Hookah/Shisha pipes.
Discussion
The Riddler said:
What do you smoke in these?
Isnt it just a glorified bong?
Don't think so.Isnt it just a glorified bong?
I think a 'bong' is specifically for smoking cannabis. A Shisha/Hookah is for smoking tobacco. The tobacco is fairly 'exotic' in so much as it's mixed with fruit and mollases, <sp?>, but it's legitamate, <again SP?>.
Very pleasant it is too, but not portable like cigars or cigarettes. Oh, and it doesn't smell like the aforementioned either!!)
Try putting ice cold water in the base that mite help. Also, make sure when you foil the bowl, the shiny side is facing downwards towards the tobacco as that helps to retain heat. You might want to try more smaller holes with a pin or a toothpick in the foil rather than bigger holes.
It also depends on what brand tobacco you are using as they all have their own individual properties. Try experimenting by using different amounts of coal aswell. Each shisha smokes differently so it might take you a while of experimenting to get the right balance for a perfect smoke.
It also depends on what brand tobacco you are using as they all have their own individual properties. Try experimenting by using different amounts of coal aswell. Each shisha smokes differently so it might take you a while of experimenting to get the right balance for a perfect smoke.
Edited by shushu on Saturday 5th September 01:11
Cheers Shushu!
I have been 'experimenting'. Got the shiny side down bit already.
Found I had to 'modify' my pipe, (It's a genuine Egyptian one apparently, but nowhere near as impressive as my mate's one!), as it drew too much air to get a satisfying 'drag'.
Think I've got this one as good as I can. I think I need to 'upgrade' a bit. My mate's one is quite large, (OO-err!), and he buys tubs of tobacco as opposed to the packets I bought with my pipe.
I really like it. It doesn't stink the house out either and has given me something to frig about with while SWMBO watches Big Ballbag.
I have been 'experimenting'. Got the shiny side down bit already.
Found I had to 'modify' my pipe, (It's a genuine Egyptian one apparently, but nowhere near as impressive as my mate's one!), as it drew too much air to get a satisfying 'drag'.
Think I've got this one as good as I can. I think I need to 'upgrade' a bit. My mate's one is quite large, (OO-err!), and he buys tubs of tobacco as opposed to the packets I bought with my pipe.
I really like it. It doesn't stink the house out either and has given me something to frig about with while SWMBO watches Big Ballbag.
Got a massive Shisha pipe at our Uni house, which we all use pretty much every night. After a couple of years of experimenting, we've concluded that the smoothest tobacco is Al-Faker. To make it as smooth as possible, the most important thing seems to be to make sure that you keep the top of the foil clear from the coal ash which forms and ensure you keep a good supply of red hot coals on the go. Oh, and giving it a good clean after use ensures it stays useable and tasting good...nothing worse than inhaling and getting a mouth full of ash/state tobacco because you've got dirty pipes!
We've found the best flavours to be strawberry, double apple (predictable) and mint (which is incredibly refreshing). We've also learnt to avoid any 'man made' flavours, as they all appear to be absolutely vile!
Edit: Just remembered - poke many smaller holes in the foil, rather than fewer larger ones. Toothpick and the like are way too big. Needle is the best bet.
We've found the best flavours to be strawberry, double apple (predictable) and mint (which is incredibly refreshing). We've also learnt to avoid any 'man made' flavours, as they all appear to be absolutely vile!
Edit: Just remembered - poke many smaller holes in the foil, rather than fewer larger ones. Toothpick and the like are way too big. Needle is the best bet.
Edited by wiffmaster on Saturday 5th September 01:45
Yep, al fakher tobacco is by far the best, but we've been getting a few bad batches recently, flavour is not as consistent as it used to be. The price has shot up recently aswell.
Nakhla tobacco is a good alternative, its drier than than al fakher, but doesn't give as big clouds. I'm not really a fan of the american stuff like starbuzz.
What coals are you using? instant lights are good for a quick smoke or if your away from home, but they do give a dodgy chemical taste. If your using natural coals, check they have ashed over and red all the way through before you put them on. Dont put on too many coals as the will burn the tobacco and the smoke will be too harsh and taste horrible.
Nakhla tobacco is a good alternative, its drier than than al fakher, but doesn't give as big clouds. I'm not really a fan of the american stuff like starbuzz.
