First Hookah Smoke Kicked My Ass, Need Suggestions.

[nitekite30]

First, this is a great forum and I received a TON of great advice from people before ordering from H-S.

Got my hookah today, it's a MYA mini (the free acrylic from H-S). Like any new hookah owner, I eagerly unpacked the boxes, cleaned the thing, and prept.

However upon my first drag, everything went terribly, terribly wrong, it was hitting super harsh, but the shisha and the coals were not ones that I was used to (I used to smoke hookah a decent amount in college, but always cheap shisha, and instant light coals) so I kept puffing along, hoping things would improve. Then I began feeling terribly light headed, sweating bullets, and feeling the need to vomit (I didn't, thankfully). I read a bit into the symptoms and it sound like a combo of nicotine overdose, and carbon monoxide poisoning. -Okay fine, but what the hell did I do wrong? I have NEVER had that happen before.

Here was my setup, and remember: all brand new stuff.

Mya Mini
Aerator
Vortex bowl
Tin foil (not the screen)
Tangiers mimon
Coca Nara coals

I have never used Coco Nara coals OR Tangiers. As I have read, Tangiers is "unwashed" I assume that somehow means the tabacco content is higher? Also, I was not sure about how to light or knew when Coco Nara coals were properly lit, I put them on an electric hotplate for about 15 minutes, and when the corners were red, I took them off, and blew on them until they were red hot (the box suggests that when they are red hot, they are ready) then placed them on the bowl in a pattern so both coals were touching on one side. The bowl was lightly packed, and there was a decent gap in between the bottom of the tin foil, and the top of the shisha. I put several holes in the tin foil, spaced apart, with the tong poker. I also noticed that the Coco Nara coals seem to burn much hotter, than I remember with the quicklights.

Gah!! Any suggestions as to what I did wrong/how to improve?

[Hassouni]

OK, sooo...You need to light Coconaras until they are ALL red, not just the corners. That's likely where you got the CO symptoms from. Don't make the coals touch, they should be put on opposite sides of the bowl if you use two. Tangiers needs to be packed TIGHTLY, and all tobacco should touch the foil, a gap is no good. Also, the tong poker usually makes holes much too big, use a toothpick or safety pin.

Yes, CCNs do burn hotter than QLs

Whats an aerator?

I strongly suggest you check the new people FAQs and whatnot for packing and heat management. Tangiers is not an easy tobacco to start out on...pick up some Nakhla or Al-Fakher, much easier to get good results from Edited June 29, 2010 by Hassouni

[Relle]

It sounds like you've got a good set so far, except I've never smoked from a vortex bowl.
Alright, first mistake I know, Tangiers has to be [b]tightly packed[/b].
How many coals did you use?
And also, Tangiers is a complicated and delicate shisha. Tangiers requires acclimation which means letting it sit out and getting used to the humidity, then covering it and smoking it the next day. If you do not acclimate Tangiers, it will be the most harsh smoke you have ever inhaled in your life. It'll feel like your throat and lungs are burning, and you'll get your ass kicked the hard way. If you acclimate Tangiers correctly, it'll be the smoothest smoke ever.
Research how to Acclimate and how to pack a bowl of tangiers.
I would also invest in a phunnel bowl.

[nitekite30]

[quote name='Hassouni' date='28 June 2010 - 10:48 PM' timestamp='1277783322' post='473209']
OK, sooo...You need to light Coconaras until they are ALL red, not just the corners. That's likely where you got the CO symptoms from. Don't make the coals touch, they should be put on opposite sides of the bowl if you use two. Tangiers needs to be packed TIGHTLY, and all tobacco should touch the foil, a gap is no good. Also, the tong poker usually makes holes much too big, use a toothpick or safety pin.

Yes, CCNs do burn hotter than QLs

Whats an aerator?

I strongly suggest you check the new people FAQs and whatnot for packing and heat management. Tangiers is not an easy tobacco to start out on...pick up some Nakhla or Al-Fakher, much easier to get good results from
[/quote]

Thanks for the advice! haha apparently I was doing a lot wrong! Aerator is not the proper term, I meant the Heba Diffuser.

