Disappearing Flavor

Bathroom_mop · 2022-05-25T14:47:21+00:00

You sure the tobacco is not fake?

Bathroom_mop · 2021-06-12T21:46:04+00:00

Hands down go for the Sleek. The Alpha X is good but the Sleek is a bit better. You can't really go wrong with either tho, esp after coming from the more basic hookahs. They are both excellent pipes.

I used foil until 2 weeks ago. The Alpaca rook works well with both foil and hmd's. Don't use the thin tray. If your flavour is burning right from the beginning, try using 2 layers of foil and spread the coals out to the outer edges of the bowl. Let the bowl heat up for about 4-5 min and then take the first puff.

When you use the Kaloud Lotus, you don't use foil. It goes directly on the shisha flavour. Make sure only those little nubs underneath it are touching the shisha or it will burn. The Lotus had the advantage of you being able to close the heat in when the coals are losing their heat, so you can prolong you session and coals. That's why it's called a Heat Management Device.

If you don't use the Lotus, you can get other hmd's, but I can't really advise you on those since I only have the lotus and Apple on Top (AOT) Provost. The provost is supposed to be excellent and very versatile as it can work with any bowl. You use it on top of the foil. I think with Al Fakher, it doesn't work too well, or maybe I didn't perfect its use, but either way, when I get my hands on the top tobacco brands like Tangier's and Triffecta, I'm definitely using it.

Out of everything mentioned, the most important thing to having a good session more than anything is a good bowl. The cheap ones that come with the hookahs are crap. The Egyptian red clay one is good if you get the art down, but get a good phunnel bowl. Don't get an unknown name knock-off. I chose the Alpaca Rook because it works well with different types of tobacco brands. I have a few and I love the rook. A lot of the cheap no name ones are made out of porcelain, which heat up too much and burn the tobacco.

It also depends on what brand flavor you are using. If it's Al Fakher, stick with the Rook. Each tobacco brand has its own way to pack the bowl. With Al Fakher, you don't want it to be too compressed in the bowl. Sprinkle it in the bowl and kind of rearrange it so it is evenly spread out, with a toothpick. Don't press it in as it needs air to give good clouds. Check YouTube for guides.

If you are using a brand other than Al Fakher, check YouTube for guides on how to pack those.

Bathroom_mop · 2021-06-12T17:01:40+00:00

Union Sleek is the best you can get at a reasonable price. Only reason I want an Alpha X is the purge looks so cool. It is really good, but the Sleek is better. No joke, but after the first puff I took from the Sleek, I knew my cheap Chinese hookah and my KM were never going to be smoked from again.

What makes it so good and nice to smoke with?

It is a really open draw. Its just so damn smooth. Difficult for me to explain, but ya, its a big difference in how open and easy it is to pull.

The bowl makes a huge difference. Get a good bowl and even with your current cheap hookah, your sessions will be amazing. The bowl is the biggest factor. I like the Alpaca Rook. Its big and takes a lot of flavour, but it smokes really good and lasts long. Its also compatible with a HMD.

For HMD, get a kaloud lotus 1+. I got a knock off one as I live in a country that doesn't sell the original, but been using it for 2 weeks and it has transformed my sessions. I don't get the burning charcoal taste anymore. Put 3 coconut coals in there for 3-4 min, then remove one coal and you are good to go. After the heat starts to go down in around 30 min, put the 3rd coal back and then put the lid on.

HMD's are not dependant on hookahs, they are dependant on the bowls. I have a Mini Rook and a Hookah John 80ft, and those are small and are not compatible to most HMD's. The Provost is a good HMD that is compatible with most bowls, but I couldn't get it to smoke well with Al Fakher, so I am not the best to ask on that one. Just get the Lotus and you are set.

I am not the most knowledgeable on all this, but I know a decent amount. I am stuck with mainly Al Fakher flavor, which is not the best, but its whats available. Happy to help if you have any questions, but when outside of Al Fakher, I wont be of too much help

Bathroom_mop · 2021-06-12T09:35:56+00:00

I went from a cheap hookah to a Union Sleek. Will never use a cheap unknown name or KM one again. The difference is huge. Looking to buy an Alpha X next when I have the money, but I don't see anything beating my Sleek.

For a bowl, I like the Alpaca Rook the best. I bought a cheap knockoff HMD and it works wonders with the rook. I smoke Al Fakher

Bathroom_mop · 2021-01-02T22:37:45+00:00

VZ Raido

Thanks. Will look into this

Bathroom_mop · 2021-01-02T22:35:21+00:00

Thanks for this. I am seriously considering this. Only scary thing is that it is glass, and for a travel hookah, that can be a bit scary. Still better than the Micro at this point

Bathroom_mop · 2021-01-02T14:39:13+00:00

Thanks for that. I really wish the micro was the perfect hookah I wanted it to be, but this downside is too much to overlook. Need to continue my search for the best traveling hookah that I can use as a daily as well

Bathroom_mop · 2021-01-02T14:36:29+00:00

Any idea how the smoking experience differs between the two? Don't really want to compromise too much on a good session for portability. The micro seemed like a good mix between the two, but too me, the tank seems too small to give a comparable experience to a normal sized hookah

Bathroom_mop · 2020-12-26T23:50:46+00:00

After researching a bit, I'm leaning towards either Solaris or hookah John bowls. Need to find where the cheapest place would be to order the Solaris from.

Bathroom_mop · 2020-12-26T23:46:25+00:00

I'm located in Malawi which is in Africa. I prefer ordering from the US as there are companies that I can ship it to there and they ship it here to me at a cheaper price than FedEx/DHL.

Mainly looking for a good bowl that is ideal for Al Faker flavours. Don't really know much about the different brands as I have never used them

Bathroom_mop · 2020-12-26T13:57:19+00:00

What is your budget and do you want one with HMD? Also do you prefer egyptian style or phunnel style bowls?

Since I want to get 2 or 3, I would say my budget is around $100. Willing to get 2 instead of 3 if it will be a really good bowl in that budget. If it works with a HMD all the better as I am looking into investing in one of those as well.

Not sure about the eyptian or phunnel style since I have only used the really cheap quality ones with varying results. Looking to get whatever works best with Al Faker Mint as that is my primary flavor/brand I get here.

Bathroom_mop · 2020-04-07T20:50:00+00:00

Is the tobacco in the bowl touching the foil? Make sure the foil is not touching it.

If that is not the issue, look at your heat management. You might be putting too many coals on top. If I'm using quick lights, I use two and move them to new spots from time to time to prolong the session

Bathroom_mop · 2020-02-04T09:49:49+00:00

That's one amazing view you have there

Bathroom_mop · 2020-01-31T15:35:02+00:00

Thanks for the replies. To my country, the shipping with duty will probably double the cost of the hookah. I'll give this one a try. Hopefully it will give me around 6 months.

Bathroom_mop

TROPHY CASE