Thread: Hookas

Smoked one for the first time at a party last week with some nice apricot flavored tobacco from Egypt. A lot of you probably think this would be revolting (that's what I thought, too) but it's actually wonderful. And the water filtration gives an exceptionally cool & mild smoke.

Sure are delicious smokes, those... But I konow those water pipes as Shisha or Narguilé. The smoke is cool and very aromatic. But it fools you a bit... because of the sweet smell one tends to think that the smoke is quite light, but it's quite the oposite, I think. At least that's what my experience tells me...
I tried the Shisha for the first time in Berlin last February at a little place called Shisha Lounge (facing the Hamlet Café on Uhlandstrasse... in the Ku-damm area).

I've smoked hookahs a number of times, and a friend of mine just bought one. He keeps it at my place, since he has no where else to smoke it, so we've experimented a bit with it. While it can be very nice, and a great social activity, there are some downsides.

There are quite a few things to fiddle with. On top of finding the right tobacco, which is true for any smoking endeavor, you also have to pack it to the proper density and the proper height. The water needs to be filled to the proper height. It takes a while to start pulling properly, and a long time to cool down. You need a good hose, and a good hookah with good seels. You can't repack it if you finish and want to smoke more, and if you want to stop, you have to find something to do with the coal.

All that said, they are still great fun and I like it now and then. But for a daily smoke, I prefer my pipe by miles.

I forgot the whole thing in the garden shed this winter

It is now covered with rust. I'm quite sad about that.

I own a number of hookahs and smoke daily from them. If anyone has an questions or would like suggestions on tobacco or pipes or anything feel free to PM me.

Originally Posted by Huskysibe

I own a number of hookahs and smoke daily from them. If anyone has an questions or would like suggestions on tobacco or pipes or anything feel free to PM me.

How do you find the time to smoke hookah daily? Haha.

The one thing I don't like about not having anywhere in my house is that there are only so many things I can do while I'm smoking (my pipe), so I don't get around to it every day. The only room that is ventilated well enough is my own bedroom, but that's where my puters and all my clothes are, so that's out of the question.

yep, got a big 4 pipe hookah I use at parties, I especially love the double apple shisha!

I got the bug for these several years ago around my first trip to Iraq, where I purchased several in Baghdad (we broke one, had to replace it, another was to remain community property, and the others were shipped home, for me and for gifts).
Delicious stuff if done right, favorite at the moment is double apple/two apples, but I have tried a very good watermelon and some variants of strawberry, but haven't purchased any of my own that were quite as good, IMHO.

I haven't smoked mine in well over a year, mostly because it is a social thing and requires time to do. It is not something one can rush, and is best enjoyed with friends and perhaps coffee and good discussion.

My opinion, of course!
John P.

Well...

I pulled the pin and bought a hookah and ALOT of shisha yesterday. I have smoked a hookah many a time, but never owned one myself. This should be fun.

I've had one for about a year. Like JohnP metioned, I mainly use it when I have friends over; combined with a cold beer (maybe a pilsner or an IPA) on a warm evening: