issue - can't clear smoke out of base?

[alia828]

My hookah has not been smoking as smoothly and I can't blow out to clear smoke out of the base through the release valve...everytime I try it just feels stopped up or something. I have checked the tightness of the base, hose, and bowl and can't seem to find the problem. Anybody have any ideas? :?:

[[LB]]

post a picture of your hookah and your purge valve. I personally cover mine in electric tape, then when i wanna clear the vase (which if you know how to set up a session properly you wont have to ) i just unscrew the top of the valve (i took out the bearing a while ago) and purge it like theres no tomorrow.

[Shavo989]

Maybe the ball bearing has gotten gunked up. Try rinsing it in a bowl of water (if I tried that in the sink I know I'd lose it), and cleaning the release valve with a Q-Tip that has been soaked in lemon water and then fresh water. Also, put the bearing in a little plastic Zip-Lock bag (so you don't lose it) and take it to a hardware store so they can match the size and you can get some extra ones to have around.

[DizzyGuy]

Airsoft pellets... won't rust, won't get gunked up... and if they do, easy to clean and if you lose it... oh well, it's not that much to get a bottle of like 100

[Sonthert]

You can also try tapping the valve with the end of the hose...it sometimes will free up the bearing...I think you only really need to rub the ball bearing between your fingers to get it ungunked.