How to Prepare a Hookah

To make the perfect shisha, gather the following:

A Complete Shisha (head to hold the tobacco, metal body, glass base, hose, 3 rubber parts to attach the hose, head and body)

– Coals
– Shisha Tobacco
– Aluminum foil
– Tongs for handling coals
– Knife for poking holes

With the following helpful tips, you’ll be smoking your own delicious shisha in no time.

Fill The Glass Base

Get creative! Use or mix a variety of drinks or juices. Some options include apple juice, milk, grape juice–or even beer! Try to choose a flavor that will complement the shisha tobacco flavor. For a more subtle taste, mix half juice and half water. For a taste with a hint of lemon, simply cut up and squeeze lemons into the water.

Sort The Tobacco

Take a modest tablespoon and a half or so of the tobacco and place it on a napkin. Take out all of the sticks and break up lumps so that it’s in little bits and pieces. This might sound insignificant, but it makes a big difference! If the tobacco is soaking with preservative molasses, pat it down in between a napkin so that it doesn’t drip into the shisha water.

Lightly Sprinkle The Tobacco Into The Shisha Head

Do not pack the tobacco into the shisha head. Make it so that the little tobacco bits still have some room to breath. Don’t put too much tobacco in the head either. Fill the head up to just under the rim.

Foil The Shisha Head and Poke Holes

Cut a modest square of aluminum foil. Cover the top of the shisha head with aluminum foil and poke tiny holes in the aluminum foil.

Assemble The Shisha

Place the body into the glass base. With the help of one rubber piece (which normally comes with the purchase of a shisha), make sure the body is securely in place and air-tight. Next, attach the hose. Like the body, the hose should be securely attached and air-tight. Place the head on top of the body with the help of the third and final rubber parts. Now, the shisha is all ready and it just needs a well-lit coal!

Light The Coal

There are lots of options for coal. Automatic shisha coals, which can be lit with a simple lighter, are available at smoke shops. At specialty stores that sell shisha coals and tobacco usually carry non-automatic coals that light over a gas stove top. I recommend breaking up the coal into thirds or quarters so it lights better, and when placed on the shisha head, it doesn’t only burn one corner. Wait until the entire coal is lit, which means that a thin layer of grey ash should cover the entire coal. Blow on the coal to expedite the process if it’s taking too long.
Place the Coal on your Aluminum Foil Covered Head

Now, place the coal pieces in equal distances on the reams of the shisha head.

“Start” The Shisha

Starting the shisha simply involves some slightly heavier “pulls” on the shisha to allow the smooth flow of smoke through the hose. After a minute of two, you should be enjoying the sweet deliciousness of your shisha!
De-Ash Your Coals Occasionally

If the pull on the shisha becomes weaker and if you can no longer see the red glow of the coal while you’re pulling, you may need to de-ash the coals. Simply lift the coals with tongs and blow away the ash. If inside and you don’t want to make a mess, simply brush off the ash with the edge of the tong. Make sure most of the ash from your shisha head is removed too so that you are not breathing that in!

Cleaning and Maintenance

Rinse the water in the glass base. Run water through the metal body and hose. Hang the hose if some water is still dripping. Cleaning your shisha after use rather than before so when it’s time to smoke from it, it’s completely dry.