Getting Back Into Using My Hookah (Ie., What Am I Doing Wrong?!)

[Thunt]

Little background info:
About in April or May of last year, I joined this site to get familiar with a Hookah that was given to us as a wedding gift. It turned out it was a pretty lame, horrible brand Hookah which was the reason we were getting really bad sessions out of it. Well, that and the shisha we were using was one of the worst brands as well as the coals. Needless to say, after browsing this site a while last year, and posting a little, I got myself a nice Hookah (KM, tri-metal)/shisha (Tangiers, Al Fakher)/small funnel bowl/etc. After reading up a ton on how to pack/smoke the Tangiers, I gave it a ago after acclimating for a while. I remember getting a light buzz, little smoke, but hardly any flavor. Not sure if it was because I live in San Antonio (south-ish Texas) and the Tangiers not being acclimated well do to our humidity. I also remember trying the Al Fakher with no avail. Discouraged, as well as a bunch of life stuff piling up, the hookah got set aside..... UNTIL NOW. [url=http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s209/TheHuntSA/All.jpg]Pic of package[/url].

Last Night:
I brought the Hookah down from a top the refrigerator, dusted it off, and decided to smoke the living hell out of the thing... or so I thought. The Tangiers I have left over was gone. It smelled horrible (I guess from being over a year old, sitting in a Tupperware container). I wasn't going to chance getting myself sick, so out that stuff went. I still had my Al Fakher. Strawberry was open, but sealed very well, and the Apple I haven't even opened. I decided to give it a go. Here's what I did, step by step:

1) Filled the base with about 10 ice cubes, then with cool tap water up to the point where the stem is about an inch below the water line.
2) Started up the stove and put 2 Coco Nara coals on the burner.
3) Moistened the rubber seal on the stem and rim around bowl for easy connection. Connected. Made sure I had a good seal (covering top of stem and blowing into hose).
4) Fluffed the Al Fakher (Strawberry) into the Egyptian Bowl. [url=http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s209/TheHuntSA/2010-03-14094344.jpg]Pic1[/url], [url=http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s209/TheHuntSA/2010-03-14094357.jpg]Pic2[/url], [url=http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s209/TheHuntSA/2010-03-14094337.jpg]Pic3[/url]. Now, I brought the shisha up to the top of the bowl, maybe a tad below and did NOT pack it down. I wrapped heavy duty Reynold's Wrap around the bowl and just poked holes in the foil (not all the way down into the shisha).
5) Set the bowl on the stem, coals on the edge of the bowl, and puffed away.

Ended up getting very, very little smoke. Got a little flavor. Also, got a headache after many pulls trying to get smoke.

Not sure what it is I'm doing wrong. I would *LOVE* to get awesome smoke and great flavor. Any/every help would be very appreciated. Would love to waste away today perfecting this art.

I remember reading that people were using the funnel bowl for Al Fakher.... are people still doing that?

[RingsMaster]

[quote name='Thunt' date='14 March 2010 - 09:25 AM' timestamp='1268580346' post='457048']
Little background info:
About in April or May of last year, I joined this site to get familiar with a Hookah that was given to us as a wedding gift. It turned out it was a pretty lame, horrible brand Hookah which was the reason we were getting really bad sessions out of it. Well, that and the shisha we were using was one of the worst brands as well as the coals. Needless to say, after browsing this site a while last year, and posting a little, I got myself a nice Hookah (KM, tri-metal)/shisha (Tangiers, Al Fakher)/small funnel bowl/etc. After reading up a ton on how to pack/smoke the Tangiers, I gave it a ago after acclimating for a while. I remember getting a light buzz, little smoke, but hardly any flavor. Not sure if it was because I live in San Antonio (south-ish Texas) and the Tangiers not being acclimated well do to our humidity. I also remember trying the Al Fakher with no avail. Discouraged, as well as a bunch of life stuff piling up, the hookah got set aside..... UNTIL NOW. [url="http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s209/TheHuntSA/All.jpg"]Pic of package[/url].

