How to Prepare Hookah

https://www.wikihow.it/Preparare-il-Narghil%C3%A8

05-09-2024 |
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fai da te |

Hookah smoke tastes best when the shisha, i.e. the mixture, burns slowly.Learn how to prepare the hookah correctly and avoid direct contact between the shisha and the lit coals.If the smoke still tastes harsh or unpleasant, try heating the bowl for three to five minutes before smoking.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Assemble the Hookah

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1
Clean the hookah. Clean it to remove foreign flavors and any chemicals, even if it's new.Scrub each component with a soft brush, excluding the non-washable tubes.^{[1]
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- The hookah is easier to clean immediately after smoking, not after the residue has dried.Clean up at least after the fourth or fifth smoking session.
2
Learn the terms. A hookah consists of several parts, but it is not too complicated to understand.The terms of reference for the instructions are as follows:
- Basic — the lowest section.It is a flask that can be detached and filled with water.
- Stem or Body — the main vertical body.The lower end has a grafting which immerses itself in water.
- Seals — silicone or rubber "washers".You need one of these to ensure an airtight seal where two parts fit together.They are also called sealing rings.
- Valves — each smoking tube fits into a valve located in the body.
- Brazier — the container that sits on top and contains the hookah tobacco, also called shisha.
3
Fill the base with water. Check the "graft", i.e. the bottom of the stem.Add enough water so that it stays submerged about 1 inch.Do not overfill the base because the layer of air is necessary to make the smoke smoother and easier to draw.
- Add ice to keep the smoke cool and less harsh.
- Some people like to mix water with other liquids to enrich the taste, such as juice or vodka.Most drinks are fine, but avoid milk and dairy products as they can spoil the hookah.^{[2]
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4
Connect the stem and tubing. Apply the silicone or rubber gasket to the top of the base.Push the stem against the gasket to ensure an airtight seal.Check that the graft is immersed for about 2.5 cm.Use smaller gaskets for the tubes that go into the valves along the stem.
- Some hookah models leak air if all valves are not connected to a hose or are closed with a rubber stopper, but most are built so that the air seal is automatic.
5
Check for leaks. Use the heel of your hand to close the hole at the top of the stem.Try to inhale through one of the tubes.If you can suck in air, one of the joints is leaking.Inspect them all and fix the problem:
- Wet with water or a drop of dish soap if you have trouble fitting a component into a gasket.^{[3]
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- Wrap the stem with electrical tape and insert the gasket over the tape if a joint is a little loose.^{[4]
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- Wrap an elastic band around the stem if a seal tends to escape.^{[5]
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  Research source} Continue wrapping until you can connect the two components with a perfect seal.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Add the tobacco

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Choose any flavor of shisha, i.e. tobacco packed with molasses and glycerin.Before removing from the container, mix and shake to bring the aromas from the bottom to the surface.^{[6]
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Take a pinch of shisha and crush it gently between your fingers on a plate.Cut into small pieces or remove any stems.^{[7]
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3
Spread the shisha into the bowl. Leave it loose so air can pass through it.Add some and form an even layer up to 2 or 3 mm below the edge of the brazier.The mixture will stick to the aluminum foil and burn if the layer is too deep.^{[8]
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- Gently tamp down any bits of mixture that stick out too much using a damp paper towel.
- It's best to practice using tobacco-free hookah molasses until you've mastered the process.This way it is less likely to burn.
4
Cover the fire pit. You can purchase a special, reusable hookah screen, but a homemade one can control the heat more reliably.^{[9]
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Research source} Lay aluminum foil over the fire pit to form a taut surface.Prick the paper to allow air to pass through with a paper clip or needle.Try drilling in a circle near the outer edge, then continue in a spiral working your way inward.^{[10]
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- More holes mean more heat on the tobacco and therefore more smoke.Start with about 15 holes.If drawing is difficult or you want more smoke, you can add more.Some prefer 50 to 100.^{[11]
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- Make small holes to prevent ash from falling onto the mixture.
Attach the ash collection tray to the top of the stem.Mount the fire pit over the top hole with an airtight joint.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Add the Charcoals

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1
Choose charcoals. There are basically two types, with different characteristics:^{[12]
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- Quick-start charcoals that heat up quickly, but burn faster and at a lower temperature.At worst they can leave a chemical-like taste or cause headaches.
- Natural charcoals that do not alter the flavor, but need to remain in contact with a heat source for about ten minutes to light up.Coconut shell and lemon-flavored charcoals are two popular options.
2
Light two or three charcoals. Their sizes and those of the fire pits vary, so you may need to experiment.Set yourself up by starting with two or three.^{[13]
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- Quick start:hold a charcoal with tongs on a non-flammable surface.Place it over the flame of a lighter or match until the sparks and smoke stop.Remove it from the flame and wait about 10-30 seconds for it to completely cover with light gray ash.Blow as necessary until it glows orange.
- Natural:place the charcoal on the coil of an electric stove or directly on the flame of a gas stove.Put the heat on high and leave for 8 – 12 minutes.It should become bright orange, while the ash layer is irrelevant.Do not place charcoal where ash could fall onto the gas pipe or on a stove with a glass top.
3
Place the charcoals over the brazier. Use tongs to transfer the hot charcoals to the aluminum foil or screen over the fire pit.Arrange them evenly around the edge or even slightly protruding outward.Leave the center blank unless you are sure you need more heat.^{[16]
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- Check that the sheet does not flex.It is not advisable for charcoals to touch tobacco and burn it.
4
Let the brazier heat up. Some wait three to five minutes before taking their first puff.Others start smoking right away.Try both methods because each can guarantee its own flavor and a different smoothness of smoke.
- Some hookahs and charcoal types require 10 to 30 minutes to heat up properly, but they are the exception.
Inhale the smoke normally through the tube.There is no need to pull hard or try to suck in as much smoke as possible.Even if the first puff has little smoke, have faith that as you continue, more will form.If you suck too hard or too often, the shisha can overheat because this transfers hot air to the bowl.

Advice

Rotate the charcoals frequently so they burn evenly.
If you're having trouble deciding on the right number of charcoals, try dividing them in half next time.
If the tobacco tends to get too hot, try using a larger sheet or two sheets of aluminum foil.^{[17]
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Charcoals placed closer to the center of the bowl can make things easier at first, but they need to be monitored carefully.In fact, it increases the chances that the tobacco will burn in the center before its time.
If the smoke becomes very hot or harsh, carefully remove the bowl from the base and blow to empty it.

Warnings

According to specialists, hookah smoking is as dangerous and addictive as cigarette smoking.Hookah products that do not contain tobacco also pose health risks due to toxins in the charcoal.^{[18]
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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