I Know We Travelled Back In Time, But I Have Some Questions.

[Teganv]

[color=#505050]
I've come up with a couple questions for you guys which I think would be good to know for when my KM does arrive.[/color]
[color=#505050]
1. How much (how many grams) do you guys usually smoke in a day, do you smoke on a daily basis? [/color][color=#505050]
2. Is it ok to not fill the bowl to the top (I know you fill it under the rim, but what about lower then that, if you know your not going to smoke that much)? [/color][color=#505050]
3. How many coals do you guys generally put on an egyptian bowl? [/color][color=#505050]
4. Lastly when/why would you need to purge your hookah? How often do you purge your hookah?[/color][color=#505050]
5. Because I don't want to find out on my own, whats the situation with smoke alarms and hookah?[/color][color=#505050]
6. You don't have to keep shisha refrigerated right?[/color][color=#505050]
7. (might be considered a stupid question, like I said, i am a newb) When do you know your done smoking a bowl? Im guessing no more flavour or smoke?[/color]
[color=#505050]
I've heard that it smokes better when you fill the bowl right below the rim, but im not sure how much of a downside there is to not packing it to the top, if say you knew you didn't have time to smoke an entire bowl. [/color]
[color=#505050]
I think thats it as far as questions go so far. Thanks ahead-a-time for any answers.[/color]
[color=#505050]
Oh and contrary to popular belief (Chreees). I am in fact a human of the female type. [/color]

[mustang67n]

[color=#505050]1. How much (how many grams) do you guys usually smoke in a day, do you smoke on a daily basis? [/color]

I (and many members here) smoke daily, I usually with one or two bowls or so.. 25-40 grams.

[color=#505050]2. Is it ok to not fill the bowl to the top (I know you fill it under the rim, but what about lower then that, if you know your not going to smoke that much)?[/color]

[color=#505050]Some bowls and tobacco its better to leave a gap between the tobacco and foil. You can underpack a bowl though to save shisha, but it's usually not a great smoke (from my experience) tends to get harsh easily and lacks flavor and massive smoke.[/color]

[color=#505050]3. How many coals do you guys generally put on an egyptian bowl? [/color]

[color=#505050]this depends on the kind of coals and tobacco you're using. If it's some thing like Starbuzz and almost any coal, 1 coal should do. Nakhla at least 2.[/color][color=#505050] somehwere between one and two coals is usuallly about right for egyptians, but you'll have to find what works best for ur set up[/color]

[color=#505050]4. Lastly when/why would you need to purge your hookah? How often do you purge your hookah?[/color]

[color=#505050]I purge mine out of habit.. but I dont really need to. The purge is to clear out the old smoke. It helps if the tobacco gets harsh or starts to burn[/color]

[color=#505050]5. Because I don't want to find out on my own, whats the situation with smoke alarms and hookah?[/color]

No problem at all unlless you catch something on fire lol

[color=#505050]6. You don't have to keep shisha refrigerated right?[/color]

NEVER.. this is bad. the refrigerator dries the shisha out.. no good

[color=#505050]7. (might be considered a stupid question, like I said, i am a newb) When do you know your done smoking a bowl? Im guessing no more flavour or smoke?[/color]

The smoke usually keeps on going for me, i stop when the bowl starts to taste burnt or starts to taste like ash. OR when I just don't feel like smoking anymore, in which case i'll come back to it later

[mustang67n]

oh.. and yaaaay for females!

[Coleman]

Nate pretty much covered it all. I honestly never underpack a bowl, If you know you dont plan on smoking for the whole extent save it and you can Necro the bowl. Usually not as good as the first time using it but still enjoyable.
On a side note, nice hat in your picture haha, good band

[Teganv]

Haha, alright I guess I will just have to figure out when a bowl is done for. I would imagine the taste would be off, but that could also be because of heat management. I'll figure it out over time. From what you guys have said (well more like said, and agreed upon) if your not going to smoke a whole bowl, then don't bother packing it.

Suicidal for life!

[Chreees]

Did I call you a male? Shit... I try not to do that, actually- I try to use words such as "they" and whatnot until I know... My bad.

I'll answer the questions later when I'm at work.

[Floataround]

Some of my answers are different, so I will give my input as well


[b]1. How much (how many grams) do you guys usually smoke in a day, do you smoke on a daily basis? [/b]

It depends on what I am smoking. Nakhla - about 30. Anything else around 15-20. Why the difference? Nakhla is smoked in an egyptian bowl, I commonly use my Alien Phunnel for everything else. But the answer is one bowl for me.