[nitekite30]

[quote name='Relle' date='28 June 2010 - 10:50 PM' timestamp='1277783413' post='473210']
It sounds like you've got a good set so far, except I've never smoked from a vortex bowl.
Alright, first mistake I know, Tangiers has to be [b]tightly packed[/b].
How many coals did you use?
And also, Tangiers is a complicated and delicate shisha. Tangiers requires acclimation which means letting it sit out and getting used to the humidity, then covering it and smoking it the next day. If you do not acclimate Tangiers, it will be the most harsh smoke you have ever inhaled in your life. It'll feel like your throat and lungs are burning, and you'll get your ass kicked the hard way. If you acclimate Tangiers correctly, it'll be the smoothest smoke ever.
Research how to Acclimate and how to pack a bowl of tangiers.
I would also invest in a phunnel bowl.
[/quote]

Okay, Cool. I will definitely look that up. Also I was using 2 coals, some person on yahoo questions/answers said to put them right next to each other to up the heat. Should have gone to you guys first.

[Hassouni]

Depending on the size of the bowl, 2 coconaras isn't usually enough...for Tangiers and Nakhla on a small funnel or even a Turkish bowl (like the one Chinamon and Twoapplesplease have on their Elmas nargiles) three is necessary. I assume the vortex is a pretty big bowl? You might be able to get away with 2 for Al-Fakher, though I typically use 3 for that too.

I agree that if you want to smoke Tangiers, get a funnel...either the small or the Mini Alien from Hookahjohn is probably your best bet. Otherwise, get a normal Egyptian bowl...I dunno about this Vortex stuff, though I guess some people on here use them.

As for Tangiers being unwashed, this is true. Nakhla and Al-Waha are also unwashed...they consequently have a higher NICOTINE content, not tobacco content, but yes, the buzz can be ass-kicking, especially from Tangiers if you don't smoke too much. Washed tobaccos have far far less buzz

[Josh Hamilton]

its tangiers baby! hehe...try other stuff

[nitekite30]

[quote name='Hassouni' date='28 June 2010 - 11:06 PM' timestamp='1277784403' post='473213']
Depending on the size of the bowl, 2 coconaras isn't usually enough...for Tangiers and Nakhla on a small funnel or even a Turkish bowl (like the one Chinamon and Twoapplesplease have on their Elmas nargiles) three is necessary. I assume the vortex is a pretty big bowl? You might be able to get away with 2 for Al-Fakher, though I typically use 3 for that too.

I agree that if you want to smoke Tangiers, get a funnel...either the small or the Mini Alien from Hookahjohn is probably your best bet. Otherwise, get a normal Egyptian bowl...I dunno about this Vortex stuff, though I guess some people on here use them.

As for Tangiers being unwashed, this is true. Nakhla and Al-Waha are also unwashed...they consequently have a higher NICOTINE content, not tobacco content, but yes, the buzz can be ass-kicking, especially from Tangiers if you don't smoke too much. Washed tobaccos have far far less buzz
[/quote]

Thank you for the response. Yes the vortex is a large bowl, according to H-S it holds 25-30 grams. I think my intent was to use it for parties, but I got so excited about it arriving, that I had to give it a shot by myself- one of many mistakes. Also, I am NOT hell bent on smoking Tangiers, I can hang onto it/work my way 'up to' it, or just sell/give it to a friend. Washed tabacco is probably more up this n00bs ally, any suggestions on what to get that tastes good, but is also washed?

[nitekite30]

[quote name='Josh Hamilton' date='28 June 2010 - 11:25 PM' timestamp='1277785502' post='473215']
its tangiers baby! hehe...try other stuff
[/quote]

Yeah, I was just asking [color=#2B3730][font=tahoma, arial, verdana, sans-serif]Hassouni[b], [/b]what would you recommend that is washed (less nicotine content) but still flavorful? [/font][/color]

[Relle]

I believe that the Nakhla Mizo line is washed, but I don't know.

