Lord Dorian Posted June 23, 2006 Share Posted June 23, 2006 There have been several topics and discussions on this forum about the optimal way to get various types of ma'assel to smoke. However, I have noticed something interesting about these various discourses on increasing flavor/thickness and decreasing harshness. All of these discussions tend to focus on two factors, how the bowl is packed and prepared, and the amount of heat and coal used. While these are undoubtably important factors, people tend to neglect a very important factor, how the hookah is actually smoked. The duration and force of an indivduals inhalation, as well as the frequency of the inhaltion are some of the most important factors in controlling how harsh or thick the smoke from a hookah is. People often complain that they get inconsisent results from a given type of ma'assel, and I feel like this could often be atrributed to the fact that people often neglect this important third factor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HookahDuck Posted June 23, 2006 Share Posted June 23, 2006 Well, you have to understand that it is relative to the application of heat. If a stronger/more voluminous charge of air is drawn across the coal and into the bowl of course it is going to heat the tobacco more. However, I believe most experienced smokers (using myself as an example) take normal, moderate breaths- or at least use the same breath throughout all of their sessions. Ie: it would be unlikely for someone to take very slow inhalations during one session, and then power-puff the b'jesus out of the hose during the next one. As we always say- find a method that works for you and stick with it.If you are a "power-puffer", use a little less heat. If you are "slow inhaler" use a little more.Of course, if you have someone walk up and take a hard rip, of course that is going to throw off your burn. However, its not rude to simply ask them to draw slower because it will make the tobacco harsh (the novice smokers' worst enemy). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Dorian Posted June 23, 2006 Author Share Posted June 23, 2006 Exactly, all of these factors are inter-related, pulling harder will stoak the coals more and generate more heat, and you pack and punch the bowl also affects the rate of air flow, as well as how air moves through the bowl. And your assertion that most experinced smokers tend to have a mean inhale rate which does not vary is probably also true. But I am not sure that this is a good thing, I have been experimenting with using different rates of inhalation for different ma'assel, with good results. The most important thing when experimenting with this is to keep the manner in which you pack the bowl and the amount of coal you use consistent, I feel like this may be an even more effective way of combating harshness than changing the amount of coal. The variation in inhale rates play a more important role in large circles where various smokers differing hitting style may affect the hookah. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Dorian Posted June 23, 2006 Author Share Posted June 23, 2006 Also, there is the factor of frequency. While most experienced people tend to pull at more or less the same rate, the frequency with which you hit the hookah can have an even greater affect. To high a frequency can cause harshness as it over stoaks the coals. To little can result in lackluster smoke and also harshness as the heat from the coal "stalls out" over the top layer of ma'assel and causes it to burn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahwahoo2006 Posted June 23, 2006 Share Posted June 23, 2006 All of this basically get back to the point that its all in individual technique. You just have to figure out what works for you and your set up. You can get all the advice in the world from here or wherever, but it all comes down to practical application. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Dorian Posted June 23, 2006 Author Share Posted June 23, 2006 Exactly, hookah is a matter of personal taste and it is important to find what works best for you, the point of this post was simply to bring to light a little discussed factor that affects how well a hookah smokes, mostly so people who are new to hookah have the most information on how to perfect thier hookah sessions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alice Posted June 23, 2006 Share Posted June 23, 2006 [quote name='Lord Dorian']... so people who are new to hookah have the most information on how to perfect thier hookah sessions. [/quote] Like me!Frequency and strength of inhalation hasn't really occured to me. Thanks guys. Looks like I should have an experimental session. Oh darn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sonthert Posted June 26, 2006 Share Posted June 26, 2006 I many different sizes and types of hookahs and I have never noticed a difference...not to say that there isn;t one, I just haven't noticed it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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