What coals are you using? instant lights are good for a quick smoke or if your away from home, but they do give a dodgy chemical taste. If your using natural coals, check they have ashed over and red all the way through before you put them on. Dont put on too many coals as the will burn the tobacco and the smoke will be too harsh and taste horrible.
i managed to have one for 6 months and thankfully wifey never realised i had one!!
i cant add anything more really to the above
one thing that i thought was a nice touch was flavoured water - so if your having double apple - put some blackcurrent and apple cordial mix into the water with ice - damn smooth!
al fakhr is a hard to get to - the govt's been clamping down on imports as many shop owners dont pay tax which they should be hence the shooting of the price.
regular cleaning is also a must - avoid build up.
dont over stuff the tobacco too ie fill the holder about 3/4 full and dont squash it down
i cant add anything more really to the above
one thing that i thought was a nice touch was flavoured water - so if your having double apple - put some blackcurrent and apple cordial mix into the water with ice - damn smooth!
al fakhr is a hard to get to - the govt's been clamping down on imports as many shop owners dont pay tax which they should be hence the shooting of the price.
regular cleaning is also a must - avoid build up.
dont over stuff the tobacco too ie fill the holder about 3/4 full and dont squash it down
I found some 'tutorials on Youtube and followed them. They were a great help.
I have Nakhla tobacco, (got it with the pipe.), in apple and melon flavours. The melon's definitely smoother.
The main reason for my initial post was because although it's very nice, it's not quite as smooth as my mates one. He's mentioned about the gubamint clamping down on this tobacco too.
Good tip about the cleaning! Any tips on the best way to do it? I've just been running water through it.
I have Nakhla tobacco, (got it with the pipe.), in apple and melon flavours. The melon's definitely smoother.
The main reason for my initial post was because although it's very nice, it's not quite as smooth as my mates one. He's mentioned about the gubamint clamping down on this tobacco too.
Good tip about the cleaning! Any tips on the best way to do it? I've just been running water through it.
Cleaning wise we just run some hot water through the pipes after every use. But, we have waterproof pipes - some are made from cardboard and will eventually disintegrate. No great hardship though, as they can be replaced for a couple of quid. You can also buy pipe cleaning rods, but we've not found it necessary.
As for tobacco imports getting harder - heard about this, but so far the police appear to have turned a blind eye to the hundreds of shops on Manchester's Curry Mile which sell all sorts or tobacco brands. Jolly good!
As for tobacco imports getting harder - heard about this, but so far the police appear to have turned a blind eye to the hundreds of shops on Manchester's Curry Mile which sell all sorts or tobacco brands. Jolly good!
I had one in Berlin this year. We went into a Turkish bar we stumbled across. It was a bit strange; the downstairs was empty and we were hurried upstairs by one of the staff. One of the lads is in the Royal Marine Reserve and always seems to be watching everything around him. He wasn't very comfortable about going in there.
When we got upstairs all the windows were open and there were pipes on every table. When the waitress came over, she had one with here and offered it us. The owner came over very quickly and you could see from his hand gestures that he didn't want us to have that one. He took our drinks order and then offered us a couple of pipes. We all sampled it and I have to say I did enjoy it; it was very mellow and not one bit harsh like cigarettes/cigars.
We were winding the lad in the Marine Reserve up the next day by telling him there was opium in them.
When we got upstairs all the windows were open and there were pipes on every table. When the waitress came over, she had one with here and offered it us. The owner came over very quickly and you could see from his hand gestures that he didn't want us to have that one. He took our drinks order and then offered us a couple of pipes. We all sampled it and I have to say I did enjoy it; it was very mellow and not one bit harsh like cigarettes/cigars.
We were winding the lad in the Marine Reserve up the next day by telling him there was opium in them.
As has been mentioned, Al Fakher is the one to go for. Nakhla is also not bad, but be warned, for the Al Fakher, be prepared to pay a fair whack. Some people sell it for £5-7 but these are usually imitations.
Also size of the pipe doesn't matter, I've smoked a couple which we about 6ft high and were awful. Best bet seems to be the standard ones which are around waist height.
Also, make sure you don't have too much coal on top and that your holes are very very small in the foil.
Finally give the combo of 2/3 strawberry to 1/3 mint a go, lovely.
This thread has me pining to be back in Egypt where I could get a shisha in a cafe for £1.20! The mrs and I found a local place and had far better shisha there then in the tourist spots. Ended up visiting 8 times in a week long stay!
Also size of the pipe doesn't matter, I've smoked a couple which we about 6ft high and were awful. Best bet seems to be the standard ones which are around waist height.
Also, make sure you don't have too much coal on top and that your holes are very very small in the foil.
Finally give the combo of 2/3 strawberry to 1/3 mint a go, lovely.
This thread has me pining to be back in Egypt where I could get a shisha in a cafe for £1.20! The mrs and I found a local place and had far better shisha there then in the tourist spots. Ended up visiting 8 times in a week long stay!
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