Tangiers Theory!

[Zerodynamic]

That was an awesome post sean. I am now edu-mah-cated with hookah tobacco size.

[Twang]

Here's what puzzles me the most about Tangiers: if I put a ton of coal on it, it will smoke smooth as hell but of course it will taste burnt. If I use only a little heat, it can be extremely harsh. I can't really make sense of it -- either it's thin and harsh, or thick and smooth. How does that make sense?

This confuses me as well. There is something I am missing. Why is think smoke harsh, and thick smoke smooth? Anyone?

[ASUSEAN1]

Here's what puzzles me the most about Tangiers: if I put a ton of coal on it, it will smoke smooth as hell but of course it will taste burnt. If I use only a little heat, it can be extremely harsh. I can't really make sense of it -- either it's thin and harsh, or thick and smooth. How does that make sense?

This confuses me as well. There is something I am missing. Why is think smoke harsh, and thick smoke smooth? Anyone?

Alright basically when it is thin and harsh you are not putting enough tobacco in the bowl. Also, instead of trying to spread the tobacco out in the bowl, stir the tobacco really good in the tub and then take the tobacco and put it the bowl the same density it is in the tub and just move it around to fit the bowl. hope that helps... Edited April 5, 2007 by ASUSEAN1

[cymptom]

I don't know about Twang but I was talking specifically about coal placement. If I have the coals on the edges of the bowl, smoke is thin and harsh -- as I move them closer to the center, the smoke gets thicker and smoother, but starts tasting roasted before it gets thick enough to be satisfying. It's just weird that if you overheat the tobacco, it smokes much smoother than it does under low heat.

[Twang]

I'm not asking how to get it to smoke correctly. I'm asking why is the thin smoke harsh, and thick smoke smooth? If thin smoke is just less thick smoke, then it would be smoother then the thick smoke... Anyone understand what I'm getting at?

[Oofie810]

Alirght, just got my first tangiers bowl smoking right now.

Here's my setup:

Mya QT, with tap water (room temp)
Tangiers small phunnel
3 pieces japanese coal
Tangiers grape
single foil with many holes (as Eric told me)

Here's my problem: smoke is normal but it is harsh. Grape flavor is very minimal. I smoked yesterday at Sontherts place with Kashmir peach and it was great. I was hoping to duplicate this experience at home. I might try another bowl later with my Tangier Blue gumball. Any recommendations as to how I should change my setup? Also, how should I place my coals? Should I put one directly on top of the funnel opening, or just to the sides? Edited April 6, 2007 by Oofie810

[Alqoshnia]

I finally made great progress in getting Tangiers to smoke right. I think the key is air flow. DO NOT under any circumstance press down the tobacco. just plop it from the container to the bowl. Make MANY BIG holes ( i use a fork just for quickness, and poke all the way down, hitting the bowl) and then turn over and blow into the bottom of the bowl. The smoke was MUCH smoother, thicker clouds of smoke, BUT the only problem I have is not as much flavor as I expected. Either Im still doing something a lil wrong or maybe the tobacco is just like that

EDIT:: I forgot to mention I used 1 40mm three kings quicklite broken into 3 pieces, a tangiers standard bowl, mya qt, and semi warm water ( to help out the first 10 minutes of harshness). It took me about 10-15 minutes to go from medium smoke thickness to pretty good thickness. I was worried I would throw everything off if I added more charcoal to get thicker smoke, so I didnt even dare. Maybe next time. Edited April 6, 2007 by Alqoshnia

[ShishaFred]

Hmm let's make a theory here on the thin smoke. It might be completly off target but i'm just giving a shot.

Let's say the thin smoke is caused by tobacco that is actually burning at a hotter temperature , perhaps the glycerin cannot condensate , giving thick smoke. This could be because it might be too hot to condensate or that it burns the tobacco rather than boiling it down.

The think smoke would be smoother because the tobacco doesn't burn so hot. The glycerin boils then condensates giving you a more rich and full smoke.

Just have to know under what conditions the shisha actually burns.

Does it make sense?

[ggb]

Hmm let's make a theory here on the thin smoke. It might be completly off target but i'm just giving a shot.

Let's say the thin smoke is caused by tobacco that is actually burning at a hotter temperature , perhaps the glycerin cannot condensate , giving thick smoke. This could be because it might be too hot to condensate or that it burns the tobacco rather than boiling it down.

The think smoke would be smoother because the tobacco doesn't burn so hot. The glycerin boils then condensates giving you a more rich and full smoke.

Just have to know under what conditions the shisha actually burns.

Does it make sense?

This does make sense... but (as theory goes) it only accounts for one part of the heat management - the temperature - and not the coverage of heat and the surface area of the tobacco. So, for the moment neglecting issues of airflow, I wonder if the thickness/thinness has to do with both the temperature and how much shisha it's in contact with?

I've been experiementing with tangiers apricot and I'm just about to give up. The funny thing is the first bowl I smoked was amazing -- thick, smooth smoke, lots of flavor, good but not overpowering buzz. Ever since (say 5 or 6 tries), nothing has worked right -- it either smokes too hot and fast and harsh, or too thin, etc. That's not meant to be the start of a rant, and I've gone through all the tips and advice on the forums... I just don't think I'm quite up to the challenge at this point in my hookah career.

sure is fun experimenting, though...

[ShishaFred]

Well if you got it right one time , it means you can get it right again ! Don't give up , I'm sure that frst bowl was very enjoyable.

[Vancity604]

smoked my first bowl of tangiers yesterday. i didnt experience any of the harshness people talk about. only problem i had was that the flavor was non existant. it had a very strong tobacco taste which i didnt really like.

[azcoyote]

Having been a guest at the Tangiers factory a couple times, I had the chance to observe the preparation that goes into making it his shisha. Some unique features distinguish it from the others, primarily cooking it in molasses. Most brands are using other kinds of sugars. The raw tobacco - it's bright blonde btw - is painstakingly picked over by hand until all objectionable pieces are removed. The molasses is cooked into the leaf until it is "dry" and a certain temperature is reached. Then the stuff is aged for at least a couple weeks for the molasses to fully penetrate the leaf. Once aged it is ready for adding flavors and glycerine.

IMO - During the cooking process it is possible for the molasses to partially caramelize and thus there can be an aroma of smokiness or "barbecue" as some have called it. No doubt molasses is an ingredient in many bbq sauces! This doesn't seem to affect the way it smokes. According to Eric, Tangiers is the only brand available with a cooking phase.

With this unique process, it is possible that the nicotine present becomes more easily absorbed. Just a possibility. That would might account for the monster buzz we all know and love.

I do enjoy a few other brands, but there are times when only tangiers will do.

[DrunkenWizard]

Amen.