This document is a guidebook about hookah pipes written by Mike Williams and Trent Krupp of HoboHookah.com. It provides an introduction to hookah pipes, describing their basic parts and history. It also discusses major hookah pipe brands and types of tobacco used in hookah smoking. The guidebook aims to help both new and experienced smokers learn about properly using and enjoying hookah pipes.

1. The Hookah
Handbook
An Insider’s Guide to Hookah Mastery
By: Mike Williams and Trent Krupp, HoboHookah.com
Version 1.0
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2. The Hookah Handbook
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Legal Notice
While all attempts have been made to verify information provided in this publication,
neither author nor the publisher assumes any responsibility for errors, omissions, or
contrary interpretation of the subject matter herein.
The purchaser or reader of this publication assumes responsibility for the use of these
materials and information. Adherence to all applicable laws and regulations, federal, state
and local, governing professional licensing, business practices, advertising and all other
aspects of doing business in the United States or any other Jurisdiction is the sole
responsibility of the purchaser or reader. The author and publisher assume no
responsibility or liability whatsoever on the behalf of any purchaser or reader of these
materials. Any perceived slights of speciHic people or organizations is unintentional.
Copyright 2010, Hobocans LLC
Table of Contents
Part 1: Introduction to the Hookah Pipe (For the New Folks)
Part 2: The Major Hookah Pipe Brands (and How To Choose Your
Hookah)
Part 3: The Major Hookah Tobacco Brands
Part 4: How to Set Up Your 1st Hookah Smoking Session
The Finale: Tips and Power Moves
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Part 1: Introduction to the Hookah Pipe
(For the New Folks)
A hookah pipe is a water pipe used to smoke special tobacco, sometimes called shisha,
molasses, or maasel. Every hookah pipe consists of four basic parts:
• The vase, glass, or izaz: This is the water receptacle, usually made of glass but can be
made of plastic or acrylic.
• The hose, tube or mouth piece: Typically made of plastic or rubber with a metal
structure giving the tube form. Hoses come in a variety of modern or traditional
styles and can be washable or non‐washable.
• The bowl or head: Made of ceramic, clay or metal, the head serves to hold the
tobacco that is smoked. They typically come in traditional Egyptian, Phunnel, or
modern styles.
• The stem, heart or pipe: This is the key to the hookah and connects the bowl, the
vase and hose together. Stems also serve to cool the smoke.
In addition to these parts, some hookahs have additional ports for either additional hoses
(some hookahs can be conHigured for 1‐4+ hoses) or a "check valve." A check valve usually
consists of a metal housing and a ball bearing ‐ when the user blows into the hose, the
check valve will exhaust the smoke that is in the chamber or vase. This is useful for when
the tobacco gets hot and the smoke tastes burned.
Hookahs also need a screen to cover the bowl and prevent the tobacco from burning. These
can be made of aluminum foil or reusable stainless steel. Hookahs usually also include
tongs, for handling the coal and a poker for putting holes into the aluminum foil. Some
hookahs also have a wind guard in order to better manage the heat on the hookah head.
Hookah History
Hookahs have a long and storied history. They were initially devised in India in the 1500s,
shortly after the introduction to tobacco from the west, then spread to the Middle East via
the Persian Empire and then later by the Ottomans. Immigrants from North Africa and
Persia introduced most of the West to hookah, especially in culturally diverse cities like
London, Paris, and New York, but also in Detroit and Los Angeles.
Currently, hookah is very popular in Egypt, Turkey, and the Arabian Peninsula, where in the
absence of alcohol, the hookah has taken on the role of being a popular social activity with
tea and mezzies (small appetizers) as part of the ritual. Many of the popular tobacco brands
and pipes are still currently manufactured in Egypt or the Arabian Peninsula.
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The West has taken the hookah and adapted it to its own culture, where lounges featuring
alcohol and ethnic cuisine are becoming popular. Given the growing market for hookah in
the West, mostly in the US, there has been a renaissance centered around the South
California region. There, new tobaccos like Starbuzz and Tangiers have become popular
and favored over traditional Middle Eastern tobaccos.
In addition, the West has embraced non‐traditional hookah pipe styles, broadly known as
Modern Hookah pipes that take cues from the Middle Eastern design, but have added
sleeker visual cues. It is also in the United States, where the HoboHookah, a modern, high
quality portable hookah was designed and embraced by young, mobile hookah smokers.
