Jump to content

Foil Methods


Recommended Posts

What's your method of setting up the foil?

A ring? Double layers? Triple?

Just wanted to know what was the most effective. It seems like when I do a single layer of foil, the Shisha gets burned easily and doesn't last long. When I add the ring, it's harder to inhale to get thick smoke.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

QUOTE (Gaara @ Apr 8 2007, 07:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
What's your method of setting up the foil?

A ring? Double layers? Triple?

Just wanted to know what was the most effective. It seems like when I do a single layer of foil, the Shisha gets burned easily and doesn't last long. When I add the ring, it's harder to inhale to get thick smoke.


Well, when I smoke with my phunnel, I do two rings....

With a regular bowl, random ass holes everywhere. IMHO, layering foil don't really matter.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

QUOTE (Zerodynamic @ Apr 8 2007, 11:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Gaara @ Apr 8 2007, 07:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
What's your method of setting up the foil?

A ring? Double layers? Triple?

Just wanted to know what was the most effective. It seems like when I do a single layer of foil, the Shisha gets burned easily and doesn't last long. When I add the ring, it's harder to inhale to get thick smoke.


Well, when I smoke with my phunnel, I do two rings....

With a regular bowl, random ass holes everywhere. IMHO, layering foil don't really matter.


With a regular bowl, it smokes so much better when there's one ring with one layer of foil on top and a whole bunch of random wholes as you mentioned.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

egyptian- a bunch of medium size holes, evenly spaced
phunnel- one ring around the outside with one hole in the middle

1 layer of tinfoil- the reynolds heavy duty shit
Link to comment
Share on other sites

ive noticed that some pipes tend to burn the tobacco quicker.

my assumption is that the greater air flow, the higher the levels of oxygen amongst the coal and tobacco. the greater the oxygen levels the greater the heat from the coal.

In this situation (as with my 52" Stratus) i use specialty hookah foil. I have seen several thicknesses in the precut round hookah foil. the thickest one really helps extend the smoking session. (takes a little longer to get going) alternatively try double or triple layers of standard foil.

As for holes, one ring along the outermost perimeter, 15-20 holes. 4-5 hole ring in the center and 1 hole in the middle which runs all the way through to the hole in the bottom of the bowl. i try to rotate the coal in the sections where it does not directly contact the holes, although it is sometimes inevitable.

having said all that, try each to their own i suppose.

i have tried filling out a log book for each session. things like water level, amount of tobacco, foils, coal etc. you will start to notice patterns with results and although the pipe may be working fine at the moment it can be improved. i do this each time i buy a new pipe until i get a really good consistent result.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

QUOTE (Gaara @ Apr 9 2007, 12:05 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (web250 @ Apr 8 2007, 11:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Shiny side down, 2 concentric circles.

Done. Easy.


When you guys say circle, are you talking of like a ring?



by circles hes talking about a circle of holes. 1 circle of holes on the outside then another circle of holes inside of that one. he doesn't mean a foil ring. i have yet to try a foil ring. i will give that a try tomorrow.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am confused. I have been smoking Hookah, since I lived in Saudi (1997), and I do not use foil. I just spoon the tobacco into the bowl. (I prefer a plastic spoon, there is no chance of scratching the ceramic, and it is disposable). then place a square of charcoal on top, and then light up. Why do you use foil? What is the advantage?
Link to comment
Share on other sites

haha well the foil thing is more of an american / younger generation thing. Most old school people put the coal right on the tobacco and wait until it forms a skin like thing which acts as foil. the foil creates a nice barrier between the tobacco and the tobacco. it makes the smoke less harsh while allowing for more of the flavor to shine through.

i'm fairly sure i got that right.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

QUOTE (cemab4y @ Apr 11 2007, 05:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I am confused. I have been smoking Hookah, since I lived in Saudi (1997), and I do not use foil. I just spoon the tobacco into the bowl. (I prefer a plastic spoon, there is no chance of scratching the ceramic, and it is disposable). then place a square of charcoal on top, and then light up. Why do you use foil? What is the advantage?


the tobacco made in the US is a little different from original shisha. With foil you are just burn the glycerin off the tobacco and there is no harshness. With our tobacco it tastes like shit if you do not use foil. Nakhla Zaghloul is a good example of traditional shisha. You put the coal right on top of the shisha and it smokes, not too harsh but still more harsh than what we are used too
Link to comment
Share on other sites

OK- I am starting to see the light! I started smoking Hookah in Saudi, and I got the most marvelous tobacco from the United Arab Emirates (The tobacco was not grown there, just processed there, and packaged there, I have lived in the mideast for 2 1/2 years, and I honestly do not think it is possible to grow tobacco in the Emirates).

I am from Kentucky, which grows more tobacco than any other state except North Carolina. Our main crop is Burley, which is fine for cigarettes, but not at all suited for hookah. I think it is interesting that tobacco grows in many different climates and varieties. The finest cigar-wrapping tobacco in the world is grown in Connecticut.

I prefer fruit flavored tobacco, that is "shag-cut" (It resembles cole-slaw). The long strands hold the fruit juice and particles better, and the burn is more even. I honestly did not know that any American variety of tobacco was ever used in hookah smoking. When I returned from Saudi, back in 1998, I did some research, and I could not find any suitable tobacco, that was available through mail-order or on the internet. I got a friend in Saudi, to mail me some of that UAE brand.

I am open to expirementation, and if I could find some American tobacco, that would produce an acceptable hookah smoke, I would try it at least once. I tried some plain Egyptian tobacco once, I added a few drops of mint oil to the tobacco, and I enjoyed a relatively pleasant smoke.

I use a "hard" type of charcoal, that I got in Saudi. It is a bit more difficult to light, but it burns very intensely and evenly. I like to place it directly on the tobacco, and the resultant smoke is very enjoyable. I never knew that anyone used foil between the tobacco and the charcoal. (The internet, what an invention! Thanks Al Gore!)
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I used to use the screen, it was nice as you would just slap it on; but one day my auntie told me that the screen was getting hot and burning the tobacco, thus loosing flavor and duration.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

i would say DO NOT go w/ the combo bowl (the one in the picture.) it really sucks =).

glass screen is what i would recomend. i am waiting for a glass screen + scali mod combo. that would be dream come true.

i like foil cause it allows for different hole placement. some shisha requires more holes, some less. i have different placement styles for different brands.

metal screens are okay if ur lazy tho.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...