A Few Newbie Questions About Preparation Of A Good Hookah

[Moki]

Hi again guys,

in my continuous effort to flood the forum with newbie questions, I'm going to have a few questions about hookah preparation. As I mentioned, while I am long time smoker, I'm still quite new to "clever" hookah scene, and I've never heard some hints you mentioned.

So:
[list=1]
[*]Everytime I read about preparation of hookah (usually on websites of online shops), they say that tobacco should never touch the foil (it should be about 3mm under). [size=2]On the other hand, I've read on forums (here included) that it doesn't matter, and some of pics you guys posted show absolutely full bowl. So, what is right the way? I thought that tobacco burns out and tastes "ashy" if you let it touch the foil. [/size]
[*][size=2][size=4]How many layers of foil you guys use? When I was new to hookahs, I used one or two, but it absolutely destroys the tobacco in minutes. Now I'm going with 6-8. Is that fine? I realize it differs from tobacco you use, bowl and whatnot, but I'm sure you've got some tips. [/size][/size]
[*][size=2][size=4]Is molasses any useful when you use it just before you smoke? It's intended to be used on new tobacco and consumed, say, few days after. Does it help at all if I just spill it on just before I smoke? Also, what's your opinion on molasses, are they really helpful? [/size][/size]
[*][size=2][size=4]Cleaning of hookah - how often? I am used to wash mine with water everytime after a session, but I've read that some people are doing it every 10 or so sessions and they are fine. So..? [/size][/size]
[*][size=2][size=4]What is the heat management everyone talks about? I realize it's probably the way you handle coals, foil, bowl preparation and whatnot, but can you be more specific? [/size][/size]
[*][size=2][size=4]Does tobacco degrade a lot when if it's open for more than month or so? I have mine in steam stones boxes (they are awesomely handy for that!), but it's getting quite dry after few weeks. [/size][/size]
[/list]

[size=2][size=4]I'll add more questions later when, when I recall them [/size][/size]

[size=2][size=4]Thanks for your time![/size][/size]

[S3cretz]

1. You need to decide this for yourself. I prefer Some tobaccos touching the foil. Others not.
2. 1 Layer heavy weight. 2 layers for nakhla
3. Just chuck some molasses on the tobacco and you get more smoke. However its not really as easy as that.
4. AFTER EVERY USE. PERIOD are you gonna drink out of the same cup without washing it for weeks. Atleast rinse
5. The way you handle your coals move it around place them amount of coals you use ect. (This is something you teach yourself noone can teach it to you)
6. I keep my tobacco in a humidifier Edited October 19, 2011 by S3cretz

[vendetta_revived]

Please refer to this thread.

http://www.hookahforum.com/topic/40373-beginners-guide-to-hookah/

It should answer most of your questions. If not, then ask again. Why do you use 6-8 layers of foil? that's unheard of!

[Hellz]

holy shit 6-8 layers of foil?! Are you kidding me?!

[Fouda]

[quote name='Hellz' timestamp='1319026781' post='528274']
holy shit 6-8 layers of foil?! Are you kidding me?!
[/quote]

You tools the words outta my mouth Hellz! Ya 6-8 is ridiculous I rarely ever use two. One is fine and shouldn't burn your shisha

[Moki]

There goes my dream of depleting world sources of Aluminium. I'm not sure why I do that, I always felt like tobacco is burning when I used just one or two foils, thus I started using more. Next session, I'll try just 2 then.

@ vendetta_revived: I've read through that and while it's a great thread, it doesn't answer my questions, thus I made a new post.

Moving coals is great, but usually ash falls though holes in foil and it tastes blah.

[Epoch]

Whoa, okay. Here goes!

1 - I used to think that the tobacco shouldn't touch the foil until I tried otherwise. Fill the bowl ALL the way to the top. It makes everything better, heat management is easier with a full bowl, smoke is thicker, flavor is stronger.

2 - One layer is all I ever use, even with fairly thin foil. Although I prefer heavy duty foil. Two layers of thin foil should be the max you'll ever need.

3 - Not sure what this question is asking... So I'll guess! Mix your tobacco and molasses evenly before packing the bowl.

4 - Clean it every time. At least give it a rinse every time.

5 - Heat management! Alright, start low with your number of coals, and always start with them on the edge of the bowl. Save the center for last.

6 - Getting DRY after a few weeks?? You need new, air-tight packaging for your tobacco. Plastic zip-lock bags are great, so are food storage containers. Tobacco should stay wet and fresh for YEARS if it's fully sealed.

[vendetta_revived]

[quote name='Moki' timestamp='1319021601' post='528267']
Hi again guys,

in my continuous effort to flood the forum with newbie questions, I'm going to have a few questions about hookah preparation. As I mentioned, while I am long time smoker, I'm still quite new to "clever" hookah scene, and I've never heard some hints you mentioned.

