Difference between revisions of "Set Up a Hookah"
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== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
===Setting up the Pipe=== | ===Setting up the Pipe=== | ||
| − | #Clean the hookah. Wash the hookah with water and a soft brush before using it for the first time, and whenever it gets dirty. Disconnect all parts first, and wash every one ''except'' the hoses; assume these are not water-safe unless labeled otherwise.<ref>https://www.hookah-shisha.com/hookahlove/784-cleaning-your-hookah.html</ref> Wipe it dry with a towel and leave it to air dry before you continue. | + | #Clean the hookah. Wash the hookah with water and a soft brush before using it for the first time, and whenever it gets dirty. Disconnect all parts first, and wash every one ''except'' the hoses; assume these are not water-safe unless labeled otherwise.<ref name="rf15682">https://www.hookah-shisha.com/hookahlove/784-cleaning-your-hookah.html</ref> Wipe it dry with a towel and leave it to air dry before you continue. |
#*Cleaning after every session is ideal, but definitely clean whenever you see residue on the vase, or when the smoke doesn't taste right. | #*Cleaning after every session is ideal, but definitely clean whenever you see residue on the vase, or when the smoke doesn't taste right. | ||
#*A long, thin brush helps you reach inside long parts. You might find good brushes at stores that sell hookahs. | #*A long, thin brush helps you reach inside long parts. You might find good brushes at stores that sell hookahs. | ||
| − | #Pour cold water into the vase. This is the large glass container at the base of the hookah. Fill it enough to cover 1 inch (2.5 cm) of the metal stem, or slightly more. Leaving space for air is important to dilute the smoke and make it easy to draw on the hose. If you have a mini hookah, you may only be able to cover ½ inch (1.25cm) of the stem to leave room for air and avoid soaking the hoses.<ref>http://www.shishainfo.com/hookah-shisha-setup.htm</ref><ref>https://www.hookah-shisha.com/hookahlove/15940-how-much-water-should-i-add-to-my-hookah-base.html</ref> | + | #Pour cold water into the vase. This is the large glass container at the base of the hookah. Fill it enough to cover 1 inch (2.5 cm) of the metal stem, or slightly more. Leaving space for air is important to dilute the smoke and make it easy to draw on the hose. If you have a mini hookah, you may only be able to cover ½ inch (1.25cm) of the stem to leave room for air and avoid soaking the hoses.<ref name="rf15683">http://www.shishainfo.com/hookah-shisha-setup.htm</ref><ref name="rf15684">https://www.hookah-shisha.com/hookahlove/15940-how-much-water-should-i-add-to-my-hookah-base.html</ref> |
#*The stem is the metal tip at the bottom of the central hookah shaft. Slot the shaft on top of the vase to see how far down the stem goes. | #*The stem is the metal tip at the bottom of the central hookah shaft. Slot the shaft on top of the vase to see how far down the stem goes. | ||
#*The water doesn't filter out nicotine and other chemicals nearly as much as most smokers believe. Adding more water won't make the hookah safer. | #*The water doesn't filter out nicotine and other chemicals nearly as much as most smokers believe. Adding more water won't make the hookah safer. | ||
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#*Double check your water levels before connecting. If the water levels are too near your hose connections, the water could ruin your hoses. | #*Double check your water levels before connecting. If the water levels are too near your hose connections, the water could ruin your hoses. | ||
#Check the air flow. Place your hand on top of the hookah stem to block air from entering the hookah. Try to inhale through a hose. If you can get any air, one of the connections is not airtight. Check them all for tight fits and rubber or silicone seals. | #Check the air flow. Place your hand on top of the hookah stem to block air from entering the hookah. Try to inhale through a hose. If you can get any air, one of the connections is not airtight. Check them all for tight fits and rubber or silicone seals. | ||
| − | #*If you're missing a seal, look for "hookah grommets" to find a replacement. Tightly wrapped athletic tape can make a temporarily, mostly airtight seal.<ref>http://www.hookah.org/how-to-prepare-a-hookah/</ref> | + | #*If you're missing a seal, look for "hookah grommets" to find a replacement. Tightly wrapped athletic tape can make a temporarily, mostly airtight seal.<ref name="rf15685">http://www.hookah.org/how-to-prepare-a-hookah/</ref> |
#Position the metal tray on top of the hookah shaft. This tray catches hot embers and excess tobacco if and when they fall. | #Position the metal tray on top of the hookah shaft. This tray catches hot embers and excess tobacco if and when they fall. | ||
===Smoking the Hookah=== | ===Smoking the Hookah=== | ||
#Stir the shisha. Shisha is just tobacco packed in liquids that add flavor and thick smoke. These liquids tend to settle to the bottom, so give it a quick stir to spread them around. | #Stir the shisha. Shisha is just tobacco packed in liquids that add flavor and thick smoke. These liquids tend to settle to the bottom, so give it a quick stir to spread them around. | ||
