1. Fill the glass vase with water so that the metal stem is submerged about an inch into the water.

2. Wet the rubber grommet so that the stem will slide into the vase easily. With the rubber grommet between the stem and the vase, place the stem of the hookah into the glass vase so that it fits snugly and is airtight.

3. Place the metal charcoal tray on top of the hookah stem.

4. Secure the hookah bowl on top of the metal stem with the large rubber stopper.

5. Blow through all of the hoses before each smoking session to clear out any smoke residue.

6. Place the hose or hoses into the stem. Be sure the connection is airtight, use the small rubber stoppers if necessary.

7. Test that the setup is airtight by placing your hand on top of the hookah bowl then sucking in through the hose. The setup is airtight when you feel a slight pull on your hand and you see and hear bubbles inside the glass vase.

8. Loosely “sprinkle” shisha into the hookah bowl. Be sure not to pack the bowl too tightly, so that the airflow is not restricted.

9. Cover the hookah bowl with a small piece of aluminum foil and perforate with a pin or similar object. Metal charcoal screens are a quick alternative. Never place hot charcoals directly on shisha.

10. For self-lighting charcoals: Outdoors, hold a charcoal disc with metal tongs and hold over a lighter. The charcoal will spark and smoke for several minutes as it heats. When the charcoal stops sparking, blow on it gently to make it red hot and then carefully place it on top of the covered hookah bowl to one side.

For natural charcoals: Use a heating element to get the coal red hot.

11. Gently press down on the charcoal, while sucking in through the hose. It will take several minutes for the smoke to build up inside the chamber of the glass vase.

12. Relax and enjoy!

 

HOOKAH SET UP TRICKS

► Change the water in your glass vase for every smoking session- the water is the filter for the smoke!

► Wet the rubber grommet so that the stem will slide into the vase easily.

► Blow through all of the hoses before and after each smoking session to clear out any smoke residue.

► Loosely crumble the hookah shisha in the hookah bowl.

► Never place charcoals directly on the shisha. Always use aluminum foil or a metal charcoal screen.

► Metal charcoal screens are a great time saver- use it several times and throw it away.

► Light self-lighting charcoals outdoors.

► Place the charcoal towards one side on top of the clay bowl and move it around in a circle as the shisha burns. This will help to portion the amount of shisha being smoked.

► If the smoke feels too thick, blow gently into the hose to release some of the smoke from the chamber.

 

HOOKAH MAINTENANCE TRICKS

► To maintain freshness of your hookah shisha, store it an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

► Change the water in your glass vase for every smoking session- the water is the filter for the smoke!

► Blow through all of the hoses before and after each smoking session to clear out any smoke residue.

► Clean the clay bowl out after each smoking session.

► Clean your hookah stem frequently with the cleaning brush to remove smoke residue.

► Wash your glass vase with warm soapy water and allow it to dry completely.

► Occasionally, carefully rinse hoses with lukewarm water. Allow adequate drying time.

 

NEW TRICKS

► Frost your glass vase in the freezer for about five minutes prior to smoking.

► Keep a bottle of fresh water in the fridge for your hookah, so you always have cold water.

► Turn your water bottle upside down into the vase so it fills while you prepare the rest of the hookah.

► Add ice cubes to the water in your glass vase.

► SMOKE RINGS: To blow small rings of smoke from your mouth you have to push the smoke in your mouth with your tongue while making the slightest inaudible puff from your lungs. This will push some of the smoke out; creating a ring. This method requires much control in order not to push too much smoke out as well as incredible tongue control. The overall experience should feel like your trying to swallow a walnut whole while trying to contract your throat muscles to exhale a tiny puff of air.

► Try mixing 1/3 soda with water when using the cola flavored shisha.

► When smoking the coffee flavored shisha, mix it with mint leaves to enhance the flavor. Also try using iced coffee with milk instead of water.

► After you’re done poking holes in the foil, blow through the bottom of the bowl. This prevents any shisha from getting stuck in the small holes found on the bottom of your bowl and it helps your hookah pull better.

► When packing your hookah bowl, line the inside of the bowl with foil and then punch through the holes in the inside of the bowl. The foil lining prevents the flavor from soaking into the clay bowl. (Not necessary for metal or glazed bowls).

► Clean the shaft of the stem from time to time with cleaning brush.

► If you have lost your ball bearing, you can make one by rolling a small piece of foil into a ball that fits perfectly in the exhaust pipe compartment.

► To get a nice even burn, split into charcoal into 2 or 4 pieces and put them on the corners of your bowl.

► A good trick for getting a cooler smoke is to place your dry hookah hose in the freezer for 20 to 45 minutes before you smoke.

► For a sweeter smoke try putting wine in the vase of your hookah, you can actually taste the wine!

► To enhance the taste of the smoke, try mixing lemon juice or another fruit flavor juice into the water in your glass vase.

► It’s always good to blow out the smoke that collects in the glass vase so the smoke doesn’t become stale. This gets rid of some of the harsh flavor of the smoke as well.

► Use milk to thicken the smoke.

► Put the water filled base in the freezer until a layer of ice has formed, rather than using cubes.

► To keep your shisha lasting longer, store it in the refrigerator.

► Mix your favorite flavors of hookah shisha. Try some of these:

Orange & Pineapple, Cherry & Cola, Mango & Peach, Lemon & Orange, Strawberry & Mint