Globally, the hookah has many different names:
• Hookah or Hukka: Is the traditional South Asian or Indian name for the pipe. This
has been adopted in the West as well.
• Nargile, Argileh, Nargileh: Is typically name for the pipe in northern mesopotamia,
including Turkey, Syria, Israel and Lebanon. It is also the common name in France
and Brazil.
• Shisha: While in the west hookah tobacco is sometimes referred to as simply shisha,
it is also the proper name for the pipe in North Africa, including Egypt, one of the
epicenters of hookah smoking.
• Hubbly Bubbly: Is most commonly used in South Africa, but some other southern
hemisphere countries will also use this name in addition to “hookah.”
Likewise, the there are different names and types of tobacco smoked in hookah pipes:
• Shisha: Used mostly in the west to refer to hookah tobacco.
• Maasel or Molasses: Are the common names for hookah tobacco throughout the
middle east.
• Tombak: Is a special, dry pipe tobacco used in Iran or Persia.
• Zhargoul: Is a strong, relatively dry tobacco smoked in shisha cafes in Egypt and the
Middle East.
• Herbal Tobacco: There are herbal brands, usually based off of sugar beat husks that
do not use the tobacco plant. There are brands in the US and India that are herbal.
• Washed Tobacco: Washed tobacco is a low nicotine hookah tobacco produced by
washing the tobacco plants. It usually has 1/10th the nicotine of standard hookah
tobacco.
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Part 2: The Major Hookah Pipe Brands
(and How To Choose Your Hookah)
Initially, most hookah pipes were produced by hand in the Middle East and Egypt and then
imported to the West. Originally, there were very few, if any, brand name hookahs.
Recently (especially in the West), there has been an active movement to brand all hookahs,
so that it is easier for a buyer to compare different pipes. Here are some of the most popular
brands of hookah pipes and their reputation:
• Khalil Mamoon: These are well‐made Egyptian pipes. Khalil Mamoon is a family
operated business based in Cairo that is now managed by the second generation of the
family. They have a traditional Egyptian look, are hand made and use quality metal, like
stainless steel and brass, in their construction.
Given that they are hand made, a small portion of Khalil pipes have seal issues. That said,
they are still the top brand for hookah connoisseurs who enjoy the traditional look of
hookahs while still having relatively high quality standards. Most of their pipes are large,
and can come in multiple hose conHigurations. The glass is also sturdy as compared to
most chinese and other Middle Eastern hookahs.
• MYA: Was one of the Hirst Western hookah brands. Based in the Czech Republic, originally
the company focused on producing Bohemian crystal. The original MYA Hookahs used the
Bohemian Crystal as their vase for their hookah pipes. These hookahs are widely
regarded as some of the best hookahs of their time and were of exceptional quality in
both vase and stem.
Most recently, MYA has moved their hookah operations to China and no longer use
Bohemian Crystal as their vase. While still very popular for their small QT and Pumpkin
style pipes, overall hookah connoisseurs have moved away from choosing MYA for quality
concerns.
• Hobocans: Is a boutique manufacturer of the HoboHookah and HoboNargile. These are
well‐engineered, portable hookahs that can Hit on most bottle types and vases. They are
known for their durability, warranty (a Hirst in the industry) and easy packing for use
during travel, at parties or on outdoors smoking patios. They are based in Jersey City, NJ
and most of their manufacturing is in China.
• Modern Generic Hookahs: The US has designed and outsourced many hookah types to
China. These pipes typically are not branded, so it is hard to compare quality. Chinese
hookahs can offer the advantage of tight quality controls, high quality materials and
modern styling, however, many generic Chinese hookahs are made to be inexpensive and
thus have a weak durability and longevity. It is recommended to be conHident in the shop
you are buying a Chinese hookah at, and to avoid the lowest cost models.
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• Al Fakher and Starbuzz: These traditionally tobacco brands, have purchased and
rebranded hookah from the Middle East and China for sales in the US. While these pipes
are usually of high quality, they sometimes have a brand premium on top of the price.
