Oxygen Absorber Tablets.

[The Dude Abides]

First let me say that I am definitely no scientist. Just a casual observer of various curiosities, usually the female type. So recently, upon finding an O2 absorber in my junk food, I pondered the idea of throwing one (unused and safe for food packing, of course) into a tub of ma'assel. It helps keep food fresh, but would it help (or hinder) keep the tobacco fresh as well? I know not. But perhaps, I thought, the mass of mad hookah scientists on the interweb would be able to offer their opinion on the subject. I performed an exhaustive search of the forum's vast archives to no avial, so... y/n?


P.S. This is my first post in many months. Please tell me the QT is now just a relic of the past.

[Zerodynamic]

You know, I would of never thought those oxygen absorbers would be useful... now that I think of it, I should try it...

And no, the qt is the shit around here. Although it has been getting a beating with smileys $15 hookah deals and the new mya bambino.

[web250]

Welcome back. Yes, the QT is still big man on campus, but maybe not sooo much as it used to be.

O2 absorbers sounds like a good day

[The Dude Abides]

I think I can get some little 02 absorber baggies at a local store that sells canning supplies. I only indulge in shisha once or twice per month, so perhaps I'll get a little more shelf life out of my ma'assel.

QT still the rage, eh? Forsooth.

[Molson]

you could just throw in some clear odorless kitty litter aslong as it is 100% silica...does the same thing but it would dry out the shisha unless you add distilled water to it. then it would regulate the moisture in the air. if not distilled water and just uised tap water then mold will form.

[The Dude Abides]

Kitty litter absorbs oxygen? If the answer is silica, why are food-safe oxygen absorbers made with metals, so as to begin the oxidation process of rusting, as opposed to kitty litter? I'm intrigued. Edited February 22, 2007 by The Dude Abides

[azcoyote]

Kitty litter absorbs oxygen? If the answer is silica, why are food-safe oxygen absorbers made with metals, so as to begin the oxidation process of rusting, as opposed to kitty litter? I'm intrigued.

JUST guessing here. Once the jar is closed there is a finite quantity of free oxygen available to combine with other elements. Once that free oxygen has combined with say.... a wad of steel wool... it is no longer available to oxidize other substances, having bonded with the iron. You could achieve the same thing by putting a thimble with a few ml of ethanol in the container and then light it. Immediately close the container. Once the flame goes out, all the available oxygen has reacted yielding CO2 and H2O. Any excess ethanol will remain, but it will quickly evaporate once the jar is opened. Hope this helps.

[Allia22]

I thought those crystals absorbed moisture. You're talking about silica gel, right?

Wait, how safe would it be to smoke that crap?!? Edited February 22, 2007 by Allia22

[The Dude Abides]

JUST guessing here. Once the jar is closed there is a finite quantity of free oxygen available to combine with other elements. Once that free oxygen has combined with say.... a wad of steel wool... it is no longer available to oxidize other substances, having bonded with the iron. You could achieve the same thing by putting a thimble with a few ml of ethanol in the container and then light it. Immediately close the container. Once the flame goes out, all the available oxygen has reacted yielding CO2 and H2O. Any excess ethanol will remain, but it will quickly evaporate once the jar is opened. Hope this helps.

I like what you're telling me, even though my limited technical expertise means I'm not quite sure what it is you're telling me. I think the oxygen absorber bags would be the easiest solution, however. I could buy a bag of them, and then throw a new one into the ma'assel tub right after each smoke. Kind of like disposable contact lenses.

I guess what I'm really not sure about is whether the eliminating of oxygen in a tub of ma'assel would actually be a good thing.

[The Dude Abides]

I thought those crystals absorbed moisture. You're talking about silica gel, right?

Wait, how safe would it be to smoke that crap?!?

Moi? I'm talking about these little hooleehoos: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxygen_absorber

[Allia22]

bleh, ok, wasn't sure what was being talked about o_O

[Yoner]

I haven't smoked Smiley's hookah.

And Dude, or His Dudeness, or El Duderino, if you're into that whole brevity thing, the QT is no longer "the" rage, it still is widely accepted as a quality smoke. Mya has come out with new hookahs, one being called the Bambino, and some new (and great looking) designs for a mid-to-big sized hookah. Smiley's hookah is all the rage at the moment IMO, while Nours, and Khalil Mamoon (sp) are still sought after.


Just my opinion on the matter Edited February 23, 2007 by ghostofdavid

[SafeSearchOff]

I've never heard of "oxygen absorbers", though if you speak of the silica packs as allia mentioned those are chemicals that will reapidly react with the water in the air, or the moisture in your shisha, and draw it out creating an anhydrate (i think thats what I learned in chemistry...). If you want some nice dry shisha give it a go >.<

but if it not silica of which you speak, wouldnt oxygen absorbers still hinder your smoke? if the oxygen is removed from your tub of shisha, then all that is left are other random gases, and perhaps a more airtight seal, but if there is no oxygen, would that cause u to have to re-acclimate your shisha each time you take it out to smoke?

[Scheetz]

Yes, the QT is still big man on campus

I have to disagree. Smileys $15 hookah kicks its ass in more ways than 1. And with everyone who has a Smiley hookah they have all confirmed it replaced the QT.


I dunno about those absorbers. Because its not like the tobacco has a shelf life of 2 weeks before it dries out. I think it would also screw up the acclimation process.

[Molson]

I thought those crystals absorbed moisture. You're talking about silica gel, right?

Wait, how safe would it be to smoke that crap?!?

yes you are right. sorry bout that

but they can also release moisture to keep shisha from drying out if you wet them and stick them in a air tight container.

i know certain people use it in their humidors instead of spending tons of humidification beads

[djbomberto]

ya smileys 15 dollar hookah to me is way better than the QT. I mean the QT can't clean the chamber......meanwhile the Cheap-o can =)

[KillZedKill]

These things come in bags of beef jerky too.. yum.

[The Dude Abides]

but if it not silica of which you speak, wouldnt oxygen absorbers still hinder your smoke? if the oxygen is removed from your tub of shisha, then all that is left are other random gases, and perhaps a more airtight seal, but if there is no oxygen, would that cause u to have to re-acclimate your shisha each time you take it out to smoke?

Yeah I'm not sure as to whether or not getting rid of the oxygen would even help preserve my ma'assel. I guess I'll have to conduct a little experiment and test the results.

And for the record, I don't believe in acclimation theory, and never have. No offense to Tangiers, of course.

[The Dude Abides]

Yes, the QT is still big man on campus

I have to disagree. Smileys $15 hookah kicks its ass in more ways than 1. And with everyone who has a Smiley hookah they have all confirmed it replaced the QT.


I dunno about those absorbers. Because its not like the tobacco has a shelf life of 2 weeks before it dries out. I think it would also screw up the acclimation process.

Well I'm glad to hear about a cheap replacement for the QT. That pipe always struck me as not offering much bang-for-the-buck.

And again, I don't believe "acclimating" does anything.

[Drake BBNR]

Not so sure about the oxygen absorbers. Seems to me that it would dry out the shisha. I guess the best way to know for sure is to give it a run. Let us know how it goes. Oh yeah, and the little smiley is the shiz.