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Saturday, August 15, 2009
Final Preparation
| Place the hose grommet in the hole then attach the hose to the pipe. The hookah is now ready to smoke - we advise sucking gently to start with so the tobacco or molasses heats gently, sucking too hard will result in the top molasses burning which will taint the rest of if with a charred taste. Long gentle draws will help the heat pass through the tobacco. Don’t forget to take in some normal air every now and then to make smoking enjoyable, too much of anything can be sickly. For best effect we recommend smoking with friends, after all the best ingredient to any gathering is good friends. |
Further tips |
Foil and Air Holes |
| Every 10-15 minutes use the toothpick to poke the holes again, these will become blocked when the molasses starts to cook, blocked holes will give you a horrible burnt tastes and make you choke. This is probably the most common reason a smoking session starts to go wrong. |
Heat transfer to your pipe |
| Some hookah may keep hold heat passed from the charcoal and in tern heat the smoke passing through. If you find your smoke is no longer cool and even warm try the following. After a couple of long smokes (1 1/2 hours) you can run the whole metal part of the pipe under a cold shower or tap to make it cold. A really cold pipe makes for a very good cool smoke, a warm pipe will produce warm smoke which isn’t anywhere near as nice. Ice or ice water in the base makes for a very cool smoke. None Tobacco Molasses - If you're new to hookah shisha, try herbal molasses first as they're easier to get a quick result from. Its also a good appetiser before you move onto the tobacco based molasses. Herbal molasses burns out quicker so use less charcoal to start with. Mixing 10g tobacco molasses with a 50g pack of soex gives a great smoke and helps prevent it burning. None tobacco brands : Soex and High Life Herbal Tobacco Based Molasses - Generally have a shredded appearance. Use a medium sized piece of charcoal with thick foil or 2 thin sheets of foil. Tobacco Brands : Nakhla, Afzal, Al Fakher, Al Masa, El Henawi Leafy tobacco brands like nakhla tend to be stronger tobacco Gungy Tobacco Basesd Molasses like Afzal and Al falher tend to be smoother and milder - These look pureed. They can take longer to get going but often give a much better smoke. You may need to use a big piece of charcoal or 2 pieces to get the molasses going, once its going you can take 1 piece off once its smoking ok. |
Storing your shisha molasses |
| Often the juice in the tobacco based molasses can sink to the bottom, give it a good mix before you take any out to put in the clay bowl. That way your not using dry tobacco from the top of the pack. When you open a large pack of tobacco we recommend putting it in an air tight container to prevent it drying out, the container will also make it easier when you mix it. An old glass jam jar is recommended over plastic tuppa ware. |
Charcoal |
| Quick Light - Light the charcoal and wait about 1 minute after it has stopped sparkling before placing it on the foil. If you place the charcoal on too early you’ll be smoking the charcoal fumes before you get any flavour, wait until it has stopped sparkling or smoking. Natural Charcoal - Natural charcoal is preferred by experienced shisha smokers as it does not contains chemicals which may taint the flavour of the smoke. Natural charcoal takes longer to light but its worth the wait. You can light it on your cooker or using a torch lighter. Wait until it is glowing before placing it on the charcoal. |
Dehydration |
| Drink plenty of water when your smoking as the smoke will make your mouth dry. Mild tea made with fresh mint leaves is a favourite in the Arab world. Smoking continuously usually results in not being able to taste the flavour after a few minutes. Drinking mild tea, coffee or water with a smoke means after each sip of your chosen drink the flavour of the smoke is back again. If you find yourself feeling tired the following day it will most certainly be down to not drinking enough when smoking for several hours, sometimes referred to as a "hookah hangover" . |
Lighting the charcoal
| Quick Light - Light the charcoal and wait about 1 minute after it has stopped sparkling before placing it on the foil if you are using self igniting charcoal on the foil. If you place the charcoal on too early you’ll be smoking the charcoal fumes before you get any flavour, wait until it has stopped sparkling or smoking. Natural Charcoal - Natural charcoal is preferred by experienced shisha smokers as it contains no chemicals which may taint the flavour of the smoke. Natural charcoal takes longer to light but its worth the wait. You can light it on your cooker or using a torch lighter. Wait until it is glowing before placing it on the charcoal. When you first start smoking your hookah, try placing the charcoal on the outside of the bowl and working it around the edges of the bowl. The centre of the bowl should be the last place your charcoal is placed. Use a large wind cover to prevent the charcoal falling off in case someone knocks your pipe. A wind cover also preserves charcoal by keeping the heat from escaping. |
Preparing of chilam.
