How to light your Hookah

Smoking a hookah or shisha requires certain prerequisites, especially in preparation. Indeed, practice is essential to enjoy a pleasant experience. Here is a simple and effective guide to help you enjoy your hookah or shisha session. But first of all, do you have the right equipment and do you know how to assemble it properly?

How to make a shisha?

Before lighting a hookah, you need to have at least 30 minutes available. Like a cigar, smoking a hookah is above all a moment of relaxation. You will need to complete five essential steps to make a hookah.

Properly measure the water in the bottle

You should fill the bottle to about 2/3, before inserting the metal tube. Make sure the seal is firmly attached to the neck of the bottle. Once secured, the end of the tube should be submerged about 2 cm.Warning, if the bottle contains too much water, it will hinder inhalation, as it will be too difficult. In addition, you could swallow water!

Little tip: it is possible to add fresh fruits to the water, ice cubes, or even LED cubes to make your session more "fun".

Adding the tobacco

It is possible to use the whole tobacco or to cut it to facilitate aeration. There is no need to overfill the bowl, 10 grams (approximately) will be sufficient! You should also make sure not to pack the tobacco too tightly if you want to fully enjoy its flavors.

Even out the heat distribution

Thanks to the aluminum foil placed on and around the bowl, the heat distribution will be even across all the tobacco. To do this, using a hookah pick (if you don't have one, a needle will do), pierce about ten holes around the bowl, making sure to space them out.

Setting up the hookah

Attach the stem to the bottle (or vase) and screw it in. Place the hoses and, lastly, the bowl. Always check the seals to avoid air or smoke leaks.

Lighting the charcoal and smoking the hookah

Using tongs, hold the piece of charcoal before lighting it with a lighter (instant lite) or a match. This will prevent you from burning your fingers. The piece of charcoal must become fully incandescent. Place the charcoal on the bowl at that moment.(and not before so as not to burn the tobacco) and wait about 2 minutes, the time for the coals to heat up or for the tobacco leaves to burn.

It is once the tobacco is burning that you can then smoke your hookah! Start by drawing gently several times before tasting the flavors of your shisha. During consumption, it is possible to adjust the position of the coal in order to extend the time of your session.

It is also possible to add ice cubes to the water for optimal cooling. It is advisable to change the charcoal each time and to remove the ashes as they accumulate. Sometimes, it is necessary to add a hookah charcoal during the same session. A small practical tip: the tray can serve as an ashtray or even as a tobacco storage.

What is a hookah?

This water pipe of Persian origin is widely used in the Arab world. It allows smoking tobacco mixed with molasses, and sometimes it can be flavored with fruits. No fewer than 10 main parts make up a hookah.

Here, in order, is how your shisha is composed and assembled:

• The bottle: contains the water that allows the vapor to be created
• The rubber gasket: placed on the bottle, it prevents the vapor from escaping through its opening
• The valve ball: allows for sealing during inhalation and releases the smoke when you blow
• The hose connects the hookah to the user's mouth so that they can inhale the smoke
• The hose adapter allows the hookah hose to be inserted into the hookah
• The valve allows smoke to be released if its temperature is too high
• The lower rubber gasket allows for sealing when the smoke passes through the hose
• The tray can serve multiple functions
• The upper rubber seal maintains the airtightness between the bottle and the upper part, up to the bowl
• The porcelain bowl allows for holding the coal and tobacco to be burned