Visiting the Middle East just isn’t complete until you’ve been to a water pipe bar and done that thing where you take long slow draws on a hookah. But for novices, learning the right way of packing shisha could be troublesome and ruin this whole experience.so today let me introduce to you in detail how to use the correct method to package shisha so that you can enjoy the best hookah experience.
What accessories are needed for packing a hookah ?
When it comes to a perfect hookah session, the type of accessories you use matters so much. You require aluminum foil in the beginning for holding the shisha tobacco in the bowl. For instance, I recommend going for high-quality heavy-duty hookah foil, not like any common foils that can easily tear apart.
Let’s now consider an aspect often overlooked about hookahs; Hookah Screen! They are a safety feature that prevents shisha from coming into contact with red-hot coals. These screens come in different materials depending on what they are made of and clay, metal, and ceramic screens are among the most popular ones used for hookahs. However, I do prefer clay phunnel-style screens which keep both liquids and smoke inside them quite well.
In addition, we need to prepare some charcoal first! Always go for natural coals made out of eco-friendly materials like coconut husks rather than chemical-laden quick lights. These natural coals burn uniformly thereby enhancing heat transfer more effectively towards tobacco resulting in denser and smoother draws when smoking.
How much tobacco should be packed into the hookah bowl?
First rule of thumb – don’t overstuff your bowl! I see many beginners heap mounds of shisha thinking more is more. Too much tobacco actually restricts airflow, leading to smaller, harsher clouds. For standard-sized Egyptian clay bowls, I recommend using around 20 grams of shisha. Spread it evenly across the bowl without huge hills and valleys so the foil makes tight contact everywhere.
If you recently upgraded to a premium phunnel ceramic bowl, exercise a little more restraint! Their deeper bowls still smoke wonderfully with only 20 grams. Consider the type of shisha itself – juicy dark-leaf flavors need a bit less density than drier blonde leaves to avoid drowning the smoke.
What is the proper way to fluff the tobacco in the bowl before smoking?
Once we’ve filled the shisha, we need a perfect fluffy pack for the best flavor and smoke.
Here is how I do it: Start by breaking up any clumps in the shisha until nice and loose. Gently mix the juices or glycerin throughout so it evenly coats every leaf – this helps form that delicious sticky consistency we love.
Then take a hookah fork and run it gently through the tobacco in circles to open up some spaces between the strands. Be careful not to be too excessive in mixing it. Just light lift and tease it to loosen. Think of it as pillow fluffing – soft feathery tobacco that airflow can pass through easily. And remember after fluffing don’t press down! Let that shisha stay cushy. Believe me; properly fluffed tobacco makes a huge difference when smoking your hookah.
How do you wrap a hookah?
Once everything is ready. Then I tear off a section of heavy-duty foil that is about 4-5 inches and leave it intact. Wrinkled foil can restrict airflow, so I fold the sheet in half to get a smooth double layer. The smoke escapes too not at all because of how tight this bowl cover will be.
It’s also good to know that even minute holes on the foil affect the smoke flow which is why I take a lot of care when I am doing this.
Afterward, I use sharp objects such as toothpicks to create small holes throughout the surface. These punctured foils allow some tobacco air movement just enough.
Subsequently, tobacco should be finely ground for optimal burning with a weed grinder. Gently breaking any clumps with my fingers before adding it loosely into the bowl of Shisha; always works better than trying to sprinkle on top. Fill it about three-quarters of the way then gently pat it down until fully packed tight. That step gives you a smooth smoke provided you follow it.
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