A hookah can be defined as water-pipe smoking gadget used in the majority of Middle Eastern cultures. It is increasingly becoming popular in many parts of the world and is also acceptable socially in party atmospheres. It is one thing to take a casual drag of hookah but what happens if you want your own hookah set up? In this article, we tell you everything you need to know with regard to setting up your hookah and even how to care for it. Read on to learn more, and be sure to browse our selection of hookahs, shisha, and hookah accessories for everything you need to get started.
Hookah Setup Guide
- Fill the base with water to the designated level. Be sure to not under or over-fill the hookah base.
- Place the stem into the base. You should have a rubber stopper between crystal/rubber base and metal centerpiece. The bottom of the stem should be 1-1 1/2 inches in water.
- Place the circular metal tray on the top of the stem piece. It will slide below the bowl grommet and onto its own mount. This will catch ash and hot coal to avoid injury and damage to furniture.
- Secure a clay bowl to the top of the stem, right above the circular tray.
- Put a hose into one side of the midsection. The plastic grommet is there to ensure an airtight connection.
- Test for an airtight connection by putting your hand on the top of the bowl of your hookah and then suck in via the hose. If you feel air sucking against your hand and notice bubbles in water, the hookah is working. If you do not see either of these things happening, it means that there is a break in the seal somewhere along the line.
- Once the connection is airtight and tested for bubbles and air pressure, put some shisha into the bowl while ensuring that it stays level with the rim. Make sure the tobacco is sprinkled to avoid restriction of airflow.
- Cut a square or a round piece of foil roughly two times the diameter of your bowl and put it over the bowl. Ensuring that it is airtight and flat.
- Punch small holes into the top of the bowl by using a sharp object such as a toothpick or fork tip.
- Light a hookah coal using a lighter if instant light or a stove if a coconut coal. Be sure to use a pair of hookah tongs to avoid injury.
- Place the coal on top of your foil. Move the coal around the edge of the bowl over time to smoke different parts of the bowl to ensure flavor.
- Begin pulling through the hose and the coal will get hotter over time and burn the shisha hotter.
How to Smoke Hookah
By this time, your hookah is fully set up and you are ready to go.
Press down on the charcoal gently and suck in through the mouthpiece. You will see the buildup of smoke inside the base. Ultimately, after some puffs, you should be able to feel the taste of tobacco inside your mouth. Be patient and allow the charcoal to heat your tobacco.
How to Clean a Hookah
The Hose
A majority of hookah hoses aren’t washable. Never run water through the hose as the hose contains a metal coil which might be corroded. Just hang it in an area that is cool and dry to give it longest possible lifespan. In case your hose is labeled as washable, just rinsing it with hot water is enough. Restrain from putting washable hoses in the clothing or dishwasher. Chances are that they will fall apart because their exteriors are not made for those conditions.
Heads / Bowls
At the very least, you should rinse the ceramic and clay bowls. It is very difficult to get rid of the black staining. Ensure that you rinse or even use small pipe brushes for cleaning out the holes and the neck of hookah bowl.
When cleaning your hookah, we advise that you make use of a cleaning solution, for instance, lemon juice or dish soap. We also sell various cleaning solutions to perform a fast and straightforward cleaning. When cleaning the vase, stem, and head – use vinegar or formula 420. Some people prefer soaking the vase, stem and head overnight on a cleaning solution. Another reason for using cleaning solution is to help prevent the transient hookah tobacco flavors.