So you have decided to purchase a Hookah.

There are a few tips and tricks you need to be aware of and I would like to share some of those with you.




HOPEFULLY THIS INFO WILL MAKE YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH YOUR HOOKAH MORE ENJOYABLE.




WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR WHEN PURCHASING A HOOKAH


• Don't buy a very tall hookah. Medium size hookahs usually work (smoke) much better.
• Make sure the hose can be washed easily and is not too long.
• The non-rotating hookahs have better seals and contain the smoke much better.
• Triangular vases are much better than the sphere shape ones.
• A clay bowl is always preferable
• Unless you really want one, try to stay away from multiple hose hookahs -.

HOW TO PREPARE THE HOOKAH

You have now purchased your Hookah and are eager to try it out. Please wash the Hookah thoroughly before using it for the first time.

PS: always wash your hookah thoroughly, to get rid of the old tobacco smell and dirt and never re-use the old water in the vase.

Fill the vase with water

Fill the vase with water such that the stem of the hookah is submerged approximately one inch in the water.
Some people also put the glass vase in the freezer to cool down for a short time (10 to 15 minutes).

Fit the middle section onto the vase

Some hookahs come with a plastic seal that goes in between the vase and the metal argile to keep it from losing smoke or drawing in unwanted air.

Place the tray on the argile.

The tray is used to place your extra coals on, catch any spillage and as a place to store the hookah tong.

Now its time to attach the hose to the Hookah

Some hookahs have more than one hose. If you own one of those, either attach them all, or seal the ones that you are not using with a plastic seal (it’s usually supplied with the Hookah). When you are not smoking, always keep your fingers at the end of the hose. This keeps the hose air-tight and allows for better smoke for those who are smoking.

Most of the hoses have a plastic part that goes between hookah's argile and the hose itself. Make sure that this is firmly in place, to keep the end of the hose air tight

And now we pack the bowl with tobacco

This is a very important step.

When you put the tobacco in the bowl don't just push it in there. Sprinkle the tobacco in small amounts, to allow air between the tobacco pieces so that the heat from the coal can travel freely through the tobacco. This also allows the tobacco to burn more evenly.

Another option is to sprinkle the tobacco in the bowl and then make a small hole in the middle.

Placing the aluminum foil on top of the bowl

Cut the aluminum foil into squares about 2 inches larger than the bowls diameter. For health reasons the shiny part of the aluminum foil must be face down.

Make a view holes in the aluminum foil

Use an object with a sharp tip such as pin, sharp tip pen.
Start with a small hole in the center and make approximately circles of holes around it.

If you want larger amount of smoke in the beginning, you can put one or two deep larger holes toward the sides of the bowl such that the hole goes through the tobacco. This will let oxygen travel through the tobacco better and help it burn more.

The holes are made to let oxygen into the bowl in order to allow the tobacco to burn. So if you put too many holes, the tobacco will burn faster and you might get a burned smell. If you have too few holes, the tobacco won't burn as well.

Now we can light the coals and put them on the hookah head

Light the coal and place it on the aluminum foil. It is usually best to place the coal slightly to one side of the bowl, and when this coal is burned, place the new coal on the opposite side.

And finally we are ready to Smoke the Hookah

In the beginning the hookah may need a little time to start smoking, so be patient

ENHANCING YOUR EXPERIENCE

There are many methods that can be used to enhance the hookah smoking experience. I have listed a few of the popular ones for you below. If you have any tips you would like to share with us please leave a comment:

Add some Ice to the Water

The function of the water in the hookah base is to cool down the smoke. Adding ice to water is a good idea as it makes the smoke cooler and smoother. You can use ice or simple use cold water from the fridge.

Add Fruit to the Base
Adding fruit to the hookah base adds more flavor and smell to your hookah. Try to use fruit with a similar flavor to the hookah tobacco being used.
Lemon, or lime, or berries are also great enhancers of smell and taste.

Mix Flavors with Each Other

You can mix two or more flavours and come up with your own unique flavour. Here are some of the flavors that go well together:

Mango & Peach
Mint & Melon
Strawberry & Banana
Cheery & Cola
Mint & Rose
Double Apple & Rose

To mix the tobacco flavours together you can use one of the multi head hookah bowls or simply mix them in a jar and put it in the bowl.

Add Wine, Juice, or Alcohol to the Hookah water (one small quantities need to added)

OTHER USEFUL INFO

In case you have lost one of the ball bearings, you can always make one yourself by rolling a small piece of foil into a ball into the exhaust pipe.

If your bowl is loose then the seal is worn. Simply use a napkin or paper towel, wrap it tightly around the bowl grommet, and place the bowl over it.

FAQ

What is the best way to store the tobacco?

Store your tobacco in an airtight container at room temperature in a cool dry place. If you keep it in the fridge it will loose its flavor very quickly.

My tobacco has dried out, I there any thing I can do?

You could add a little honey or jam to your tobacco and mix well using your fingers.

There is too much smoke, what am I doing wrong?

There are various factors that can influence the amount of smoke. Some brands of tobacco produce more smoke than others. However, be aware that if the hookah is not prepared correctly it will also produce excessive smoke.

The shape of the hookah can play a key role in the amount of smoke. A large vase allows more smoke to be stored in it and therefore more smoke can be drawn from the hose.

Ensure that the tobacco is placed fairly loosely into the bowl, and ensure that you have not pierced too many holes and that they are not too large otherwise excessive smoke can result.

Is this safer than smoking cigarettes?

Much research has been undertaken regarding this topic. But from what I understand, you get much more smoke from a hookah than a cigarette. However it seems that the smoke is not nearly as harmful as it contains less than the cigarette smoke. Smoking hookah is obviously not good for your health, but since hookah is more of a social activity which is usually done two or three times a week, it is probably less harmful than cigarettes.

How do I clean my Hookah?

Take the entire hookah apart. Rinse out the hose thoroughly with water and wash the rest of the hookah parts. I suggest that every alternate week you place the hose in a bucket of hot water and leave it to soak overnight.

How often should I clean my Hookah?

Immediately after every use, otherwise, the smell and remainder of the previous smoke stays inside the Hookah and makes it much harder to remove.

What size bowl should I buy?

Size of the bowl depends mostly on the type and size of your Hookah. The size of the bowl also changes the amount of smoke you get out of the hookah. Smaller bowls usually give more smoke, but burn faster. Large bowls usually give less smoke and burn longer.