonna try it out again at my friends. If I can't get this to work I'll go lucid and try that out. I don't need all the nicotine, buts its really funny to see my friend's faces melt. I don't know why its so hard, but its definitely frustrating.

[Travis]

[quote name='Nabiscuit' date='12 January 2010 - 07:10 PM' timestamp='1263345033' post='444889']
I have just quit Tangiers. No more. Not ever again. I've gotten 5 out of 60 bowls to smoke right (that's right, I've counted). I have done EVERYTHING. I can never get that crap to smoke well. It's ridiculous. Mind you, those 5 bowls were f'n incredible. Having said that, about four months ago I started smoking nothing but AF, some Starbuzz, and the Mizo Nakhla and I've been soooooooo much happier. I never have problems. I just sit down and smoke. Everything is happy. The hookah is fun again. I've just come to the realization that obviously this stuff depends on where you live and I can't support a product like that.

I order my tobacco from this store here in Los Angeles. Really cool guys. They refuse to sell Tangiers. A year ago, I asked them why. The guy responded, "I could never get that stuff to smoke right. I got so frustrated with it, that I got a group of my friends to drive up to Eric's personal shop and smoke one that he set up for me. It was harsh and tasted exactly like it did at my house. Never again."

My sentiments exactly.
[/quote]

Sucks for you buddy.....More for me then!

[Travis]

[quote name='Sonthert' date='09 January 2010 - 03:47 PM' timestamp='1263073634' post='444186']
I am suspecting that Nakhla puts funny stuff in there that makes it acclimate. Maybe other brands too? Nakhla is also lower in nicotine than Tangiers.

Who said the bags are vacuum packed? We don't vacuum pack them.

All brands have acclimation issues to one degree or another (unless they're cheating). The more nicotine, the more acclimation issues.

I would still think it could be an acclimation thing, but I can't say for sure. Pack a bowl, hit it up with charcoal, see how it smokes. If it doesn't smoke well, try adding more tobacco to the bowl and smoke again. If it gets better, add a little more, etc. If it gets worse/stays the same, try removing some. Why people feel like you can't mess with the bowl once you put charcoal on, I'll never understand.

Leaving the tubs open continuously is a procedure that seems to be common for people with recurrent problems. Some people, sealing them up doesn't work too much better, but most people it does help. 44% of people who had recurring problems left them open for long periods of time, while only 12% of people that never had problems did. I'm recommending 4/20. Open for four, sealed for 20. Please note, the four hours its open should be around the same time you normally smoke, if its consistent. Leaving it open during the day when you intend to smoke it at night doesn't help acclimation at all.

Also, make sure you're using the proper number of holes, proper amount of charcoal. There's a tutorial around here somewhere about dialing in the amount of tobacco/charcoal.
[/quote]

Hey Eric,
Did that Nakhla freezer test ever yield any results?
Just wanting to know whats goin into my body lol, im sure other people would be interested also.

[dizzbizz]

Ok, so I smoked at my friends. I acclimated my Schnozzberry at my house for about 2 hours packed up and headed out. We smoked in their house. It smoked great, but I packed it in an egyptian bowl so it got really harsh after about 45 minutes but until then it was delicious. Just updating to let everyone know, there is hope.

[Sonthert]

[quote name='Nabiscuit' date='12 January 2010 - 06:10 PM' timestamp='1263345033' post='444889']
I have just quit Tangiers. No more. Not ever again. I've gotten 5 out of 60 bowls to smoke right (that's right, I've counted). I have done EVERYTHING. I can never get that crap to smoke well. It's ridiculous. Mind you, those 5 bowls were f'n incredible. Having said that, about four months ago I started smoking nothing but AF, some Starbuzz, and the Mizo Nakhla and I've been soooooooo much happier. I never have problems. I just sit down and smoke. Everything is happy. The hookah is fun again. I've just come to the realization that obviously this stuff depends on where you live and I can't support a product like that.

I order my tobacco from this store here in Los Angeles. Really cool guys. They refuse to sell Tangiers. A year ago, I asked them why. The guy responded, "I could never get that stuff to smoke right. I got so frustrated with it, that I got a group of my friends to drive up to Eric's personal shop and smoke one that he set up for me. It was harsh and tasted exactly like it did at my house. Never again."

My sentiments exactly.
[/quote]

If you just quit Tangiers, how did you start smoking nothing but AF and Nahkla 4 months ago?

What store are these people with? Is it possible they were BSing you? What's their web address? I can't remember people that came from a store in LA to smoke Tangiers and have bad results with it.

I would imagine its something to do with setup. PM me if you want more help. Otherwise, +1 to TPatt.

DizzBizz: That might be too much charcoal. How much and what kind of charcoal are you using?

TPatt: The tobacco lost some weight after several weeks and then the tub got lost somewhere.

