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.

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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?

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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.

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Well lets have a look at the problem and then the solution.

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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.

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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

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• The Five Best 4 Hose Hookah For Sale Online

When selecting the best 4 hose hookah available we focused on 3 primary criteria. These are value for money, functionality and aesthetics. We know that you will be pleased with what we’ve come up with.

Our Five Favorite 4 Hose Hookah

36″ 4 Hose RA Trimetal Egyptian Hookah Red

Wow, this is a great looking hookah in, as the name suggests, 3 different metals.

This hookah is slender, elegant, and very classy with a traditional look.

Visually, the design and color scheme are very striking with the different colored metals, red hoses and a hand painted water vase featuring concentric horizontal gold stripes.

It’s a good size too at 36 inches and gives a lovely smooth smoke. Not even a hint of harshness, even with 4 or more people smoking at once.

It’s not the cheapest on our top 5 list but at under $150 it does offer true value for money and comes with tongs, hose, tobacco bowl and charcoal tray.

Click Here For More Information

34″ 4 Hose Rotating Queen Rotator Hookah Red

The Queen 4 hose is a fantastic looking 4 hose hookah and is fully rotating, meaning an end to messy hose tangles.

We particularly like the design of the water vase, which has a lovely curved shape and is subtly decorated with Arabic artwork.

The stem is in traditional silver, which offsets the red vase perfectly, and the base wide enough for good stability.

This pipe looks great, smokes better, and comes complete with hoses, tobacco bowl, tongs and charcoal tray.

At under $120 this is a true bargain.

Click Here For More Information

34″ 4 Hose Rotating Hookah Blue

This great looking hookah is as above, only in blue. So blue vase and blue hoses with a silver stem.

The blue vase is a bit more refined than the striking red and not quite as vibrant.

Still a great looking pipe of course, just a little less in your face.

As above this 4 hose hookah is fully rotating and comes complete with hoses, charcoal tray, tongs and tobacco bowl.

And it is also available for the very reasonable price of just under $120.

Click Here For More Information

26″ 4 Hose Pyramid Base Hookah w/ Case Red

This pipe is a little smaller than we normally recommend for 4 hose hookahs but smokes very well for a 26 inch pipe.

Smooth and with great flavor. It’s got a very unique look.

Very smart, and very sexy with a wide-based pyramid vase.

You don’t see these shaped water vases often, which is surprising as they  look great and give fantastic stability.

Nice range of accessories too including a carrying case, tongs, hoses and tobacco bowl.

A good price also at under $120.

Click Here For More Information

The 35″ Modern Rotating 4 Hose Hookah

This is an excellent example of a 4 hose hookah that has a lot to offer. Value for money? Check. Beauty? Check. Rotating base? Check. Offering a good smoke? Check, and double check.

This really isn’t a bad pipe at all at a very reasonable price of $115

Click Here For More Information About This Hookah.  Note: Please make sure to scroll to the bottom of the page to see this rotating 4 hose hookah.

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• 4 Hose Hookahs

Well, maybe.  4 hose hookahs do offer several advantages over its smaller cousins. We’ll have a look at these to see if a 4 hose is right for you. If you are familiar with the advantages and just want to look at the best available, Click Here.

A 4 hose hookah is both beautiful and functional

A good quality 4 hose hookah is a work of art, large and obviously designed to accommodate several smokers at once. It will give a smooth regular smoke and do away with the sometimes irritating need to constantly pass the hose around.

4 hose hookahs make things a lot easier and safer when smoking with friends

A standard one-hose hookah is fine if it’s just you with, at most, one friend smoking then. But any more and it can get a bit fiddly and less than perfect for a relaxing smoke.

It’s very easy for things, at worst your hookah!, to get knocked over if you have to pass the hose to someone sitting some distance away. And with red hot charcoal perched precariously on the top, it’s not something you want to be worrying about when you’re trying to relax and enjoy your smoke.

The extra size of a 4-hose is also going to make it more stable generally.

4 hose hookahs make for a relaxing smoke

When I smoke a hookah I want to take a nice long pull whenever I feel like it, at lay it down when I feel like it. I really don’t want to have to give up the hose too often, or continually ask my friends to pass it back. Maybe I’m a little selfish but I feel that when smoking a hookah it’s about total relaxation, what you want when you want.

A 4 hose hookah can often end up cheaper

There’s also the question of cost. If you live with several other hookah aficionados then clubbing together for a big 4 hose hookah will end up a lot cheaper than each buying a single hose pipe.

And obviously you’re not limited to just four people smoking. Eight can comfortably smoke a 4 hose hooker. More if you want, but then obviously we’re back to the dangers of knocking things over if you have to pass a long distance or people are having to get up and move all the time. I feel that eight is a good number.

So Should I Get A 4 Hose Hookah Or A Standard One Hose?

Well, it depends. If you envisage a lot of you smoking at once, then it’s definitely the way to go for a truly relaxing smoke. If you are more likely to be smoking alone or with just one other person, then there’s really no need.

Click Here Now To See A List Of  The Top 5 Best 4 Hose Hookah

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Hookahs that aren’t cleaned regularly taste bad and look grimy, neither of which is conducive to the relaxed calm environment you are seeking when smoking your favorite shisha. Take care of your hookah with regular hookah cleaning and you’ll enjoy many more great smokes.

How To Clean Hookah

Hookah cleaning isn’t difficult, just a little time-consuming. Fortunately it gets a lot quicker as you become more practiced at it. The following guidelines will prove invaluable to experienced smokers, and those new to hookahs alike.

The first thing you need to do is dismantle your hookah. Everything! Take off the bowl, the water chamber, the hose, the grommets and so on. This may seem like a bit of a hassle but it really doesn’t take long and will definitely be worth it. Give everything (except for the hose) a quick rinse with warm water to start things off.

Now you can start  hookah cleaning proper with the  tobacco bowl. Take a toothpick and clear away any debris and old burnt tobacco paying special attention to the holes in the bottom of the bowl. You can use some more warm water also if the bowl is particularly dirty or clogged.

Next move on to the shaft of your pipe. A long thin brush is especially useful here. Some of the commercial hookah cleaning brushes are very good at getting this inside part of the pipe clean, and are reasonably priced. Again you can use warm water here but if you haven’t cleaned your pipe for a while or you notice that it is getting especially dirty you might choose to use some  hookah cleaning liquid designed for precisely this job. You can find both hookah cleaning liquid and brushes, here.

The water vase is the next major component that needs to be cleaned. And again you can purchase a special brush for precisely this task. With a bit of elbow grease you should be able to get it looking as good as new. Be careful though, glass bowls can be quite delicate and hard to handle. In short, don’t drop it!

Now on to the hose. Hoses are problematic as most aren’t designed to be cleaned with water. All you can really do is blow down it to remove ash and other debris. If possible you should have a couple of hoses. One for stronger tasting tobaccos and one for milder. This will avoid the problem of tasting apple when you’re smoking mint and so on.

In addition I like to clean the mouthpiece regularly with a little warm water and alcohol. Especially if it has been shared.

Give all other parts a wipe down to ensure they are clean (using hookah cleaning liquid if you choose or hot water), and then dry everything thoroughly to avoid any corrosion.

Now reassemble your hookah. It should look as good as new.

Final Thoughts On Hookah Cleaning

Smoking your hookah is obviously the fun part, while cleaning it is a chore. But it has to be done if you want your pipe to last and to taste great.

Keep up this routine after every few sessions, or when you change tobacco flavor and your hookah will give you a great smoke every time, in addition to looking great.

The specialized hookah cleaning equipment detailed above and available here, while not essential, can be very useful and  make your job a lot easier. Happy smoking!

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photo credit: quinn.anya

Simply follow the directions below on how to smoke hookah to enjoy a smooth, flavorsome smoke.

Set yourself a good forty five minutes aside. Hookah smoking is a leisurely activity that shouldn’t be rushed. Moreover there’s a little bit of preparation time too.

Before smoking, you will also need tobacco, tongs, a foil disc, charcoal and water. If you need any of these items, have a look here. Except for water, we’ll presume you can lay your hands on some of that.

So You’ve Just Got Your Hookah And All The Equipment, What Now?

1. Firstly fill your water bowl or chamber with water.  The level of you water is critical, too much and it’ll be too difficult to smoke. Too little and the water won’t pass through the water and cool properly.

   You want to fill the water vase up so that the bottom inch of the stem, or pipe, is under water. This is pretty much the optimum level but does depend somewhat on the size of your hookah. Experiment to find what is best for you.

   You can also add ice for an even smoother smoke.

2. Now, connect the base back to the rest of the hookah and check that it is air tight. You can do this by placing your palm over the bowl and sucking on the hose / mouth piece. You shouldn’t be getting any air at all. If you are, check your connections and grommets.
3. You can shred and rip your tobacco (or shisha as it is often called) to ensure a nice even burn if you choose. Most shisha is fine straight from the packet though. Now, pack it into the bowl of the pipe.  You want the tobacco to be packed loosely but firmly.

   Again this will take a bit of experimentation, but in my experience people are far more likely to pack too tightly rather than too loosely.

   Pack the tobacco until the bowl is almost completely full, about 2 mm from the rim.

4. Cover the bowl with a foil disc (or aluminum foil) perforate 15 or 20 times with a tooth pick or your tongs or whatever.

   Generally concentric circles is a good way to go, keeping the holes really small. Lots of little holes are infinitely better than just a few big ones.

   Make sure you have a nice seal with the foil around the bowl so that no extra air can get in.

5. Light your charcoal while holding it in your tongs. Specialized hookah charcoal is quick and easy to light but it is usually recommended that you do this outside.

   Now place your lit  charcoal on the foil above the tobacco. It’s best to start of with the charcoal on the edge of the foil and move it around the outside. After half an hour or so you can start to move it towards the center..

6. You’re almost there now. Take several short puffs on the hose until you start inhaling a healthy(!) amount of smoke.
7. Now settle back and smoke. It’s entirely up to you how you smoke your hookah but generally they aren’t smoked like a cigarette, or even a cigar. Instead the smoke is drawn directly into the lungs. Not first to the mouth and then the lungs.

