Blakefox Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 I probably just need a little review on the cleaning methods, but After having my hookah and using it very often for about 2-2 1/2 years, It seems to have started building up some type of rust or something ( the color is different inside of the stem). It also has seemed to ghost over time, I have 10-15 flavors,and they all go on the same hookah. Is there any way to restore my beauty to Its original condition? I dont have a camera, but the inside of the stem is orangish, and I dont think thats normal. Will switching to a different material hookah prevent this problem in the future? I have a KM Orig Trimetal and I use a newer hose ( like 1 month old ). I usually let it soak for a couple hours in a bathtub with baking soda and lemon juice, which cleans the vase perfect, and leave it to dry on the back patio. I lay the stem sideways on the table, so the wind can pass through it. I'm not sure what else to do, besides get a second hookah. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mushrat Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 um...sound like a good method to me. Get a stem brush and get anything left on the inside of the stems out. As for a listtle discoloration, some steel wool should do the job id guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skoozle Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 I use a head gasket to "connect" my stem to the faucet to force hot water through my stem. I think this is better than just soaking, although I'm sure a stem brush would be better than both. Dry your stem upright. Gravity > wind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blakefox Posted March 9, 2011 Author Share Posted March 9, 2011 I use the stem brush in the beginning and end. idk how id get steel wool in there, I guess I could mold onto the brush too. The only part i dont clean fully is the hose part, since i cant get the stem brush to bend that way. But even after the cleaning, once it dries, it seems the smell and taste come back, somewhat i coppery taste i guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blakefox Posted March 9, 2011 Author Share Posted March 9, 2011 I'd only be asking since it is such a bad, noticable taste, and its not like a heating problem, it has the smell and taste before use. Its bad enought to affect the taste of my shisha, so I'd really need some advice on this one. If need-be, I will get another hookah. If so, then futre advice to prevent this form happeneing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blakefox Posted March 9, 2011 Author Share Posted March 9, 2011 [quote] Gravity > wind. [/quote] Good point, that may help a bit. I sometimes use the extended faucet in the sink for a quick clean up, hot water too of course, but agian, it smells alright while its washed, then once it dries, it seems to get that stale taste. Would soap maybe help? I've never used soap, I've always been afraid itd not fully come off inside and screw up a session. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blakefox Posted March 9, 2011 Author Share Posted March 9, 2011 As for the new hookah if needed, does the OG Tri-metal use a copper stem inside? Because, if that is the part that caused this issue, what other company makes hookah with a different material? I'm not a fan of glass hookahs, i travel too much with it. I would love a heavy duty Nawras or even a Nour, I've never used a syrian hookah. but, idk if they are built with a differwent material stem. Or if even the stem is actually the problem at all, maybe its te water I'm using? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cotsi95 Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 [quote name='Blakefox' timestamp='1299693771' post='500773'] As for the new hookah if needed, does the OG Tri-metal use a copper stem inside? Because, if that is the part that caused this issue, what other company makes hookah with a different material? I'm not a fan of glass hookahs, i travel too much with it. I would love a heavy duty Nawras or even a Nour, I've never used a syrian hookah. but, idk if they are built with a differwent material stem. Or if even the stem is actually the problem at all, maybe its te water I'm using? [/quote] do you have hard water where you live? Try using some dish soap and hot water, it wont hurt anything. The og tri does not have a copper down stem. Some newer km's as well as the pharaonie use copper dowstems but they need to be cleaned before and after each session as the copper will oxidize. When you use the stem brush is the water turning any color? ps IF you do decide to get rid of it let me know im interested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blakefox Posted March 9, 2011 Author Share Posted March 9, 2011 [quote] When you use the stem brush is the water turning any color?[/quote] Alittle orangish if whater is poured through if I remember right, hadnt used it in 2 months since its gotten so noticable, and ive been going to alot of hookahbars. I live in florida, i'm not sure if its actually the water. I drink the water sometimes if i dont feel like grabbing a water bottle, so it cant be that bad. But the water is the only other thing I can think of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HookahLover25 Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 Why don't you start using Baking soda to remove the smell from the stem? I use it on my stem and vases while cleaning em. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blakefox Posted March 9, 2011 Author Share Posted March 9, 2011 [quote] I usually let it soak for a couple hours in a bathtub with baking soda and lemon juice[/quote] I do, one of the other useful tips ive extracted from this forum. I remember when I had my pumpkin hookah and just started lookin on this forum, how funny the idea of someone showering with their hookahs because they were too big to fit in the sink. I thought, ill never do that. Little did I know, I'd start drawing baths and adding in all the fixin's just for my hookah to soak in. Weird how things turn out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cotsi95 Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 soaking a stem is not really that good for it just fyi. Try making a paste with the baking soda and using it on the stem brush. Its hard for me to believe but u might have rust inside the stem since you let it soak in the bath for hours on end but i cant say without pics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chreees Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 Sounds like you're doing it all right, so not sure what it could be... Strange. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
