Hookah Setup

Basics

  1. Fill the base with water, submerging the bottom of the stem 1" to 1.5" into the water. (For a greater cooling effect, fill the bottom of the base with a layer of ice cubes prior to filling it with water. You may also substitute water for other liquids.) *Check out the "Tips and Tricks" section under How To? as well as our forums for more ideas.*
  2. Place the rubber base grommet firmly onto the bottom of the stem. Insert the metal stem into the base by applying firm pressure while rotating the stem. Make sure the stem is snugly fit, and the metal stem is submerged 1" to 1.5" in the water.
  3. Place the charcoal tray on top of the stem.
  4. Place the rubber stem grommet onto the top of the stem. Place the tobacco bowl on top of the grommet, creating an air tight seal. *Do not press too firmly as the pressure exerted by the stem may crack the bowl.*
  5. Insert the rubber hose grommet into the hose connection in the stem. Place the wooden end of the hose firmly into the grommet creating an air tight seal. *Repeat for all hoses if you are using a multi-hose hookah.*
  6. Loosely pack the tobacco into the bowl. Be sure to remove all pieces of stem from the tobacco as this may cause a less then satisfying smoking experience. *Do not over pack the bowl. Leave approximately ¼" of space between the top of the bowl and the tobacco.*
  7. Cover the bowl with a piece of aluminum foil, shiny side down. Make sure the foil is large enough to tightly cover the bowl. (*Purchase Hookah Life's pre-sized foil packs for sizing consistency*)
  8. Using a pin, toothpick, needle, or other similar objects, poke consistently spaced holes starting at the perimeter of the bowl and working your way in, using a spiral motion.
  9. Lighting Charcoals:
    1. If you're using quick-lighting charcoals: Use your charcoal tongs to hold a piece of charcoal while lighting both sides using a wind-resistant butane lighter. Heat the charcoal until it is consistently red hot before placing it on the bowl.
    2. If you're using natural charcoals: Place natural charcoals onto a gas/electric stovetop burner. You may also use a charcoal heater. Let the charcoals heat up for 8-12 minutes (depending on size of charcoal and temperature of the heat source)
      Check out our accessories section for all your charcoal, charcoal tong, and lighter needs!
  10. Once your charcoal is red hot place it on the bowl.
  11. Place metal wind cover over the bowl to keep heat in and wind out. This will give you a thicker longer lasting smoke.
  12. Make sure to thoroughly clean your hookah before and after use to ensure continued excellence and longevity. *Check out our "Maintenance" section under How To? for more detailed information.*

Advanced

Tangiers Shisha and Phunnel Bowl

  1. Open the package, empty shisha (tobacco) and juice onto a piece of tin or aluminum foil and spread the shisha out.
  2. Let acclimate for four hours. *Acclimating the shisha means to allow the shisha to sit out in fresh air, at room temperature allowing the natural chemicals to adjust.
  3. Once acclimated, transfer shisha from foil into an air tight resealable jar. Stir tobacco and juice well.
  4. Lay tobacco in bowl. Don't spread it, separate it or mash it down! The density of the tobacco in the tub is the density the tobacco should be in the bowl as opposed to most brands that are ground up smaller that you have to separate out in the bowl (spread it out in the bowl).
  5. Add foil/screen. If you are using foil, poke 2 concentric circles (3/4" apart) with approximately 30-50 holes (depending on bowl size), and one hole through the "phunnel".
  6. Invert the bowl and, while holding the foil/screen so it doesn't blow off, blow through the hole that will be connected to the hookah. The air should pass through easily, not effortlessly; it should feel like there is something in there (the tobacco).
  7. Place the bowl on the hookah stem. We recommend using one 33mm Three Kings quick light or 2 pieces of silver coated Japanese brickets (broken into halves or fourths).

Most common problems why Tangiers doesn't smoke right:

  1. Too little tobacco in the bowl. Be greedy with the amount you pack into the bowl. Less shisha makes the smoke thin and harsh.
  2. Too few holes in the foil (not an issue with a screen). Also makes the smoke thin and harsh.
  3. Tangiers required less heat than most shishas. Too much coal will cause the shisha to burn and smoke harshly. Try taking some coal of, or breaking the coal apart and spreading out the pieces.

If you're getting good smoke, but it feels harsh, take some charcoal off. If you aren't getting much smoke, there is probably too little tobacco or too few a holes in the foil.

Frequently, the tobacco will smoke a little harsh for the first five minutes or so, but once the bowl gets up to temperature the whole thing will smooth out into smoking mode.