Hookahs, or water pipes, are traditional smoking tools in Middle Eastern countries, but they have achieved great popularity around the world. Making an occasional "puff" with a hookah is not a problem, since many places now make it available to customers, but how do you proceed to prepare your own water pipe? If you don't know where to start and need a little help, this article is for you.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Prepare the Pipe
Step 1. Clean the hookah
Wash it with water and scrub it with a soft-bristled brush before using it for the first time and whenever it looks dirty. Disassemble all parts and wash them except the pipes; behave as if they are not water resistant, unless they are labeled differently. When finished, wipe each component with a cloth and wait for all of them to air dry completely before continuing.
- The best thing to do is to clean your pipe at the end of each smoking session, but it's also okay to do this when you notice residue in the bottle or when the smoke has an altered taste.
- A long, thin pipe cleaner allows you to reach the inside of the elongated elements. You can buy these devices at stores that sell hookahs.
Step 2. Pour cold water into the ampoule
This is the large glass container that sits at the base of the pipe. Add enough water to submerge the first 2-3 cm of the metal stem. It is important to leave some free space for the air so that the smoke is diluted and easier to draw through the pipe. If you have a smaller sized hookah, you will probably only need to submerge the first 12mm of the stem to have enough air space and avoid wetting the pipes.
- The stem is the metal tip that is located at the end of the central shaft. Make a slit in the shaft at the top of the cruet to see how deep the stem goes.
- Water does not filter nicotine and other chemical compounds from smoke, as most smokers believe. The presence of water does not make smoking any less harmful.
Step 3. Add ice (optional)
Although the smoke emitted from a water pipe is not harsh at all, it is more pleasant when cool. You will need to get rid of some water, to make sure it is always at the right level (described above) even with the ice cubes in it.
Step 4. Insert the rod into the ampoule
Push it all the way down until the stem is in the water. There should be an element of silicone or rubber on the top of the ampoule which allows for an airtight joint. If there is no accurate seal, the smoke will be diluted and difficult to inhale.
If the rubber seal does not fit, moisten it with a little water or a drop of liquid soap
Step 5. Connect the pipes
The slots for these elements are located on the sides of the rod. They too are equipped with gaskets to ensure an airtight seal. On some hookahs it is possible to close the holes when the pipes are disconnected; for other models, however, it is necessary to always fix all the pipes, even if you are smoking alone.
Check the water level carefully each time before connecting the remaining elements. If the liquid is too close to the pipes, it can damage them
Step 6. Check for airflow
Place a hand on the top of the pipe to block access to air. Try to suck through a tube; if you can feel air, it means that the joints are not sealed tightly. Double-check them to make sure all rubber or silicone gaskets are snug.
If you've lost a gasket, search online for "hookah sealing ring" to find replacement parts. In an emergency, you can temporarily remedy it with kinesiological tape tightly wrapped around the joint; by doing so, you should get an almost hermetic seal
Step 7. Lay the metal tray on top of the rod
Its task is to collect the embers and excess tobacco in case they fall from the brazier.
Part 2 of 2: Smoking with the Hookah
Step 1. Stir the shisha
It is tobacco flavored with a liquid that also makes the smoke denser. This type of liquid tends to settle to the bottom, so stir the mixture quickly before using it.
- If this is your first time smoking with a hookah, you should use a molasses-based, tobacco-free shisha to practice brewing. Tobacco can be very sour if you make any preparation mistakes.
- Shisha comes in a variety of different flavors, which dramatically change your smoking experience. Try a few different ones to figure out which one you like best as a new smoker.
Step 2. Break the shisha and place it in the bowl
Try to restore volume to the mixture and then drop it into the bowl. Afterwards, flatten it slightly for a level surface, but be careful not to compact it. Tobacco should always be loose enough so that air can pass through it smoothly. Fill the bowl almost to the brim, leaving at least 2mm of space above the tobacco so it doesn't burn.
Step 3. Cover the hookah with strong aluminum foil
Place it over the brazier so that it is taut. Wrap the ends around the edges of the bowl itself to keep it in place.
- If you only have plain aluminum foil, use two layers of it.
- Alternatively, you can use a carbon screen which is typically sold for just this purpose; however, most smokers prefer foil.
Step 4. Place the bowl over the hookah rod
This should be held in place by another rubber gasket, which at the same time ensures an airtight seal.
Step 5. Drill several holes in the foil
Use a toothpick or paper clip and drill 12-15 holes across the entire surface. As you go, check the flow of air by sucking through one of the tubes. If you have trouble sucking, drill more holes.
Some people also prefer to pierce the shisha to provide access to air and heat
Step 6. Set two or three pieces of charcoal on fire
There are two types that are used for hookahs. Follow the instructions based on what you have:
- Quick-Ignition Charcoal: Grab it with pliers, over a fireproof surface. Set it on fire with a match or lighter until it stops emitting smoke. Afterward, wait 10-30 seconds until the charcoal is covered with light gray ash and glows. This type of charcoal is quite handy, but the smoking experience will be shorter and worse. Some people experience headaches after smoking with this product.
- Natural charcoal: heat it directly over the flame of a stove or an electric burner, but never let the ash fall into the natural gas system or onto the glass ceramic hob. The charcoal is ready when it glows, usually after 8-12 minutes.
Step 7. Transfer the carbon to the aluminum foil
Place the glowing pieces in an orderly fashion forming a ring on the brazier, it is okay even if they come out slightly from the edges. A common mistake is to put charcoal in the center, but doing so burns the shisha giving it a sour taste and reducing the smoking time.
Many smokers prefer to wait for the shisha to heat up for 3-5 minutes before starting to smoke. This way, you can gently draw in the smoke while fully enjoying its flavor
Step 8. Inhale
Once the bowl is hot - or right after setting the charcoal down, if you're impatient - breathe in through one of the tubes. The suction should force the air through the coals which will become hotter. If you inhale too hard, the air will overheat the charcoal, which will burn the tobacco as a result. As a result, you will have a coughing fit and lungs filled with bad-tasting smoke. Limit yourself to short aspirations, as if you were breathing normally. Maintain a relaxed pace, taking breaks to allow the shisha to cool down.
If the vial does not fill with smoke, take a series of short, forced inhalations to heat the tobacco
Advice
In addition to shisha there are many other more traditional blends to smoke in the hookah. These dried leaves are typically more tart and are not flavored. To smoke them, put the charcoal directly on the leaves without using aluminum foil
Warnings
- Hot coal is dangerous, handle it with a steady hand.
- Hookah smoke, like that of any other tobacco product, also poses a serious health risk.
