Romman Shisha, Good Flavor But No Clouds. What Am I Doing Wrong?

[squidget]

So I've been doing the Hookah thing for just over a year now. I'm no longer wet behind the ears but I still have a long way to go before I master the craft. I normally stick to Al Falker and recently I've been branching out and trying other brands. The last couple nights I picked up some Romman and I'm having the damnest time trying to figure how to get some decent clouds out this thing.
My current setup:

Mya QT
Vortex Bowl
A Nammor hose
Ice in the bowl

Coals
I've tried 2 coco's first (since that's my normal AF setup) but was not hot enough at all. I added a 3rd and that burned it.

I really like the taste of this shisha (the ivory coast is the awesome) so I want to give it another try. Your tips are appreciated.

-b.

[KeepItSimple]

First off, Ivory Coast is fuckin awesome.

Second, yea Romman is weird with the heat, I noticed that too when I was smoking it. A lot of people on here cut their coco's in half and then use halves spread out on the bowl. So instead of 3 whole's, try 4 halfs spread out all over. That should give you better heat distribution.

[Stuie]

Vortex is part of the problem.

Are you mixing the Romman before you smoke it?

But Here's what I would do with the scenario anyway.

1) Pack more tobacco. Use 2 Cocos and a windcover

2) Cut some cocos in half and use your packing method with 4 half cocos.

Remember if 2 coals isn't enough and 3 coals is too much 2 coals + windcover = WIN!

[squidget]

[quote name='Stuie' date='21 April 2010 - 04:20 PM' timestamp='1271884810' post='464693']
Vortex is part of the problem.

Are you mixing the Romman before you smoke it?

But Here's what I would do with the scenario anyway.

1) Pack more tobacco. Use 2 Cocos and a windcover

2) Cut some cocos in half and use your packing method with 4 half cocos.

Remember if 2 coals isn't enough and 3 coals is too much 2 coals + windcover = WIN!
[/quote]


Which bowl should I use instead? I have a medium phunnel right now and mya standard bowl.

Mixing? I have not done so. Just stir it around I assume? I will try that tonight.

I did try the windcover but then it burned too fast (not as fast as that 3rd coal but still) so what I ended up doing was putting on, taking off all night.

I have to try the spread. Whats best way to cut coco's in half without breakage/crumbling?

[JOE]

fluff it into that medium phunnel. 2-3 coals. it can take heat pretty well actually.

[Stuie]

I love the medium, but for romman i would use the Mya Standard

[Matto]

[quote name='Stuie' date='21 April 2010 - 08:19 PM' timestamp='1271902744' post='464763']
I love the medium, but for romman i would use the Mya Standard
[/quote]

+1

I've always had an easier time with Romman in the normal Mya bowls. I usually use two full coco's, I put them on the sides but not hanging off to start and once it heats up move them out a bit and around the edges as time passes.

[ih303]

I pack it into a small phunnel like I do AF - loose and fluffy.

You know, instead of cutting your coco's (which greatly reduces how long the coal lasts), why not go with another brand? I've been using John's coals for a long time and find they put off just the right amount of heat. When I use coco's I always end up burning stuff unless I cut them. Idk, just seems like you spend more for more hassle with Coco's. Just my $0.02.

[Tyler]

[quote name='ih303' date='22 April 2010 - 08:22 AM' timestamp='1271938965' post='464862']
I pack it into a small phunnel like I do AF - loose and fluffy.

You know, instead of cutting your coco's (which greatly reduces how long the coal lasts), why not go with another brand? I've been using John's coals for a long time and find they put off just the right amount of heat. When I use coco's I always end up burning stuff unless I cut them. Idk, just seems like you spend more for more hassle with Coco's. Just my $0.02.
[/quote]


+1

HJ QL are my go-to coals. Perfect heat, lasts long, and no need to ash them so clean up is much easier. Works well with every brand I've smoked: SB, SS, Layalina, Tangiers, Mizo, just to name a few and I'm sure there are others

[dingo1799]

weird. i have a mya vortex, nammor hose, and a vortex bowl, i use golden coals, and foil. 2 33mm coals and its perfect. i get smoke like a housefire.

phunnel bowls are better than teh vortex????? im not sure how much more smoke i can get out of this thing. seriously.