So:
[list=1]
[*]Everytime I read about preparation of hookah (usually on websites of online shops), they say that tobacco should never touch the foil (it should be about 3mm under). [size=2]On the other hand, I've read on forums (here included) that it doesn't matter, and some of pics you guys posted show absolutely full bowl. So, what is right the way? I thought that tobacco burns out and tastes "ashy" if you let it touch the foil. [/size]
[*][size=2][size=4]How many layers of foil you guys use? When I was new to hookahs, I used one or two, but it absolutely destroys the tobacco in minutes. Now I'm going with 6-8. Is that fine? I realize it differs from tobacco you use, bowl and whatnot, but I'm sure you've got some tips. [/size][/size]
[*][size=2][size=4]Is molasses any useful when you use it just before you smoke? It's intended to be used on new tobacco and consumed, say, few days after. Does it help at all if I just spill it on just before I smoke? Also, what's your opinion on molasses, are they really helpful? [/size][/size]
[*][size=2][size=4]Cleaning of hookah - how often? I am used to wash mine with water everytime after a session, but I've read that some people are doing it every 10 or so sessions and they are fine. So..? [/size][/size]
[*][size=2][size=4]What is the heat management everyone talks about? I realize it's probably the way you handle coals, foil, bowl preparation and whatnot, but can you be more specific? [/size][/size]
[*][size=2][size=4]Does tobacco degrade a lot when if it's open for more than month or so? I have mine in steam stones boxes (they are awesomely handy for that!), but it's getting quite dry after few weeks. [/size][/size]
[/list]

[size=2][size=4]I'll add more questions later when, when I recall them [/size][/size]

[size=2][size=4]Thanks for your time![/size][/size]
[/quote]

1. Depends on the tobacco you're smoking. I smoke AF mainly and IMHO, it smokes better when touching the foil. What bowl are you using and what tobacco?

2. 1 layer of heavy duty foil should be enough, may be 2 if it's regular foil. If you are burnng the tobacco in minutes, you're probably using wayyy more heat than required. How many coals are you using?

3. I've never had to use extra molasses. Again, what tobacco is it?

4. How often do you clean the dishes you eat your food off? Cleaning after every session is recommended, and will elongate the life of your hookah.

5. Heat management refers to managing your coals to get the optimum smoke+flavour out of your tobacco. It differs from tobacco to tobacco and bowl to bowl. Trial and error is the only way to learn.

6. It differs from brand to brand and flavours to flavours within those brands. Ideally you should use air tight containers to store your tobacco.

So essentially, describe your entire setup - hookah, bowl, coals, tobacco and we will be able to help you better. Good luck!

[Moki]

Thanks all for answers!

I smoke AF or Nakhla, that's pretty much best tobacco I can get here. No Tangiers, sorry guys!
I am using one big quickie, usually 3x1/3 or 2x1/2. I think it's 50mm.
Yep, I was doing that after every session, I've just heard it's unnecessary (which sounded weird anyways).
And I am using Steam stones boxes for tobacco, not sure if that's really air-tight stuff. But yeah, it's not really dry, but it's not wet either.

[Moki]

[quote name='Moki' timestamp='1319059391' post='528336']
Thanks all for answers!

I smoke AF or Nakhla, that's pretty much best tobacco I can get here. No Tangiers, sorry guys!
I am using one big quickie, usually 3x1/3 or 2x1/2. I think it's 50mm.
Yep, I was doing that after every session, I've just heard it's unnecessary (which sounded weird anyways).
And I am using Steam stones boxes for tobacco, not sure if that's really air-tight stuff. But yeah, it's not really dry, but it's not wet either.

Bowl: [url="http://www.aladin-shop.cz/components/com_virtuemart/shop_image/product/cb3fc1224c48d6b2c3ccea76041da48d.jpg"]This sheety bowl[/url]
Hookah: Aladin Mystery, afaik. No longer produced.
Coals: No idea, some random quickies. 5cm.
Tobacco: NF or Nakhla, sometimes stones.
[/quote]

[mustang67n]

for a bowl similar to that w/ AF, I used to use one small QL.

the large QL even split up may be causing too much heat for you. try using 2x 1/3 of the big QL. or 1x 1/2. if you can get good clouds and flavor with less, why use more? start with less and work your way up to more coal if it's necessary. heat management is always a balancing act but once you've got it down, its easy breezy

[magick777]

Moki, if you're ordering from German/Austrian suppliers anyway, it's worth mentioning that the precut foils from Alufoil and/or Aladin are worth their weight in gold, and one layer is quite enough.

As to leaving an air gap - I've done this with some success, but I now don't bother. It's a good way of applying more heat than you should while delaying scorching - producing a ton of smoke in a hurry - but it can be unpredictable, still sometimes scorches, and isn't necessarily the best way to avoid burning your bowl.