Last Night:
I brought the Hookah down from a top the refrigerator, dusted it off, and decided to smoke the living hell out of the thing... or so I thought. The Tangiers I have left over was gone. It smelled horrible (I guess from being over a year old, sitting in a Tupperware container). I wasn't going to chance getting myself sick, so out that stuff went. I still had my Al Fakher. Strawberry was open, but sealed very well, and the Apple I haven't even opened. I decided to give it a go. Here's what I did, step by step:

1) Filled the base with about 10 ice cubes, then with cool tap water up to the point where the stem is about an inch below the water line.
2) Started up the stove and put 2 Coco Nara coals on the burner.
3) Moistened the rubber seal on the stem and rim around bowl for easy connection. Connected. Made sure I had a good seal (covering top of stem and blowing into hose).
4) Fluffed the Al Fakher (Strawberry) into the Egyptian Bowl. [url="http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s209/TheHuntSA/2010-03-14094344.jpg"]Pic1[/url], [url="http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s209/TheHuntSA/2010-03-14094357.jpg"]Pic2[/url], [url="http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s209/TheHuntSA/2010-03-14094337.jpg"]Pic3[/url]. Now, I brought the shisha up to the top of the bowl, maybe a tad below and did NOT pack it down. I wrapped heavy duty Reynold's Wrap around the bowl and just poked holes in the foil (not all the way down into the shisha).
5) Set the bowl on the stem, coals on the edge of the bowl, and puffed away.

Ended up getting very, very little smoke. Got a little flavor. Also, got a headache after many pulls trying to get smoke.

Not sure what it is I'm doing wrong. I would *LOVE* to get awesome smoke and great flavor. Any/every help would be very appreciated. Would love to waste away today perfecting this art.

I remember reading that people were using the funnel bowl for Al Fakher.... are people still doing that?
[/quote]

i use my phunnels for just about everything, i also use my egyptians for just about everything but tangiers. id like to see some pics of your packed bowl without foil on it to see what were wroking with but it sounds like its either underpacked or servilely over packed

[ryno]

Sounds to me like your coals might have been going out on the bottom. With cocos, I find you have to flip them every few minutes in the beginning to keep them going. Yes people still use Al Fakher in phunnels and it smokes great in them.

Also, when you said you checked it for leaks, you said you blew into the hose, you want to plug the top of the stem and suck through the hose. Also, make sure the bb in the purge valve isn't stuck.

[fineout]

make sure the coals are 100% lit or youre not gunna get any use out of them, make sure they are red all around and flip them over every once in a while, also make sure to rotate them around on the bowl, what you also might want to do is chop them in half and use 3 halves of the cocos.

[Thunt]

Thanks for the quick replies!

I'm going to clean out the Hookah and start from scratch, taking pictures all the way through. Hopefully we get the the bottom of this!

[Thunt]

Oh, and yes, I sucked into the hose, not blew. My bad! Correct, blowing would just open the purge valve.

In the process of drying the Hookah and getting ready for some Al Fakher Apple Esk. Pictures a-come'n.

[PSU Smoker]

also for better heat split you cocos in half and use 4 halves. I would also recommend poking ur holes all the way to the bottom of the bowl, this will give better air flow and heat management throughout the bowl.

[Chreees]

[quote name='PSU Smoker' date='14 March 2010 - 11:39 AM' timestamp='1268584775' post='457058']
also for better heat split you cocos in half and use 4 halves. I would also recommend poking ur holes all the way to the bottom of the bowl, this will give better air flow and heat management throughout the bowl.
[/quote]

Yes, make sure you do both of these things.

[joytron]

[quote name='Thunt' date='14 March 2010 - 08:25 AM' timestamp='1268580346' post='457048']
Made sure I had a good seal (covering top of stem and blowing into hose).
[/quote]

Sounds like the purge valve isnt working, which is probably unrelated to the lack of smoke.

[fillup]

As people have said cut your coco's in half and use 3 halves on the top of your bowl. That and make sure you dont pack it too far over the rim or you could end up with shisha sticking to the foil and burning. You also dont want to under pack it or else you wont get any smoke (as you suggested).

As for the tangiers most people acclimate it for 5 hours at least, some more some less but 5 is the base. Make sure you mix it up every hour or so this way its acclimated all the way through.

Edit:

[quote name='joytron' date='14 March 2010 - 12:41 PM' timestamp='1268588518' post='457068']
[quote name='Thunt' date='14 March 2010 - 08:25 AM' timestamp='1268580346' post='457048']
Made sure I had a good seal (covering top of stem and blowing into hose).
[/quote]

Sounds like the purge valve isnt working, which is probably unrelated to the lack of smoke.
[/quote]

Hmm, could be right. You want to check over everything that can leak for leaks. Sometimes my friend forgets to block his hose and what you described is what happens.

[Thunt]

Ok. Here is my set-up:

1) Filled the base with 8-10 ice cubes, then cool tap water until the stem is about 1" submerged. [url="http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s209/TheHuntSA/2010-03-14114605.jpg"]Pic[/url]

2) Connected base with stem. Tested for leaks (SUCKING on hose. Good seal). [url="http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s209/TheHuntSA/2010-03-14114623.jpg"]Pic[/url]

3) Used 3 half Coconara coals on burner. [url="http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s209/TheHuntSA/2010-03-14114636.jpg"]Pic1[/url], [url="http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s209/TheHuntSA/2010-03-14114644.jpg"]Pic2[/url]

4) Opened Al-Fakher apple esk and fluffed into bowl, slightly over the rim. [url="http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s209/TheHuntSA/2010-03-14114655.jpg"]Pic1[/url], [url="http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s209/TheHuntSA/2010-03-14115104.jpg"]Pic2[/url], [url="http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s209/TheHuntSA/2010-03-14115115.jpg"]Pic3[/url].