[b]2. Is it ok to not fill the bowl to the top (I know you fill it under the rim, but what about lower then that, if you know your not going to smoke that much)? [/b]

I really do not recommend doing this, you will end up wasting more then if you could have just thrown out after you were done smoking due to reasons mustang said. The real solution here is to get a smaller bowl

[b]3. How many coals do you guys generally put on an egyptian bowl? [/b]

All in the size and type of coal as well as the type of tobacco. If I was using a 30 gram size bowl for Nakhla, I would use two, maybe three Coco Flats. If I was using cubes, four. If I was using quick lights two. Now If I was smoking something else, lets say Fantasia, I would use 3 coco cubes, or one quick light broken up. Type of Tobacco and Coals matter.

[b]4. Lastly when/why would you need to purge your hookah? How often do you purge your hookah?[/b]

I only would purge if my smoke got too rough, so it comes down to proper heat management. Learn that and you will never have to worry about purging! So at this point, almost never!



[b]5. Because I don't want to find out on my own, whats the situation with smoke alarms and hookah?[/b]

No worries unless you sit a coal inside your smoke alarm

[b]6. You don't have to keep shisha refrigerated right?[/b]

Go buy some glad style plastic containers. Dump your tobacco in, stir it up some to even it out, put the lid on, and place it where you keep the rest of your supplies. Your good to go!

[b]7. (might be considered a stupid question, like I said, i am a newb) When do you know your done smoking a bowl? Im guessing no more flavour or smoke?[/b]

No stupid questions here! The flavor will start to die off and then it will just taste burned, because, well it is! After a little while you will learn how many rounds of coal you can typically go through per type of tobacco and matching bowl. Lets say you can go through two rounds of coals , but if you start another round you could get maybe 5-10 minutes of low quality flavor and smoke before it completely dies out. Worth wasting the round of coals for just a few minutes of low quality sub par smoke? IMO, no way. Coals are worth more than that. So you will start to realize, when I smoke Nakhla from X Egyptian bowl, I can go through two rounds of coals before the bowl is done.


And your non listed question...how something smokes is based off of the type of bowl you use as well as the heat management. Nakhla = Egptian bowl. Everything else = either a tangiers phunnel or an alien phunnel.

More heat = better flavor and better clouds. Too much heat = rough smoke and burned tobacco. You will want to learn to take the heat levels as high as they can go to maximize flavor and smoke without making the bowl harsh or burned. It takes practice, but you will figure it out after a while. Sometimes it just means patience (for example, letting my bowl heat up Al Fakher brand with two coals instead of three. It takes a little while but three will make the smoke harsh and the flavor to overbearing). Other times it means adjusting coals or putting on and taking off a windcover. Practice will make you better at it.

Im sure through my answers you will see, at least IMO, that it while it seems these are simple questions, they really do vary depending on tobacco type, coal type, and bowl type. Edited December 3, 2011 by Floataround

[Teganv]

[quote name='Chreees' timestamp='1322883401' post='531418']
Did I call you a male? Shit... I try not to do that, actually- I try to use words such as "they" and whatnot until I know... My bad.

I'll answer the questions later when I'm at work.
[/quote]

Haha, it's not worries Chreees. Looking forward to the answers.

[Teganv]

[quote name='Floataround' timestamp='1322883670' post='531420']
Im sure through my answers you will see, at least IMO, that it while it seems these are simple questions, they really do vary depending on tobacco type, coal type, and bowl type.
[/quote]

Thanks for the answers, it's interesting to read peoples different opinions. I think I might need to look into getting a different bowl, eventually. Id like to try a vortex bowl, I haven't heard much about the alien phunnel bowl.

I have some experience with heat management, from being the coal tender, when my friends and I are smoking at our local lounge. I don't know what type of shisha they use there, and it seems like they're either using an egyptian bowl or vortex bowl. I ordered Al Fakher with my KM, and Razan coals, so any advice for that particular mix?