I don't get lightheaded from it so I'm guessing it's washed, but good flavors from it are Mizo Peach, Mizo Guava, Mizo Watermelon, Mizo Gum.. basically the whole Mizo line is great.

Starbuzz is also a good washed brand, but I don't smoke it as much. Some good flavors are Blue Mist, Safari Melon Dew, Pirate's Cave, and more. Look around!

And Tangiers Lucid is a good washed line. It's exactly like Tangiers but doesn't require acclimation [b]most of the time.[/b]

[Hassouni]

[quote name='nitekite30' date='29 June 2010 - 12:53 AM' timestamp='1277787201' post='473217']

Thank you for the response. Yes the vortex is a large bowl, according to H-S it holds 25-30 grams. I think my intent was to use it for parties, but I got so excited about it arriving, that I had to give it a shot by myself- one of many mistakes. Also, I am NOT hell bent on smoking Tangiers, I can hang onto it/work my way 'up to' it, or just sell/give it to a friend. Washed tabacco is probably more up this n00bs ally, any suggestions on what to get that tastes good, but is also washed?
[/quote]


Personally, I only break out the tangiers when I have two or more people to smoke with. It can last for hours and hours, so usually if it's just me and a friend it's not worth it. Also it's kind of expensive, at least for my budget.

Al-Fakher doesn't seem to be as popular as it was once upon a time here, but I strongly recommend starting with it. It's reasonably priced, strongly flavored, washed, thereby giving little buzz, and it generates huuuuge clouds! It's a bit sensitive to heat, but play around with it and you'll find the sweet spot fast. If you live in an area that has places that sell hookah stuff, they will very likely sell Al-Fakher


Starbuzz is frankly unreasonably expensive...16-19 bucks for a 250 pack around these parts. AF is like 9 or 10.

There's also Nakhla (not the Mizo, which I have little experience with since it's hard to get locally) which is dirt cheap, and very easy to get smoking, but it's got a bit more buzz than AF, though nothing like Tangiers. Nakhla is also ubiquitous. Any hookah shop will have it, even if they have nothing else, and that's what a lot of lounges use

[Hassouni]

[quote name='Relle' date='29 June 2010 - 01:07 AM' timestamp='1277788035' post='473219']
I believe that the Nakhla Mizo line is washed, but I don't know.

I don't get lightheaded from it so I'm guessing it's washed, but good flavors from it are Mizo Peach, Mizo Guava, Mizo Watermelon, Mizo Gum.. basically the whole Mizo line is great.

Starbuzz is also a good washed brand, but I don't smoke it as much. Some good flavors are Blue Mist, Safari Melon Dew, Pirate's Cave, and more. Look around!

And Tangiers Lucid is a good washed line. It's exactly like Tangiers but doesn't require acclimation [b]most of the time.[/b]
[/quote]

Mizo is washed, yes. Lucid is good, but still expensive.

I forgot to add, by the way, Al-Fakher recommendations:

Strawberry, Mint (a little goes a LONG way, mix it in with stuff), Grape (white grape is inconsistent, sometimes good, sometimes awful, but the Golden grape is great), Bahraini apple (golden). Grape mixed with mint is a great flavor, and a favorite in the Middle East Edited June 29, 2010 by Hassouni

[Cp44]

I only feel like that if I ate alot before I smoke. I would smoke then sometimes dry heave lol.

I dont get light headed anymore unless its a really good shisha meaning it was pretty well prepared. If you get over eager in smoking like opening a brand new hookah and packing tobacco too tight, you might feel this way too.

Or could be the tobacco is bad.

[smoothvirus]

[quote name='Hassouni' date='29 June 2010 - 12:06 AM' timestamp='1277784403' post='473213']
Depending on the size of the bowl, 2 coconaras isn't usually enough...for Tangiers and Nakhla on a small funnel or even a Turkish bowl (like the one Chinamon and Twoapplesplease have on their Elmas nargiles) three is necessary. I assume the vortex is a pretty big bowl? You might be able to get away with 2 for Al-Fakher, though I typically use 3 for that too.