5) Flipped over coals. [url="http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s209/TheHuntSA/2010-03-14115024.jpg"]Pic(BEFORE FLIP)[/url], [url="http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s209/TheHuntSA/2010-03-14115048.jpg"]Pic(AFTER FLIP)[/url]

6) Covered with heavy duty foil, poked holes. Not ALL the way through, but at least a little bit into the shisha. [url="http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s209/TheHuntSA/2010-03-14115255.jpg"]Pic1[/url], [url="http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s209/TheHuntSA/2010-03-14115456.jpg"]Pic2[/url]

7) Flipped over coals again, they look good. I think. [url="http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s209/TheHuntSA/2010-03-14115544.jpg"]Pic[/url]

8) Set bowl on stem, coals on bowl. [url="http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s209/TheHuntSA/2010-03-14115816.jpg"]Pic[/url]

Results:
Got smoke from first pull. Excited! Getting decent flavor. Nothing too great though. I can taste a hint of apple. This is pretty constant through the whole session. After about 5-7 pulls, it got really harsh (NOTE: I'm not sure what the definition of "harsh" is. I'm assuming it's when you get that nasty feeling in the back of the throat causing you to cough). Fearing too much heat, I took a coal off. It got a little better, but I had to limit myself to small, light pulls due to harshness. I found out that purging the smoke from the base allowed me to take a nice pull. Would get a decent amount of smoke and not too harsh. So I was doing that one after 1-3 pulls. All in all, I moved the coals around and would flip them every 5 or so minutes. As I said before, not a whole lot of flavor.

I'm guessing I'm not managing my heat properly. AND/OR not really knowing how to pull. I realize you're not supposed to pull into your lungs. I've never really smoke a cigarette before, so I cannot compare. I'm just sucking the air/smoke in and blowing it out (like a cigar?).

In conclusion, a lot better session than last night. I feel like I'm headed in the right direction. Maybe a different brand of shisha? I want to be able to really taste the flavor, and not really concerned about the buzz. I'm thinking about trying StarBuzz.

Comments? Help? Anything would be cool. Thanks!

[fineout]

i guess some people smoke it like a cigar but personally i breathe deep in, as if taking a huge breath from a snorkel. maybe try starting with just 2 halves next time?

[ryno]

I would say more holes, and try making the holes smaller. Also, try out the phunnel for AF. That bowl seems a little small and might not yield those big clouds you always see in pictures/videos.

[joytron]

Sounds like you are moving in the right direction, packing and heat management just take practice so dont feel like everything should be perfect right away.

[PSU Smoker]

more holes will help, i also suggest going all the way to the bottom of your bowl and not just a little into the shisha. Altho that doesnt seem like much it really helps the heat distribute from top to bottom. Next bowl you try start with 2 halves. Put them on the foil and let them sit there for 2 min or so with out taking a pull, this will help heat up the shisha. Smoke for a few minutes (I personally fill my lungs with smoke). If the clouds still arent great add a third coal. Personally when I smoke AF from an Egyptian I used 4 halves but my Egyptian looks a lot wider than urs. Smoking hookah is all about trial and error. When you finally get that perfect smoke it will be all the more rewarding

[KeepItSimple]

[quote name='Thunt' date='14 March 2010 - 11:07 AM' timestamp='1268590078' post='457073']
I'm guessing I'm not managing my heat properly. AND/OR not really knowing how to pull. [b]I realize you're not supposed to pull into your lungs. I've never really smoke a cigarette before, so I cannot compare. I'm just sucking the air/smoke in and blowing it out (like a cigar?).
[/b][/quote]

I pull as deep as I can. Maybe thats your problem, because when I just puff on it then it doesn't really get going, you might also not be able to tell the taste because your not breathing it in all the way. I noticed when I was sick and couldn't smell anything and smoked i couldn't taste it, to me that meant that you don't actually "taste" the shisha like with your taste buds, your kinda smelling it on the way out or in through the back of your mouth. Thats pure opinion though.

