Technical Difficulties With My Hookah

[dizz]

Well I just bought a brand new Mya Hookah from a store near me. It cost me $60 and it came with a case (I don't know the name/model of the Hookah besides the brand).

I pack a bowl with some Al Fakher shisha and use 2 Coco Nara charcoals and there is almost no smoke. I proceed to light a third coco nara but then it burns my throat.

I am not sure what the problem is really. I've tried switching different bowls and different brands of shisha, nothing helps.

Can anyone please give me any suggestions? I am at a loss, and can no longer enjoy my hookah.

Thanks.

[dizzbizz]

I'm assuming your using the MYA bowl. Make sure you pack the bowl fully. This is how I pack AF: Stir the shisha to get the juices mixed. Grab a blob and sprinkle it in. Pat it down a TINY bit. Pull the foil over and poke holes all the way to the bottom. Flip it upside down and blow through the bottom then put it on. Two coals should be fine, try a wind cover to get it going at first.

Oh, I'm diggin' your screen name.

[dizz]

^^Almost identical name.

I did all of that, that is how I usually prepare everything and it still isn't working. I alternate between the Mya bowl and another egyptian one I have.

Also, how much water does one usually put into the base? Should the water be covering 1" of the stem, or more?

[PSU Smoker]

inch of the stem is usually what I go with

[dizzbizz]

[quote name='dizz' date='28 April 2010 - 06:45 PM' timestamp='1272505529' post='465929']
^^Almost identical name.

I did all of that, that is how I usually prepare everything and it still isn't working. I alternate between the Mya bowl and another egyptian one I have.

Also, how much water does one usually put into the base? Should the water be covering 1" of the stem, or more?
[/quote]

Yeah you're missing the bizz.

But yeah and inch is what I go with too. Stick with the egyptian and throw a third coal on to start it off.

[dizz]

[quote name='dizzbizz' date='28 April 2010 - 10:00 PM' timestamp='1272506417' post='465932']
[quote name='dizz' date='28 April 2010 - 06:45 PM' timestamp='1272505529' post='465929']
^^Almost identical name.

I did all of that, that is how I usually prepare everything and it still isn't working. I alternate between the Mya bowl and another egyptian one I have.

Also, how much water does one usually put into the base? Should the water be covering 1" of the stem, or more?
[/quote]

Yeah you're missing the bizz.

But yeah and inch is what I go with too. Stick with the egyptian and throw a third coal on to start it off.
[/quote]

Did that earlier with the egyptian bowl and 3 coco nara's and it smoked fine for about 2 minutes. Then it started to burn my throat real bad, I couldn't even take a small pull without coughing.

Also, how long do you burn the coco nara's for? I have a coil burner and usually leave it on for about 10-12 minutes (I do not flip them over).

[dizzbizz]

[quote name='dizz' date='28 April 2010 - 07:02 PM' timestamp='1272506552' post='465933']
[quote name='dizzbizz' date='28 April 2010 - 10:00 PM' timestamp='1272506417' post='465932']
[quote name='dizz' date='28 April 2010 - 06:45 PM' timestamp='1272505529' post='465929']
^^Almost identical name.

I did all of that, that is how I usually prepare everything and it still isn't working. I alternate between the Mya bowl and another egyptian one I have.

Also, how much water does one usually put into the base? Should the water be covering 1" of the stem, or more?
[/quote]

Yeah you're missing the bizz.

But yeah and inch is what I go with too. Stick with the egyptian and throw a third coal on to start it off.
[/quote]

Did that earlier with the egyptian bowl and 3 coco nara's and it smoked fine for about 2 minutes. Then it started to burn my throat real bad, I couldn't even take a small pull without coughing.

Also, how long do you burn the coco nara's for? I have a coil burner and usually leave it on for about 10-12 minutes (I do not flip them over).
[/quote]

I flip mine half way through. It takes about ten minutes.

[bobbo21]

when 3 coals is too much, and 2 is too little, cut them in half and try 2.5 coals.

I like to leave them on the stove until they're about 70% lit from the bottom up and then flip them over. Wait like 2-3 minutes until its fully lit, and you're good to go.

[Sahara Man]

[quote name='dizz' date='28 April 2010 - 10:02 PM' timestamp='1272506552' post='465933']
[quote name='dizzbizz' date='28 April 2010 - 10:00 PM' timestamp='1272506417' post='465932']
[quote name='dizz' date='28 April 2010 - 06:45 PM' timestamp='1272505529' post='465929']
^^Almost identical name.

I did all of that, that is how I usually prepare everything and it still isn't working. I alternate between the Mya bowl and another egyptian one I have.

Also, how much water does one usually put into the base? Should the water be covering 1" of the stem, or more?
[/quote]

Yeah you're missing the bizz.

But yeah and inch is what I go with too. Stick with the egyptian and throw a third coal on to start it off.
[/quote]

Did that earlier with the egyptian bowl and 3 coco nara's and it smoked fine for about 2 minutes. Then it started to burn my throat real bad, I couldn't even take a small pull without coughing.

