Fixing Stuffy Hookah

[Hookahoc]

Ive been smoking at this hookah bar. Great people go there. But the Hookahs are always hard to inhale. Less smoke. I want to help the owner get these hookahs on track. But even the new hookahs are stuffy and takes more work to get less clouds. Now it is a hookah bar that is forced to use the fences around the tobacco bowl. But is there another reason.

[Arcane]

probably just a crappy hookah with a seriously restricted pull...or whoever packs the bowl may be packing it too tight...

[antouwan]

probably a serious lack of holes being poked in the foil. also that problem being multiplied by the use of an extremely narrow hose like a mitsuba or a mya. if it's a lounge or cafe setting just bring your own hose and snag a toothpick on the way in. Most places will allow you to use your own hose and if they bring it up tell them either their hoses are too narrow or you just don't want to smoke out of something that everyone else is grabbing and putting close to their mouths - basically act like a complete germaphobe.

[Travis]

[quote name='antouwan' date='11 February 2010 - 12:27 AM' timestamp='1265869673' post='450885']
probably a serious lack of holes being poked in the foil. also that problem being multiplied by the use of an extremely narrow hose like a mitsuba or a mya. if it's a lounge or cafe setting just bring your own hose and snag a toothpick on the way in. Most places will allow you to use your own hose and if they bring it up tell them either their hoses are too narrow or you just don't want to smoke out of something that everyone else is grabbing and putting close to their mouths - basically act like a complete germaphobe.
[/quote]

↑ Chyeah ↑

[ih303]

More than likely it's a bowl or a pack issue. If they're using the bowls that came with the hookahs (which they probably are), anything other than authentic egyptian hookahs will give them problems. I know it's tempting for lounges out there to go for equipment that's cheaper, i.e. chinese knockoffs of everything a la Social Smoke. But you can see where that gets them.

The other side of that coin is the pack. There are countless threads on this forum re: how to pack a bowl. If it's too tight and/or does not have enough holes, it won't smoke good.

You should direct them to the forum. Maybe they can be educated.

[Hookahoc]

It is a very busy but mellow hookah bar. I think this advice might really help. I actually never smoke anywhere but hookah bars. I feel like I really miss out on the connection of making ur own hookah. I think the punching of holes might work and bringing a hose. But they are KM hookahs but they seem way to slim. Could it be the tobacco bowls ruining the good KM hookahs?
[quote name='ih303' date='11 February 2010 - 06:26 AM' timestamp='1265894795' post='450919']
More than likely it's a bowl or a pack issue. If they're using the bowls that came with the hookahs (which they probably are), anything other than authentic egyptian hookahs will give them problems. I know it's tempting for lounges out there to go for equipment that's cheaper, i.e. chinese knockoffs of everything a la Social Smoke. But you can see where that gets them.

The other side of that coin is the pack. There are countless threads on this forum re: how to pack a bowl. If it's too tight and/or does not have enough holes, it won't smoke good.

You should direct them to the forum. Maybe they can be educated.


[/quote]

[rcracer_tx]

[quote name='Hookahoc' date='11 February 2010 - 02:06 PM' timestamp='1265918805' post='450976']
It is a very busy but mellow hookah bar. I think this advice might really help. I actually never smoke anywhere but hookah bars. I feel like I really miss out on the connection of making ur own hookah. I think the punching of holes might work and bringing a hose. But they are KM hookahs but they seem way to slim. Could it be the tobacco bowls ruining the good KM hookahs?
[quote name='ih303' date='11 February 2010 - 06:26 AM' timestamp='1265894795' post='450919']
More than likely it's a bowl or a pack issue. If they're using the bowls that came with the hookahs (which they probably are), anything other than authentic egyptian hookahs will give them problems. I know it's tempting for lounges out there to go for equipment that's cheaper, i.e. chinese knockoffs of everything a la Social Smoke. But you can see where that gets them.

The other side of that coin is the pack. There are countless threads on this forum re: how to pack a bowl. If it's too tight and/or does not have enough holes, it won't smoke good.

You should direct them to the forum. Maybe they can be educated.


[/quote]
[/quote]

I probably sound like a stereotypical hookah snob on this one, but it really is rewarding to get your own hookah and learn how to pack it. As an added benefit, it is much, much cheaper to smoke yourself as well as being able to make much better sessions than a hookah noob that just got hired at a lounge.

What others gave as advice is definitely the right things to look at though.... Edited February 12, 2010 by rcracer_tx

[Hookahoc]

I probably sound like a stereotypical hookah snob on this one, but it really is rewarding to get your own hookah and learn how to pack it. As an added benefit, it is much, much cheaper to smoke yourself as well as being able to make much better sessions than a hookah noob that just got hired at a lounge.

What others gave as advice is definitely the right things to look at though....
[/quote]

You do haha Just kidden. Thats what I'm thinking, start smoking at home more and be able to connect to the long tradition of hookah smoking. But at the very least I am an expert at the hookah bars in OC. Poor but an expert.

[Hookahoc]

[quote name='Arcane' date='10 February 2010 - 11:20 PM' timestamp='1265869211' post='450884']
probably just a crappy hookah with a seriously restricted pull...or whoever packs the bowl may be packing it too tight...
[/quote]

this advice is normally right. But its been going through three hookah makers. ha its perplexing. its like the x files of hooka

[Arcane]

if they're using the same hookahs, but different people packing them...then it's the hose (or the hoses)...if you are saying they replaced their hookahs 3 times (which i seriously doubt), might be the hose...

either way....a restricted pull is either the hookah itself, the hose or the way the bowl is packed....those are your three points for restriction.

oh, having your water level really high can affect the pull...but, not as noticeable as the 3 points mentioned above...

[mushrat]

They are packing the tobbaco too tightly in the bowl. Its blocking the holes in the bottom and no air is circulating through the tobacco. That will also explain the lack of smoke since again, no hot air flow. Pull the head and try to draw thorough the bottom. If its restricted, there is your problem.

[ih303]

I have a couple of observations.

First, a lot of times at lounges, the employees are trained to do things a certain way. Whether it's right or wrong, it doesn't surprise me that everybody does it the same.

Second, you say they're using KM's so I doubt that's the problem. Did you ever say what kind of bowls they using? Also, what kind of shisha? Juicy shisha and small bowls simply don't mix.

Mushrat's blow-test is a great way to determine airflow in a bowl. If you find it's a little tight, try this.

Find yourself a metal poker - like what comes attached to a pair of Mya tongs. If you don't know what I'm talking about, think shish kabob skewer or long, narrow nail. The next time you have a bowl that's restrictive, take the spike, push it through one of the holes in the foil near the edge of the bowl until you get to the bottom, and effectively lift the tobacco from the bottom of the bowl. Keep in mind this must be done gingerly to avoid tearing the foil. Your goal is to gently lift the shisha mass from the bottom of the bowl promoting better air flow.

We do this kind of thing at our lounge sometimes if a bowl gets restrictive in any way.