| − | #*For your first time smoking a hookah, consider using tobacco-free hookah molasses to practice the setup. Tobacco can be very harsh if you make a mistake.<ref | + | #*For your first time smoking a hookah, consider using tobacco-free hookah molasses to practice the setup. Tobacco can be very harsh if you make a mistake.<ref name="rf15683" /> |
#*Shisha comes in many different flavors, which significantly change the experience. Sample several to see what you like as a novice hookah smoker. | #*Shisha comes in many different flavors, which significantly change the experience. Sample several to see what you like as a novice hookah smoker. | ||
| − | #Break up the shisha and place it in the bowl. Fluff up pieces of shisha and drop them in the bowl. Press lightly down to make a flat layer without compacting the tobacco. It should stay fairly loose so air can easily flow through it. Fill the bowl nearly to the top, but leave at least 2mm (3/32 inches) of space above the tobacco so it doesn't burn.<ref | + | #Break up the shisha and place it in the bowl. Fluff up pieces of shisha and drop them in the bowl. Press lightly down to make a flat layer without compacting the tobacco. It should stay fairly loose so air can easily flow through it. Fill the bowl nearly to the top, but leave at least 2mm (3/32 inches) of space above the tobacco so it doesn't burn.<ref name="rf15685" /> |
#Cover with heavy-duty foil. Lay a piece of heavy-duty foil over the bowl, stretching it taut. Crimp it around the edges to secure. | #Cover with heavy-duty foil. Lay a piece of heavy-duty foil over the bowl, stretching it taut. Crimp it around the edges to secure. | ||
#*If you only have standard duty foil, use two layers. | #*If you only have standard duty foil, use two layers. | ||
#*You can use a charcoal screen sold for this purpose instead, but most users prefer the foil. | #*You can use a charcoal screen sold for this purpose instead, but most users prefer the foil. | ||
#Place the bowl on top of the hookah shaft. This should fit securely into another rubber piece, for an airtight fit. | #Place the bowl on top of the hookah shaft. This should fit securely into another rubber piece, for an airtight fit. | ||
| − | #Poke several holes through the foil. Using a toothpick or paper clip, poke about 12–15 holes through the foil surface.<ref | + | #Poke several holes through the foil. Using a toothpick or paper clip, poke about 12–15 holes through the foil surface.<ref name="rf15683" /> Test air flow by drawing on the hose as you do this. If you have trouble pulling air, add more holes. |
#*Some people like to poke all the way through the shisha to provide channels for heat and air. | #*Some people like to poke all the way through the shisha to provide channels for heat and air. | ||
| − | #Light two or three coals. There are two types of coals used for hookah. Follow these instructions depending on which one you have:<ref | + | #Light two or three coals. There are two types of coals used for hookah. Follow these instructions depending on which one you have:<ref name="rf15685" /><ref name="rf15686">http://www.hookahreport.com/2010/05/28/the-absolute-beginners-guide-part-two-coals/</ref> |
#*Quick light coals: Hold with tongs over a nonflammable area. Light with a lighter or match until it stops smoking, then wait 10–30 seconds until covered in light gray ash and glowing orange. These are convenient, but give a worse, shorter smoke. Some people even get headaches from smoking them. | #*Quick light coals: Hold with tongs over a nonflammable area. Light with a lighter or match until it stops smoking, then wait 10–30 seconds until covered in light gray ash and glowing orange. These are convenient, but give a worse, shorter smoke. Some people even get headaches from smoking them. | ||
#*Natural coals: Heat directly in a stove flame or on an electric burner, but never where ash could fall into the gas line or on a glass stove. The coal is ready once glowing orange, usually after 8–12 minutes. | #*Natural coals: Heat directly in a stove flame or on an electric burner, but never where ash could fall into the gas line or on a glass stove. The coal is ready once glowing orange, usually after 8–12 minutes. | ||
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==Tips== | ==Tips== | ||
| − | *There are other, more traditional forms of hookah tobacco besides shisha. These dry leaves are typically harsh, with no added flavors. To smoke them, place the coal directly on the leaves, without using foil.<ref>https://www.hookah-shisha.com/hookahlove/9444-romancing-the-smoke-smoking-without-foil.html</ref> | + | *There are other, more traditional forms of hookah tobacco besides shisha. These dry leaves are typically harsh, with no added flavors. To smoke them, place the coal directly on the leaves, without using foil.<ref name="rf15687">https://www.hookah-shisha.com/hookahlove/9444-romancing-the-smoke-smoking-without-foil.html</ref> |
== Warnings == | == Warnings == | ||
