hookahjon Posted July 19, 2010 Share Posted July 19, 2010 After a whole lot of scientific experimenting. I was able to get tangiers smoking pretty well with zero harshness. I have to admit that it hits like a truck and would be the only thing I ever smoke from now on, except for one minor detail: it doesn't taste like anything! I use a Tangier's medium phunnel bowl, and I've tried packing it several ways (according to all the tutorials), all of which provide excellent smoke but no real taste. I have 3 flavors currently: pineapple, indian summer, and cool strawberry. I let them all acclimate anywhere from 3 to 12 hours (you know, until they don't smell so much like pulled pork BBQ anymore). According to the reviews I should feel like I'm eating all kinds of fruit, but all I get is a huge buzz with only the faintest hint of any flavor. Am I doing something wrong or is Tangier's just not that flavorful? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
king_lunchb0x Posted July 19, 2010 Share Posted July 19, 2010 [quote name='hookahjon' date='19 July 2010 - 02:38 PM' timestamp='1279575499' post='475628'] After a whole lot of scientific experimenting. I was able to get tangiers smoking pretty well with zero harshness. I have to admit that it hits like a truck and would be the only thing I ever smoke from now on, except for one minor detail: it doesn't taste like anything! I use a Tangier's medium phunnel bowl, and I've tried packing it several ways (according to all the tutorials), all of which provide excellent smoke but no real taste. I have 3 flavors currently: pineapple, indian summer, and cool strawberry. I let them all acclimate anywhere from 3 to 12 hours (you know, until they don't smell so much like pulled pork BBQ anymore). According to the reviews I should feel like I'm eating all kinds of fruit, but all I get is a huge buzz with only the faintest hint of any flavor. Am I doing something wrong or is Tangier's just not that flavorful? [/quote] now are u letting sit out for 12hours uncovered? cause uh that would be bad.. Eric told me that 4/20 rule is the best way If u let sit out too long the flavor will disappear. im not sure what you can do if the flavor has already faded. but next time you buy some, let it sit out acclimate for 4hrs (stirring now and again) and seal it up for 20hrs. If the next day, if it isnt ready then repeat process. im not sure how many times u can do this before flavor fades but i have done it 3 4/20 and its worked for me.. im sure some other people with pitch in on what to do also Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcane Posted July 19, 2010 Share Posted July 19, 2010 add more tobacco... huge buzz and light flavor is a sign of too much heat... well, you can either add more tobacco or back off the heat....but, i like the former.... MOAR!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hookahjon Posted July 19, 2010 Author Share Posted July 19, 2010 [quote name='Arcane' date='19 July 2010 - 07:14 PM' timestamp='1279581292' post='475645'] add more tobacco... huge buzz and light flavor is a sign of too much heat... well, you can either add more tobacco or back off the heat....but, i like the former.... MOAR!!!! [/quote] should there be so much tobacco then that it thoroughly touches the foil? as for losing flavor, my tangiers all smell VERY fragrant/fruity and delicious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcane Posted July 19, 2010 Share Posted July 19, 2010 [quote name='king_lunchb0x' date='19 July 2010 - 01:12 PM' timestamp='1279581167' post='475640'] [quote name='hookahjon' date='19 July 2010 - 02:38 PM' timestamp='1279575499' post='475628'] After a whole lot of scientific experimenting. I was able to get tangiers smoking pretty well with zero harshness. I have to admit that it hits like a truck and would be the only thing I ever smoke from now on, except for one minor detail: it doesn't taste like anything! I use a Tangier's medium phunnel bowl, and I've tried packing it several ways (according to all the tutorials), all of which provide excellent smoke but no real taste. I have 3 flavors currently: pineapple, indian summer, and cool strawberry. I let them all acclimate anywhere from 3 to 12 hours (you know, until they don't smell so much like pulled pork BBQ anymore). According to the reviews I should feel like I'm eating all kinds of fruit, but all I get is a huge buzz with only the faintest hint of any flavor. Am I doing something wrong or is Tangier's just not that flavorful? [/quote] now are u letting sit out for 12hours uncovered? cause uh that would be bad.. Eric told me that 4/20 rule is the best way If u let sit out too long the flavor will disappear. im not sure what you can do if the flavor has already faded. but next time you buy some, let it sit out acclimate for 4hrs (stirring now and again) and seal it up for 20hrs. If the next day, if it isnt ready then repeat process. im not sure how many times u can do this before flavor fades but i have done it 3 4/20 and its worked for me.. im sure some other people with pitch in on what to do also [/quote] i actually think leaving the tobacco out isn't too bad of an idea for the quickest acclimation time possible. i'm aware of the 4/20 method and from seeing the set-up, i can say that the tobacco at the lounge follows more of a 24hr exposure than a 4/20. the only issue would be the length of time that you could sustain while maintaining flavor integrity. i do believe that constant exposure will affect the integrity of the flavor. however, leaving it out for 3 days...maybe 5 days straight, should have negligible effects. in my experience, the stubborn flavors undergo 