[Hassouni]

[quote name='Teganv' timestamp='1322879721' post='531412']

[color=#505050]I've come up with a couple questions for you guys which I think would be good to know for when my KM does arrive.[/color]

[color=#505050]1. How much (how many grams) do you guys usually smoke in a day, do you smoke on a daily basis? [/color]
[color=#505050][b]On a daily basis? I only smoke max 2-3 times a week, when I'm not in the Middle East[/b][/color]

[color=#505050]2. Is it ok to not fill the bowl to the top (I know you fill it under the rim, but what about lower then that, if you know your not going to smoke that much)? [/color]
[color=#505050][b]Not really because otherwise how is it going to heat up? You can buy very small Egyptian bowls[/b][/color]

[color=#505050]3. How many coals do you guys generally put on an egyptian bowl? [/color]
[b]3 coconut coals or if at a lounge, usually 2 instant lights, but hanging off the edge[/b]

[color=#505050]4. Lastly when/why would you need to purge your hookah? How often do you purge your hookah?[/color]
[color=#505050][b]if you manage your coals well and it's packed right, you never need to, but this takes a lot of extra care. Otherwise, whenever it gets harsh, or whenever you feel like because it's cool seeing the smoke clear and refill[/b][/color]

[color=#505050]5. Because I don't want to find out on my own, whats the situation with smoke alarms and hookah?[/color]
[b]Usually not an issue but if you're worried rubber band a plastic bag over the detector[/b]

[color=#505050]6. You don't have to keep shisha refrigerated right?[/color]
[b]No[/b]

[color=#505050]7. (might be considered a stupid question, like I said, i am a newb) When do you know your done smoking a bowl? Im guessing no more flavour or smoke?[/color]
[color=#505050][b]No more smoke is a result of reduced charcoal. It's more about no more flavor, or sometimes, especially with Tangiers, I just have had enough even though the flavor is still going[/b][/color]

[color=#505050]I've heard that it smokes better when you fill the bowl right below the rim, but im not sure how much of a downside there is to not packing it to the top, if say you knew you didn't have time to smoke an entire bowl. [/color]
[color=#505050][b]For non-Tangiers (which is an acquired art) just pack straight up to the rim[/b][/color]

[color=#505050]I think thats it as far as questions go so far. Thanks ahead-a-time for any answers.[/color]

[color=#505050]Oh and contrary to popular belief (Chreees). I am in fact a human of the female type. [/color]
[/quote]

[Hassouni]

[quote name='Teganv' timestamp='1322884315' post='531423']

Thanks for the answers, it's interesting to read peoples different opinions. I think I might need to look into getting a different bowl, eventually. Id like to try a vortex bowl, I haven't heard much about the alien phunnel bowl.

I have some experience with heat management, from being the coal tender, when my friends and I are smoking at our local lounge. I don't know what type of shisha they use there, and it seems like they're either using an egyptian bowl or vortex bowl. I ordered Al Fakher with my KM, and Razan coals, so any advice for that particular mix?
[/quote]

Vortex are allegedly pure crap. Don't get one. Al-Fakher pack loosely, as in don't tamp it down, just sort of drop it in and fill to the rim. Foil it and poke a hole straight down the center through the hole in the bottom of the bowl, then poke holes as normal. Razan coals are like normal coconut coals, so light 3 and put them around the edge of the bowl, but not all the way on, with a bit hanging off the side

[Teganv]

[quote name='Hassouni' timestamp='1322884570' post='531425']
[quote name='Teganv' timestamp='1322884315' post='531423']
Thanks for the answers, it's interesting to read peoples different opinions. I think I might need to look into getting a different bowl, eventually. Id like to try a vortex bowl, I haven't heard much about the alien phunnel bowl.

I have some experience with heat management, from being the coal tender, when my friends and I are smoking at our local lounge. I don't know what type of shisha they use there, and it seems like they're either using an egyptian bowl or vortex bowl. I ordered Al Fakher with my KM, and Razan coals, so any advice for that particular mix?
[/quote]

Vortex are allegedly pure crap. Don't get one. Al-Fakher pack loosely, as in don't tamp it down, just sort of drop it in and fill to the rim. Foil it and poke a hole straight down the center through the hole in the bottom of the bowl, then poke holes as normal. Razan coals are like normal coconut coals, so light 3 and put them around the edge of the bowl, but not all the way on, with a bit hanging off the side
[/quote]



So I should definitely be looking into getting a smaller egyptian bowl sometime. All I seem to hear about Tangier is the fact that it's picky to pack. What types of shisha should you poke holes in the foil all the way to the bottom?

[Hassouni]

Well, really anything. Even Tangiers the holes should go all the way to the bottom, but in a non-funnel, it's important to make proper, deep holes for airflow.

Tangiers can be packed pretty normally for a decent smoke, but for a great smoke-i.e. its full potential, yeah, there is sort of a precise procedure. In general, the juicier the tobacco (AF, for ex.), pack it lightly, the drier (Nakhla) pack it tight. When I say lightly by the way, I think gently sprinkling it in as some do is overkill, but don't really pack it in too tight.








