Hookah is a special device for smoking, which is native to the Middle East. We will tell you how to smoke a hookah in accordance with all the rules in our article.
The first stage of an exciting process
So, you bought a hookah and want to enjoy leisurely smoking aromatic tobacco at home. In principle, there are a great many varieties of "hukki" - this is how a hookah is also called. There are large and small devices, there are also giant ones that several people can smoke at once. You can prepare a hookah with plain water, or you can add wine to it (just add it, and not use it in its pure form), cognac or other alcohol. There is also a great variety of fragrant tobaccos for hookah - from classic apple, peach or cherry to exotic ones, like banana flavor. No less popular tobacco "a mixture of fruit flavors." Charcoal for hookah is also different, but coconut or lemon tree wood is considered the best. If you can't find one, buy the one thatDesigned for quick ignition of barbecues and fires. So, now about how to smoke a hookah.
“Heating” the coals
In order for the tobacco not to burn and the taste of the hookah not to be too strong (so that the smoke is simply impossible to inhale), you need to properly prepare the coals. To do this, it is best to take small pieces, so that 2-3 pieces fit on the bowl (on the foil itself) for tobacco. The easiest way to ignite hookah charcoal is as follows: put the required number of pieces on the burner of the stove, turn on the gas at medium power and wait 8-10 minutes. During this time, the coals will whiten a little. This means they are ready to use. With special tongs, which are usually included in the kit, hot pieces must be placed on perforated foil. By the way, there is also a special silver paper for hookahs, already with small holes on it, besides, it is thicker. But you can also take regular (or chocolate foil) and pierce small holes in it with a knife or fork. There shouldn't be too many of them: 15-20 small holes are usually enough for a medium-sized tobacco bowl with a silver finish.
How to properly smoke a hookah
So let's get started. At first there will be little smoke: the tobacco is still a little damp and does not burn well yet, but after a couple of minutes it will dry out and the process will proceed properly. By the way, if you feel that you cannot inhale the smoke, because it has become too tart and bitter, remove a couple of coals, this will help. And if, on the contrary, there is little smoke -add some more charcoal. Over time, you will find the right combination and you will know better than any experts the process of how to smoke a hookah, and how to determine the right amount of both tobacco and coal by eye. But beginners make several typical mistakes, so hookah smoking turns into real flour for them - the smoke simply does not go. Next, we will talk about how to avoid this.
Why the hookah does not light up: possible errors
If you did everything right, then in a couple of minutes you will be able to fully enjoy the aroma of hookah tobacco. But it also happens that the device, as they say, does not work - the smoke does not come out of the mouthpiece. Why? There are several reasons for this:
1. Check if the rubber gaskets between the water bowl and the hookah tripod allow air to pass through. To do this, you may have to assemble and disassemble the smoking device again, carefully fixing all possible “leaks”.
2. You poured too much water into the bowl - in this case it is possible to smoke a hookah, but there will not be as much smoke as if the vessel was filled correctly (usually liquids are poured one third, maximum half).
3. You haven't warmed up the charcoal enough - if the pieces haven't reached the right temperature, how is the tobacco supposed to burn?.. This is one of the main mistakes of beginners who are still learning the art of how to light a hookah in all the right ways.
4. And the last thing: you may have noticed that the tobacco itself in the package is in a slightly damp state, when you put it in the bowl, you need to squeeze it out slightly with your hands. Otherwise, it will be extremely difficult to smoke it.
Thus, even if you theoretically know how to smoke a hookah, but are new to this business, the above list will help you avoid common mistakes, as a result of which you can easily and quickly organize the process.
Rules for smoking hookah in the East: do's and don'ts
Let's start with the fact that the tradition of smoking hookah is quite ancient, and in the countries of the Middle East, this pastime is extremely popular. But there are several nuances and rules that a tourist needs to know, because a violation of a kind of “hookah” etiquette can be considered as disrespect for the person sitting next to you. So:
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how to smoke a hookah It is strictly forbidden to light a cigarette from hookah coals.
- When passing the mouthpiece to another smoker, don't be surprised if he gives you a light slap on the arm - it's just a way of expressing gratitude. Do the same.
- In all places where hookah is served, disposable mouthpieces are offered with it in order to maintain hygiene. It is customary to use them, and it is very indecent to pass a hookah to another person without removing your disposable mouthpiece from it.
And, of course, if you ordered one hookah (as is customary in the East) for several people, do not smoke it alone for more than 4-5 minutes. Others, after all, are also waiting for their turn and love to inhale fragrant smoke no less than you. In our article, we told you how to light a hookah according to all the rules. Now you can invite your friends home and arrangea kind of oriental-style party.
