When you find yourself enjoying a shisha bar in London you will want to make sure that you are enjoying your Hookah, following these tips will allow you to make the most of the experience.
- All the Hookah’s connecting parts need to be airtight (stem-to-base, bowl-to-stem, and hose-to-stem). This is done with rubber grommets that come with the Hookah unless it has screw-in parts. If any of these areas are not airtight and you need a DIY solution, then a good option is tearing a small strip of paper towel and then wetting it a little so you can wrap it around the areas you want to be connected. You will then adjust the number of paper towels.
- A good way to get a cooler smoke is to drop ice in the water of the glass (when you add the ice, you need to make sure that the water level doesn’t go over 1-1.5 inches over the stem line).
- You should mix the tobacco when it is still in the package before use. This is going to help in keeping the amount of flavour/juice consistent, and at the right level for every bowl.
- If you are feeling the tobacco is a little juicier than you like, then just give it a little squeeze so that the excess runs off. It might be hard to get a good smoke when it is too wet. Too dry is also not good because it becomes harsh.
- Avoid throwing the large stems, you can easily cut them up. They are full of flavor and it is going to increase your session.
- Cutting up large leaves to make the tobacco leaves smaller. Large leaves are not good because they block airflow.
- Sprinkling tobacco on the bowl instead of packing it is better. The amount sprinkled should be above the rim. Be careful not to put too much as it restricts airflow because it packs down after you wrap it with the foil. It is hard for the coals to heat up the tobacco if it is too little.
- Before you cover the bowl with foil, make a hole in the centre to improve the ventilation. The hole should be pencil-width.
- You have to put the shiny side of the hookah foil facing down.
- Try poking as many pin-size holes as possible on the foil. Having more holes is good because it improves airflow. Be careful not to make big holes because the last thing you need is coal having direct contact with the tobacco. After you poke the holes, unwrap the foil carefully and then re-loosen the tobacco. Reform the big hole sized like a pencil and then wrap it back on carefully.
- The coals need to be fully ignited before you start using them. Half-lit or weak coals make it hard for your Hookah to get started. Burning your coal thoroughly before starting your session is also good because it will help in getting rid of unwanted tastes.
- Put some coals on the edges of the bowl as you first start to smoke your Hookah. The number needed will be determined by the size of the bowl and also the type of coal you are using. As you smoke, move around the coals when needed. You should avoid putting coal at the centre and that is the last place to put it. This is because you don’t want the tobacco to be too hot and it will help the bowl last longer.
- There are types of coal that have to be flipped during use. This is because the bottom side can lack oxygen and die out. a sign to look for is if the bottom side is black and not hot red.
- Use two sheets of Hookah when you notice the tobacco is getting too hot and burning.
- If you want less harsh and fresher smoke, blow lightly into the hose from time to time so that smoke from the base chamber is released.
- You should be cleaning the Hookah after every 4-5 uses. Cleaning means inside and out. You shouldn’t run any water through the house if it is not indicated as washable. Blow air through the hose before and after use to remove any particles inside.
- When you are not using your hose, hang it.
- It is time to get a new hose when you get solids from the hose as you inhale. You have used it enough.
- It is a good idea to use different hoses for different flavours. Don’t use the same hose to smoke tropical-flavoured and mint-flavoured tobacco.
- The hookah should be stored at room temperature and should be sealed airtight. The fridge is not a place to store your tobacco.
- take the coal off if you notice that the smoke clouds are not large enough, and then pull out the stem before dumping some water.
