Hookah has been around for centuries, but the innovation in its preparation and delivery methods is only just beginning. This revolving mix of cultures and practices that make hookah, and join the tradition means there’s always something new to learn and put in place. This is why we have 10 of our favourite tricks and tips. These are tried-and-true tips that have become standard operating procedures in our Fumari office, and amongst our fans too!
It is possible to pack a bowl with care and pay attention to every detail, but if your excess tobacco, juice and water are left in the vase for days, you might as well throw it out. To get the best taste and experience possible, you should clean your hookah between sessions. Pro-tip: You can dry your vase in the dishwasher on a plate warmer to altogether remove water rings and spots.
We recommend adding fruit, herbs, spices or juices to your hookah. It can be an exciting and fun step Bong. Milk, grapefruit, plums and limes are acidic fruits. Avoid alcohol and milk. The bacteria in milk begin to grow at 45 degrees (Fahrenheit). Acidic juices will affect the finish of your downstem and inhaling alcohol for long periods can be dangerous.
Purging your hookah can improve the experience. Hookahs should be airtight when properly set up, but by doing this you trap in negative pressure. Purging your hookah prior to smoking will allow it to rid itself of stale, stale vapors while also checking the water levels and the purge. Purging before smoking allows you to check your airflow and stoke charcoal from the bottom. Consider this hookah’s warning for what is to come.
It’s a common misconception that ice will smooth your hookah smoke. This isn’t true. After all, ice has its place and that’s not in the hookah. Instead, it’s outdoors. If you want to cool down your water when you smoke outdoors in the summer, create an ice bucket using your hookah and regular table salt. Your constant pulls won’t melt the ice as fast with the ice on the outside of the hookah. And the table salt will keep it colder so you can enjoy your summer in the sun for longer.
Hookah smoking is not an exact science. You are often at the mercy and whim of your own tools. When we were in a bind, we even made a replacement purge valve using a pencap and hookah mouth tips. It is important to remember that you might own several hookahs. If you do, it’s a good idea to keep any grommets or purge balls you find, hose port connectors you have, or even threaded pieces like bowl ports. This is because many stores will not stock these items, due to high demand. If you keep a few spares in your pocket, you’ll be a Hookah McGiver within no time.
Imagine your hookah tobacco as Icarus. In order to remain in the clouds and away from sunlight (or, in this case, your bowl’s scorching hot rim), you will need to stay away from it. You can achieve a powerful flavor by packing your tobacco below the rim. This allows heat transfer to occur naturally between the clay and charcoal. The tobacco will also have more breathing space to expand or contract during baking, which makes cleanup easier. The rule of thumb for Heat Management Devices (HMDs), and foil, is to start 2mm under the rim.