24 hr exposure and are only sealed up once acclimated. i have left containers open for over a month straight and haven't experienced noticeable losses...then again, i go to that extreme with robust flavors like mint and kashmirs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcane Posted July 19, 2010 Share Posted July 19, 2010 [quote name='hookahjon' date='19 July 2010 - 01:30 PM' timestamp='1279582252' post='475649'] [quote name='Arcane' date='19 July 2010 - 07:14 PM' timestamp='1279581292' post='475645'] add more tobacco... huge buzz and light flavor is a sign of too much heat... well, you can either add more tobacco or back off the heat....but, i like the former.... MOAR!!!! [/quote] should there be so much tobacco then that it thoroughly touches the foil? as for losing flavor, my tangiers all smell VERY fragrant/fruity and delicious. [/quote] yes...the foil and the tobacco should be intertwined like the positions of the kama sutra.... you had stated you read tutorials on how to pack, but i'd do another search.... hint: go to hookahjohn.com, click on the link to his youtube channel and find the tangiers packing video (part 1). there's a video of Eric packing a bowl of Tangiers. don't copy the video of John packing Chocomint...that works too, but not well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atrox79 Posted July 19, 2010 Share Posted July 19, 2010 It could possibly be coal management. How does your shisha smell in the container? Do they smell like the flavor they are supposed to be? They shouldn't have *any* of that bbq/soy sauce smell anymore, otherwise I imagine they would be pretty flavorless while smoking. I have the same problem sometimes as well. I recently started using coconara coals and the flavor has been much better. I've noticed that some flavors are way stronger than others. For example, I thought pineapple was kind of subtle, whereas any of the kashmir flavors are very much "in your face". Unfortunately, I have been unable to ever get any flavor from Horchata, although the shisha smells wonderful both in the tupperware & from the smoke coming from the bowl when I place the coals. I've never been able to get any flavor out of this shisha, even after going through nearly a kilogram of it. Tangiers is temperamental but worth it when you get all of the variables correct. I have an espresso machine like that...it's part of the fun for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcane Posted July 20, 2010 Share Posted July 20, 2010 [quote name='Atrox79' date='19 July 2010 - 01:36 PM' timestamp='1279582595' post='475652'] It could possibly be coal management. How does your shisha smell in the container? Do they smell like the flavor they are supposed to be? They shouldn't have *any* of that bbq/soy sauce smell anymore, otherwise I imagine they would be pretty flavorless while smoking.[/quote]some flavors will have the BBQ/tobacco smell, no matter what... [quote name='Atrox79' date='19 July 2010 - 01:36 PM' timestamp='1279582595' post='475652'] Unfortunately, I have been unable to ever get any flavor from Horchata, although the shisha smells wonderful both in the tupperware & from the smoke coming from the bowl when I place the coals. I've never been able to get any flavor out of this shisha, even after going through nearly a kilogram of it. [/quote] add more tobacco...and then add more heat.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hookahjon Posted July 20, 2010 Author Share Posted July 20, 2010 The BBQ smell is gone. I just smell deliciousness from the pineapple, a little more subtle fruitiness from the strawberry, and the indian stuff smells floral/fruity. As for the coals, I've tried a few configurations. I've tried coconut coals and 33m quick lites, using very little heat (producing light smoke) and heavier heat (lots of smoke, no burning) but always get mediocre flavor. I've found that breaking the coals up into smaller chunks and distributing them works pretty well for getting good smoke....using say 3 medium size coal lumps in 3 different locations on the bowl for example. It's hard to describe and I don't have a camera handy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porksandwich9113 Posted July 20, 2010 Share Posted July 20, 2010 I'd say pack tighter and higher to the tippy top of the bowl to where the foil goes. QL's are kinda shit for Tangiers if you ask me. Grab some Coconaras. Also, how are you poking your holes? How many, and location. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hookahjon Posted July 20, 2010 Author Share Posted July 20, 2010 [quote name='porksandwich9113' date='19 July 2010 - 09:46 PM' timestamp='1279590378' post='475659'] I'd say pack tighter and higher to the tippy top of the bowl to where the foil goes. QL's are kinda shit for Tangiers if you ask me. Grab some Coconaras. Also, how are you poking your holes? How many, and location. [/quote] I've tried a couple of different methods for the holes. I poked a ton of holes in a 'bulleye' without puncturing the center. Then I found another tutorial online that led me to just doing it like this: http://www.mattleach.com/tangiers/tangiers7.jpg They both work, but I like the configuration in that picture better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hookahjon Posted July 20, 2010 Author Share Posted July 20, 2010 just to update: i packed it dense and high with ungodly amounts of shisha. Faint fruity taste, good smoke. The flavor is ok, but mild...almost flavorless. It sort of tastes like Starbuzz that's just about done smoking. I'll be honest, getting Tangiers to smoke without burning my throat and lungs feels like a LOT of progress for me. Now I feel like I'm reaaal close to getting that Tangiers experience everyone talks about...it's just not quite there yet. by the way, thanks for all the intelligent and helpful responses. I'm glad no one asked me how the weather outside was when I acclimated, the dimensions of the container used when I acclimated, or whether I remembered to sacrifice a pig to the Tangier's gods, etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