Take a small piece of aluminium foil, big enough to cover the opening of the bowl. Wrap the foil over the top so that the surface is tight. Use a toothpick to punch 12-15 holes in the foil. You may want to suck on the mouth piece to see if enough air flows through the pipe. If its an effort to draw air you may want to make some more hole or ensure the tobacco is not too tightly packed
Preparing the molasses (Chilam)
Often the juice in the tobacco based molasses can sink to the bottom, give it a good mix before you take any out to put in the clay bowl. That way your not using dry tobacco from the top of the pack. When you open a large pack of tobacco we recommend putting it in an air tight glass container to prevent it drying out, the jar will also make it easier when you mix it.If you're new to using a hookah shisha pipe try a small amount of tobacco first to practice getting it right. Place the tobacco into the clay bowl. We recommend about 8-10g of tobacco per smoke if you have a large pipe. Break up the tobacco rather than putting it in and covering the holes in the clay bowl fully.
For beginners we recommend trying tobacco free molasses until your familiar with setting up. Its easy to burn the molasses, whilst a good smoke is heavenly burning the molasses will make you cough like you would with cigarettes. The two most popular tobacco free molasses on the market today are SOEX and High Life Herbal. Ensure the tobacco is not compacted or the air will not pass through and will make the smoke strong and give a burnt flavour to your smoke. Place the charcoal tray on the pipe, the grommet in clay bowl then the clay bowl onto the pipe.
how to assamble shisha and make it ???
Preparing your pipe |
| Its best to clean your pipe straight after using it, that way the smoke in the metal stem doesn't have time to dry which makes it harder to clean. Plus the last thing you want to be doing when your looking forward to a smoke with your friends is cleaning your pipe. A dry pipe and hose gives a better smoke. Make sure your pipe is clean or you'll start to get a horrible taste with each smoking session. Use soft brushes to clean the pipe and base bottle. Fill the glass base so approximately 1 inch of the metal tube is submerged below the water line. The area left above this is where the smoke will mix with air and cool further. Too much water makes it hard to suck the smoke through and leaves little space left for the smoke to mix with air resulting in much stronger smoke. Attach the pipe onto the bottle as above. The metal pipe is not to be confused with the hose, see image above. To enhance the flavour of the smoke, try mixing cola, lemon juice, orange juice when using the same flavoured tobacco., or some other flavours into the water in your glass base. |
Is shisha bad for Health?
Shisha has been around for hundreds of years initially originating from the middle east. Over the last few years it has been rising in popularity in the western world. So for those of you who dont know ashisha is an instrument used for smokingflavoured tobacco. When inhaled the smoker, can get a feel for the aroma and flavour within the tobacco. This experience is similar to smelling the aroma from aromatherapy oils.
Now to the question, is shisha bad for you? There is a lot of debate in this area as some argue it is harmful to smokers whereas others say it is not harmful. However after looking for research I believe that furthur study is needed.
The tobacco used is mixed with a particular flavour. Flavours available range from cola to liquorice. Double apple is known for being a favourite amongst shisha smokers. Theshisha consists of a glass base, which is filled with water, (it can also be filled with milk to produce more dense smoke) a clay bowl which is where the shisha is placed and a pipe to smoke though. The clay bowl at the top of the shisha is covered with foil (with tiny holes to aid the heating of the tobacco) and then coal is placed on to of the foil to heat the tobacco. When the smoker inhales through the pipe, the smoke produced from the heated tobacco is drawn through the water and through the pipe. The smoke, in most cases is very smooth, with a fruity taste. Many first time smokers also state that they feel light headed after 10-15 minutes of smoking. A typical session can last anywhere from 50 minutes to three hours, and many see shisha as a means for socialising.
