Vortex Bowl Flavor?

[Dan]

Hey guys, I'm having trouble getting good flavor from Fantasia out of my new vortex bowl. It either doesn't generate a lot of smoke or it burns on top and stays moist on the bottom. Either way, I'm not satisfied with the flavor at all. I've tried packing it low to avoid burning it, but then it takes a lot of heat to get going. Any tips?

[kbCorruption]

It sounds to me like you are either not getting good airflow or your heat management is very poor. You probably need more heat. How many coals and what kind do you use? I usually use 2 and a half cocos on a vortex depending on what kind of tobacco. Make sure you are ashing your coals enough so the ash buildup does not get in the way of heat transfer.

Pack loosely. Pack it all the way the top of the bowl, but not overflowing. It is okay if the shisha touches foil a little bit. Poke your holes all the way to the bottom of the bowl. Blow and suck air through the bottom of the bowl to ensure good airflow. If you start feeling a tickle in your throat, it is time to ash and rotate your coals so the shisha doesn't burn. Also might want to leak test your hookah. Get it all setup but leave the head off the hookah. Cover the opening where your bowl goes, then try to suck through the hose port. If you can draw air, your hookah has a leak. A common place for leaks to occur are around the hose ports. Also check to see that your ball bearing is getting a proper seal in your purge valve ( if you have one). I have been successful patching leaks with Mighty Mend it, which is a putty that you kneed together and it then hardens very quickly.

Also it is normal to have moist shisha on the bottom of your vortex bowl. the juices all collect on the bottom there. You really have to go to town on a vortex bowl to cook all the shisha completely. Most people cash a bowl before that happens because the flavor starts to get really weak.

[Dan]

I use pharaoh quicklights, I can't use natural coals because I don't have a stove at my dorm. I've found two coals burn it, and one doesn't heat it enough, so I tried 1 and half tonight, and its the best results I've had so far, but still not much flavor. From what you've said I'm guessing my problem is airflow. I know the hookah has no leaks, so I think your tip about poking holes all the way to the bottom is gonna be my solution. Thanks a bunch, I'll test it out next time I smoke, probably tommorow.

[Epoch]

Vortex is an easy bowl to manage. Fill it up to the top, loose or tight packing both work, make sure the airholes aren't blocked up.

[Reynart]

[quote name='Epoch' timestamp='1292289662' post='491208']
Vortex is an easy bowl to manage. Fill it up to the top, loose or tight packing both work, make sure the airholes aren't blocked up.
[/quote]

This (but I've found light to mid pack work best), only use one coal, and use a wind cover (or makeshift wind cover) to get the bowl started then take it off. I found that my vortex bowl loves heat to start, but once it gets going it's a champ. I use one instant light (Three Kings 40mm) or two Coconaras.

[jorlyfish]

Fantasia is a pretty loose pack from what I remember... Just kind of plop it in there, don't actually pack it down.