tsquared Posted April 19, 2010 Share Posted April 19, 2010 Hi everyone, Being a total noob at this, I have a question for you all. I have a Mya QT and have been using it this past week. I noticed that there is an odor to the smoke that I'm exhaling. I don't mean the flavor of the shisha that I'm tasting. What I'm talking about is when I smell the smoke produced, there's an odor almost like tar (the stuff they lay down parking lots). I thought it might be the charcoal that was using (Starbuzz Quick Lights). So I switched to Coconara Naturals. I also try various brands of shishas like Al Fakher, Layalina, and Starbuzz. The odor is still there, although much less when I'm using Coconara's with Starbuzz. I don't think the shisha is burning in the bowl bc it's not harsh nor do I see wisps of smoke coming from the bowl. I'm too much of a noob to know if this is normal or not. Does anyone know what this odor might be from? Is it normal? Thanks! Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeepItSimple Posted April 19, 2010 Share Posted April 19, 2010 Thats not normal in the least bit. I haven't had this problem but my .02 is maybe the grommet is burning? Im not sure though, but I heard that someone had this problem and that was what was happening. They had their coals on the tray and the grommet was exposed to the heat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bellydancerakn Posted April 19, 2010 Share Posted April 19, 2010 Ummmmm I get no oder except for when I first light my quicklights (but that goes away and it smells like BBQ) and the oder of the flavor of shisha I'm smoking. So no, what you are experiencing is not normal luv. Maybe your bowl grommet is burning. That is the only thing I can think of. Except if you use wet paper towls as grommets in which case it wouldn't smell like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsquared Posted April 19, 2010 Author Share Posted April 19, 2010 I looked at my bowl grommet and it is discolored, but I can't find any signs of it being burnt. I typically light the coals and let them sit on the stove until they get red hot. Then I put them directly only the foil. I don't let the hot coal sit in the tray at all. Another thing I noticed is that the first several pulls from a freshly lit hookah doesn't have this odor. Seems like it only happens when the bowl is heated up. I wonder if it's the bowl itself... I have an Alien Mini coming this week. I'm curious if this odor will be there still. How do I make a wet paper grommet to use just to see if it's the bowl grommet or not? Is it possible that I'm burning the shisha but just don't know it? Maybe I should take a flake of shisha and burn it with a lighter to see what that smells like... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcane Posted April 19, 2010 Share Posted April 19, 2010 do you happen to wash your bowl with anything other than water? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsquared Posted April 19, 2010 Author Share Posted April 19, 2010 [quote name='Arcane' date='19 April 2010 - 09:20 AM' timestamp='1271686849' post='464262'] do you happen to wash your bowl with anything other than water? [/quote] Nope. Just hot water. No soap, no cleaning solution of any type. Oh wait, I did use a soft sponge. I think my gf uses that same sponge to clean pots and pans with... Hmmm.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcane Posted April 19, 2010 Share Posted April 19, 2010 [quote name='tsquared' date='19 April 2010 - 04:37 AM' timestamp='1271687870' post='464263'] [quote name='Arcane' date='19 April 2010 - 09:20 AM' timestamp='1271686849' post='464262'] do you happen to wash your bowl with anything other than water? [/quote] Nope. Just hot water. No soap, no cleaning solution of any type. Oh wait, I did use a soft sponge. I think my gf uses that same sponge to clean pots and pans with... Hmmm.... [/quote] if it's a tangiers phunnel...i'd suggest boiling it for about 2-3 minutes....then let it cool down and then a quick rinse in cool water... after that, dry it off and get to smoking....hopefully, that'll solve your problems... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsquared Posted April 19, 2010 Author Share Posted April 19, 2010 The bowl is a standard Mya bowl. it's not coated/glazed on the inside of the bowl. Can I still boil it or is doing that going to break it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcane Posted April 19, 2010 Share Posted April 19, 2010 eep...i dunno about that.... the mya bowls don't seem anywhere as close as solid compared to the phunnels.... i wouldn't try it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agunn1231 Posted April 19, 2010 Share Posted April 19, 2010 [quote name='tsquared' date='19 April 2010 - 08:19 AM' timestamp='1271690345' post='464268'] The bowl is a standard Mya bowl. it's not coated/glazed on the inside of the bowl. Can I still boil it or is doing that going to break it? [/quote] I have a standard Mya and dont have this problem....but i wouldnt boil it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joytron Posted April 19, 2010 Share Posted April 19, 2010 Gnomes...[img]http://www.hookahforum.com/public/style_emoticons/default/post-5619-1201289386.gif[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsquared Posted April 19, 2010 Author Share Posted April 19, 2010 I blame gremblins! I'm going to clean the bowl again tonite using just water, lemon juice, and baking soda. I'll report back how it goes... =) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Hamilton Posted April 19, 2010 Share Posted April 19, 2010 (edited) how about just using cocos? qls seem to emmit an asphalt smell when fresh(I use exotica qls silver coated) Edited April 19, 2010 by Josh Hamilton Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsquared Posted April 19, 2010 Author Share Posted April 19, 2010 [quote name='Josh Hamilton' date='19 April 2010 - 02:26 PM' timestamp='1271705182' post='464295'] how about just using cocos? qls seem to emmit an asphalt smell when fresh(I use exotica qls silver coated) [/quote] I was thinking that it might be the QLs that's producing the odor, so I used only Coco's last nite during my session. The odor was still there for the entire session. Tonite, I'll continue to use only Coco's and see how it goes after cleaning the bowl. Also, I'm also using Pharoah's Foil. I doubt that the odor is from the foil, but I figure might as well put it out here my whole setup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fineout Posted April 19, 2010 Share Posted April 19, 2010 scientific method, change one thing at a time and try to single out what it is, if its not coals, and not the shisha, then try to clean the bowl, if its not that, look at something in the pipe, if its not that look at the hose..etc. etc.etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Hamilton Posted April 19, 2010 Share Posted April 19, 2010 (edited) also those standard mya bowls tend to collect water when you wash them...they have these hidden pockets...make sure you shake out the h20...u could be steaming the coals/shisha/foil etc Edited April 19, 2010 by Josh Hamilton Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsquared Posted April 19, 2010 Author Share Posted April 19, 2010 [quote name='fineout' date='19 April 2010 - 02:50 PM' timestamp='1271706619' post='464297'] scientific method, change one thing at a time and try to single out what it is, if its not coals, and not the shisha, then try to clean the bowl, if its not that, look at something in the pipe, if its not that look at the hose..etc. etc.etc. [/quote] This is good advice fineout. and that's what I've done. So far this is what I've tried: [list=1][*]Change coal - nope. not it.