Also, I'm sure everyone will groan, but since you're a new member "shisha" is another name for the pipe, not the tobacco

[Teganv]

[quote name='Hassouni' timestamp='1322888401' post='531431']
Also, I'm sure everyone will groan, but since you're a new member "shisha" is another name for the pipe, not the tobacco
[/quote]

Really? I've only heard it in reference to the tobacco. Thanks for telling me.

[mustang67n]

[quote name='Teganv' timestamp='1322888561' post='531432']
[quote name='Hassouni' timestamp='1322888401' post='531431']
Also, I'm sure everyone will groan, but since you're a new member "shisha" is another name for the pipe, not the tobacco
[/quote]

Really? I've only heard it in reference to the tobacco. Thanks for telling me.
[/quote]

I still call shisha the tobacco. Hass is a picky stickler about this stuff.. thinks it makes him cooler than the rest of us..

lol jk hass.. but serriously..
lol

and ya.. vortex aren't a favored bowl.. some on here only use them though. personal preferance but I wouldn't recomend one

[Chreees]

[b]1. How much (how many grams) do you guys usually smoke in a day, do you smoke on a daily basis? [/b]

I smoke about 2-3 times a week. Each time that I do, it's about 25 grams, as that's about how much my Tangiers Mini Phunnel holds I believe.


[b]2. Is it ok to not fill the bowl to the top (I know you fill it under the rim, but what about lower then that, if you know your not going to smoke that much)? [/b]

Always fill the bowl, no matter what. Otherwise it just won't smoke that well.

[b]3. How many coals do you guys generally put on an egyptian bowl? [/b]

Depends on the coals I use. For the Egyptian bowl that I have, I use two coconut coals. I think you're getting Razans, right? I'd use two of those, for sure. Starting them off the edge a tad bit across from each other on the bowl and gradually move them in throughout the session. I don't rotate coals, but others do. I prefer to use the untouched spots for my second round of coals, and just repeat what I did for the first round.

[b]4. Lastly when/why would you need to purge your hookah? How often do you purge your hookah?[/b]

Sometimes the smoke will start to get harsh. This is due to there being too much heat applied. Immediately back off the heat (move the coals out and hang them off the edge or take one whole coal off, depending on what you like to do) and purge. Hopefully, if you caught it in time and the tobacco isn't already burned, you have saved it and the next inhale will be fine.

[b]5. Because I don't want to find out on my own, whats the situation with smoke alarms and hookah?[/b]

I've never had any trouble with smoke alarms. I smoke right by mine in my small one-bedroom apartment. Others have had trouble, though, so... Maybe use a shower cap just in case? I know dorm smoke alarms are hella sensitive and you most definitely wanna bag it.

[b]6. You don't have to keep shisha refrigerated right?[/b]

Nope. Use these to store your tobacco in a cupboard or something (I store mine under my bed in a box because I really just don't have room anywhere else in my apartment): http://www.rubbermaid.com/Category/Pages/ProductDetail.aspx?CatName=FoodStorage&SubcatId=TakeAlongs&Prod_ID=RP091253 (Not sure why these are divided, though, as mine I get from the store are not... so just find something similar)

[b]7. (might be considered a stupid question, like I said, i am a newb) When do you know your done smoking a bowl? Im guessing no more flavour or smoke?[/b]

You'll lose flavor and it'll just taste like smoke (won't necessarily taste harsh, but it may). I actually haven't completely smoked an entire bowl in a long time, because I smoke Tangiers in a Tangiers Mini Phunnel and the longest I went was 7 hours and it STILL had a tad bit left unburnt in the bottom when I was done smoking. For other brands though (all brands are different), out of a standard Egyptian bowl, I'd say 1-3 hours is the life expectancy of a bowl before it's completely gone.

[Hassouni]

it's not being cool, it's being right

[Teganv]

[quote name='Chreees' timestamp='1322891726' post='531440']
[b]...[/b]
You'll lose flavor and it'll just taste like smoke (won't necessarily taste harsh, but it may). I actually haven't completely smoked an entire bowl in a long time, because I smoke Tangiers in a Tangiers Mini Phunnel and the longest I went was 7 hours and it STILL had a tad bit left unburnt in the bottom when I was done smoking. For other brands though (all brands are different), out of a standard Egyptian bowl, I'd say 1-3 hours is the life expectancy of a bowl before it's completely gone.
[/quote]



Sadly I won't be able to smoke to often because of money. Yea, I ordered Razans. When im at the local Hookah lounge, I always start the coals barley hanging off the edges, so I guess I won't have to change that much. Yea im hoping the smoke alarm won't be a problem, I live in a small apartment as well. Good to know about the tupperware, I can definitely do that.