king_lunchb0x Posted July 20, 2010 Share Posted July 20, 2010 maybe if u have some time take some pics on your step by step with your packing and final setup , maybe that will help. have you tried juse using a small egyptian bowl just to see if u can get any better flavor? i know it sounds dumb but if u get more flavor out of the other bowl that means thats its packing/heat if not then its something else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcane Posted July 20, 2010 Share Posted July 20, 2010 [quote name='hookahjon' date='19 July 2010 - 04:57 PM' timestamp='1279594677' post='475668'] just to update: i packed it dense and high with ungodly amounts of shisha. Faint fruity taste, good smoke. The flavor is ok, but mild...almost flavorless. It sort of tastes like Starbuzz that's just about done smoking. I'll be honest, getting Tangiers to smoke without burning my throat and lungs feels like a LOT of progress for me. Now I feel like I'm reaaal close to getting that Tangiers experience everyone talks about...it's just not quite there yet. by the way, thanks for all the intelligent and helpful responses. I'm glad no one asked me how the weather outside was when I acclimated, the dimensions of the container used when I acclimated, or whether I remembered to sacrifice a pig to the Tangier's gods, etc [/quote] what size tangiers bowl? and about how many bowls are you getting from a 250g? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryno Posted July 20, 2010 Share Posted July 20, 2010 With 33mm QLs, I usually split them in halves and use 3 halves for a small and 4 halves for a medium. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Universal Magnetic Posted July 20, 2010 Share Posted July 20, 2010 whenever im smoking tangiers, the juices from the tobacco seep slightly through the holes i poked coming into contact with the coal, how can i pack it so that its still touching the foil but not doing this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boludo Posted July 20, 2010 Share Posted July 20, 2010 you can pack a little less tobacco Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Universal Magnetic Posted July 20, 2010 Share Posted July 20, 2010 [quote name='boludo' date='20 July 2010 - 02:55 PM' timestamp='1279652130' post='475777'] you can pack a little less tobacco [/quote] barely use any (this only happens when using my HJ alien mini) on my regular tang small its fine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hookahjon Posted July 20, 2010 Author Share Posted July 20, 2010 well I've tried everything, and I get zero flavor. I just have very easy to smoke, bland shisha. maybe I did over acclimate the stuff and it lost all of its flavor? even still I spent ~$50 on this stuff, so I'm really hesitant to buy any more. it's very frustrating. If only someone on this forum lived in my area and was a Tangiers expert that wanted to smoke with a stranger:) I'm sure if I tried Tangiers the way it's supposed to taste, I'd be hooked Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ukhookah Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 For the same reason I've purcahsed lucid. I hear its more or less ready to smoke straight from bag Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boludo Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 [quote name='wesclrg' date='20 July 2010 - 04:05 PM' timestamp='1279656343' post='475782'] [quote name='boludo' date='20 July 2010 - 02:55 PM' timestamp='1279652130' post='475777'] you can pack a little less tobacco [/quote] barely use any (this only happens when using my HJ alien mini) on my regular tang small its fine [/quote] I think you answered your own question... the alien requires a lot less shisha than a regular phunnel, so try packing a little less than what you pack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcane Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 looks like the kamangahs with clear bohos are becoming quite popular... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boludo Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 seeing you avatar is very tempting!!! It is a very nice combo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antouwan Posted July 24, 2010 Share Posted July 24, 2010 wait. you didn't sacrifice a pig to the tangiers gods!? no wonder it isn't working! i don't have any imput man. i can't get that shit to acclimate right for the life of me. i just use lucid, which kind of breaks my heart :/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcane Posted July 25, 2010 Share Posted July 25, 2010 [quote name='antouwan' date='23 July 2010 - 10:56 PM' timestamp='1279961808' post='476138'] wait. you didn't sacrifice a pig to the tangiers gods!? no wonder it isn't working! i don't have any imput man. i can't get that shit to acclimate right for the life of me. i just use lucid, which kind of breaks my heart :/ [/quote] Flavors better in Lucid than Noir Indian Summer Passionfruit Static Starlight K-Cherry Sour Grape PIT Melon Blend Classic Raspberry Orange Soda Sour just my opinions, but yeah...don't feel too bad....just order those. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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