Part 3: The Major Hookah Tobacco Brands
With the growing Western market, there have been a number of hookah tobacco brands to
reach market in the last 5 years. It would be near impossible to cover all of the brands, but
we will cover some of the most widely sold and trusted brands available in the US:
• Nakhla: Nakhla is a traditional tobacco from Egypt and was the Hirst brand to add
Hlavoring to tobacco smoked in hookahs. Their Hirst Hlavor, Double Apple, is still widely
smoked around the world. While Nakhla can be found online, it is most popularly sold in
Middle Eastern markets throughout the world.
While it is typically considered a budget tobacco, Nakhla has a unique Hlavor and is very
easy to smoke, which makes it a fan of even hardened hookah connoisseurs. Recently,
Nakhla has added a premium brand, called Mizo, which is juicier and more reHined than
their traditional tobacco. This is the largest hookah tobacco manufacturer in the world.
• Starbuzz: Is a modern tobacco variety that is washed (for lower nicotine). Starbuzz is
known for its juiciness, clean taste and avant‐garde Hlavors. It is also the most expensive
brand currently in the market. Produced in the Middle East but based in Los Angeles,
Starbuzz has become the biggest seller for online hookah shops. It has a very strong
following; many hookah connoisseurs only smoke Starbuzz.
• Tangiers: Is a relatively boutique hookah tobacco made and sold out of San Diego, CA.
Their tobacco has a distinct tobacco taste as well as unique Hlavors that tend to be very
close to the name on the package. They have grown to be the 3rd largest hookah tobacco
sold online and have a very distinct following that seems to be orthogonal to promoters of
Starbuzz.
They are moderately priced and the tobacco typically has top of class longevity. Tangiers
also invented the Phunnel bowl, which is a bowl designed speciHically for juicy hookah
tobacco. Tangiers can be temperamental and hard to pack correctly, so it is often avoided
by novices (more on packing the Phunnel bowl later).
• Layalina: Is a moderately priced hookah tobacco that has increased quality while
remaining true to traditional Middle Eastern tobaccos. Layalina sells well to both novices
and hookah pros, especially with some of their popular Hlavors, which are sometimes
considered top of their class. Layalina also has a premium offering called Golden
Layalina, which has nicer packaging and slightly better longevity. Most of Layalina's non‐
traditional Hlavors are sold under the Golden brand.
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• Al Fakher: Is a Dubai based tobacco manufacturer that is known for its fruit and mint
Hlavors. Moderately priced (like Nakhla), they are one of the best sellers in Middle Eastern
markets. Al Fakher is juicy and easy to smoke, but some of their Hlavors are weak in taste.
It’s a good brand overall, but it is advised to research which Hlavors are good and which
ones are not.
Get Your Brand and Flavor Reviews Here
Part 4: How to Set Up Your 1st Hookah Smoking Session
You will need:
• A full hookah setup, including pipe, bowl, hose and tongs with poker.
• Aluminum foil
• A lighter or stove top
• Hookah tobacco
• Water
• Step 1: Fill the vase with water. When you attach the stem, the
water should come about a half to 1 inch above the pipe that goes
in the vase. The pipe must be submerged in the water in order for
the hookah to function correctly. Too much water can make the
pipe hard to pull (or smoke from) and can lead to water bubbling
up into the hose.
• Step 2: Attach the stem and hose. You should have properly Hitting
gaskets that make the stem Hit into the vase snugly. In addition, the
hose should Hit snugly into the hose port. Some hose ports have a gasket that ensures a
good Hit.
• Step 3: Cover the top air‐inlet (where the bowl will be attached) and try taking a pull
from the hose. If your hookah setup is tight, you should not be able to pull any air through
the hose. If you have a check valve or release valve try blowing out as well to make sure
the valve is working. Finally, take your Hinger off of the air‐inlet and take a pull. It should
feel very easy.
• Step 4: Pack the bowl. To do so, take your bowl and tobacco. Take some of the tobacco and
place it in the bowl. You should mix the tobacco before doing this to get a light and Hluffy
consistency. Fill the bowl to the top, but do not pack it down. The tobacco should be
relatively loose with in the bowl.
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Finally, take the aluminum foil and pull off about a 4‐inch square. Cover the bowl with the
aluminum foil, making the foil taught on the bowl (it should look Hlat and glossy over the
bowl). Finally, take the poker on your tongs (or use a pen tip) to poke holes evenly across
the surface of the bowl.