Thanks for the info.

[Teganv]

[quote name='Hassouni' timestamp='1322893761' post='531442']
it's not being cool, it's being right
[/quote]

Haha, well I do appreciate the short lesson in proper terminology. I do like calling things by their correct name.

[Chreees]

[quote name='Teganv' timestamp='1322899422' post='531447']
[quote name='Chreees' timestamp='1322891726' post='531440']
[b]...[/b]
You'll lose flavor and it'll just taste like smoke (won't necessarily taste harsh, but it may). I actually haven't completely smoked an entire bowl in a long time, because I smoke Tangiers in a Tangiers Mini Phunnel and the longest I went was 7 hours and it STILL had a tad bit left unburnt in the bottom when I was done smoking. For other brands though (all brands are different), out of a standard Egyptian bowl, I'd say 1-3 hours is the life expectancy of a bowl before it's completely gone.
[/quote]



Sadly I won't be able to smoke to often because of money. Yea, I ordered Razans. When im at the local Hookah lounge, I always start the coals barley hanging off the edges, so I guess I won't have to change that much. Yea im hoping the smoke alarm won't be a problem, I live in a small apartment as well. Good to know about the tupperware, I can definitely do that.

Thanks for the info.
[/quote]

No problem. Hopefully this additional info will be helpful as well:

One of the reasons I smoke Tangiers is that it can be saved for smoking later. There are several methods for this:

1. Just take the coals off and come back to it later (even a day or two later), and just throw new coals on the bowl.

2. Also take the coals off when you're done, but when you come back to it, take off the foil and replace just the very top "burnt" layer of tobacco with fresh stuff. You can either re-use the same foil if you can salvage it (most likely there will be too much tobacco stuck to it), or just use a new piece.

3. Remove the "burnt" layer and throw the rest back in the tub. It's always been okay in my experience, but Eric, the creator of Tangiers, says it's not ideal as the tub of tobacco loses flavor and whatnot this way.

I'm the biggest fan of number 2, as number 1's method you notice a significant lack in flavor. With number 2's method, it's like smoking a freshly packed bowl, but you didn't have to use near as much tobacco to do so. I used to do number two all the time, but because I am stocked with kilos of Tangiers, I'm not as worried about it. When my stock dwindles I'm sure I'll make use of my bowls and use the number two method again. I stopped doing number 3 because Eric got me all paranoid about it, haha.

Note that I myself have not been able to use these methods with other brands of tobacco with much success. It seems Tangiers is just awesome like that. Now I know you won't be smoking Tangiers now, but hopefully someday you will, and this info will come in handy.

[Teganv]

[quote name='Chreees' timestamp='1322891726' post='531440']

...Note that I myself have not been able to use these methods with other brands of tobacco with much success. It seems Tangiers is just awesome like that. Now I know you won't be smoking Tangiers now, but hopefully someday you will, and this info will come in handy.
[/quote]

Hmm, I will keep that in mind, if I ever get the chance to smoke Tangiers. Thanks.

[joytron]

I know you did not ask, but one of the best pointers I can give is keep your pipe clean.

And as far as heat management, just pay attention to the flavor, you can tell it tastes a little off before it starts to burn.

[vendetta_revived]

Definitely get a vortex bowl.











































....If you want to learn that it's crap, the hard way. Edited December 3, 2011 by vendetta_revived

[Teganv]

[quote name='vendetta_revived' timestamp='1322923842' post='531473']
Definitely get a vortex bowl.

....If you want to learn that it's crap, the hard way.
[/quote]

Hahaha alright. I will stick to my egyptian for now. Should I look into a phunnel bowl? (It's funny I have heard quite a lot of people swear by the vortex)

[Teganv]

[quote name='joytron' timestamp='1322907777' post='531453']
I know you did not ask, but one of the best pointers I can give is keep your pipe clean.

And as far as heat management, just pay attention to the flavor, you can tell it tastes a little off before it starts to burn.
[/quote]

Yea, I bought cleaning brushes with everything else I ordered from Nazar, so cleaning will be a regular thing after each smoke. I know how to clean everything but are there any hints for drying everything out?