toothhookahharp Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 Hello all you hookah lovers out there! I am extremely new to Hookah smoking. I'd like to get an idea on why people use screens/foil or just put the coal right on the shishka(that's what it's called, right?) I've googled forever and I can't find pros and cons. I dont have a screen and have heard foil is really bad for you with all the chemicals and aluminum going into you. I've been doing it right on the tobacco but I dont know if thats the way to go. It seems to burn up fast and i get a burning in my throat after a bit. I've been to numerous hookah bars and it just seems different. I want to make sure I'm doing the best thing. Can yall help?!?!? Thanks a bunch! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvansLight Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 First off, welcome to the forums Now on the topic of screens and foil, its mainly personall preference for most people here as to which one is better. Now you dont need to worry about the foil, its not gonna kill ya, smoking will but using it wont I personally use screens, but the majority likes foil. And the burning your feeling is because your burning the tobacco. WIth a screen or foil you have seperation, and usually u just more or less boil the tobacco. And as for the name, if i remeber right, shisha is the name for hookah, along with hookah of course, and moassel or massel is usually the name for the tobacco, or you can just call it tobacco theres tons of diffrent names for both!! And if you need help on set up for either foil or screens, heres my guide [url="http://hookahforum.com/el-setup-guide-t5407.html"]http://hookahforum.com/el-setup-guide-t5407.html[/url] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toothhookahharp Posted October 13, 2006 Author Share Posted October 13, 2006 I see. Wow that was more info than i got searching online! Man thanks a ton. So the stuff I read about the chemicals and aluminum in the foil is not accurate? Why do you like the screen better? Again thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvansLight Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 i like screens better for ease of use. I throw in some tobacco, pack it down, pop on a screen, pop on 2 coals, and i dont have to do anything till the coals are dead But as i said its personall opininon. And i got all my info from here originally, gotta love the hookah forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joseph Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 Some think screen or foil is easier for heat management, or that one is more convienent. I have always used foil, so I am pretty good at heat management with it, but I have little experiance with screens so I usually mess up the session when I use one. I am sure a screen would provide an equally good smoke if I bothered to learn to use one, but I just stick to foil. Smoking will kill you, I don't see what foil would do to make it worse. Besides, you are not melting or vaporizing the foil, so it shouldn't hurt you. Just make sure it is plain foil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toothhookahharp Posted October 13, 2006 Author Share Posted October 13, 2006 the guy i bought my hookah from was this egyptian fellow who was obviously straight from the source, know what im sayin? I read that the coal right on the tobacco was an old school thing so thats what he told me and where i got that from. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joseph Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 Coal on the tobacco is the traditional way, but people typically only do that with unflavored tobacco, like zag. Putting the coal right on the tobacco seems like it would kill the flavor. If you are smoking a traditional tobacco, then go ahead and put the coal right on the tobbaco, but for the flavored stuff I would suggest foil or a screen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvansLight Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 yea it is a style thats more traditional, and it does kill the flavour. its also a harsher smoke since your actually burning the stuff And hookah smoking is however you like it, and whatever works for you. if turing the hookah upside down and smoking with a blow torch for a coal works, than that works As i suggest, only use our advice and my guide as a base for yourself, work from there and just try and find what works best for you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toothhookahharp Posted October 13, 2006 Author Share Posted October 13, 2006 [quote name='Joseph']Coal on the tobacco is the traditional way, but people typically only do that with unflavored tobacco, like zag. Putting the coal right on the tobacco seems like it would kill the flavor. If you are smoking a traditional tobacco, then go ahead and put the coal right on the tobbaco, but for the flavored stuff I would suggest foil or a screen.[/quote] Ahhhh i gotcha. Yeah i think it did that to me too! Think of me as a clean slate so any info isnt crowding it! I got the strawberry flavor. The guy told me that only the strawberry and apple were using natural molasses from those fruits and everything else was all artificial flavoring etc. and he didnt carry it because of that. Have you heard that was the case? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joseph Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 I would imagine most flavorings are articificial, but I love lots of them. If it tastes good I woudn't worry if the are "natural" or "artificial" flavor, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toothhookahharp Posted October 13, 2006 Author Share Posted October 13, 2006 [quote name='Joseph']I would imagine most flavorings are articificial, but I love lots of them. If it tastes good I woudn't worry if the are "natural" or "artificial" flavor,[/quote] Thats what im talkin about! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toothhookahharp Posted October 13, 2006 Author Share Posted October 13, 2006 [quote name='EvansLight']First off, welcome to the forums Now on the topic of screens and foil, its mainly personall preference for most people here as to which one is better. Now you dont need to worry about the foil, its not gonna kill ya, smoking will but using it wont I personally use screens, but the majority likes foil. And the burning your feeling is because your burning the tobacco. WIth a screen or foil you have seperation, and usually u just more or less boil the tobacco. And as for the name, if i remeber right, shisha is the name for hookah, along with hookah of course, and moassel or massel is usually the name for the tobacco, or you can just call it tobacco theres tons of diffrent names for both!! And if you need help on set up for either foil or screens, heres my guide http://hookahforum.com/el-setup-guide-t5407.html[/quote] Oh and I totally printed that info from that link!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toothhookahharp Posted October 13, 2006 Author Share Posted October 13, 2006 [quote name='EvansLight']and u havent asked yet, but if you want some good brands/flavours, heres my favorites: Al Waha Orange Cream Al Waha After Nine Al Waha Bounty Nakhla Peach Nakhla Mixed Fruit Nakhla Mint Tangiers Licorice Tangiers Vanilla Tangiers Blue Gum Ball[/quote] LoL printed this too!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvansLight Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 lol check it again, i added some places to shop as well well as i said, welcome, and if you need anymore help feel free to ask also you can come into the chat and talk all ya want just follow the link in my signature Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toothhookahharp Posted October 13, 2006 Author Share Posted October 13, 2006 Again thanks so much for all the info. My hookah is from egypt brought in by the guy i bought it from's family. Check it out. I thought it was totally middle east gaudy (not bad gaudy, cool gaudy). [img]http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c2/toothharp/100_0463.jpg[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvansLight Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 lol nice hookah. Oh also other than getting mya hoses, which are amazing, and give great performance, i would suggest a tangiers bowl the funnel bowl is simply amazing, but his regular style bowls are nice as well. To learn more visit the hookahwiki: [url="http://hookahwiki.com/index.php?title=Tangiers_Inverted_Bowl"]http://hookahwiki.com/index.php?title=Tang...s_Inverted_Bowl[/url] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joseph Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 I really like that base, but I would also reccomend washable hoses. The Myas are much cheaper then regular hoses when you consider how long they last. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toothhookahharp Posted October 13, 2006 Author Share Posted October 13, 2006 :shock: Looks like ive got some dough to spend! I love new hobbies! But man is the hookah cool and relaxing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvansLight Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 yup, you now know why we love it so much and ask us before buying, just to make sure we help you with the best deals, and we will try to keep you from getting suckie stuff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sonthert Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 Ah yes, the circus hose wth rabbit fur! A classic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toothhookahharp Posted October 13, 2006 Author Share Posted October 13, 2006 [quote name='Sonthert']Ah yes, the circus hose wth rabbit fur! A classic.[/quote] Ahhh, rabbit fur!! Good to know! I knew it was some kind of real fur. Could have been anything from rat to human for all i knew! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skimo Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 Looks pretty good, I want one now haha. I just dont agree with the whole hookah above you thing, hmm I dunno maybe im one of the few people still smoking with the hookah on the ground lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YuoGotOwn3d Posted October 14, 2006 Share Posted October 14, 2006 yeah that is a nice hookah. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toothhookahharp Posted October 14, 2006 Author Share Posted October 14, 2006 thanks a bunch on the feedback about my hookah!!! I'm glad yall think its cool. And thanks for the good links and flavor suggestions. I've written them all down and will try THEM ALL!!! Thats totally helpful. I was wondering a couple more things as i'm smoking right now. One is that I've read that you should start the coal on the outside of the bowl and work your way in. I'm using the "finger" coals and it just doesnt seem to have enough room in the bowl to even work them around. What do you guys do? Also, when I put my hand over my bowl (before I light anything of course) and I suck on the tube, I defintely get air coming into my tube and some suction from the bowl, but definitely air coming in from other parts of the hookah. Should that be the case or should it be complete suction on my hand and no air coming into the tube? Thanks again in advance for the input!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joseph Posted October 14, 2006 Share Posted October 14, 2006 Well, a little air is fine, it should be pretty air tight, if you have toubles with your grommetts then that would cause the problem, maybe those are bad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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