Smoking hookah is a centuries-old Middle Eastern tradition. Today, hookah smoking has become popular all over the world, and people of all ages enjoy it. Hookah smoking is a relaxing, social activity that can be enjoyed with friends or family. Nowadays, one can enjoy a good hookah session in hookah lounges, bars, and cafes, but that often gets expensive if you smoke hookah very regularly. Hence, preparing one at home and smoking it is a better and more cost-efficient alternative. The only trick is to master the art of preparing, or better say, packing your hookah bowl.
Importance of Packing Hookah Bowls Properly
Believe it or not, it can single-handedly make or break your entire hookah smoking session. When the hookah is prepared properly, the shisha flavors come out well and you get to enjoy it better. However, if you overpack it, then the juice content of the tobacco will block the bottom pores of the bowl and it will produce certain unwanted outcomes. Firstly, it will block the air holes. There will be no air flow, no heat distribution, no smoke. Secondly, if you can smoke, then also the flavors won’t come out well, and it will be very harsh. So, you must pack your hookah bowl carefully.
Things You Need to Pack Hookah Bowl
You will need a few things to pack your hookah bowl properly. For example,
- High-quality hookah tobacco
- Paper towel
- A small dish or tray
- Fork
- Heavy-duty aluminum foil
- Hookah bowl
- Toothpick
Different Methods to Pack Your Hookah Bowl
Start by washing your bowl and other components of the hookah with water to remove any residue. After you’ve scrubbed the area with a brush, give it one final rinse and then let it dry on its own. If you’re blending multiple tobacco flavors, use a fork to mix them on a plate. Try to spread the tobacco out so that it gets well aerated. There are a few ways to pack your hookah bowl. Depending on the style of the hookah bowl you are using, you need to use an appropriate packing method.
Method One.
Sprinkle your favorite shisha into your hookah bowl, but make sure it is just below the rim of the bowl, roughly even with the center spire. Cover it with a double layer of aluminum foil, but it should not touch the shisha, otherwise the shisha could burn and cling to the foil.
Poke holes in circles at the top and place your coals around the bowl’s perimeter. Observe the smoke production until it increases noticeably.
Method Two.
If you find the first method difficult, try this one instead. Fill your bowl with your favorite tobacco to the brim and press it down firmly. Use a toothpick to poke deep holes into it – all the way to the bottom of the bowl.By doing this, you will ensure there is more airflow, less unwanted heat, and smooth smoking guaranteed. This packing method provides for smooth smoke output.
Cover it with double layered aluminum foil then poke multiple holes on it or pre-cut, pre-poked one or even a heat management device. Just make sure the foil doesn’t touch the shisha or else the tobacco will burn and the taste will go bad.
Method Three.
This method includes loading a hookah bowl with shisha tobacco and is fairly easy. However, bear in mind that your shisha needs to be able to withstand a lot of heat if you want to use this method. You cannot use this method if you are using heat-sensitive hookah tobacco. Add the tobacco and spread it out with your fingers. You’re now set to go after rolling the foil over and poking some holes in it.
Method Four.
You can use this method to pack any Egyptian bowl that doesn’t have a spire in the middle. The first step is to add tobacco to the bowl. Without dabbing, fully cover the bowl. Now, while rotating the bowl, slowly start squeezing the shisha towards the sides from the middle using your index finger and thumb. When the shisha starts to cling together, lightly compress the sides to form a funnel shape, and make sure the middle holes are easily visible. Remove any shisha from the central holes and push it to the funnel’s sides. Just make sure the shisha doesn’t touch the edge of the hookah bowl.
You must choose whether or not to poke holes over the central hole when making holes in your foil. Some individuals insist that making holes over the center spire improves airflow, while others maintain that making holes solely where the shisha is. It generates a vacuum effect through the middle. You may try both approaches and discover which is most effective for you. Try pushing the coals toward the center, but not on top of the central spire region.
Tips for Packing Hookah Bowl Perfectly
– Prepare your tobacco before packing.
Never load any shisha tobacco into the bowl until it has been prepared. If you are unsure of the amount, take some shisha tobacco out of the package and place it immediately into the hookah bowl. Once you have determined how much you need, take it down onto a tray and prepare it. Remove stems, aerate it, mix flavors if you want. Just make it before you start.
– Never pack your hookah bowl too tightly.
After being loaded, all hookah bowls require enough room inside for air flow and to produce smoke. A hookah bowl packed too tightly won’t create much smoke, and you can also experience harsh flavors. It can also burn the shisha and add a burnt taste to it.
– Create air pockets in the shisha bowl.
Create air pockets in the shisha by using the fork to mix the shisha tobacco. To generate air pockets, poke the packed tobacco with a fork or a toothpick. If you are using a typical hookah bowl, you might want to leave some room near the center. There is no need to do it if you are using phunnel or vortex bowls.
– Let the hookah bowl warm up before smoking.
Aluminum foil or a heat management system are both options to cover the bowl. In any case, you should wait a few minutes until the hookah bowl warms up before you light it up. Take a few puffs to draw hot air through the hookah bowl, down the stem, and onto the base. Wait until the entire hookah bowl is heated up.
Depending on the size of the hookah and the amount of shisha tobacco in the bowl, choose the appropriate number of coals.
– Move and manage the charcoal pieces.
The charcoal pieces must be moved and managed towards the end. Avoid leaving a piece in one spot for too long, because doing so will burn the tobacco right underneath it. For longer sessions, you might need a fourth or fifth piece of charcoal.
Conclusion
Smoking hookah can be a very relaxing and enjoyable experience. It’s important to make sure that you have all of the necessary supplies before you begin, and that you pack your bowl properly. Once you’ve done that, sit back, relax, and enjoy your hookah smoke.
