Ima Noob And I Need Help

[Mt. Yukon]

Hello people, I’ve only smoked a hookah once and decided to order on from Hookah central. I was looking through their available hookahs and was leaning towards the chiller with the ice bucket in the stem. Does the ice make that much of a difference considering you already have ice water in the base, or is it just a way to charge more money??? What else would I need to get started? Thanks in advance.

[Zerodynamic]

Hello people, I’ve only smoked a hookah once and decided to order on from Hookah central. I was looking through their available hookahs and was leaning towards the chiller with the ice bucket in the stem. Does the ice make that much of a difference considering you already have ice water in the base, or is it just a way to charge more money??? What else would I need to get started? Thanks in advance.

The ice bucket doesn't make a HUGE difference but imho, it does make a difference. I think you shouldn't start off with a hookah large enough to hold an ice bucket anyway. I suggest getting a Mya QT (as they are inexpensive, and hit just as hard as the big boys) and some small 50g sample flavors of different brands to see which you like. Its all up to preference when it comes to hookah sizes and shisha flavors, but once you know what you want, its all good from then on out.

[web250]

Hookah central? Huh?

I personally recommend a QT, or a medium sized egyptian. Definately pick up a bunch of brands/flavors to start your experimenting off.

[Mt. Yukon]

Hmmm, my way of thinking was buy one and grow into it, but I guess it makes sense to start out small. Is any one brand any better than the others???

[Erica]

Mya is top of the line when it comes to pipes.... SS is alsovery good.

[cymptom]

A lot of people will also recommend going with a medium sized Egyptian for a first hookah. I personally would just say it's up to the buyer. Some things to keep in mind:

-there was a study done recently which showed that smoke from small hookahs contains roughly 4x the amount of carbon monoxide as the smoke from large hookahs. I can't find the link right now, but it seemed like a legit study. I'm still in the process of determining whether or not this effect is noticable, but if the study is accurate I can't imagine that there wouldn't be a perceptible difference in the buzz between the two
-with the QT you're guaranteed bang for your buck; they are solid machines with an extremely easy and responsive draw
-with an Egyptian you'll have to do more shopping arond -- some are better than others
-(in my opinion) Egyptians are meant to be placed on the floor, whereas the QT is better on a desk or table
-the QT is very portable; it comes with a cage or basket, so you can actually prepare the bowl, carry it off in the basket and quicklight it up wherever you want
-the Egyptian will provide you with a more "authentic" or traditional smoking experience

[ASUSEAN1]

def, go with some kind of mya, you will have no regrets

[cymptom]

I'll also have to add my skepticism of the Mya immaculate quality myth -- from my experience, Mya quality is not all its hyped up to be.

My Mya Bohemian... the base is beautiful but the stem is awful -- so narrow that its really pretty uncomfortable to smoke. In addition, the very top piece of the stem is crooked (upon close inspection, it's clearly manufactured this way,) so the tray and bowl sit slightly tilted. I never use the stem anymore, opting instead to use my old ghetto Egyptian stem on the Bohemian base.

My brother and I both have Mya wide hoses, and they both leak near the handle.

My brother's QT vase just broke -- he set it down on the table normally and a small hole broke through the glass. Upon closer inspection, it's apparent that the glass is almost paper thin in some areas.

The QT has other issues as well... the S-Class stem is difficult to clean thoroughly, and I think all models have problems with the vase not completely clearing when using the purge valve. All that aside, it's still a really high quality machine.

[Mt. Yukon]

Thanks for all your input and suggestions. I decided on the Chiller with Romman Raspberry and Pineapple that came with it. I hope to have it by the middle of next week(heres to hoping right) Anyway Ill try things out with this hookah and if I enjoy it ill get another smaller one for away games. Also Ive never set one up, what am I supposed to do with the coals and such, whats the differnce between a regular bowl and a phunnel??? I know Im asking allot of questions but I liked my first experience but I know nect to nothing about hookahs.

[DrunkenWizard]

The phunnel bowl will smoke longer and give more flavor. It holds a lot of shisha.

[web250]

Thanks for all your input and suggestions. I decided on the Chiller with Romman Raspberry and Pineapple that came with it. I hope to have it by the middle of next week(heres to hoping right) Anyway Ill try things out with this hookah and if I enjoy it ill get another smaller one for away games. Also Ive never set one up, what am I supposed to do with the coals and such, whats the differnce between a regular bowl and a phunnel??? I know Im asking allot of questions but I liked my first experience but I know nect to nothing about hookahs.

The Phunnel bowl has an inverted phunnel in the middle of the bowl. This way the juice doesn't flow down the stem. This makes your tobacco last longer, taste better, and it keeps your hookah cleaner.

What coals did you get?

[ASUSEAN1]

I'll also have to add my skepticism of the Mya immaculate quality myth -- from my experience, Mya quality is not all its hyped up to be.

My Mya Bohemian... the base is beautiful but the stem is awful -- so narrow that its really pretty uncomfortable to smoke. In addition, the very top piece of the stem is crooked (upon close inspection, it's clearly manufactured this way,) so the tray and bowl sit slightly tilted. I never use the stem anymore, opting instead to use my old ghetto Egyptian stem on the Bohemian base.

