ice bucket versus ice in the vase

[SanguineSolitude]

I would say about half the people who post say they use ice in their
hookah. I was wondering whether they use it in the water(as i do) or in
a hookah ice bucket that fits on top of the hookah. if you have 
used both please pick the one you prefer and then please post a comment
comparing the two as to which one works better. thanks guys.

[Halon]

I don't think ice buckets are worthwhile.  My buddy had one and I
honestly thought it was pointless.  It had zero noticeable effects
on the smoke, and sometimes it leaked water.  I would think that
if you're chilling smoke you'd want to do it as close to the hose as
possible, so it wouldn't have time to warm back up.  Pretty much
for show only, imo.  But they do look kinda cool up there at the
top of the stem.

As for ice, I use it sometimes.  I like using it in my QT, and
there is definitely a huge difference.  The smoke literally tastes
cold on your tongue.  I'm not sure what the point of ice really is
besides that -- some say that ice makes the smoke smoother, but I don't
really think hookah smoke can get much smoother. 


TYLER

[EliteHookah.com]

The ice in the vase works better but it is dangerous.  The glass
vase on inexpensive hookahs can crack from sudden temperature
change.  It sounds odd, but I've sold at least two replacement
vases for which this very reason was cited.


In the end, I don't know if ice is worth the effort at all.  But I do think the buckets work fine.

[Sariél]

I fill my base with 1/2 ice 1/2 cold water, AND fill the ice bucket with salt water and freeze it solid. Salt water freezes at a lower temperature than plain water, and with the whole thing frozen solid it lasts through a whole session. It didn't leak until my GF knocked the hookah over and dented it.I just have to remember to take the buccket off and put it in the freezer after I'm done smoking (or at least a few hours before I want to use it). I replace the water inside every 5 sessions or so, especially when smoking Starbuzz. The syrup leaks down the stem and into the bucket since she dented it and wecked the seal.

[DarthHookah]

sometimes i use ice, and other times, i just leave the vase in the freezer for a while (like a day or so, depending on frequency of smoking sessions). i have 2 vases, so i usually rotate them. either way, there is ice involved.

[SanguineSolitude]

ice in the water at the very least cools down the smoke, which i find
to be pleasant. Occassionally it does seem to increase the
smoothness compared to no ice, but this is barely noticeable.

[xgracegalex]

I always have to use ice and cold water.I cannot stand warm smoke.

[inimicus]

Ice ice baby.

[DownZero]

Ice in the vase always gave me a nice cool smoke... very satisfying.

[xgracegalex]

I might be interested in picking up a "ice chamber" if it does anything, does it really work for those that have tried?

[Sariél]

I think I am the only one here who really sees a difference. Most people have written in the past that it doesn't seem to do much. I think my method with the salt water makes a difference over cold water with ice cubes.