First Tangiers Phunnel Arrived, Few Questions!

[Floataround]

So I decided to drop the vortex and get an tangiers phunnel..got a small, and an HJ mini alien for sessions by myself. So, I do have some questions...

Whats the general opinion on hole patterns for phunnels? For my vortex I did 3 circle rings, small holes never going to the bottom of the bowl. I did something similar, except I went to the bottom of the bowl making my holes bigger (I use a tooth pick) and poked a hole in the center over the spire. I packed it full and fluffy with dragons breath fantasia, and it smoked great through the first round of coals (3 coconaras, windcover off and on at different times).


On the second round though, which usually is better then the first with my vortex, the flavor started to die, and it got a little rough at times. I could still do full pulls, but it was noticiable. I quit a few minutes after I flipped my coals because the flavor had really dropped. I burned probably about 75% of the mu'assal , but at the bottom and in a few spots though out there was some that looked just fine. I really feel like this is due to my packing and hole pattern over anything else.

So, as I learn to use this bowl ( I expect it to be my main one for groups, and my Alien for solo sessions), what can I do to improve?

[joelhookah]

Phunnels me and my friends found a pattern online that works amazingly for us. We use a toothpick and poke 20 holes. 2 rings, outer has 12 holes, inner has 8 holes. Since we have used this we have never looked back. We just pierce the foil, don't push it through the shisha or anything. No hole in the center. As far as how tight to pack, with a funnel I don't pack it tight, but not particularly loose. I don't know how to describe it any better, sorry.

[Coyote]

[b][i]If you are packing Tangiers[/i][/b] you should pokes lots of big holes. Big holes always the temperature between pulling and resting to remain more constant as opposed to small holes which can cause the heat to rise more while resting. If the heat continues to rise during the resting period there is the potential to burn the tobacco.

Start with lower heat and let it build for at least 15 minutes. Some people use a windcover and take it off as the bowl reaches its temperature. I just let it slowly come to temp without a windcover. Mostly because I don't have a windcover.

Personally I have a medium Tangiers Phunnel and I start with 3 coals and drop it down to 2 after 15-20 minutes.

[Floataround]

I am not smoking Tangiers, I typically smoke Nakhla because I can get it locally for very, very cheap. I do alternate to different brands though, which I know will change how I use the bowl. But for that matter..pretty much Nak, AF, and Fantasia because I can get them all locally cheap.

[A13lackFish]

Small Tangys phunnels I hold roughly 3 rings of holes around for standard size tong "pokers", and 5-6 rings using a tac.

With Shisha in general, you want to keep it just below the rim of the outer lip, as to not push the foil upwards. Fit the foil flat and tight, and then poke your holes in that fasion around spire and towards the lip.

Nakhla = Pack hard, 3 natural lights, standard poker holes and Reynolds HD.
AF= Pack Fluffy, 2 natural lights + 1 (once the first 2 begin to die before second round), tac holes, Reynolds HD
Fantasia/Starbuzz/Social Smoke= Pack Fluffy, 2-3 Natural lights depending on how wet it is when you put it in, tac holes, Reynolds HD
Tangiers= Pack tight with an oyster fork (see videos provided by people on the forum) just over the lip and then packed down, 3 natural lights, a hole shit ton of tac holes, Reynolds HD Edited November 2, 2011 by A13lackFish

[Floataround]

Thanks all, I am going to try these and see which one works best for me. No reply yet because I have not smoked today yet!