[ndc]

[quote name='Thunt' date='14 March 2010 - 10:07 AM' timestamp='1268590078' post='457073']
I'm guessing I'm not managing my heat properly.
Comments? Help? Anything would be cool. Thanks!
[/quote]

Seems like a heat problem. With the bowl packed above the lip as pictured, I would imagine you are burning your top layer of shisha at the start, which gives you harsh smoke. Try packing a little lower, or using a phunnel. Start with 3 coals like you did, and pull one off if it gets harsh. If it starts to die down after you pulled the 3rd off, either put it back on or put a wind cover on for more heat.

Theres my thoughts!

[PSU Smoker]

[quote name='KeepItSimple' date='14 March 2010 - 06:23 PM' timestamp='1268605414' post='457092']
[quote name='Thunt' date='14 March 2010 - 11:07 AM' timestamp='1268590078' post='457073']
I'm guessing I'm not managing my heat properly. AND/OR not really knowing how to pull. [b]I realize you're not supposed to pull into your lungs. I've never really smoke a cigarette before, so I cannot compare. I'm just sucking the air/smoke in and blowing it out (like a cigar?).
[/b][/quote]

I pull as deep as I can. Maybe thats your problem, because when I just puff on it then it doesn't really get going, you might also not be able to tell the taste because your not breathing it in all the way. I noticed when I was sick and couldn't smell anything and smoked i couldn't taste it, to me that meant that you don't actually "taste" the shisha like with your taste buds, your kinda smelling it on the way out or in through the back of your mouth. Thats pure opinion though.
[/quote]

yeah ur taste is dramatically enhanced by smell...if i remember a few weeks back in my psych class we learned taste is actually 90% (or some high number) due to smell.

[fineout]

yea, my friend got in a bad car accident and somehow through that lost his sense of smell, and then lost most of his sense of taste too..

and guys, always reccomending a phunnel bowl when someone has a problem doesnt help, first off theyd have to wait to do that and spend more money, throwing money at a problem doesnt help that someone doesnt know how to do something, you have to learn heat management and packing first before you move to a phunnel...same thing in a lot of sports i take part in just cuz you have the illest gear doesnt mean youre any good.

[antouwan]

[quote name='fineout' date='15 March 2010 - 01:45 AM' timestamp='1268635543' post='457146']
yea, my friend got in a bad car accident and somehow through that lost his sense of smell, and then lost most of his sense of taste too..

and guys, always reccomending a phunnel bowl when someone has a problem doesnt help, first off theyd have to wait to do that and spend more money, throwing money at a problem doesnt help that someone doesnt know how to do something, you have to learn heat management and packing first before you move to a phunnel...same thing in a lot of sports i take part in just cuz you have the illest gear doesnt mean youre any good.
[/quote]

if you check out the first picture that was linked in the thread, you would easily be able to see that the OP already has a phunnel...:/

[dizzbizz]

I use my mini egyptian for AF too, so maybe I can help. This is what I do: Just sprinkle it in, pat it down a TINY bit and throw the foil on. Poke at least twice as many holes as you are now. But wait, don't put it on the stem yet, flip it over and blow in the bowl through the bottom(this will allow ample air flow). It doesn't matter if the shisha touches the foil(I don't know who started this). Put those three halves of coco's on. Let it warm up, rotate and flip after 3 or 5 minutes. if its still week, add a coal. Take long hits too. The shisha needs airflow to get the results you want. Oh and also, ice water hinders the flavor but increases clouds, hot water does the opposite.

[PSU Smoker]

[quote name='antouwan' date='15 March 2010 - 03:16 AM' timestamp='1268637369' post='457150']
[quote name='fineout' date='15 March 2010 - 01:45 AM' timestamp='1268635543' post='457146']
yea, my friend got in a bad car accident and somehow through that lost his sense of smell, and then lost most of his sense of taste too..

and guys, always reccomending a phunnel bowl when someone has a problem doesnt help, first off theyd have to wait to do that and spend more money, throwing money at a problem doesnt help that someone doesnt know how to do something, you have to learn heat management and packing first before you move to a phunnel...same thing in a lot of sports i take part in just cuz you have the illest gear doesnt mean youre any good.
[/quote]

if you check out the first picture that was linked in the thread, you would easily be able to see that the OP already has a phunnel...:/
[/quote]

owned ;p

[fineout]

ok so you were right, either way that happens all the time i usually just expect people to say go buy a KM go buy a phunnel or nothings going to work right...my apologies.

[antouwan]

[quote name='fineout' date='15 March 2010 - 11:54 AM' timestamp='1268672092' post='457189']
ok so you were right, either way that happens all the time i usually just expect people to say go buy a KM go buy a phunnel or nothings going to work right...my apologies.
[/quote]

it's all good. you are right though, to a degree at least.

@ OP. do everything dizzbizz said, it sounds right on the money.