I agree that if you want to smoke Tangiers, get a funnel...either the small or the Mini Alien from Hookahjohn is probably your best bet. Otherwise, get a normal Egyptian bowl...I dunno about this Vortex stuff, though I guess some people on here use them.

As for Tangiers being unwashed, this is true. Nakhla and Al-Waha are also unwashed...they consequently have a higher NICOTINE content, not tobacco content, but yes, the buzz can be ass-kicking, especially from Tangiers if you don't smoke too much. Washed tobaccos have far far less buzz
[/quote]


Hmm.. you guys are scaring me a bit about the Tangiers now. I just ordered some, along with the HJ Alien mini bowl. It should be sitting on my doorstep tonight when I get home.

I'm an infrequent smoker. I don't smoke at all when it's cold outside and when it's nice were talking about once a week, tops. I got a buzz off of Starbuzz Blue Mist last weekend, although I was smoking on an empty stomach.

[Hassouni]

Make sure you smoke with a friend, so you have a couple minutes break between hits, and when you have the hose, dont take a hit every damn second, put some pauses in, make sure you get some fresh air between drags...you'll be OK Keep a cold drink around too

[tranoid no ki]

Welcome to the boards! Tang as a first smoke, you've got quite a pair!

When I first started with tang, I kept a tall glass of water on hand to cool the harshness, and to rehydrate if needed. If you feel sick, get outside, once you hit that first breath of fresh air, you'll feel 100% better. Other than that, read the tutorials and threads here, probably the best resource for navigating the frustrating, yet rewarding maze that is tangiers!

[evilded777]

Never fear Tangiers, just learn to respect it like you would any other chemical you choose to ingest!

As I just said somewhere else: maybe try not to over think the whole Tangiers mystique. I do not treat it any differently than any other shisha (well... ok, its the only thing like so that makes it inherently require differences... but still).

Tangiers is awesome. I don't even acclimate, but I am an anomaly... but all my friends who go to the overpriced hookah bars around here always come to my house instead when they was to have a GOOD hookah, and all I pack for them is Tangiers.

The one thing I will say about Tangiers, is that you can get a serious nicotine buzz if you do not pack it well and manage the heat. It sounds like this is what happened to the OP... underpacked, or not densely packed, with perhaps too much heat all at once.... that's a train wreck waiting to happen.

[404notfound]

Whenever I switch from Tangiers to another brand I always forget and overpack.

I've only tried their lucid line, but it's pretty good for the price. I acclimate since it's extremely humid here but it doesn't take all that long.


AF is hit and miss. Some flavors, like mint, peach, grape, bubblegum, and spearmint are pretty good. Others like mixed fruit, berry, etc. can be terrible. Though every brand has their "bad" flavors, AF tends to be good for the price most of the time.
Nahkla is OK and cheap but it's kinda an acquired taste (though I'll pretty much always smoke their double apple if offered).

[joytron]

Mizo is not washed, no nakhla is washed. Where are you guys getting your info. I would start off with lucid or Al Fakher.

[ezxen]

I love Al Fakher when i started smoking i was using starbuzz because it is the "best" . I bought some AF because it was cheap and man was it good much more pronounced Flavor than Starbuzz and i can still catch a buzz form some good old Af peach.
Tangires is probably the best in my opinion it has it all as long as its done right . Treat her right and she will treat you right. She last the longest(Smoked some orange soda on my birthday last year from 11PM to 6:30 AM the next day .Only stopped because i needed to sleep but it was still going strong in flavor and clouds ) , She has flavor beyond any other , She has clouds to end all clouds and a buzz to end all buzz.. She only has 1 draw back if you dont pack her right she will kick your ass but once you get the pack down it becomes second nature. Last year i started to pack tangires my self and kepet messing it up because a tight pack went against my nature , once i got over that it became nothing to pack it.

[ilikemyusername]

it was the tangiers, theres a learning curve.