Looking To Get My First Hookah

[Jerry]

Well, after leeching off various friends and coworkers for years starting with my time in the Army, I think I'm finally going to get one for myself. Now, money is not really an issue, but have a few questions for the good folks here about how to pick out one that fits my needs based on the various different components of the device.

1: Coal. Natural, got it.
2: Bowel. Pretty much get the impression that phunnels are the best (Tangiers and Alien) based on what I read on the forum, so unless someone can correct me, that part is a given.
3: Stem: I noticed that the gauge of the stem was mentioned in some of the previous posts, but what about the length? I know in theory that the stem length helps to cool the smoke, but I kinda figured that the water itself will have a larger role in this.
4: Water jar: Wide bottom so it's more stable, but anything else that I should be looking for?
5: Hose and mouth tip. Not sure what kind of criteria that I'm looking for here... any advice will be appreciated.

Feeling might also consider tinkering a bit and build my own as well, will be scanning through the DIY forum for tips on that ;p

Thanks in advance!

[Capt. Morgan]

1. I'm partial to HJ's coals.
2. Phunnels are amazing, outside of that I would stick to an Egyptian bowl.
3. Heavier stem usually means higher quality. Look for a wide downstem and a wide hose port. Height is mainly a preference in my opinion.
4. Heavier glass is ideal, just means its sturdier.
5. The wider the hose/tip the easier the draw, for me washable in preferable but not necessary.

[chozino]

[font="Century Gothic"]1: Coal - Instant lite is usually the fastest way to go, but if you have a stove, natural charcoal is the way to go.
2: Bowl - Vortex Bowl beats the funnel bowl. Check it out online.
3: Stem - Heavier stems made out of brass are usually the best. Don't bother with more than 1 hose, complications will take effect.
4: Vase - The bigger the better so you dont end up smoking water by mistake lol
5: Hose - There is a nice hose that i got. Its a velvet rope hose with metal handle. Looks really good and smokes like a champ

Let me know if you got any other questions! and good luck with your first hookah purchase.


[/font]

[Chreees]

1: IMO, Coconaras are the best natural coal, and CH QL's are the best quicklight (despite the horrible smell, don't light these suckers inside or you'll kill yourself).
2: Tangiers small phunnel or the new HJ Alien phunnel.
3: Wider the diameter of the stem and ports, more smoke you'll get basically. KM offers the widest gauge, so it's better. Height is personal preference, but the smoke will be warmer if you have a tiny hookah (such as the Mya Petite or QT).
4: Something stable and thick that won't break is preferred.
5: Your hose doesn't really need to be washable... I don't ever wash my washable hose... But by getting a washable you'll know that you're getting a more DURABLE hose. That's pretty important. So what if water splashes up into your hose by accident... you've got a washable; it doesn't matter. Fuggetta bout it!

In my personal opinion, you should go with a Mya or a KM, Tangiers small phunnel or a HJ Alien phunnel, and a Nammor/Razan or a Narbish hose. These will treat you right.

[TheyCallMeDave]

So far, you'll see the pattern. Everyone has pretty much hit my opinions dead on.

1: Huge fan of coconaras. A great review of them was done in the review section called Coalmegeddan. Check it out. I haven't tried CH quicklights, but I know that 3 things ql are simple, and reliable.
2: The alien seems to have taken over the forum. Huge hit, and a great way to smoke by yourself. Phunnels are mainly for juicier tobacco (jangiers, Al Fakher, etc..) to retain juiciness and flavor. You can use the phunnel for drier shishas as well, and will definantly add flavor/longetivity to any shisha you use. Any other choices for a bowl that aren't a tangiers phunnel bowl or a alien would be a standard egyption. WARNING! STAY AWAY FROM CHINESE RIPOFF "FUNNELS".
3: Wider stems offer best airflow and smoke volume. Which you obviously want to keep into consideration. Height is a preference. I like a decent height (26-32 inches), just a preference. But as far as smokability, if you pay good money for a mya or a KM, height will not play a tremendous role. It'll smoke good just the same.
4: Wide bottom, good quality glass.
5: Huge fan of the nammor hose, and from what I hear the Narbish hose is a easy tie. I'm also a fan of the KM hoses. Just make sure you get something with a thick gauge. Washable isn't REALLY needed, but it's so much better for mantinence/convinence.

Welcome to the forum.

[Jerry]

[quote name='TheyCallMeDave' date='05 April 2010 - 10:12 PM' timestamp='1270523522' post='462109']Any other choices for a bowl that aren't a tangiers phunnel bowl or a alien would be a standard egyption. WARNING! STAY AWAY FROM CHINESE RIPOFF "FUNNELS".
[/quote]
I'm a native level Chinese speaker and my day job involves researching Chinese companies and their practices... I know DAMN well exactly what they do with clay and ceramic products in the factories.