The question at hand relating to whether shisha is actually bad for you has been debated.
The supporters of shisha claim that when the smoke is taken through the water, the majority of carcogenic materials, tar and nicotine are filtered out of the smoke and thus the result is very little, damaging material. But they agree that if the smoke is inhaled into the lungs, then some ill affects may occur, that are typically associated with smoking. This is due to the fact that the lungs are very delicate organs that can be very easily damaged. Furthermore in some shisha cafes, the pipes are not cleaned appropriately and the shishas are not cleaned regularly and this can bring up new health affects that are passed through bacterial or viral particles from person to person.
The other side, state that although their may by very negligible amounts of dangerous chemicals inhaled, the fact that a shisha session can last up to 3 hours means that a smoker can take in the same amount of damaging substances as in 20 cigarettes. Some individuals have also rubbished the theory that the water filters out all the harmful chemicals as normal water cannot do this, and does not have this filtering property when used in a shisha device.
Many shisha smokers claim that shisha is not addictive but rather it is the social aspect that brings them back for more. Others claim that shisha can be very addictive and the social aspect is only an excuse to smoke shisha. Because of the recent rise in shishacafes, and the number of shisha smokers in the west increasing. It is only a matter of time before in-depth research is carried out into the area and a conclusion is made.
The recent smoking ban in England has caused the closure of many shisha cafes throughout England, and has had a very damaging effect on the business’s. Shishacafes are only allowed to serve shisha to customers if they are smoked outside of the premise. But with the winter months approaching it is predicted that there will be a fall in the number of customers due to the cold temperatures. There were many petitions to keep shisha cafes exempt from the ban but they were unsuccesfull.
History of Shisha (Huqa).
In India in the court of the Mughal emperor Akbar (1542 - 1605 CE) Following the European introduction of tobacco to India, Hakim Abul Fateh Gilani a descendant of Abdul Qadir Al-Gilani came from Baghdad to India who was later a physician in the court of Mughal raised concerns after smoking tobacco became popular among Indian noblemen, and subsequently envisaged a system which allowed smoke to be passed through water in order to be 'purified'. Gilani introduced the hookah after Asad Beg, then ambassador of Bijapur, encouraged Akbar to take up smoking.Following popularity among noblemen, this new device from Arabia for smoking soon became a status symbol for the Indian aristocracy and gentry. The Indian Hookah was designed differently from the Arabian Hookah or Shisha which was invented during theAbbasid Empire in Baghdad. They were different in shape and design.Middle East:
Arab world
In the Arab world, people smoke it as part of their culture and traditions. Social smoking is done with a single or double hose, and sometimes even more numerous such as a triple or quadruple hose in the forms of parties or small get-togethers. When the smoker is finished, either the hose is placed back on the table signifying that it is available, or it is handed from one user to the next, folded back on itself so that themouthpiece is not pointing at the recipient. Another tradition is that the recipient taps or slaps the previous smoker on the back of the hand while taking it, as a sign of respect or friendship. It has been recorded that the Arabs are the biggest shisha smokers in the World and have the most shisha Cafes.
In cafés and restaurants, however, it is common for each smoker to order an individual hookah, as the price is generally low, ranging from USD 3 to USD 25.
Most cafés (Arabic: مقهىً, transliteration: maqhah, translation: coffeeshop) in the Middle East offer shishas. Cafés are widespread and are amongst the chief social gathering places in the Arab world (akin to public houses in Britain). Some expatriate Britons arriving in the Middle East adopt shisha cafés to make up for the lack of pubs in the region, especially where prohibition is in place.