Need a bowl packing video? Here you go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=nt4EAFlIPc0
• Step 5: Lighting the coal. If you are new to hookah, we recommend buying quick‐light
hookah charcoal. Good brands are Starlight (red box only), Al Fakher or Three Kings. If
you are using a standard bowl, use a 33 mm coal (the 40 mm is usually too big for
standard bowls).
Use a lighter or strove top to light the coal. Use the tongs to place the coal onto the head. If
you are indoors, place it round side up, if you are outdoors its probably a good idea to
place the round side down (this helps manage the heat). If you only have access to pure
charcoal: Place 2‐3 sugar cube sized pieces onto a stovetop. Let the stove light them for 5 ‐
10 minutes, then place them on the bowl.
• Step 6: You should be good to go. If you aren't getting smoke, or it is pulling hard, please
consult the troubleshooting section below.
Part 5: Tips and Power Moves
Tip: Managing the Heat on Your Hookah
Managing your heat comes down to understanding 2 environments: indoor, calm sessions
and outdoor, windier sessions. Let's break it down for each.
Indoors
1. In an indoor session using a standard mod or Egyptian bowl,
start your session with one full 3 Kings or Starlight coal. These
are quick light coals so you can light with an oven burner or
lighter. Don’t inhale while it is sparking ‐ it will taste like shite.
Once lit, give it a minute or 2 to really heat up, otherwise you'll
pull and get little smoke.
2. After 15 or 20 minutes, your smoke will thin out as that Hirst coal
dies. When this happens, rest your 2nd coal partially on the 1st,
while leaving most of it over a new, unsmoked section of your
bowl. Wait for it to spark up and continue. (If the Hlavor gets hot,
remove the remnants of the Hirst coal, so no more tiny pieces fall
under the tin foil and burn the shisha.)
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3. Adding the third coal is trickier. Depending on your shisha brand, you may be able to
add a full third coal, but if you Hind that gets too hot ‐ just half a coal instead.
(To break the coal in half, place it upside down on a hard surface and push done with
your palm to break the coal into 2 or 3 pieces.) Be sure to again place the coal over
an untarnished part of your foil‐‐this way the coal is directly over the freshest
portion of your bowl's shisha. Tangiers and Starbuzz are best for taking a full 3
coals.
4. Some time during that third coal, your bowl will die out. Pack a new one and keep
the party pumping, baby!
Outdoors
1. When smoking outdoors, you will want a wind cover or a crown (how to build a
hookah crown). This minimizes the wind hitting your coal, preventing it from
getting too hot, and also minimizes the amount of ash Hlying into your drink.
2. Begin your bowl just as you do indoors, with a full coal protected by the crown or
wind cover.
3. As that coal dies, instead of adding a full coal, add half coals instead. Because there is
more wind outdoors, the coal will burn hotter than normal, so using a half coal will
better protect your shisha from burning too quickly.
4. Your bowl will not last as long outdoors due to this increased heat, so if you get
through 2.5 coals, consider that a victory.
Tip: Choosing the Right Hookah Bowl
There are tons of different hookah bowls on the market, which can make it confusing, but
for most purposes you should only look at modern (also known as "mod") bowls, Phunnel
bowls, and Egyptian bowls.
Mod and Egyptian bowls work with any type of shisha, from utility tobaccos like Nakhla up
to the premium brands of Starbuzz and Tangiers, and will last up to an hour (2 or 3 coals)
of smoking. The Phunnel bowl is a different animal, so it gets its own section right after
this.
Egyptian Bowls
These are the clay bowls used on hookahs all over Egypt and much of the Middle East.
They’re made of brown clay and one of the cheapest options.
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Both the shallow Egyptian bowl and the “small sized” standard Egyptian bowl hold
around 15 grams of tobacco, making these good for short or solo smoke sessions, but not
suitable for sharing with your friends. They’re best used with 33 mm coals and in very calm
conditions, as they are more susceptible to over‐heating. Unless you prefer 20 ‐ 25 minute
sessions, these bowls aren’t worth the time.
The “large sized” standard Egyptian bowl holds about 25 grams, which makes for a more
versatile bowl. If you’re dead set on owning an Egyptian bowl, this would be the one to get.
Modern Bowl
The Mod bowl is the new style that came from the rise in “Modern Style” hookahs. With a
standard design, better color options, and larger size (25 grams of shisha), these are our
favorite bowls. They work with most hookahs on the market, and come standard with the
HoboNargile and HoboHookah.
