Archive for January, 2010
Solving Hookah Hose Problems
by Lucas on Jan.05, 2010, under Hookah Hoses, Hookah Tips
A common problem with a hookah hose is not getting any air, or smoke when you suck on it. This is obviously pretty serious! But don’t worry it’s not to tricky to solve.
There are two possible reasons why you are getting no air from your hookah hose
Either your hose itself is blocked, or you have a problem with the auto seal on your hose adapter. Anything else would be pretty unusual unless you’ve left your hookah to get in a really bad condition.
So lets first find out which it is. Un-attach the hose and suck it. No air? You’ve found your problem. Its a blocked hose.
If you’re getting air then you’ll have to move onto the pipe itself. Have the hookah set up as normal but keep the hose removed and take of the bowl. Try sucking through the hose outlet and you will almost certainly find you can’t get any air. You’ve located your problem. You have a problem with the auto seal, and almost certainly, more specifically the ball bearing.
How To Unblock A Blocked Hookah Hose
If it’s a washable hose then run some warm water down it, that should clean it up nicely. And shame on you for not keeping it clean in the first place.
Failing that or with a unwashable hose, try extra long pipe cleaners to dislodge the blockage.
If it is a cheap hose then there’s always the possibility that the interior of the hose has simply collapsed and you may need to get a new one.
Click Here To View A Selection Of Good Quality Washable Hoses
How To Repair A Blocked Auto Seal On Your Hookah
The auto seal attaches the hookah hose to the pipe and is there so that you don’t need to keep your finger over your hose when someone else smokes from a different hose. Most probably the ball bearing has become stuck. A wash in warm water should solve the problem.
If it doesn’t, then as long as the ball bearing is accessible you can attack it with a tooth pick or the like to try and detach it. If you can’t access the ball bearing you will need a new hookah hose adapter, or if it is attached to the stem, a new stem.
Choosing The Best Hookah Coals
by Lucas on Jan.05, 2010, under hookah supplies
photo credit: normalityrelief
Hookah coals, are an often overlooked part of the hookah smoking experience. I guess because it doesn’t seem that important. However it really is. For a great flavorsome smoke every part of your hookah pipe should be working in concert with the other and the hookah coal is no less, nor more, important than any other part of your hookah.
You can find a link to good-quality hookah coals at the end of this article.
What To Look For In Hookah Coals
Ideally you’re looking for hookah coals that are;
Long lasting with an even burn – you don’t want to have to mess about replacing coals during your session, nor do you want uneven temperatures that will make charcoal management difficult.
Odorless – As much as is possible you want to be tasting your tobacco, not the charcoal. Sounds obvious but some hookah coals do have a definite unpleasant taste to them.
What Kinds Of Coals Are There?
photo credit: quinn.anya
Basically hookah coals, or charcoal come in two different kinds. These are Quick-Light and Natural.
Of the two, natural hookah coals are the superior. The choice of the connoisseur, odorless and with a great long-lasting, low-temperature, even burn. However, you do require a special stove and a little more time to get them going. Usually about 10 minutes or so depending on the brand.
Quick-light hookah coals are a lot simpler to use. You can light them with any disposable lighter and within a minute or two you have a hookah coal that is ready to be placed atop your bowl. As with most short cuts though there is a down side. You sometimes get a slight unpleasant odor with these kind of hookah coals. Nothing over-the-top if you choose a good quality brand, but still slightly noticeable to the experienced smoker. This odor is from the expedient which is added to the hookah coals to make them light so quickly.
So Which Kind Of Hookah Coals Should I Use?
Well, I generally have both kinds to hand. If I’m at home and with time on my hands then sure, I’ll fire up the stove and use the superior natural hookah coals.
However when time is an issue, or I’m somewhere without a stove, then quick lights come in very, very useful. The odor really isn’t that noticeable and I’m not particularly precious about it.
Where Can I Buy Hookah Coals?
You can find both types of hookah coals, here. These are good-quality coals made by reputable brands, and at very reasonable prices.
