Hookah is probably one of the most popular smoking methods nowadays, and it has come from a long line of ancient traditions. This is only one of the things that makes it unique. Although, how do you properly set up a hookah?
If you’ve bought a hookah for your homes but still have no idea how to set this up properly, then we have just the thing for you. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to set up your very own hookah at home:
- You need to fill the base of the hookah with water, and you need to make sure that you don’t fill it with too much water, or else it’s not going to work correctly.
- You need to place the hookah shift over and into its base. In doing so, the bottom of the shaft is submerged about one to two inches underwater. You have to make sure that the shaft fits snugly and is airtight, and there should usually be a rubber grommet between the glass or the crystal base and the metal centerpiece to make the shaft fit tighter.
- You need to place the circular tray on top of the hookah shaft, and this will be used to hold lit or unlit charcoal and excess charcoal ash.
- You need to attach the hookah bowl to the top of the metal mid-section, and there should be a plastic or a rubber grommet between the metal mid-section and the clay bowl. You have to do this step before any tobacco or charcoal is added to your bowl, so you don’t have to worry about it when you test the seal.
- You need to place the hose into the metal mid-section to make sure that the connection is air-tight.
- You need to test the setup, and you need to make sure that it’s air-tight by placing your hand above the hookah’s bowl and then sucking in through the hose. If either of these doesn’t happen, it’s probably because there’s air escaping somewhere. So be careful in checking to find where the source is.
- You need to check if your setup is air-tight, and you will then place some shisha tobacco in the bowl. Make sure that it’s level with the rim of the clay bowl, and make sure to sprinkle the tobacco instead of packing it in so that the airflow doesn’t get restricted. Make sure that you don’t let the tobacco level reach over the bowl or overflow.
- You need to place your foil over the top of the bowl to make sure that it’s flat and air-tight. Then you need to take a toothpick or any sharp object to punch in tiny holes all along the top.
- You need to place the coals onto the stove and let them heat until they glow red and have a thin layer of gray ash on all their sides if you’re using natural coals. However, if you’re using quick lighting coals, just go outside and light them using a lighter. Make sure that you’re using tongs to handle the hot charcoal so you won’t get burnt.
- You need to place the charcoal on top of your hookah’s bowl once it’s lit. If you want a bit of a larger smoke, you can place the charcoal on the edge of the bowl and simply work it around the outside. Bear in mind that the center of the bowl is the last place to be touched by the coals. You should notice the smoke build-up around this time, and you should feel the taste of tobacco in your mouth.
When handling hookahs, it’s essential to be patient and simply let the charcoal heat the tobacco. These are the step-by-step guide in making sure that your hookah is properly set up.
If you’re having trouble, then visit us at Smoke Alley in Houston, Texas, and we’ll be more than happy to help you with setting up your hookah. Call us today to know more about the different services we offer!