Mod bowls are also available with an attached wind cover. The cover and screen on these
can get extremely hot, so be careful when you’re adjusting the coals or packing it up. If you
use your hookah out doors often, a better option is probably investing in a better wind
cover.
Inhale Tower:
The Inhale Tower is similar to the Phunnel bowl. It holds 70 ‐ 80 grams of tobacco.
Multi­Head
The multi­head bowls are more novel than useful; they use a load of shisha and coal, but
are in fact very difHicult to manage. A better option is getting a medium or large Phunnel
bowl and mixing Hlavors in there.
Phunnel Bowl
The Phunnel bowl works with Egyptian and Modern hookahs, including the HoboHookah
and HoboNargile. This little lover gets its own section.
Power Move: How to Pack and Use a Phunnel Bowl
The Phunnel bowl is a slightly different animal than the standard mod bowl. First thing to
know: Make sure you are using a juicy tobacco. The Phunnel is made speciHically for
Tangiers brand hookah tobacco, however, brands like Starbuzz will smoke Hine as well.
Conversely, more "oily" style tobacco's like classic Nakhla or Al Waha tend to be difHicult to
smoke out of this bowl.
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To pack a Phunnel bowl:
1. Take a clean Phunnel bowl, and layer in the tobacco around the center nipple.
2. Compress the hookah tobacco down as tightly as you can. Repeat placing additional
tobacco and compressing it until tobacco is evenly packed throughout the trough of
the bowl and is at a height roughly the same as the nipple.
3. Once the tobacco is packed tightly and to the level of the nipple, place a minimum of
4 inches square piece of foil on the top. Press it down and pull at the sides of the foil
to make it glassy on the surface. The foil should be tight at the surface.
4. Next, poke holes across the surface of the bowl evenly.
5. Place coal evenly on two sides of the bowl. We recommend a 40 mm quick light.
Break one in half and place one piece on each side of the bowl. Alternatively you can
use 33 mm, in the same fashion, although you may want to add another half if the
smoke is light.
For some visual stimulation, check out the vid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=Ahovl4L0WM8
A quick note on different Phunnel bowls: Stay away from knockoffs. They break much
easier and have an awkward sized bottle opening that wont work with many hookahs
(including most Egyptians and the HoboHookah/HoboNargile). There are three normal
sizes of the Phunnel bowl:
• Small: 25‐40 grams of tobacco. Will smoke 1‐2 hours. Great for a quick single
serving and for conserving tobacco, but not as easy to manage the heat on.
• Medium: 60‐80 grams of tobacco. Will smoke for 2 ‐ 3+ hours. Great middle range
bowl, with good longevity, but not too long that you get sick of the Hlavor. Easy to
pack and manage heat on.
• Large: 100‐125 grams of tobacco. Will smoke for 4+ hours. These things work well
for parties, but really cook through the tobacco, so beware! You should own a
Medium bowl before getting a large one, as it is a rare occasion that you will actually
need a 4‐5 hour bowl.
Tip: How to Properly Clean Your Hookah
Fast video run‐through: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UZZcXhLGYg
The Stem
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To clean the stem of your hookah, Hlush it out with warm water. This is easiest if your stem
unscrews in the middle. Hold the stem under warm water for 1‐2 minutes. If you have a
pipe cleaner or wire brush, you can use that the thoroughly clean the pipe. If you have a
HoboNargile/HoboHookah, just disconnect the hose and bowl and place in the dishwasher.
The Hose
There are two types of hoses: Washable and non‐washable. Here is a quick guide:
• Non­Washable: Is your hose classically Egyptian? Can the mouth piece be pulled
out of the hose? Is metal visibly present on the interior of the tube, un‐protected.
This is a non‐washable hose.
• Washable: Does your hose look modern or is it a Namour/Narbish? Are the ends
not removable? This is a washable hose.
For a non‐washable hose it is very important to clean the hose after every session or bowl.
To do so, take the mouth piece off, run it under water. Then blow air multiple times through
the hose to clean out any particles.
For a washable hose: Simply run the hose under water 2‐3 times. You should do this after
every session or every 2‐3 bowls. Do not put your hose in a dishwasher and make sure the
hose is hung to dry. Not hanging to dry the hose can cause the wood parts on the handle to
warp.