king_lunchb0x Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 [quote name='cotsi95' timestamp='1299713267' post='500808'] soaking a stem is not really that good for it just fyi. Try making a paste with the baking soda and using it on the stem brush. Its hard for me to believe but u might have rust inside the stem since you let it soak in the bath for hours on end but i cant say without pics. [/quote] im leaning more towards this diagnosis. letting it lay flat with constant water lemon juice and baking soda over over may have finally gotten to the down stem. I hate to say it but most likely new stem may be the best way. As a last resort maybe: I believe apple cider vinegar eats rust pretty good. but you would need to let it sit in their for a while and after letting it soak the inside you have to get a stiff coarse brush to really scrub and agitate the rest of the rust. Then wash with soap and water few times then get some of a paper towel through the entire stem to dry and let stand vertically to dry the rest. but i am not sure how much ghosting the vinegar would leave. like I said last resort kind of thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blakefox Posted March 10, 2011 Author Share Posted March 10, 2011 [quote]letting it lay flat with constant water lemon juice and baking soda over over may have finally gotten to the down stem.[/quote] Would make sense.I guess that couldnt be too good for it. So thank you very much everyone. In summary, no more soaking, air dry vertically, and use a baking powder lemon juice paste to clean. I suppose I'll just keep the og trimetal as a display peice. It's my first egyptian and my first real hookah. Wouldnt want it smelling like vinegar, so I guess I'll just purchase a new hookah soon. Any idea when or if the Narwas are coming back in stock? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blakefox Posted March 10, 2011 Author Share Posted March 10, 2011 Sorry if this is a bit off topic now, but I though Narwas were reknown for their weight, but the heaviest is only 2.75 lbs, while the HM kamanja wheat [url="http://hookahjohn.com/KM-Kamanja-WHEAT-Artist-Double-Heart-2076T.htm"]http://hookahjohn.com/KM-Kamanja-WHEAT-Artist-Double-Heart-2076T.htm[/url] weighs...3.7 lbs. Is that a typo or am I missing something? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blakefox Posted March 10, 2011 Author Share Posted March 10, 2011 *renown And I'm only asking this because I had my all towards eventually getting one of these. And now I'm actually getting a new hookah and can afford it and all. But I'm not really sure the difference now, besides it being syrian. What is the difference ? I know its rare, and they look very nice, but for all 4 of the shown types are sold out. Why? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vendetta_revived Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 This is a bit off topic too, but before you spend $150 on a hookah, you might want to look at the stuff available in the trades section here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilikemyusername Posted March 11, 2011 Share Posted March 11, 2011 would it be possible that you're over cleaning the downstem? you said you let it sit with lemon and all that AND you use a stem brush. Is it possible that you've overcleaned it removing all petina leaving you with fresh exposed metal? brand new pennies do not smell like something I would want to smoke. maybe just let it sit for a bit and let the metal lose it metal taste. Just a thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cotsi95 Posted March 11, 2011 Share Posted March 11, 2011 [quote name='ilikemyusername' timestamp='1299804835' post='500958'] would it be possible that you're over cleaning the downstem? you said you let it sit with lemon and all that AND you use a stem brush. Is it possible that you've overcleaned it removing all petina leaving you with fresh exposed metal? brand new pennies do not smell like something I would want to smoke. maybe just let it sit for a bit and let the metal lose it metal taste. Just a thought. [/quote] I would possibly agree with that except on OG tri's the downstem is SS not copper so there is no reason that over cleaning would cause the taste. But its worth a shot to smoke a few bowls out of it without cleaning it (Just rinsing with water) and see what happens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chreees Posted March 11, 2011 Share Posted March 11, 2011 I saw you mentioned Nawras hookahs. HJ is out of them, but these popped up on eBay and so far the people who have bought them have been more than satisfied. They are legit, no doubt about it. I love mine, even though my KM OG Trimetal smokes a little bit better (wider draw). Great hookah, and I'm glad I picked it up. http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=Nawras+hookah&_sacat=See-All-Categories Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blakefox Posted March 17, 2011 Author Share Posted March 17, 2011 [quote name='Skoozle' timestamp='1299692623' post='500768'] I use a head gasket to "connect" my stem to the faucet to force hot water through my stem. I think this is better than just soaking, although I'm sure a stem brush would be better than both. Dry your stem upright. Gravity > wind. [/quote] Now I think about it, How will my stem stand upright to dry lol? Unless its in the base. But then thats not proper drying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rahl071 Posted March 17, 2011 Share Posted March 17, 2011 i hang mine. I have a length of string tied around a towel rack; i just tie a knot under the tray support and hang it. You can also run a volatile substance (such as 90% isopropyl alcohol) to make it dry faster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vendetta_revived Posted March 17, 2011 Share Posted March 17, 2011 Or you can just lean it against something, you know...it doesn't have to be perpendicular to the ground. Or just empty the base and put it in it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilikemyusername Posted March 18, 2011 Share Posted March 18, 2011 if the downstem is orangeish and its stainless steel then it's rust. Get some stuff called bar keepers friend, make a paste out of it, coat your stem brush in it and scrub it out, it should come out clean as new. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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