Iran
In Iran, the hookah is known as a ghalyun (Farsi: قليان, قالیون, غلیون, also spelled ghalyan, ghalyaan orghelyoon). It is similar in many ways to the Arabic hookah but has its own unique attributes. An example is the top part of the ghalyoun called 'sar' (Persian: سر=head), where the tobacco is placed, is bigger than the ones seen in Turkey. Also the major part of the hose is flexible and covered with soft silk or cloth while the Turkish make the wooden part as big as the flexible part.
Each person has his own personal mouthpiece (called an Amjid) (امجید), Amjid is usually made of wood or metal and decorated with valuable or other stones. Amjids are only used for their fancy look. However, all the Hookah Bars have plastic mouth-pieces.
Use of water pipes in Iran can be traced back to the Qajar period. In those days the hoses were made of sugar cane. Iranians had a special tobacco called Khansar (خانسار, presumably name of the origin city). The charcoals would be put on the Khansar without foil. Khansar has less smoke than the normal tobacco.Nasser al-Din Shah Qajar, Shah of Persia (1848-1896) is reputed to have considered a hookah mouthpiece pointed at him an insult.
The smoking of hookahs is very popular with young people in Iran, and many young people can be seen smoking them in local tea shops.
The hookah was, until recently, served to all ages; Iranian officials have since passed a law forbidding its use by those under 20.
Israel
Smoking hookah is a not only a tradition, but culture. In Israel, the hookah is prevalent among Middle Eastern Jewish immigrants from Iran, Iraq, Turkey and Yemen (collectively known as Mizrahi Jews). Hookah use is also common in the Arab home where families will commonly smoke after a large meal or at a family gathering. Hookahs are becoming increasingly popular within Israel particularly among tourists. Shops selling paraphernalia can be found on most high streets and markets. Most nightclubs also have hookahs. In 2005, due to an increase in use among youth, a campaign was launched by The Israel Cancer Association warning against the hazards of hookah smoking, and the IDF has forbidden the use of hookahs by soldiers within its bases.
South Asia
India
The concept of hookah originated In India, once the province of the wealthy, it was tremendously popular especially during Mughal rule. The hookah has since become less popular, however it is once again garnering the attention of the masses, and cafés and restaurants that offer it as a consumable are popular. The use of hookahs from ancient times in India was not only a custom, but a matter of prestige. Rich and landed classes would smoke hookahs. Tobacco is smoked in hookahs in many villages as per traditional customs. Smoking molasses in a hookah is now becoming popular amongst the youth in India. It is a growing trend amongst youngsters and adolescents. There are several chain clubs, bars and coffee shops in India offering a variety of hookahs. The new trends emerging are that of non-tobacco hookahs with herbal flavors.
Koyilandy, a small fishing town on the west coast of India, once made and exported these extensively. These are known as Malabar Hookhas or Koyilandy Hookahs. Today these intricate hookahs are difficult to find outside of Koyilandy and not much easier to find in Koyilandy itself.
While chewing tobacco is widespread, the government looks down on hookah smoking. There have been numerous raids and bans recently on hookah smoking, especially in Gujarat
Pakistan
In Pakistan, although traditionally prevalent in rural areas for generations,hookahs have become very popular in the cosmopolitan cities. Many clubs and cafes are offering them and it has become quite popular amongst the youth and students in Pakistan. This form of smoking has become very popular for social gatherings, functions, and events. There are a large number of cafes and restaurants offering a variety of hookahs. Karachi has seen a growth in this business.
Southeast Asia
Philippines
In the Philippines, the Hookah or Shisha was particularly used within the minority Arab Filipino communities and Indian Filipino, although particularly among indigenous Muslim Filipinos, a historical following of social and cultural trends set in the Middle East led to the Hookah being a rare albeit prestige social-habit of noblemen in important trade cities such as Cotabato or Jolo.
Hookah was virtually unknown by Christian Filipinos before the latter 20th century, yet the popularity among contemporary younger Christians is now vastly growing. In the capital's most cosmopolitan city, Makati; various high-end bars and clubs offer hookahs to patrons.