[sine]

Personally, I've always found Tangiers to be very simple and absolutely delicious once you nail the technique (note: I live in Indiana, so climate is definitely different than SoCal). There is a certain underlying tobacco taste that seems consistant with the brand, but I in no way consider it detrimental to the actual flavors.

If you're having problems with it, then I suggest not to screw around with experimenting (Egyptians, week-long acclimation, etc.) And just try the following:

1. When you get the shisha, break it up into a Tupperware tub and acclimate in your smoking environment for 3-4 hours, stirring every 30 mins or so. If you smoke outdoors in the evening, acclimate it outdoors in the evening. This makes a difference.

2. For me, at this point the tobacco is usually ready to go right away. Just pack it nice and dense in a phunnel, like HJ / Eric's video illustrates, no mod. Just puncture tons of holes, including several that go thru the shisha to the bottom of the bowl.

3. Give it a whirl. I usually top my medium phunnel with 3 coals, then drop down to two for a couple hours, then back up to three if you wanna squeeze the last bit of flavor out of your shisha. But for the first set, just leave them there for a couple mind to heat the whole bowl and char any touching bits before you take the first pull.

You should get thick, delicious clouds from the first pull, and be good to go for several more hours. :-)

[dizzbizz]

[quote name='Sonthert' date='13 January 2010 - 04:42 AM' timestamp='1263382950' post='445015']
DizzBizz: That might be too much charcoal. How much and what kind of charcoal are you using?
[/quote]
I used three whole coconaras.

[momatik]

Eric:

Just to update you on some info, I live in Jersey, and smoke in my basement, and have not been able to acclimate K-Peach.

I went to Vermont for a week, Kashmir Peach smoked beautifully there. I smoked the entire batch in those couple of days it was so fantastic.

I donno, I was hoping this info would be helpful in figuring out a full proof acclimation method for all areas.

[K1024]

[quote name='Nabiscuit' date='12 January 2010 - 05:10 PM' timestamp='1263345033' post='444889']
I have just quit Tangiers. No more. Not ever again. I've gotten 5 out of 60 bowls to smoke right (that's right, I've counted). I have done EVERYTHING. I can never get that crap to smoke well. It's ridiculous. Mind you, those 5 bowls were f'n incredible. Having said that, about four months ago I started smoking nothing but AF, some Starbuzz, and the Mizo Nakhla and I've been soooooooo much happier. I never have problems. I just sit down and smoke. Everything is happy. The hookah is fun again. I've just come to the realization that obviously this stuff depends on where you live and I can't support a product like that.

I order my tobacco from this store here in Los Angeles. Really cool guys. They refuse to sell Tangiers. A year ago, I asked them why. The guy responded, "I could never get that stuff to smoke right. I got so frustrated with it, that I got a group of my friends to drive up to Eric's personal shop and smoke one that he set up for me. It was harsh and tasted exactly like it did at my house. Never again."

My sentiments exactly.
[/quote]

+1

I never got tangiers to acclimate correctly, I've talked to a number of other people who agree with me that tangiers wont acclimate in indiana (unless you live in the right area)..and to me thats complete bullshit. So i ordered some lucid, and am kind of sad that i did. I could have ordered 5 packs of nakhla for the price of 3 things of lucid, and I get way more flavor and smoke from nakhla than i have from the lucid...

[Scoop]

[quote name='Nabiscuit' date='12 January 2010 - 05:10 PM' timestamp='1263345033' post='444889']
I have just quit Tangiers. No more. Not ever again. I've gotten 5 out of 60 bowls to smoke right (that's right, I've counted). I have done EVERYTHING. I can never get that crap to smoke well. It's ridiculous. Mind you, those 5 bowls were f'n incredible. Having said that, about four months ago I started smoking nothing but AF, some Starbuzz, and the Mizo Nakhla and I've been soooooooo much happier. I never have problems. I just sit down and smoke. Everything is happy. The hookah is fun again. I've just come to the realization that obviously this stuff depends on where you live and I can't support a product like that.

I order my tobacco from this store here in Los Angeles. Really cool guys. They refuse to sell Tangiers. A year ago, I asked them why. The guy responded, "I could never get that stuff to smoke right. I got so frustrated with it, that I got a group of my friends to drive up to Eric's personal shop and smoke one that he set up for me. It was harsh and tasted exactly like it did at my house. Never again."

My sentiments exactly.
[/quote]

what store is it in LA?

i live in LA and NEVER have problems. o_O

[Sonthert]

[quote name='dizzbizz' date='13 January 2010 - 01:36 PM' timestamp='1263414998' post='445077']
[quote name='Sonthert' date='13 January 2010 - 04:42 AM' timestamp='1263382950' post='445015']
DizzBizz: That might be too much charcoal. How much and what kind of charcoal are you using?
[/quote]
I used three whole coconaras.
[/quote]
I think most people using Coconaras use 1.5-2 Cocos, split in halves.