Jump to content

New To Hookah Smoking, Got Any Tips?


Recommended Posts

So I bought a hookah off eBay about a month ago. (One of my issues is I have no idea what brand hookah this thing is. If I want to buy an accessory, I have no idea the dimensions or anything.) I've been smoking it daily, sometimes multiple times a day. So far, I've learned that I need to pick up some Coconaras. Right now I have a bunch of diamante quicklights, I learned quickly that they are pretty shitty.

One of my main issues though, is I think I am doing something wrong... since I can never tell the difference between different brands of shisha. I've got starbuzz, al fakher, and afzal. They all seem the same, no difference at all. I don't know what the problem is. I've realized it should be apparent that starbuzz and al fakher should be leagues ahead of afzal, but no. They all seem the same. In my friends hookah, they taste a hell of a lot different. Mine though? Nothing. I can't figure out if its the hookah that sucks, but everything tastes like flavorless smoke. Any tips for me to make my hookah smoking more pleasurable?
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Is the shisha harsh? If so you are using too much heat. And have you tried cleaning out the hookah? It takes some time to get down your packing technique and heat management. Also, you said you smoked the same shisha in a friends hookah. Do you have the same style bowl?
Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='ryno' date='21 April 2010 - 01:46 PM' timestamp='1271882782' post='464687']
Is the shisha harsh? If so you are using too much heat. And have you tried cleaning out the hookah? It takes some time to get down your packing technique and heat management. Also, you said you smoked the same shisha in a friends hookah. Do you have the same style bowl?
[/quote]

We both have the same crappy basic ceramic bowl. Ive tried anywhere between half a quicklight coal, to two. It's all the same. It's just a basic, flavorless smoke. No matter what flavor or brand I throw in, it's all the same. And yes, I clean my hookah after every use. I've tried between throwing in around 5 grams, up to about 20 grams. It all seems the same. A basic, flavorless smoke. It isn't harsh or anything it's just... nothing really. Plain ol smoke.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

If you are using an Egyptian bowl... those are some of the best bows IMO.... and make sure you are filling the bowl to the brim or just below with tobacco
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Definitely make sure you're putting enough tobacco in there. Right at the rim of the bowl is good. Too much of an air space will cause a lack of flavor.

And quick-lites aren't bad. They put out plenty of heat. Just make sure you don't put a hot quick-lite right in the middle of the bowl. That's a quick ticket to a burning throat.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Do you have a mod bowl? [img]http://www.hookah-shisha.com/store/pc/catalog/ModBowl-Large.jpg[/img]

I generally sprinkle my shisha till its about full . I use two coconaras or one AF quick lite .Also like said above clean the hookah out .
Link to comment
Share on other sites

better brand shisha (start with naklah or al fak) move on to starbuzz and high ends later if your enjoying them... dont over heat... have lots of water and food on hand its good to do both while you smoke... put on family guy or another funny or relaxing show... good room temperatures, and plenty of ventalation for your first few times.

Enjoy and welcome :D
Link to comment
Share on other sites

also in reference to starbuzz, it is a better cut, less stems, and a smoother smoke... youll notice it more as you try a bunch of different brands
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks everyone, I'm guessing my biggest problem was not filling the bowl all the way. I tried it not too long ago, mixing Al Fak Cocktail and Afzal Cherry, I actually got some flavor for the first time. I hate filling the bowl all the way, especially since I don't smoke for very long, but it works. If I was to say, pack the bowl all the way, smoke a bit and stop, would I be able to throw another coal on at another time and smoke where I left off? Or, would that just be a rather stupid idea? Also, thanks for the comment on the coal placement, I always had my coal directly in the middle. Anyways, things are definitely going better now. Also, the bowl pictured is what I have. Would buying another bowl be a relatively good idea for a beginner? Or am I better suited with just sticking with what I have for now? I'd really just like to get the best taste out of my hookah as I can.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

buy a new head/bowl. egyptian bowls are like 4 dollars TOPS. i think hookah john has a ship for free code, so buy one and use that code...

you need to fill the bowl all the way. that's just the mechanics of how the things work and how they heat. and you should be able to throw a coal on a little later and finish up if you want. i know you can do this with a phunnel head, but egyptians might allow all the juice to drain out of the tobacco. if i were you and had the money, i would buy both the alien mini from john AND a standard egyptian and throw that mod piece of shit in the trash...or keep it in the corner of a closet in case your other heads break.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='dizzbizz' date='22 April 2010 - 10:37 AM' timestamp='1271957872' post='464920']
These are all vety good tips and to add to them, if you fist pump while the coals are lighting youre guaranteed tripple sized clouds
[/quote]


THATS why i was getting small clouds...no wonder. haha.

and yea, about coal placement. go with the edges and move it around periodically, like every 10mins or so
Link to comment
Share on other sites

in reference to relighting the same bowl after youve smoked it a bit, with my small phunnel i tend to clear out all the ashed shisha, and mix in the shisha that hadnt been used with the new stuff that way you dont waste.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='ApeXz' date='21 April 2010 - 11:07 PM' timestamp='1271916437' post='464823']
Thanks everyone, I'm guessing my biggest problem was not filling the bowl all the way. I tried it not too long ago, mixing Al Fak Cocktail and Afzal Cherry, I actually got some flavor for the first time. I hate filling the bowl all the way, especially since I don't smoke for very long, but it works. If I was to say, pack the bowl all the way, smoke a bit and stop, would I be able to throw another coal on at another time and smoke where I left off? Or, would that just be a rather stupid idea? Also, thanks for the comment on the coal placement, I always had my coal directly in the middle. Anyways, things are definitely going better now. Also, the bowl pictured is what I have. Would buying another bowl be a relatively good idea for a beginner? Or am I better suited with just sticking with what I have for now? I'd really just like to get the best taste out of my hookah as I can.
[/quote]


since you are using a mod bowl....just stir around the shisha thats not roasted before you re-smoke any of it....also put on a new foil....
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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 account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...