Although hookah use has been common for hundreds of years and enjoyed by people of all ages, it has just begun to become a youth-oriented pastime in Asia in recent times. Hookahs are most popular with college students and young adults, who may be underage and thus unable to purchase cigarettes.
South Africa
In South Africa, hookah, colloquially known as a hubbly bubbly or an okka pipe, is popular amongst the Cape Malay, Indian population, where it is smoked as a social pastime. However, hookah is seeing increasing popularity with white South Africans, especially the youth. Bars that additionally provide hookahs are becoming more prominent, although smoking is normally done at home or in public spaces such as beaches and picnic sites.
In South Africa, the terminology of the various hookah components also differ from other countries. The clay "head/bowl" is known as a "clay pot". The hoses are called "pipes" and the air release valve is known, strangely, as a "clutch".
Some scientists point to the dagga pipe as an African origin of hookah.
United States and Canada
Recently many cities, states and counties have implemented indoor smoking bans. In some jurisdictions, hookah businesses can be exempted from the policies through special permits. Some permits however, have requirements such as the business earning a certain minimum percentage of their revenue from alcohol or tobacco.
In cities with indoor smoking bans, hookah bars have been forced to close or consider alternatives, such as offering flavored tobacco based maasel. In many cities though, hookah lounges have been growing in popularity. From the year 2000 to 2004, over 200 new hookah cafes opened for business, most of which are targeted at a young-adult age group, and were particularly near college campuses or cities with large Middle-Eastern communities. This activity continues to grow in popularity within the post-secondary student demographic.
In North America, the term 'shisha' is not as commonly used as 'hookah'. Sometimes 'Shisha' can also refer to the Flavored Tobacco inside the pipe as opposed to the Hookah pipe itself.
Structure and operation
Components
Excluding grommets, a hookah is usually made of five or six components, four of which are essential for its operation.
The bowl
Also known as the head of the hookah, the bowl is a container, usually made out of clay or marble, that holds the coal and tobacco during the smoking session. The bowl is loaded with tobacco then covered in a small piece of perforated tin foil or a glass or metal screen. Lit coals are then placed on top, which allows the tobacco to heat to the proper temperature.
There is also a variation of the head which employs a fruit rather than the traditional clay bowl. The fruit is hollowed out and perforated in order to achieve the same shape and system a clay bowl has, then it is loaded and used in the same manner.
Windscreen (optional)
A windscreen is a cover which sits over the bowl area, with some form of air holes. This prevents wind from increasing the burn rate and temperature of the coal, and prevents ash and burning embers from being blown onto the surrounding environment. This may also offer some limited protection from fire as it may prevent the coal from being ejected if the hookah is bumped.
Hose
The hose is a slender tube that allows the smoke to be drawn. The end is typically fitted with a metal, wooden, or plastic mouthpiece, and come in various shapes, sizes and colours.
Body and gaskets
The body of the hookah is a hollow tube. The bowl is attached to the top. Sometimes an ice bucket is attached between the body and the bowl to cool the smoke. At the bottom is a thin tube (the downstem) that is submerged in water. The point where the body meets the water jar is sealed with a gasket. Near there are at least two holes that open into the space above the water. One or more may accept a hose.
Purge valve (optional)
Many hookah are equipped with a purge valve connected to the airspace in the water jar to purge stale smoke which has been sitting unused in the jar for too long. This one-way valve is typically a simple ball bearing sitting over a port which seals the port by gravity alone and will open if positive pressure is created by blowing into the hose. The bearing will be held captive with a screw-on cover. The cover should be opened and the bearing and seat cleaned of residue and corrosion regularly to ensure proper sealing.
Water jar
The body of the hookah sits on top of the water jar. The downstem hangs down below the level of the water in the jar. Smoke passes through the body and out the downstem where it bubbles through the water. This cools and humidifies the smoke. Liquids such as fruit juice may be added to the water or used in substitution. Pieces of fruit, mint leaves, and crushed ice may also be added.
