Various Hookah Questions

[archelios]

Ok so I have a few questions about the general art of hookah. I don't want to sound obnoxious, but please only answer this if you are 100% confident in your answer. I know that I sometimes answer posts as if I know what I am talking about, even though I am only 95% sure, and that only provides minimal help.

First Question...

When I clean my hookah, I often notice a dirt that appears to be ash in the stem of my hookah. Is this actually ash? If it is, is this ash from the small amount of smoke from the coal that gets pulled through, or is this from burnt shisha? I rarely manage to burn my shisha, so I wouldn't think it is that, but I don't know.



Second question...

What do you guys use to clean your hoses. I have a washable (plastic inside) KM rainbow hose, and I am having a hard time getting the ghost flavor out of it. Water does not work. I tried using vodka, but that only about half solved the problem.


Third question...

What do you guys use to clean rust?


Fourth question...

Do you guys use any kind of soap to clean the stems of your hookah?




Thanks for any and all help!!!

[Epoch]

1 - Usually a whole variety of things. Ashes from the coals, burnt tobacco leaves, molasses that dripped down the shaft...

2 - I didn't know there were washable KM Rainbow hoses... Anyway, I just use water, and occasionally lemon juice. If the hose is old and seen lots of use, the smells may simply never wash out. Although I suspect cleaning the hose will vodka will create a new scent in it...

3 - Metal polish like Brasso or Bar Keeper's Friend will work to a point.

4 - Dish soap works fine for me.

Enjoy!

[A13lackFish]

1) Usually comes from the tray or the top of a bowl. Its not a big deal overall and just clean it off.

2) Water and Lemon Juice, I will sometimes include a small bit of salt into the mix, as well as dish soap. Make sure that you wash it out completely after doing this.

3) I would not use any rust removal polishes or cleaners on your hookah. If it is rusted it is rusted, get a new stem. Those chemicals are usually dangerous and I'm not sure you'd want to be inhaling chems.

4) Dish soap on the brush works perfectly.

[vendetta_revived]

Are you sure your KM rainbow hose is washable? I mean washable KM hoses have just recently hit the market, and I haven't seen any washable rainbows.

[claytronmeans]

[quote name='vendetta_revived' timestamp='1322859651' post='531386']
Are you sure your KM rainbow hose is washable? I mean washable KM hoses have just recently hit the market, and I haven't seen any washable rainbows.
[/quote].

[Chreees]

[b]When I clean my hookah, I often notice a dirt that appears to be ash in the stem of my hookah. Is this actually ash? If it is, is this ash from the small amount of smoke from the coal that gets pulled through, or is this from burnt shisha? I rarely manage to burn my shisha, so I wouldn't think it is that, but I don't know.[/b]

This is most likely just ash that has gotten down through the foil. This is especially common if you use a phunnel bowl and poke holes over the center spire. Not a big deal, because if it goes all the way down, it just goes into the water.

[b]What do you guys use to clean your hoses. I have a washable (plastic inside) KM rainbow hose, and I am having a hard time getting the ghost flavor out of it. Water does not work. I tried using vodka, but that only about half solved the problem.[/b]

Seriously doubt you have a washable KM rainbow hose, as they do not yet exist (I suspect they soon will, or perhaps they do already in Egypt and haven't hit the States yet). Only a couple of washable KMs exist so far, as KM is just now starting to make them. There's two styles, and the rainbow is not one of them. MichaelLCP has a good video for showing how to clean washable hoses, though:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2gm7UneYnE

[b]What do you guys use to clean rust?[/b]

Rust? If your hose is rusting, throw it away immediately, as it isn't a washable and it's beyond saving. If it's your hookah... I still wouldn't want to use it anymore if it's in the stage of rusting. I would pitch it as well and just get a new hookah. Rust is NOT something you want to be inhaling.

[b]Do you guys use any kind of soap to clean the stems of your hookah?[/b]

I know Stuie on here uses Dawn dishwashing soap to wash his hookah shanks, or has anyway. I personally use warm water, baking soda, and lemon juice.

