Questioning how to set up hookah for the first time is understandable but luckily, hookah can be prepared relatively easily and always involves some of the same steps regardless of whether you are utilizing regular aluminum foil or a Heat Management System. This tutorial will provide assistance in how to set up hookah using aluminum foil - an accessible and common method that even beginner hookah smokers can follows when preparing for a session. Although there might be other methods, using aluminum foil is highly recommended as it provides a more intensive flavor release and enables a thick cloud of smokes. So don’t be intimidated if this is your first time setting up hookah, just follow the simple steps outlined here and you will be on your way to having an enjoyable hookah experience!
To set up hookah we will need:
- hookah (we offer some great hookahs for sale at our store)
- hookah bowl
- water
- shisha tobacco
- aluminum foil
- board
- foil poker
- hookah tongs
- fork
- hookah coals
- electric burner
1. Separate the hookah stem and glass base.
Depending on the hookah, it can have either a stem that is screwed into the base, or one that is attached with a rubber grommet and has to be taken apart by twisting and pulling. Either hookah type provides an enjoyable hookah experience; however, hookahs with grommet stems tend to take longer to assembly but provide a better seal for increased smoke production.
2. Fill the glass hookah base with cold water.
To ensure that the hookah functions properly and produces quality smoke, it is essential to measure the depth of the water that you add to the hookah base. Generally, you should only fill it up 1 - 1.5 inches deep so that the filter can properly extract toxins. If there's too little water, you won't have an enjoyable smoke experience because not enough toxins will be filtered out while if there's too much water, you won't be able to take in large breaths without feeling much resistance. With a few tries of combining different amounts of water with hookah supplies and smoking accessories, you'll soon be a hookah connoisseur!
3. Join the stem to the glass base.
Make sure all the pieces fit tightly together; this will help create an airtight seal that keeps smoke inside the hookah. Once everything seems secure, attach the hose to the hookah through the hose port. The next step is to place the tray on top of the stem – this will collect any ashes or residue that may end up in your hookah during smoking.
4. Place three coals on your electric burner to light them up.
Quick-light charcoals may seem like an easier option compared to natural hookah charcoals, however, they can give your hookah smoke an unpleasant odor. For this reason, we strongly recommend utilizing natural hookah charcoal whenever possible. Natural hookah charcoal burns more slowly and evenly throughout the session, producing the rich and full-flavored taste that hookah smokers yearn for.
5. With a fork, scoop some hookah tobacco into the bowl.
For hookah aficionados, the size of the bowl is critical in determining the amount of tobacco used with each session. Too little tobacco in the bowl will mean a weaker flavor and shorter smoking times, while too much can cause uneven flavor as well as a higher risk of burning out whatever charcoal is being used. Depending on how many people are sharing, size can depend on the type preferred along with how much smoke produced and whether or not anyone wants to add additional flavors or mix tobaccos. Getting the balance between size and tobacco just right might take a bit of practice and experimenting, but it's a fun part of hookah smoking that can lead to tailor made experiences each time.
By removing the leaf veins from the tobacco, hookah smokers can avoid potential unpleasant odors that could be created when lighting up. Furthermore, it helps to prevent clogging of the hookah pipes, resulting in smooth and enjoyable sessions. Therefore, it is important to take the time to carefully pick out any leaf veins before packing your hookah bowl with delicious hookah tobacco!
When it comes to packing the tobacco in your hookah bowl, it can often be tricky to find the right balance. You want to press down gently, so as not to make the tobacco too compact which can result in difficulties when it comes to airflow. On the other hand, you don't want it too loose or spread out beneath the edge of the bowl; otherwise it may burn faster than expected. To get an optimal experience from your hookah session, make sure you pack that tobacco a couple of millimeters under the lip of your bowl for perfect air passage and an evenly burnt finish each time.
Our blog also has a more detailed guide on how to pack a hookah bowl.
6. Make a funnel the width of a pencil at the center of the tobacco to help get the air flow going.
7. Prepare the hookah foil
To prepare the bowl for use with hookah, wrap it in aluminum foil between two folds. This provides both better airflow and more even heat distribution so that your hookah can optimal performance. Use a poker to make small holes in aluminum foil in a cylindrical fashion.
When the hookah is all set up, and you’re ready to enjoy your favorite shisha, the last step is attaching the hookah bowl to the stem. Make sure to fit a rubber grommet in there too - this will create an air-tight seal and prevent air from entering through any gaps. Without the grommet, your hookah won't hit as smoothly or as well. It's a small but essential detail that makes hookahs great, so don't forget it!
8. Check your hookah coals
Before indulging in hookah festivities, we must first check and prepare the hookah coals. The coals should be red-hot before placing them around the edge of the bowl with hookah tongs. Doing so will ensure a flavorful hookah session for hours to come. Of course, have your hookahs tongs at hand for precise heat control during your hookah session. Making sure your hookah coals are ready is an essential step to guaranteeing an amazing hookah experience.
It is essential to take the time to arrange the coals evenly around the top of the bowl. This helps prevent heat from being distributed unequally throughout your tobacco, which could cause it to burn faster and ruin a pleasant hookah experience. Taking this extra step ensures a smooth smoke that lasts for as long as you’d like it to!
9. Give the coals some time to warm the bowl up before you begin smoking.
By adding new red-hot coals as you go along, both heat and flavor are increased. As such, replacing coals regularly will keep the hookah smoking for much longer, resulting in a more enjoyable experience for everyone involved!
This is one of the easiest ways to prepare hookah, and it allows you to achieve the best results.
In this tutorial we used Wookah hookah, Cocodalya natural coals, and Adalya shisha tobacco.
Want to know more on the best hookah products in 2023? Check this articles:
1. Best hookah flavors in 2023
2. Best hookahs in 2023
3. Best hookah bowls in 2023
4. Best hookah coals in 2023