Also, how long do you burn the coco nara's for? I have a coil burner and usually leave it on for about 10-12 minutes (I do not flip them over).
[/quote]
[font="Century Gothic"]Is it a 1 hose hookah? If you post a picture of the hookah maybe we can give you some feedback.
Just make sure the water in the vase is 1 inch above the downstem, the hose adapter/release valve ball bearing is not stuck, shisha is sprinkled in bowl (not smashed too tight), foil is pinched with holes (more than 10 holes at least), hose is clear (blow in the hose to make sure), stem inside tubing isn't clogged. As far as the charcoal, coconara takes between 4-8 min, i usually turn it over. I dont know what else can be wrong!!!!![/font]

[dizz]

[quote name='Sahara Man' date='28 April 2010 - 10:12 PM' timestamp='1272507149' post='465936']
[quote name='dizz' date='28 April 2010 - 10:02 PM' timestamp='1272506552' post='465933']
[quote name='dizzbizz' date='28 April 2010 - 10:00 PM' timestamp='1272506417' post='465932']
[quote name='dizz' date='28 April 2010 - 06:45 PM' timestamp='1272505529' post='465929']
^^Almost identical name.

I did all of that, that is how I usually prepare everything and it still isn't working. I alternate between the Mya bowl and another egyptian one I have.

Also, how much water does one usually put into the base? Should the water be covering 1" of the stem, or more?
[/quote]

Yeah you're missing the bizz.

But yeah and inch is what I go with too. Stick with the egyptian and throw a third coal on to start it off.
[/quote]

Did that earlier with the egyptian bowl and 3 coco nara's and it smoked fine for about 2 minutes. Then it started to burn my throat real bad, I couldn't even take a small pull without coughing.

Also, how long do you burn the coco nara's for? I have a coil burner and usually leave it on for about 10-12 minutes (I do not flip them over).
[/quote]
[font="Century Gothic"]Is it a 1 hose hookah? If you post a picture of the hookah maybe we can give you some feedback.
Just make sure the water in the vase is 1 inch above the downstem, the hose adapter/release valve ball bearing is not stuck, shisha is sprinkled in bowl (not smashed too tight), foil is pinched with holes (more than 10 holes at least), hose is clear (blow in the hose to make sure), stem inside tubing isn't clogged. As far as the charcoal, coconara takes between 4-8 min, i usually turn it over. I dont know what else can be wrong!!!!![/font]
[/quote]

I have done all of those things!! I will try to get a picture uploaded soon.

Anything else while you wait for the picture? And yes, it is a 1 hose hookah. The ball bearing is not stuck and rest is good.

[PSU Smoker]

ok so just to clairify 2 coals (cut in half?) yeild thin smoke and 3(cut in half) is harsh and 2.5 still doesnt work....maybe the charcoal gnome is just having a jolly good time

[Deutsch am Herzen]

try icing the base a little bit too. that'll help cool the smoke. also, how tall is your stem? that has a little to do with the temperature of the smoke. or you could try starting with 2 coals, let it bake for about 5-8 mins. then take them off (for a couple mins if its harsh). then put only 1 on and go from there. thats what i usually do with AF and it works fine. purge often as well, if you let it sit for a couple mins.

[dizz]

[quote name='Deutsch am Herzen' date='29 April 2010 - 01:35 AM' timestamp='1272519353' post='465962']
try icing the base a little bit too. that'll help cool the smoke. also, how tall is your stem? that has a little to do with the temperature of the smoke. or you could try starting with 2 coals, let it bake for about 5-8 mins. then take them off (for a couple mins if its harsh). then put only 1 on and go from there. thats what i usually do with AF and it works fine. purge often as well, if you let it sit for a couple mins.
[/quote]

The stem is 22cm long (8.6 inches). I usually fill water to cover about 1-2" of the bottom of the stem. Any more than that and I feel the water coming into the hose when I take a pull. It's not only with AF, even with Nakhla I get the same results. I am going insane. I have double checked everything, nothing seems to be out of order.

What can be wrong?

[dizz]

Sorry to bump but I still need help with this. I don't know what else to do.

[Venger]

check every where for leaks.on just the hose plug one end and draw. if there is no leak set up like your gonna smoke and dont put the bowl on.plug the whole where the bowl goes and draw.If everything is air tight try 2 coals and a windscreen. after that I am stumped.
Ray

[dingo1799]

well dude, if the holes in the bottom of the shisha bowl are open, and you dont have any air leaks in your hookah, you should be smoking. maybe you got some old shisha or something?

try putting your hookah together like you're going to smoke, except without the bowl on top... and suck on it. does the water bubble when you suck on the hose? if you're not getting smoke, either you have a restriction/air leak, or the stuff isnt burning. show us what you're working with, maybe it'll help

[fineout]

are you moving the coals around the bowl? i usually go with a quarter rotation every few minutes so that the coals can evenly heat the bowl and not sit anywhere and burn it. Sounds like this could be your problem