[¤Tyler¤]

well, heres how i do it.
after every smoking session-
rinse the base with hot water 2-3 times, then fill it with hot water, and let it sit while i clean the rest of the hookah
run some hot water through the stem, then use a cleaning brush
get some hot water into the hose, shake it around, then blow it out. (when im using my Nammor hose, i just give it 2 rinses, my other little "stock" hoses take 4 or 5 rinses)
soak my bowl in hot water, then rub it with my finger to clean off any shisha juice that stuck to the sides of the bowl.

about once a month my hookah gets a 'heavy clean'
i boil the bowl, down stem, ball bearings, and the metal pieces that the hoes plug into. (they tend to get a little buildup of crap) boil them for 5-10 minutes.
rinse the base with hot water 5 times, then add a little soap and a cleaning brush, then rinse with hot water about 10 times (to make sure you get the soap out)
the hoses just get a ton of hot water rinses. and i even fill them up with hot water, and set them in the sink. it breaks down anything that gets really stuck to the walls of the hose

[Skoozle]

[quote name='¤Tyler¤' timestamp='1323280724' post='532038']
well, heres how i do it.
after every smoking session-
rinse the base with hot water 2-3 times, then fill it with hot water, and let it sit while i clean the rest of the hookah
run some hot water through the stem, then use a cleaning brush
get some hot water into the hose, shake it around, then blow it out. (when im using my Nammor hose, i just give it 2 rinses, my other [b]little "stock" hoses take 4 or 5 rinses[/b])
soak my bowl in hot water, then rub it with my finger to clean off any shisha juice that stuck to the sides of the bowl.

about once a month my hookah gets a 'heavy clean'
i boil the bowl, down stem, ball bearings, and the metal pieces that the hoes plug into. (they tend to get a little buildup of crap) boil them for 5-10 minutes.
rinse the base with hot water 5 times, then add a little soap and a cleaning brush, then rinse with hot water about 10 times (to make sure you get the soap out)
the hoses just get a ton of hot water rinses. and i even fill them up with hot water, and set them in the sink. it breaks down anything that gets really stuck to the walls of the hose
[/quote]

I'm pretty sure you're not supposed to rinse the stock hose unless it was sold as washable.

[Floataround]

[quote name='Skoozle' timestamp='1323369350' post='532241']

I'm pretty sure you're not supposed to rinse the stock hose unless it was sold as washable.
[/quote]

you got that right...rust city

[A13lackFish]

At this point I think its confirmed his hose isn't washable, and seeing as how the OP basically went MIA, lets hope he didn't ruin a perfectly good hose in doing so.

[antouwan]

[quote name='archelios' timestamp='1322772821' post='531279']
Ok so I have a few questions about the general art of hookah. I don't want to sound obnoxious, but please only answer this if you are 100% confident in your answer. I know that I sometimes answer posts as if I know what I am talking about, even though I am only 95% sure, and that only provides minimal help.

First Question...

When I clean my hookah, I often notice a dirt that appears to be ash in the stem of my hookah. Is this actually ash? If it is, is this ash from the small amount of smoke from the coal that gets pulled through, or is this from burnt shisha? I rarely manage to burn my shisha, so I wouldn't think it is that, but I don't know.

[color=#ff0000]i assume that stuff to be an amalgam of things, more than likely nicotine deposits and possible some ash, possibly aided in its adhesion to the inside of your stem by any glycerine that has trickled down. (i notice a reduction in the quantity of this stuff when i use a phunnel, but even then there seems to be some build up). [/color][color=#ff0000]i say that it is likely nicotine (or whatever else) because i notice similar deposits (albeit in smaller quantities) in the acrylic bits of the hose after a period of time.[/color]

Second question...

What do you guys use to clean your hoses. I have a washable (plastic inside) KM rainbow hose, and I am having a hard time getting the ghost flavor out of it. Water does not work. I tried using vodka, but that only about half solved the problem.

[color=#ff0000]i don't really believe in washable hoses. i only regularly smoke a couple of flavors, so the ghosting doesn't effect me as negatively as someone who say, smokes chocolate one day and then peach the next. i know a lot of people here use lemon juice and some other stuff - you'll have to consult them on that. [/color]

Third question...

What do you guys use to clean rust?

[color=#ff0000]bar keepers friend. it's cheap and cleans everything - seriously. use it on the outside to polish brass, copper, stainless...and it also removes rust. elbow grease necessary.[/color]

Fourth question...

Do you guys use any kind of soap to clean the stems of your hookah?

[color=#ff0000]i use dish soap in small quantities. some people don't advocate this because they say it imparts odors and may taint the flavor…they aren't rinsing well enough.[/color]


Thanks for any and all help!!!
[/quote]