Setting Up and Smoking a Shisha

Parts of the Shisha

 

Clay Bowl	Clay Bowl Used as a placeholder for the tobacco. Remember to pack the tobacco loosely.
Bowl Grommet	Keeps the bowl air tight.
Tray	Also referred to as an ash catcher which is exactly what it does.
Shaft	This is the main part of the hookah. Smoke travels from the bowl to the base by the way of the shaft.
Hose Grommet	Keeps the hose airtight.
Air Valve	This is used to release the smoke out of the base when it overfills. Blow softly into the hose and you will see the smoke travel out of the valve.
Base Grommet	Keeps the glass base airtight. You can wet the grommet so it slides into the glass easier.
Glass Base	Chamber for the smoke. Fill it with water so the shaft is about an inch deep in water.
Hose	Used to draw the smoke from the glass base to its final destination.

Setting Up the Pipe

The first time on using a new shisha, it is best to give the base and metal parts a wash, preferably with a shisha cleaning brush.

1. Fill the base with water. After you insert the shaft into the glass base, the metal tube should be submerged approx. 1-2 inches below the surface of the water.
   
   
   
   
   
2. Connect the shaft to the glass base. Make sure when you connect it that it is air tight, wetting the base grommet before connecting it makes this step easier.
   
   
3. Place the tray around the top of the shaft.
   
   
4. Using the small hose grommet, attach the hose to the shaft.
   
   
5. To assure that your shisha is now air tight, place your hand on the top portion of the shisha covering the hole and suck in from the hose, if there is any air leakage then check your connections again. Wrap a piece of foil around a grommet to increase its seal.
   
   
6. Now when you suck through the hose, the water in the base should bubble.
   
   
7. Now that your shisha is air tight pack the clay bowl with some tobacco. Loosely “sprinkle” some pipe tobacco into the bowl. Be sure not to pack the bowl too tightly, so that the airflow is not restricted. Don't let the tobacco level reach over the bowl or overflow.

   

8. Secure the clay bowl to the top of the shaft, using the bowl grommet.
   

   
   
   
9. Place aluminum foil on to the top of the bowl covering the tobacco (a charcoal screen can be used but its not as good). Cut a square piece of aluminum foil and wrap it around the top part of the clay bowl. Once it is wrapped around tightly, poke little holes in it using a toothpick or any other sharp object. Make sure you have enough holes to allow the charcoal to burn the tobacco. The foil will act as a screen keeping the charcoal from burning the tobacco.

   

Smoking the Shisha

1. Light the coal(s). Use the smokeless, self-lighting (as compared to requiring lighter fluid) coals that are often used for burning incense. Don't use regular charcoal briquettes! Regular charcoal may lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
   
   Hold a charcoal disc with metal tongs and hold over a lighter. The charcoal will spark and smoke for several minutes as it heats. When the charcoal stops sparking, blow on it gently to make it red hot and then carefully place it on top of the covered shisha bowl. Depending on the size of the clay bowl, more than one coal may be needed. Whenever you smoke for more than about half an hour, you will usually have to add some fresh ones to keep your smoke thick and flavorful.
   
   

   
   
   
2. Start taking a series of rapid small puffs to get the tobacco burning. You will know that it is burning properly once smoke starts to build up in the base of the shisha and starts to flow easily through the hose.

Now you can relax and enjoy.

See my smoking tips for an even better smoke!!!

Shisha Maintenance

In order to continue to enjoy a great smoke it is essential that periodic maintenance is carried out.

After every smoke:

• To maintain freshness of your shisha tobacco, store it an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Change the water in your glass vase for every smoking session - the water is the filter for the smoke!
  
• Blow through all of the hoses before and after each smoking session to clear out any smoke residue. carefully rinse hoses with lukewarm water. Allow adequate drying time.
  
• Clean the clay bowl out after each smoking session.

After several smokes:

• Clean your shisha shaft frequently with the cleaning brush to remove smoke residue.
  
• Wash your glass vase with warm soapy water and allow it to dry completely.
  
• Carefully rinse hoses with lukewarm water. Allow adequate drying time.