Vikkiee Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 Hi Guys, So I bought my first Hookah after years of wanting one. I was really excited but I tried using it on 2 separate occasions and no luck with it. I'm almost certain I did everything I was supposed to but I find that 1) I have to pull too hard to get bubbles and 2) I get NO smoke or a very very thin smoke with almost no flavor. I have made sure that it is air tight. I have noticed that there are 2 tiny holes left open in the purge valve even after I've screwed it to as tight as it can go. I sealed those off. I used more than 1 coal. I waited for the coals to get really hot. There is sufficient water and ice in the base. I don't know what else to do. The next thing left is to take it back to the store where I bought it. So disappointed. What am I missing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fineout Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 pictures of your setup as youre packing and right before you add coals would be good, the holes that are still in the purge valve are supposed to be there. Think about it this way, if there was an air leak wouldnt it be easy too pull not too hard? You may have packed the tobacco too tight. What was the water level at? you could have too much water in there. What coals, hookah,bowl, tobacco are you using? What size/pattern of holes are you putting in it? Hookah is a bit of an art that you need to learn there isnt one answer. You can always go on tinychat and go on live camera and we will be able to help you even better there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mustang67n Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 ^ what he said. There are many variables so a more detailed explanation (PICTURESS!!) would be a huge help for us to be able to help you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joytron Posted March 5, 2013 Share Posted March 5, 2013 Is it hard to pull without the bowl on it? If not, you are not getting any airflow because of the way it is packed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vikkiee Posted March 5, 2013 Author Share Posted March 5, 2013 Hey guys, your responses all make sense. But I was careful not to pack the bowl with too much tobacco. And when I say "hard to pull" I meant I had to take a very deep breath in order to get bubbles...and it didn't feel natural to be exerting so much energy just to have a smoke. So I experimented some more and I cover the open holes in the purge valve with plastic wrap and tape to completely seal it off and miraculously it made the pulling and bubbling a million times easier. But by that time the coals were done and I was too tired from sucking to try lighting more. So i'll get back to my experiment in the morning and this time I will post pics. Thanks for your prompt responses guys. Vikkie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fineout Posted March 5, 2013 Share Posted March 5, 2013 is there not a ball bearing in the purge valve? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vikkiee Posted March 5, 2013 Author Share Posted March 5, 2013 nope, there is no ball bearing...should there be one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryno Posted March 5, 2013 Share Posted March 5, 2013 Yes. You can get plastic airsoft BBs that will work just fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mustang67n Posted March 6, 2013 Share Posted March 6, 2013 what they said. and once you get a bb in there, you wont have to cover those holes anymore because the ball will seal it for you and let you purge it when necessary. either way it sounds like you've got it sorted! yaay! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chreees Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 Moving this to the Discussion Group section, as it will gain more attention there... Here's my :twocents: : -There are supposed to be holes in the purge valve. The little bearing inside is what seals it. When you blow air into the hose, the little bearing is pushed out, and the smoke escapes through the little holes. This is why it's called purging- you're purging stale or harsh smoke that is trapped in the vase. -Packing is critical to a good hookah session. Be sure you are packing correctly. Every brand of tobacco is different and may have it's own special way it should be packed (i.e. Tangiers or Nakhla need to be packed much denser than Al Fakher or Starbuzz). How dense you pack and how high you pack the tobacco are important. Tell us how you are doing this and it will help us help you. -Proper heat management ensures you do not burn your bowl, but also that you get good vapor output. You want to add coal little by little, until you find the perfect balance without tipping it over to harshness. NEVER just flop the coal in the middle of the bowl. Instead use smaller pieces of coal and put them on the edges of the bowl, across from each other. Hang them off a little bit. Slowly move them in as you smoke. Don't bother rotating- I've found it does nothing but makes things worse. Instead what I do is when it's time for round two of coals, I place them on the untouched spots on the foil, still maintaining the edging and across from each other technique. -Forget the ice for right now. Just focus on getting good vapor. Have the downstem about an inch submerged in the water, and ensure the hookah is completely airtight by assembling it minus the hose and bowl, cupping the bowl port with your hand and breathe in straight on the hose port. If you are able to breathe in any air, then there is a weak spot that must be corrected. Potential airleaks come from hose port (where it's soldered on some hookahs), purge valve (bad bearing that is not sitting right), or bad gaskets on the bowl port or where the shank sits on the vase. -Pictures always help. Get us pics of the setup and exactly what you're doing. We will get you smoking well in no time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vikkiee Posted March 13, 2013 Author Share Posted March 13, 2013 Ryno, Thank you for the suggestion about the airsoft BBs. Do I have to figure out what size BBs to get? And in the absence of BB, is there an alternative method to purge? Chreese, thanks for that detailed post. Very useful for a beginner. I am attaching photos. Hope they help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thehelios Posted March 13, 2013 Share Posted March 13, 2013 Take a water balloon or or one of those long balloons you use to make balloon animals and other fun stuff and cut it about an inch away from the opening. Slip it onto the purge valve. Now try to resist purging when you hear that magical sound it makes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vikkiee Posted March 13, 2013 Author Share Posted March 13, 2013 [sharedmedia=gallery:albums:517] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vikkiee Posted March 13, 2013 Author Share Posted March 13, 2013 Ok you guys, I tried smoking this hookah again after I covered the holes in the purge valve. Eventhough I get more bubbling" there is still no smoke. sighs. What now? How will I know when to give up and take it back to the store? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vikkiee Posted March 13, 2013 Author Share Posted March 13, 2013 Another observation: The smoke stays in the jar with the water and doesn't come through the hose into my mouth. See pics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nerdy Posted March 13, 2013 Share Posted March 13, 2013 The tape over the purge valve ..... Bad idea. Remove the tape :) What I see to the the issue is the packing of the bowl. You are way way waaaayy under packing. Add more. Up to the rim usually. From what it looks like you would do a fluffy pack. That's judging from the shisha cut and wetness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vikkiee Posted March 13, 2013 Author Share Posted March 13, 2013 Ok...i'll try both ideas and let you know in a minute Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vikkiee Posted March 13, 2013 Author Share Posted March 13, 2013 Nope, No luck Nerdy. Once I removed the tape covering from the purge valve, it completely stopped bubbling :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fineout Posted March 13, 2013 Share Posted March 13, 2013 thats because theres no bb there. take the cap off and plug the whole thing that way Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fineout Posted March 13, 2013 Share Posted March 13, 2013 go into the chat on the top of the page or on TC and well help you in real time, less annoying that way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nerdy Posted March 13, 2013 Share Posted March 13, 2013 I didn't know a BB was missing. My fault. I only looked at the photos. Tape the purge back and add more baccy :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fineout Posted March 13, 2013 Share Posted March 13, 2013 your coal isnt nearly lit enough either Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nerdy Posted March 14, 2013 Share Posted March 14, 2013 Packing is def better. The coal, as stated in the post above, isn't fully lit. You def want that coal to be fully ashed over before setting it on the bowl. You don't want to be inhaling those fumes and whatnot that the coal gives off. You should be getting good sessions soon. I'm trying to understand the whole smoke is left in the base comment you made...what do you mean by that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fineout Posted March 14, 2013 Share Posted March 14, 2013 she took the stem off and was concerned that smoke wasnt flowing freely out of the base i think...thats what happens though when theres no force to bring it out of the bowl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nerdy Posted March 14, 2013 Share Posted March 14, 2013 Oh okay. I thought it was something else. I love seeing smoke in my base. I especially love when it's so dense that the stem disappears. It's as if its a military grade smokescreen :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now