Alien Phunnel Bowl?

[Yasseah]

So I've got a small Tangiers Phunnel but it holds a little too much tobacco I think.

I've read good things about them. On Hookah John's site, it says it's for smoking for 40-60 minutes. On forums and such, I've read that it smokes for 2 hours. Guess it depends on a number of things like the shisha, how you pack/prepare it, etc.

So how are these? Will it fit on a Mya Vortex?

[Venger]

with the right grommet any bowl is likely to fit any hookah. as far as size use the tealight mod to save tobacco. I use it all the time.for 30-60 min smokes
Ray

[Chreees]

I had the Alien and wasn't a fan.

[dizzbizz]

There was a bunch of hype over it when it came out. Looked bad ass but I've never tried one. Heard they're pretty good though.

[Josh Hamilton]

I use it for Tangiers...it can last 2 days/3 hours / also for single flavors (mizo) a good 40min smoke
I also have the small phunnel and I think it holds too much tobacco...its kinda too deep

[ih303]

I say get one. Aliens smoke great if you understand how they differ from regular phunnels.

See, while the diameter of the Alien is similar to that of a small phunnel, it is much shallower. This means it holds significantly less tobacco than a larger bowl. Also, I've sold a lot at my lounge and have noticed that the height of the inverse phunnel in the middle is not consistent. In fact, I've had to alter the way I pack my aliens based on this fact.

If you were to pack an Alien just to the top, you'd probably be looking at using ~20g of tobacco. The way I pack it, I use about 30g give or take. To make up for the inconsistent phunnel heights, I overpack it to help raise the foil up higher. But this then creates a problem with my typical hole pattern.

Normally I poke two concentric rings of holes around the outside of the bowl on phunnels. But with the Alien I've found this simply isn't enough so I generally go to three rings. This provides adequate airflow, but depending on the characteristics of the tobacco you're using, you may still deal with foil sag.

Rather than poking holes in the center of the bowl to reduce sag (which also dilutes the smoke), I take a metal skewer, insert it into one of the holes around the rim of the bowl, and run it across the top [b]under the foil[/b] so that it holds it up. And viola! Great smoke, less tobacco use, and easy draw.

(If this sounds complicated, It's really not once you do it. But it is the best way I've found to smoke an Alien.)

[Yasseah]

[quote name='ih303' timestamp='1284474654' post='482131']
I say get one. Aliens smoke great if you understand how they differ from regular phunnels.

See, while the diameter of the Alien is similar to that of a small phunnel, it is much shallower. This means it holds significantly less tobacco than a larger bowl. Also, I've sold a lot at my lounge and have noticed that the height of the inverse phunnel in the middle is not consistent. In fact, I've had to alter the way I pack my aliens based on this fact.

If you were to pack an Alien just to the top, you'd probably be looking at using ~20g of tobacco. The way I pack it, I use about 30g give or take. To make up for the inconsistent phunnel heights, I overpack it to help raise the foil up higher. But this then creates a problem with my typical hole pattern.

Normally I poke two concentric rings of holes around the outside of the bowl on phunnels. But with the Alien I've found this simply isn't enough so I generally go to three rings. This provides adequate airflow, but depending on the characteristics of the tobacco you're using, you may still deal with foil sag.

Rather than poking holes in the center of the bowl to reduce sag (which also dilutes the smoke), I take a metal skewer, insert it into one of the holes around the rim of the bowl, and run it across the top [b]under the foil[/b] so that it holds it up. And viola! Great smoke, less tobacco use, and easy draw.

(If this sounds complicated, It's really not once you do it. But it is the best way I've found to smoke an Alien.)
[/quote]


Hmm. Yeah I hate poking a hole in the center of the foil too. My biggest beef with the Tangiers phunnel design is that the central hole comes up about as high as the rim, making foil sag a problem. I have a tangiers knock-off that works much better because the central hole doesn't come up as high as the ridge, completely eliminating the issue of foil sag and eliminating any need to poke holes in the center or jerry-rig it in any way(electric/plumber's tape around the foil to keep it tight, etc, etc) But it's too big too and I can't find it in smaller sizes.

So I take it that foil sag is an issue with the alien, too? Is the central hole lower than the rim?

[ih303]

[quote name='Yasseah' timestamp='1284482681' post='482152']
So I take it that foil sag is an issue with the alien, too? Is the central hole lower than the rim?
[/quote]

Similar to the Tangiers bowls, it just depends on which one you happen to get. Some are lower/higher than others.

Like I said, if you use a skewer (like the ones that come with Mya tongs), you'll never have that problem again.

[boludo]

I would spend the money in a crown bowl (either the crown classic or the micro funnel). They are more expensive than the alien, but smoke a million times better.

[Yasseah]

[quote name='boludo' timestamp='1284560738' post='482237']
I would spend the money in a crown bowl (either the crown classic or the micro funnel). They are more expensive than the alien, [b]but smoke a million times better[/b].
[/quote]

Hmm, I was looking at those too. How/why do they smoke so much better?

[boludo]

flavor last longer, easier to pack, bigger clouds, more durable, and uses less tobacco. Edited September 15, 2010 by boludo

[Stuie]

I would grab a crown bowl instead. I like the alien, but i just wasn't a huge fan. Since it broke I haven't missed it.

[king_lunchb0x]

the alien isnt to bad i personally dont use mine as much as i use too. with a normal 3 ring pattern or lots of holes the smoke to me becomes super harsh because it boils up and over the foil coming into direct contact with the bottom of the coal (or at least i think so..burns like hell on my throat with tang and AF). I use it with anything that is fairly dry or sticky like nak/mizo/sb/al-waha. Edited September 15, 2010 by king_lunchb0x

[mavsfan31]

I love mine, though I understand it's not for everyone.

I prefer my small when I have time to smoke that long, though.