[*]Change shisha - nope.[*]Change packing method - nope.[*]Change from cold fridge water to tap water - nope[*]Add ice to water - nope[*]More holes in foil, less holes, bigger holes, smaller holes - nope nope nope...[/list] Next up: [list][*]Re-wash the bowl with lemon and baking soda. I'll make sure to shake it out to dry completely.[*]change foil brand[*]change bowl[*]change hose[*]change the whole damn hookah! =)[/list] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bellydancerakn Posted April 19, 2010 Share Posted April 19, 2010 [quote name='tsquared' date='19 April 2010 - 06:51 AM' timestamp='1271685088' post='464259'] I looked at my bowl grommet and it is discolored, but I can't find any signs of it being burnt. I typically light the coals and let them sit on the stove until they get red hot. Then I put them directly only the foil. I don't let the hot coal sit in the tray at all. How do I make a wet paper grommet to use just to see if it's the bowl grommet or not? [/quote] Just wet a paper towl and wrap it around the top of the stem and then push the bowl down until tight, you will probably have to take off some of the paper towl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PSU Smoker Posted April 19, 2010 Share Posted April 19, 2010 I wouldnt full out boil the boil but get enough water into a pot to completely cover the bowl by a few inches. Bring the water to a simmer so the air bubbles are breaking just before they reach the surface of the water (185F) and simmer it for a few minutes. The bowl should be fine so long you dont let the water go below the edge of the bowl, when that happens is when you would start having problems. Trying other cleaning methods first might be a better idea just to reduce risk of breaking the bowl although a simmer shouldnt effect it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis Posted April 19, 2010 Share Posted April 19, 2010 Are you sure its a real qt? There are plenty off knock offs circulating around that are made of inferior metals, and sometimes they tend to be painted. Could be the pipe itself giving off this odor, because of the material its made of. ......but then again im still pointing towards the grommet/bowl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bellydancerakn Posted April 19, 2010 Share Posted April 19, 2010 Is the stem painted the same color at the bowl? And does the stem screw onto the bowl? If so then you have a fake QT, it's okay man I was duped too in the begining before I found this forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Venger Posted April 19, 2010 Share Posted April 19, 2010 Could the smell be burnt molasses? When my bowl gets real hot it smells like burnt sugar. Its not the tobacco burning but the molasses. when you smell it remove your coals for 5 mins and purge the chamber. That always does it for me. QT+phunnel+3 half coals= second round of coals smelling like burnt sugar. back the heat off. Ray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsquared Posted April 20, 2010 Author Share Posted April 20, 2010 [quote name='Travis' date='19 April 2010 - 05:46 PM' timestamp='1271717174' post='464315'] Are you sure its a real qt?[/quote] [quote name='bellydancerakn' date='19 April 2010 - 05:50 PM' timestamp='1271717439' post='464317'] Is the stem painted the same color at the bowl? And does the stem screw onto the bowl? If so then you have a fake QT, it's okay man I was duped too in the begining before I found this forum. [/quote] I think it's real. The stem, from top to bottom, are all polished and shiny. There are Mya engravings in the tray and on the "heart". The hose says "Mya" all over as well. The bowl fits onto the stem with a grommet, the stem fits onto the base with a grommet. The hose connector and purge valve screwed into the stem. I *think* it's a real Mya. [quote name='Venger' date='19 April 2010 - 05:57 PM' timestamp='1271717835' post='464319'] Could the smell be burnt molasses? When my bowl gets real hot it smells like burnt sugar. Its not the tobacco burning but the molasses. when you smell it remove your coals for 5 mins and purge the chamber. That always does it for me. QT+phunnel+3 half coals= second round of coals smelling like burnt sugar. back the heat off. Ray [/quote] I took a tiny shisha piece and burned it with my lighter last nite to see what it smells like. I did smell the burnt sugar smell and it's not the same as the odor. Along with the burnt sugar smell is a tobacco and flavor smell. So it's not the burned molasses causing the odor. I was examining every piece closely last nite. Inside the long tube that extended into the water, there was a large piece of melted something. I scraped it out and it looks like resin of some sort. I took a picture but can't login to upload to my photobucket. I didn't get a chance to smoke the hookah last nite, so I don't know if this is the reason for the odor or not. Tonite, I'll have a chance to use the hookah. Will report back... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PSU Smoker Posted April 20, 2010 Share Posted April 20, 2010 interesting...something might have gotten stuck in their from the manufacturing process...that was most likely your culprit. Let us know how it smokes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twoapplesplease Posted April 20, 2010 Share Posted April 20, 2010 I rember somewhere on the forums some one had a simialar problem with one of the small mya hookahs and it turned out to be the base gromet had a heavy rubber smell to it and I think it needed to be soaked in lemon juice for 24hrs to get rid of the smell......so check out your base gasket and see if thats where the smell is coming from Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now