My brother and I both have Mya wide hoses, and they both leak near the handle.

My brother's QT vase just broke -- he set it down on the table normally and a small hole broke through the glass. Upon closer inspection, it's apparent that the glass is almost paper thin in some areas.

The QT has other issues as well... the S-Class stem is difficult to clean thoroughly, and I think all models have problems with the vase not completely clearing when using the purge valve. All that aside, it's still a really high quality machine.

i never have had a problem with any of my mya's

[Mt. Yukon]

Just the standard stuff, golden coals or something like that. I have a smoke shop around the corner, not sure if they sell hookahs or shisha but the guy that owns it probably knows a decent amount about hookahs. All I had was about 50 to spend after all the gifts I had to buy, maybe Ill get some money and be able to get amore permanent supply of shisha, coals and accessories. I figured with all the free stuff you get from HSC I could get enough to start on all at one time and from the same place to last me a week or so until the next time I get paid. I hear Romman isnt the best stuff to smoke so I'll try the Shisha bar across town and see if they don’t have better stuff. This forum is a good source of info about what brand and flavors are good, so I know a little bit about a little bit.

[Zerodynamic]

well, in my opinion there are good low end flavors, just as there are bad high end flavors...

Lower End:
Havana
Al-Amir
Al-Waha
Naklah
Romman

Middle:
Al-Faker
Layalina
Pharoh's (I love this stuff!)

High End:
Fumari
Starbuzz
Tangiers

That's most of the brands out there i can remember off of the top of my head.

Like I said, price doesn't always matter... for example, a cheap tub of Al-waha orange imho tastes just as good as Al-Faker OJ. Or, you may find a Starbuzz flavor tastes like crap (which fyi is like $20 for 250g) when the same flavor in havana tastes better (and is more like $10 for 250, i think)

Refer to my earlier post... get 50g packs (like $3 a piece) of different brands and flavors and see what you like best... then buy massive orders like everyone else around here does. Edited December 24, 2006 by Zerodynamic

[Lakemonster]

I'll also have to add my skepticism of the Mya immaculate quality myth -- from my experience, Mya quality is not all its hyped up to be.

My Mya Bohemian... the base is beautiful but the stem is awful -- so narrow that its really pretty uncomfortable to smoke. In addition, the very top piece of the stem is crooked (upon close inspection, it's clearly manufactured this way,) so the tray and bowl sit slightly tilted. I never use the stem anymore, opting instead to use my old ghetto Egyptian stem on the Bohemian base.

My brother and I both have Mya wide hoses, and they both leak near the handle.

My brother's QT vase just broke -- he set it down on the table normally and a small hole broke through the glass. Upon closer inspection, it's apparent that the glass is almost paper thin in some areas.

The QT has other issues as well... the S-Class stem is difficult to clean thoroughly, and I think all models have problems with the vase not completely clearing when using the purge valve. All that aside, it's still a really high quality machine.

Sustained argument.

My bohemian stem is askew..... I bought mine to get the top of the line hookah... and that part really let me down. Everyone here knows my gripe with the QT too. No more MYA rigs for me.... hoses only. too bad.

[EvansLight]

I say for your first, you need to go with a basic Egyptian. There the best hookahs out there, they work as they should, and look decent and are good starters.

That said, i personally recomend Social Smoke hookahs. They are a damn good company that i order from alot. ive also partied with them so i can say they are awesome guys Any of there hookahs rock, i have the Polaris III and the Minerva, but any size of theres is well worth it

[sambookamax]

I'll also have to add my skepticism of the Mya immaculate quality myth -- from my experience, Mya quality is not all its hyped up to be.

My Mya Bohemian... the base is beautiful but the stem is awful -- so narrow that its really pretty uncomfortable to smoke. In addition, the very top piece of the stem is crooked (upon close inspection, it's clearly manufactured this way,) so the tray and bowl sit slightly tilted. I never use the stem anymore, opting instead to use my old ghetto Egyptian stem on the Bohemian base.

My brother and I both have Mya wide hoses, and they both leak near the handle.

My brother's QT vase just broke -- he set it down on the table normally and a small hole broke through the glass. Upon closer inspection, it's apparent that the glass is almost paper thin in some areas.

The QT has other issues as well... the S-Class stem is difficult to clean thoroughly, and I think all models have problems with the vase not completely clearing when using the purge valve. All that aside, it's still a really high quality machine.

Sustained argument.

My bohemian stem is askew..... I bought mine to get the top of the line hookah... and that part really let me down. Everyone here knows my gripe with the QT too. No more MYA rigs for me.... hoses only. too bad.

Yes, I am not pleased with my MYA-QT either, and have written to Mya on here, but no response...?

I think I am going to check out the Socialsmoke ones right now..my gf and I are looking to get a new hookah, taller and better quality..I may post in the future about what I am looking for specifically and see what others might suggest...so keep your eyes open for that! cheers!

[ghostofdavid]

Yes, I am not pleased with my MYA-QT either, and have written to Mya on here, but no response...?

Try contacting Mya via THEIR website instead of through the hookah forum. They might not have their notice set for their companies email address if you sent tem a PM.

What about your QT do you not like?