How to Smoke a Hookah

Learn how to pack a hookah to produce flavorful smooth smoke. Enjoy!

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Hookah
• Flavored Tobacco
• Charcoal
• Lighter
• Aluminum Foil
• Toothpick
• Water
• Ice
• Tongs

1. 
   Hookah_Setup

   First we start by putting your hookah together. The main body and inner air pipe go together (see pictures).

2. 
   Smoking_Hookah

   Fill the glass base with cold water and ice cubes. The water and ice level should be at about 1 inch higher than the bottom of the air pipe; do not fill to the top! Place main body and glass base together.

3. 
   Setup_A_Hookah

   place ash plate on top of main unit

4. 
   Smooth_Hookah

   place plastic piece on top of main unit

5. 
   Flavored_Tobacco

   Place tobacco material loosely into the tobacco bowl leaving about 1/4 inch of space from top of bowl. (this will prevent overburning of the tobacco).

6. 
   Hookah_Party

   Place aluminum sheet over the bowl and wrap tightly (see pictures)

7. 
   Hookah_Bar

   With a toothpick or small nail make many holes in the aluminum cover to allow air flow.

8. 
   Hookah_Lounge

   Place tobacco bowl on top of main unit

9. 
   Hookah_Home

   Attach hose onto main unit

10. Light charcoal or self-lighting charcoal and place on top of aluminum covered tobacco bowl.

11. Before attempting to smoke the hookah wait a couple minutes for the smoke from the charcoal (or the lighter fluid in the quick light charcoal) to burn off.

12. 
    Love_Hookah

    Begin smoking; if after 5-7 puffs your hookah doesn't make good thick smoke, you may need to add a second charcoal.
    
    If the smoke becomes too thick or harsh and burns your throat remove the second charcoal or move both to one side of the aluminum. Make sure your air vent is working and blow into the hose to remove the harsh smoke that is still in the bowl and hose. If you cannot blow into the hose, your hookah vent may be clogged (check and clean) or your hookah doesn't have a vent.

Tips & Warnings

• Use Ice for cooler smoke
• Try flavoring the water for variety/use juices or alcohol instead of water.
• Mix different flavored tobacco for variety
• You can light the charcoal before step 5 so that it is ready by the time you're done packing the bowl.
• The proper way of passing the hose is to fold the mouthpiece portion of the hose over the rest of the hose and offering it to the next person.
• You already know smoking is bad for you!
• The charcoal can pop, so place the hookah on a fire resistant surface or something you don't mind getting burns in.
• People often trip on the hose or the hose gets pulled accidently, so if this happens, the person smoking should just let go and allow the hose to drop out of their hand. This will reduce the rist of the hookah falling and getting damaged.

[steenaface]

on 3/25/2009 Great pictures!

[dasbootjoe]

on 1/12/2009 Great article! Thanks for sharing*****

[ermabombeck]

on 1/7/2009 I'm sure college kids will love this article -ha, ha. Thanks for teaching me something new! *****'s

[Devero]

on 1/1/2009 Great guide, thank you

[sneedc]

on 12/22/2008 I think I saw this in the Love Guru. If I see one of these jokers in my sons' room, I will be beating them with it, however!