Plate
A plate or ashtray sits just below the bowl to catch ashes falling off the coals.
Grommets
Grommets in a hookah are usually placed between the bowl and the body, the body's gasket and the water jar and between the body and the hose. The reason for the usage of grommets although not essential (the use of paper or tape has become common) will help to seal the joints between the parts, therefore decreasing the amount of air coming in and maximizing the smoke breathed in.
Operation
The jar at the bottom of the hookah is filled with water sufficient to submerge a few centimetres of the body tube, which is sealed tightly to it. Deeper water will only increase the inhalation force needed to use it. Tobacco is placed inside the bowl at the top of the hookah and a burning charcoal is placed on top of the tobacco. Some cultures cover the bowl with perforated tin foil or a metal screen to separate the coal and the tobacco, which minimizes inhalation of coal ash with the smoke. This may also reduce the temperature the tobacco is exposed to, in order to prevent burning the tobacco directly.
When one inhales via the hose, air is pulled through the charcoal and into the bowl holding the tobacco. The hot air, heated by the charcoal evaporates (not burns) the tobacco, thus producing smoke, which is passed down through the body tube that extends into the water in the jar. It bubbles up through the water, losing heat, and fills the top part of the jar, to which the hose is attached. When a smoker inhales from the hose, smoke passes into the lungs, and the change in pressure in the jar pulls more air through the charcoal, continuing the process.
If the hookah has been lit and smoked but has not been inhaled for an extended period, the smoke inside the water jar may be regarded as "stale" and undesirable. Stale smoke may be exhausted through the purge valve, if present. This one-way valve is opened by the positive pressure created from gently blowing into the hose. It will not function on a multiple-hose hookah unless all other hoses are plugged.
Merchandising
Besides being sold in little packets as is rolling tobacco, Ma'sal is also sold in cardboard boxes and plastic jars. Packaging is generally illustrated with bright floral motifs, fruit, lush gardens and romantic images ofsultans or pashas.
The relative proportions of tobacco, treacle, fruits and spices, on average, 30%, 50% and 20% respectively[citation needed]. The substance is generally valid for two years; boxes usually indicate the production date. Health warnings about lung cancer risks and cardiovascular disease appear on these products similar to other tobacco products elsewhere in the world.
Some manufacturers produce tobacco-free flavored herbal blends and market these as shisha as well. These herbal blends typically have no nicotine and thus avoid the health risks associated with nicotine, but is still enjoyable for its flavor. However some hookah smokers prefer the "light-headedness" that comes from inhaling the tobacco. Herbal blends will still produce tar when smoked, despite the misleading marketing claims of "0.0% tar" present on both tobacco-based and purely herbal products.
Health risks
The health risks associated with hookah usage are still relatively unstudied when compared to those of cigarettes or other means of tobacco consumption.[citation needed] A common belief among younger users is that the smoke is significantly less dangerous than that from cigarettes.[citation needed] The water moisture induced by the hookah makes the smoke less irritating and may give a false sense of security and reduce concerns about true health effects.[19] Doctors at institutions including the Mayo Clinic have stated that use of hookah can be as detrimental to a person's health as smoking cigarettes, and a controversial (see below) study by the World Health Organization also confirmed these findings.
Each hookah session typically lasts more than 40 minutes, and consists of 50 to 200 inhalations that each range from 0.15 to 0.50 liters of smoke.
Research shows that a single 45-minute session of hookah tobacco smoking (tobacco molasses) delivers slightly less tar and carbon monoxide (around 3-6%) than smoking a cigar.
The water used in the hookah bowl is often thought to have some filtering function as well as cooling and humidification of the smoke product. The water does clearly collect material from the smoke as it takes on a smell and residue may be visible after extended use without changing, however, whether this function has any health benefits is unclear.
The first was published in May 2008. The authors find various levels of carcinogenicity in hookah usage (remarkably lower than in cigarette use).
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