Pull Posted August 14, 2011 Share Posted August 14, 2011 (edited) So I have this awesome hookah which I got as a gift from overseas, with a beautiful flamingo stem (shaped like S) I've been using it since 2 years now, the other parts of the hookah shine like gold, but the stem I've never been able to clean since I got it, and now it started to smell like really bad. What made it worse is that I boiled the stem in hot water on the stove, thinking this will losen all the mold and shit inside, but now the stem turned into salty white color, [img]http://www.hookahforum.com/public/style_emoticons/default/facepalm.gif[/img] I think I ruined the electroplating paint, and now it looks ugly I need help with: - where to buy a hookah stem by itself, without even the attachments of the stem? OR - how do I clean the one that I have and continue to use it? with the S shape, I can't get any kind of brush inside the stem!!! A hookah that can not be cleaned, is better to be used for show only! PULL Edited August 14, 2011 by Pull Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vendetta_revived Posted August 14, 2011 Share Posted August 14, 2011 Buy stems here:- http://www.5starhookah.com/HOOKAH-STEMS_c67.htm You can also look for them on ultimatehookah.com/hookah-shisha.com/nazarhookah.com and you will have to match the opening of your vase to the stem, will definitely need to use a gasket for a perfect fit, so keep it in mind while matching the openings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pull Posted August 14, 2011 Author Share Posted August 14, 2011 They do have stems by itself, now I want to throw this wild question and ask if anyone sells part of the stem, not all of it, check the picture to see what I mean. I personally doubt that, but I needed to ask. This way I will use the part that goes inside the base, and the small part that holds the bowl. And I will only replace the middle part (the stupid S shape). I assume this will save me some money, by not buying the whole stem. PULL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vendetta_revived Posted August 14, 2011 Share Posted August 14, 2011 No, I don't think any vendor sells those. They are not detachable on most quality hookahs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chreees Posted August 14, 2011 Share Posted August 14, 2011 Well that seems like poor design... That's a poorer-quality Chinese hookah. I'm not sure how else you could clean the inside of the stem out other than soaking it in a mixture of water, baking soda, and lemon juice. Maybe some vinegar. If you can't clean it and look to replace it, go with the sites Vendetta mentioned already. All of them will get you a good quality hookah that you can clean as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pull Posted August 15, 2011 Author Share Posted August 15, 2011 I will try the water-lemon-baking soda-vinegar mixture first. Will soak it for a day, if it don't work, I will see about buying a new stem [img]http://www.hookahforum.com/public/style_emoticons/default/wallbash.gif[/img] Thank you for the info [img]http://www.hookahforum.com/public/style_emoticons/default/bye.gif[/img] PULL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhineholt Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 If you go to the hardware store you can probably find some pipe cleaners. That's what I use to clean my hookah. They're really flexible so they should work. Make sure you they'll fit in your hookah. I'd be more concerned with the mold that you say built up in it... I think you're best off just accepting the lose and getting a new stem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Epoch Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 I'd call that hookah finished.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pull Posted August 15, 2011 Author Share Posted August 15, 2011 rhineholt thanks dude, I never thought about that, they do have something for clogged sinks and pipes, it disolves hard stuff, so I guess it should work the hookah crap. I will close one end, and pour the dissolvent in the other end and let it sit for tow hours and see... :-) sooner or later I will have to buy a new one, for a peice of mind, but I gotta try to rescue mine first, before I declare it's dead [img]http://www.hookahforum.com/public/style_emoticons/default/girl_prepare_fish.gif[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheScotsman Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 Anhydrous citric acid granules will clean anything nasty out. Can get them anywhere that sells cheese making supplies. Adjust dilution to minimum that gets the job done. Works better than lemon juice, or vinegar, doesn't leave you hooka smelling like a failed experiment in making dill pickles. Too high of concentration turns brass green, and eats plating. What I would wonder, since it appears that the figure has no liner for the flue, what's that glorified chicken made out of? The mid east is not known for their safe metals practices. Just how much lead do you suppose is in that pot metal? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pull Posted August 15, 2011 Author Share Posted August 15, 2011 the chicken is just a hollow cover, heavy and could be made of lead, but the flue is made of brass, I can see it. I don't know, the cleaners might do some cleaning, but when you clean with a brush, it just feels right. I need to get a stright stem!!!!!!!!! This cleaning will be temp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chreees Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 Pretty sure it's made in China, not the Middle East... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuie Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 Just buy a new Mya and be done with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pull Posted August 15, 2011 Author Share Posted August 15, 2011 Has anyone tried a wooden stem? I used to have one 10 years ago, and I remember it was good, taste-wise, cool smoke, and the bubbling sound... if I know of any cylindrical grinders around me, I would make one. I still remember the design. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chreees Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 Regal Hookahs makes them, sold at HookahCompany.com. I've heard nothing but great things, but they are pricey. --- - Tapatalk'd via iPhone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pull Posted August 15, 2011 Author Share Posted August 15, 2011 It would be something like this picture. You're right, it's freaking pricey!! $250+ [quote name='INCUBUSRATM' timestamp='1313429961' post='519925'] Regal Hookahs makes them, sold at HookahCompany.com. I've heard nothing but great things, but they are pricey. --- - Tapatalk'd via iPhone [/quote] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mushrat Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 bring it to the prince, i may have a brush. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chreees Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 That picture looks like a nice hookah! Mush, you're the man! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhineholt Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 whoa hang on. i didnt mean like drano or anything. I meant something like this [img]http://britton.disted.camosun.bc.ca/pipecleaners.gif[/img] except not as dumb looking... they have wider ones so it should be able to clean out your stem. it works on my mya qt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
â€On Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 Honestly, just buy a new hookah. You are opening the door to trouble by smoking out of something you can not properly clean (like, lung infection bad). A new, quality hookah (KM, MYA, Nour, etc.) will not only be safer to use, but will smoke better as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r1v3th3ad Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 If you are deadset on cleaning and keeping this hookah: I recommend stopping at a musical instrument shop. Ask them for the snake brush used for cleaning a trumpet. That will have no problem navigating the S of your hookah. Wood stem pipes are nice, but as I have noticed and has been recommended by some middle eastern friends from my alma mater, it is good to use them for one flavor or flavor theme. Reason: the wood absorbs the flavor over time. I have an antique hookah that has a wood stem. I only used it for Desi Murli and Double Apple. But another problem is that the wood will eventually deteriorate and rot away. My friend's dad made me an exact replica wood stem, that I have yet to use, and threw out the moldy/deteriorated original. If you want a good quality wood stem, check out Iraqi and Iranian hookahs...I'm pretty sure the Regal actually has a metal downstem through the middle, not solid wood. One thing I do like about a wood stem is if you want less draw you can always make the stem wider bore with the right tools. I however, would recommend picking up a new pipe, such as a Mya(only quality chinese made pipes), Syrian such as Nawras and Nour, or Egyptian such as Khalil Mamoon or Magdy Zidan, and using the old one as a decorative piece Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rani Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 Step 1: Buy new hookah. Step 2: Take the chicken hookah to a metal shop that can re-plate it. Step 3: Turn the chicken hookah into a lamp while smoking the new one. Problem solved. 'Rani EDIT: Yes, I know it's a peacock, but I like Scotsman's description better! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pull Posted August 16, 2011 Author Share Posted August 16, 2011 So I gave up on cleaning this hookah, I managed to get a shoelace through the stem, and it did some cleaning with water and soap, but still smells, and what about the next time I smoke? it is just pain in the ass cleaning it after each session. My friend is coming from Iraq on October, I will ask him for a wooden stem, they make it there for the local market, I guess few people prefer it, and so it's cheap, around $20 to $25 max for the stem, quality might not be as good as the one in the picture, but still wooden and works... r1v3th3ad, I agree with you, if you take a close look at Regal wooden stems, they might [i]look[/i] like wooden, so tricky, but the wood only covers the metal flue, nice looking, but you won't experience the original wooden hookah. I also agree with your friend, wooden hookah tastes different, and might need extra cleaning because wood can host nasty stuff if not cleaned consistently and dried after use. I grew up going to my dad's carpenter workshop, and I always loved the smell of fresh cut wood, that's may be why I miss the taste of smoke and wood tg [img]http://www.hookahforum.com/public/style_emoticons/default/nyam1.gif[/img] Will hold on with the chicken hookah until I get the wooden one, will post a picture whenever I get it. i hope[img]http://www.hookahforum.com/public/style_emoticons/default/yahoo.gif[/img]. Will put the chicken hookah for sale at then Thanks again folks for the info, really helped to decide, hope nobody will make the mistake of buying a non-straight hookah, however they look attempting. PULL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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