Because of the lovely moist tobacco and cooling water, long leisurely puffs are smooth and easy.

A Few Extra Tips On How To Smoke Hookah

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• As you smoke move the charcoal slowly around the bowl in ever decreasing circles, ending finally in the center
• If the smoke starts to taste hot or harsh then it’s probably because you are using too much charcoal. You aren’t trying to burn the tobacco, rather warm or toast it. Simply remove one of your charcoals.
• If the smoke starts to taste a little sooty, clear your charcoal of ash using your tongs.
• Clean your hookah thoroughly after use. You can find cleaning kits here.

So that’s how to smoke hookah!

Following the above steps on how to smoke hookah will give you a perfect smoke every time. Pretty soon it will all become second nature.

You can now start experimenting with different tobaccos, flavored water and so on if you choose.

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The true aim of every hookah smoker should be to get the smoothest, tastiest smoke possible. The following hookah tips should help you achieve this.

Hookah Tips – Tobacco

• Rip and shred your tobacco thoroughly before packing. This will ensure a smooth, even burn and taste.

• Invest in some kind of air tight container to store your tobacco. Once it’s been opened it can dry out very quickly. Moist tobacco means a smooth, flavorsome smoke.

• Experiment with different flavors and brands of tobacco to find the one perfect for you. You can even experiment with your own blends.  Look here for some of our recommendations for both tobaccos and blends.

Hookah Tips – The Water Vase and Hose

• Try adding ice to the water vase or chamber to give a smoother smoke.

• You can also experiment with adding different flavors to the water. We particularly favor lemon juice but other popular flavors are orange juice, cranberry juice and wine.

• Always use fresh water in the water vase. Stale, used water will give an unpleasant flavor to the smoke.

• If the hose has sat unused for several minutes, blow down it gently to rid it of old smoke.

• Try placing your hose in the freezer for 15 minutes before you smoke. This gives a somewhat smoother smoke.

• You can do the same with the water vase until you get a thin layer of ice on the surface of the water. But just be careful not to leave it too long and damage it.

Hookah Tips – Charcoal

• Try different brands and kinds of charcoals. You’re looking for the best possible combination of hookah, tobacco and coals for that perfect smoke. It may take you a little while to find exactly what you are after but the journey will be worth it!

• Always use charcoal that is specifically for hookah smoking. Regular charcoal can cause carbon monoxide poisoning, not fun. These charcoals here are excellent quality but remember not to over do them. A little goes a long way when you’re smoking a hookah

• When you are starting your hookah place the charcoal piece or pieces at the edge of the bowl. Move inwards in ever decreasing circles as you continue to smoke. Consequently, their final resting place should be in the middle of the tobacco.

Hookah Tips After You Finish Your Session

One of the most important of these hookah tips. Always clean your hookah after each session. This will ensure a pleasant smoke each and every time you use it.  These hookah cleaning sets make the job very simple.

photo credit: Lars Plougmann

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The Early Days Of  Hookah Pipes

photo credit: WomEOS

It all began in India during, and before, the reign of Emperor Akbar (1542 – 1605), a far thinking and innovative Mongol Emperor who ruled India at the time.

During Akbar’s time, in the area around Rajasthan both east and west of what is now the Pakistani border, a crude forerunner of the hookah was smoked, using a simple coconut shell and pipe.

This simple version of the hookah pipe was used primarily for opium and hashish and hence its use was limited to those who partook in these drugs.

Hookah Pipes Enjoy An Early Popularity

However, with the growth in popularity of tobacco, all this began to change. In Akbar’s court the simple hookah pipe was adapted to the smoking of tobacco. And so the basic form of the hookah pipes we know today, was born.

It became de rigor during Akbar’s reign and especially in his court for Indian noblemen to partake of a fashionable hookah pipe, and from this early interception the popularity of pipes hookah quickly swept through much of the Arab world gaining special popularity in Iran, Egypt and Turkey.

The Hookah Pipe Grows In Popularity And Becomes An Established Part Of Cafe Culture

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It was in these countries, but especially Turkey, where hookah pipes, and the ritual and tradition surrounding them, really established themselves.

Especially suited to a cafe culture, the hookah pipe easily lent itself to the relaxed congenial atmosphere and slow pace of conversation. And along with endless cups of strong black coffee, certain modes of use became part of hookah pipe culture. Particular ways of holding the hose, of handling the charcoal and of packing the tobacco became so established as to become as important as the smoking itself.

It quickly became an integral part of Turkish, and other North African and middle Eastern, culture and still is today.

The Hookah Pipe Becomes A World Wide Phenomenon

Emigration from hookah pipe using countries, and improvement in the speed and ease of travel generally, has meant that the popularity of  pipes hookah has spread all over the world, to Africa, to Asia and to Europe and North America.

As its popularity has grown the hookah pipe has been subject to numerous changes in design and shape, until we have the many sophisticated and artistic forms that we know today.

However, it is worth remembering that in essence, it is little changed from Akbar’s time, consisting as its fundamental parts, a water chamber to cool the smoke, a bowl for tobacco, and a long hose for smoking.

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