Cleaning Your Hookah Hose
by Lucas on Jan.01, 2010, under Hookah Hoses, Hookah Tips
How to clean a hookah hose is a source of much disagreement. It is a contentious issue. Some swear by warm water while others claim this will ruin your hose! Still others say that simply blowing through the hose will clean it while opponents of this method state that this is ineffective. So, what to do?
Well lets have a look at the problem and then the solution.
photo credit: puppinurss
Over time your hookah hose is going to build up a residue of ash and tar. It’s simply unavoidable. The result will be a hose that tastes of the previous bowls tobacco, ash or tar and just plain nasty. Extremely dirty pipes will result in chunks of detritus hitting the back of you throat when you inhale. In short, it’s not a situation you want.
So what’s the best way to clean your hookah hose?
Well first of all find out about what kind of material your hookah hose is made from. Most likely the interior will be made of cardboard or rubber, rubber being superior.
With a cardboard hose you have to accept that its life is finite. Unless you use your hookah hose very infrequently it’s not going to last you a lifetime. That said you can still clean it. First simply try blowing down it.
If that solves the problem, fantastic. Unfortunately it may not. Next try a vacuum cleaner at one end on high power. Again, if its problem solved, you’re welcome.
If your pipe is still not clean then you’ll have to step it up a notch. And unfortunately this notch may well be damaging to a cardboard hose. But what are the alternatives? Unfortunately there are none I am aware of and you need that hose clean.
What you’ll have to do is take your hookah hose to the bathroom and run luke-warm water through it until the water runs clean. Now, swing it and shake it around to get rid of excess water and hang it up to dry as quickly as possible. When it’s perfectly dry you will be able to enjoy a good smoke once more. But do note that you can’t do this too many times before the interior of your hose starts to collapse.
A rubber interior obviously won’t dissolve so this is much easier to clean. However if it is attached to the exterior of the hose with metal, you may well encourage rust. This is why it’s important to hang it to dry as quickly as possible. Running a hair dryer over it may also help depending on the design of your hookah hose.
So, is there an easier, safer way to clean a hookah hose?
Not really, no. I think you have to accept that most hookah hose have a shelf life, or you can invest a good quality washable hookah hose, like the one here, available for under 8 dollars and in a variety of colors.
Our Top Three Mini Hookah
by Lucas on Jan.01, 2010, under Buy Hookah
If you’d like the ability to be able to take your hookah around with you and get a top quality smoke at your convenience, then a well designed mini hookah is what you are after. The following mini hookah are, we think, the best available. They look good, can be easily carried, offer good value-for-money and, most importantly, give a great smoke every time.
Please note that you will be able to find mini hookahs even smaller than the three below. However, we believe that if you go much smaller, you severely compromise your ability to get a smooth, flavorsome smoke.
Our Favorite Mini Hookah
The 14″ 1 Hose MYA QT Black Hookah
Mya is the most reputable name when it comes to mini hookahs, and they really don’t disappoint with this pipe.
This mini hookah looks fantastic and although it is just 14 inches high smokes like a 3 footer. It’s a one hose in black and comes complete with carrying case, tongs, hose and bowl.
At under $45 this represents good value-for-money for a top quality pipe, and is highly recommended.
Click Here For More Information On This Mini Hookah
This mini hookah is also available in green, here, and blue, here.
The Flying Camel Hookah
This is a very unique looking mini hookah with a intricately designed shaft and beautifully decorated base.
At 15 inches it’s a cinch to transport and comes complete with 2 packs of shisha of your choice, tongs, mouth tips, coals, charcoal screen, hose and bowl.
You’ll be paying just under $50 for this mini hookah including all the extras. So a lot of bang for your buck here.
Click Here For More Information On This Mini Hookah
10″ 1 Hose Pumpkin Hookah w/ Case Green
Cheap and cheerful, this is a mini hookah that won’t break the bank but looks and smokes great.
In green with a large stable base this mini hookah comes with a carrying case included in the price along with hose, bowl and tongs.
At under $20 this really is a good budget option.
Click Here For More Information On This Mini Hookah