If you think poor quality and designs are the only problem... *shudders*.

[antouwan]

[quote name='Jerry' date='05 April 2010 - 08:30 PM' timestamp='1270517453' post='462078']
Well, after leeching off various friends and coworkers for years starting with my time in the Army, I think I'm finally going to get one for myself. Now, money is not really an issue, but have a few questions for the good folks here about how to pick out one that fits my needs based on the various different components of the device.

1: Coal. Natural, got it.
2: Bowel. Pretty much get the impression that phunnels are the best (Tangiers and Alien) based on what I read on the forum, so unless someone can correct me, that part is a given.
3: Stem: I noticed that the gauge of the stem was mentioned in some of the previous posts, but what about the length? I know in theory that the stem length helps to cool the smoke, but I kinda figured that the water itself will have a larger role in this.
4: Water jar: Wide bottom so it's more stable, but anything else that I should be looking for?
5: Hose and mouth tip. Not sure what kind of criteria that I'm looking for here... any advice will be appreciated.

Feeling might also consider tinkering a bit and build my own as well, will be scanning through the DIY forum for tips on that ;p

Thanks in advance!
[/quote]

well, you've done your research and it shows - thank you!
1. nats are obviously best. CN are great but IMO overpriced. go with john's chron coals for value and IMO the same if not better performance. coconut coals last the longest so most people prefer those.
2. i hope bowels and hookah aren't too closely related for you other than that little spelling error, you hit the nail on the head.
3. water is more functional for smoking. a KM or temsaah are great build quality and range from around 35" to 42" so any where between there should be good. i'm not a huge fan of anything under 22"
4. something that's decent. aesthetically pleasing is always a plus, bubbles in the glass are a con (obviously)
5. you're going for a wider gauge hose, preferably. think of it like a highway: traffic can only flow as freely as the most narrow part of your entire setup, so wider gauge the better. i like KM hoses (not washable) Narbishes (washable and super long) and nammors are pretty good.

you're on the right track and well on your way to having a nice setup!

[Jerry]

[quote name='antouwan' date='06 April 2010 - 01:40 AM' timestamp='1270536012' post='462146']
[quote name='Jerry' date='05 April 2010 - 08:30 PM' timestamp='1270517453' post='462078']
Well, after leeching off various friends and coworkers for years starting with my time in the Army, I think I'm finally going to get one for myself. Now, money is not really an issue, but have a few questions for the good folks here about how to pick out one that fits my needs based on the various different components of the device.

1: Coal. Natural, got it.
2: Bowel. Pretty much get the impression that phunnels are the best (Tangiers and Alien) based on what I read on the forum, so unless someone can correct me, that part is a given.
3: Stem: I noticed that the gauge of the stem was mentioned in some of the previous posts, but what about the length? I know in theory that the stem length helps to cool the smoke, but I kinda figured that the water itself will have a larger role in this.
4: Water jar: Wide bottom so it's more stable, but anything else that I should be looking for?
5: Hose and mouth tip. Not sure what kind of criteria that I'm looking for here... any advice will be appreciated.

Feeling might also consider tinkering a bit and build my own as well, will be scanning through the DIY forum for tips on that ;p

Thanks in advance!
[/quote]

well, you've done your research and it shows - thank you!
1. nats are obviously best. CN are great but IMO overpriced. go with john's chron coals for value and IMO the same if not better performance. coconut coals last the longest so most people prefer those.
2. i hope bowels and hookah aren't too closely related for you other than that little spelling error, you hit the nail on the head.
3. water is more functional for smoking. a KM or temsaah are great build quality and range from around 35" to 42" so any where between there should be good. i'm not a huge fan of anything under 22"
4. something that's decent. aesthetically pleasing is always a plus, bubbles in the glass are a con (obviously)
5. you're going for a wider gauge hose, preferably. think of it like a highway: traffic can only flow as freely as the most narrow part of your entire setup, so wider gauge the better. i like KM hoses (not washable) Narbishes (washable and super long) and nammors are pretty good.

you're on the right track and well on your way to having a nice setup!
[/quote]

Thee W and E keys are next to each other >_<

But, sometimes after I smoke, I do feel so relaxed that I... never mind.

[Chreees]

[quote name='Jerry' date='06 April 2010 - 01:45 AM' timestamp='1270536314' post='462148']
Thee W and E keys are next to each other >_<

But, sometimes after I smoke, I do feel so relaxed that I... never mind.
[/quote]

Don't worry brotha, we all do...