Try relying more on constant, conducted heat (through the bowl and tightly packed shisha) and less on convected heat, put your coals more on the bowl than the shisha and wait for it to heat up. Try waiting ten full minutes with the coals on the rim of your bowl before you even take a hit, see if that helps...

[A13lackFish]

[quote name='Moki' timestamp='1319021601' post='528267']
Hi again guys,

in my continuous effort to flood the forum with newbie questions, I'm going to have a few questions about hookah preparation. As I mentioned, while I am long time smoker, I'm still quite new to "clever" hookah scene, and I've never heard some hints you mentioned.

So:
[list=1]
[*]Everytime I read about preparation of hookah (usually on websites of online shops), they say that tobacco should never touch the foil (it should be about 3mm under). [size=2]On the other hand, I've read on forums (here included) that it doesn't matter, and some of pics you guys posted show absolutely full bowl. So, what is right the way? I thought that tobacco burns out and tastes "ashy" if you let it touch the foil. [/size]
[*][size=2][size=4]How many layers of foil you guys use? When I was new to hookahs, I used one or two, but it absolutely destroys the tobacco in minutes. Now I'm going with 6-8. Is that fine? I realize it differs from tobacco you use, bowl and whatnot, but I'm sure you've got some tips. [/size][/size]
[*][size=2][size=4]Is molasses any useful when you use it just before you smoke? It's intended to be used on new tobacco and consumed, say, few days after. Does it help at all if I just spill it on just before I smoke? Also, what's your opinion on molasses, are they really helpful? [/size][/size]
[*][size=2][size=4]Cleaning of hookah - how often? I am used to wash mine with water everytime after a session, but I've read that some people are doing it every 10 or so sessions and they are fine. So..? [/size][/size]
[*][size=2][size=4]What is the heat management everyone talks about? I realize it's probably the way you handle coals, foil, bowl preparation and whatnot, but can you be more specific? [/size][/size]
[*][size=2][size=4]Does tobacco degrade a lot when if it's open for more than month or so? I have mine in steam stones boxes (they are awesomely handy for that!), but it's getting quite dry after few weeks. [/size][/size]
[/list]

[size=2][size=4]I'll add more questions later when, when I recall them [/size][/size]

[size=2][size=4]Thanks for your time![/size][/size]
[/quote]

1) It should not touch as you are "cooking" the shisha not burning it. Thus it should have a little distance above the shisha to just give a heat flow to the shisha. It wont matter if you let it touch, but it will last longer and have a fuller taste throughout if it doesn't.

2) 1 layer of foil, lmao at the 5-6... use reynolds or another brand of Heavy Duty foil.

3) Just use the shisha as is, don't add home use molasses.

4) I usually clean mine every 3 sessions or so. Use a long brush to clean the stem, for the base use 90% rubbing alcohol, dawn dish soap, salt, and hot water... swish it around until the bubbles are gone.

5) Heat management means you need to rotate the coals as you smoke as to not burn the shisha. Rotate every 10-20 minutes on average and keep the coals well placed on the bowl, not all in the center.

6) Shisha wont go bad if it drys out, it may be a little bit difficult to cook initially though. You should keep it packaged if possible or placed in a tupperware container to maintain "freshness"

[joytron]

[quote name='S3cretz' timestamp='1319024136' post='528270']
1. You need to decide this for yourself. I prefer Some tobaccos touching the foil. Others not.
2. 1 Layer heavy weight. 2 layers for nakhla
3. Just chuck some molasses on the tobacco and you get more smoke. However its not really as easy as that.
4. AFTER EVERY USE. PERIOD are you gonna drink out of the same cup without washing it for weeks. Atleast rinse
5. The way you handle your coals move it around place them amount of coals you use ect. (This is something you teach yourself noone can teach it to you)
6. I keep my tobacco in a humidifier
[/quote]
Why would you use more foil for a higher heat tolerant tobacco?

[S3cretz]

[quote name='joytron' timestamp='1319076036' post='528382']
[quote name='S3cretz' timestamp='1319024136' post='528270']
1. You need to decide this for yourself. I prefer Some tobaccos touching the foil. Others not.
2. 1 Layer heavy weight. 2 layers for nakhla
3. Just chuck some molasses on the tobacco and you get more smoke. However its not really as easy as that.
4. AFTER EVERY USE. PERIOD are you gonna drink out of the same cup without washing it for weeks. Atleast rinse
5. The way you handle your coals move it around place them amount of coals you use ect. (This is something you teach yourself noone can teach it to you)
6. I keep my tobacco in a humidifier
[/quote]
Why would you use more foil for a higher heat tolerant tobacco?
[/quote]
So I can put like six coals on it XD
more like 3 or 4... but thats just the way I like it