The Bowl
All bowls are dishwasher safe, however, running them underwater and pulling out the loose
tobacco usually sufHices.
The Vase / Glass
The glass can be the most difHicult part of the hookah to properly clean. If you are diligent,
emptying the water and rising the glass out after every session will keep it pretty clean.
Once every one to two dozen sessions you should fully clean the vase. The best method to
do this, is to take vinegar and lemon juice in a 1/5 ratio to warm water. Let it sit for 1‐2 two
hours and then thoroughly rinse. For the HoboHookah/HoboNargile, we recommend
throwing away your vase after 10‐20 bowls, to ensure the best Hlavor.
Go here for a quick video on how to clean your traditional hookah or the HoboHookah/
HoboNargile: http://www.youtube.com/user/HoboHookah#p/a/u/2/1UZZcXhLGYg
Tip: Troubleshooting your Hookah
Why is my hookah difficult to pull from?
There are 2 likely reasons for this. First, you may have packed your bowl too tightly. When
packing your bowl, the shisha should come up to the brim, but not be packed down tight
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(unless you're using a Phunnel bowl). If it is packed tight, there will not be enough space for
the air to Hlow through, making it difHicult to pull from.
The second reason is due to blockage in your hose or down stem. To check this, Hirst
unscrew your hose and pull from it to check the Hlow. If that works Hine, then your hookah is
blocked somewhere. Take it apart and run water through each section to clear it, then leave
it out to dry (prevents rust).
I can pull on the hose, but why can't I get any smoke?
This means there is a leak somewhere on your pipe. First, check to make sure your release
valve (the knob opposite your hose port) is properly screwed down... then check the seal
between your vase and your down stem... and then make sure your bowl connection is
properly sealed with a grommet or rolled up piece of cardboard. If you use a multi‐hose
hookah, each user needs to cap the hose with their thumb when not smoking. This
maintains the seal so the person smoking can pull air through the bowl instead of through
the other hoses.
Why doesn't my hookah taste as good as it used to?
Most hookahs wear out with regular use, with the hose going Hirst. Depending on your
frequency of use, you should replace your hose every 3 to 6 months. Additionally, the pipes
and vases themselves can get Hlavor stained. To avoid this, you should invest in a hookah
made of high quality aluminum or stainless steel (the HoboNargile uses aircraft‐grade
aluminum), which are more resistant to Hlavor staining and general degradation.
Additionally, you should wash your hookah every few sessions to keep it in good condition.
HoboHookahs and HoboNargiles can just get tossed in your dishwasher for easy cleaning.
How do I clean my hose?
Beware that not all hoses are washable, so you should check your vendor or product
description to make sure yours can handle water. If it is not washable, then washing it will
cause rust and destroy your hose.
To wash those hoses that can handle water, use your sink or bathtub to run tap water
through and clean it out. Don't be afraid if the water is dark and full of particles; this is
normal. Once done, hang your hose vertically so it can fully dry.
Why does every flavor taste like mint?
Be VERY careful when smoking mint‐Hlavored shisha. Mint is an extremely powerful Hlavor
and can very easily "stain" your hookah with its taste. To maintain the sanctity of other
Hlavors, we recommend using a speciHic hose for this Hlavor. If you really love mint, then we
recommend using just a pinch of it combined with other Hlavors. The mint Hlavor will come
through, but you'll prevent major staining from occurring.
Tip: Buying Hookah Gear Online Versus at a Local Store
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Here are some quick advantages and disadvantages for buying online verses a local store as
well as some scenarios for when you would choose one over the other:
Local Store
• If you are buying a non‐branded hookah, it is best to buy it in a store where you can
make sure the pipe has a good seal.
• If you are buying Nakhla, Al Fakher, or Al Waha: Sometime you can get them
cheaper at an Arab market than at an online store.
• If you have broken your vase and are looking for a new one, it is best to go to a local
store so that you can try out different vases and gasket combinations that will work
for your stem.
• Local stores will let you mix and match vases to stems, which is an advantage over
most stores.
• Local stores can be bartered with and sometimes you can get freebies with your
purchase, including extra tongs, shisha or coals.
• No cost or need for delivery.
Online Store
• Many hookahs are branded (MYA, Hobocans, Khalil Mamoon), which are better
quality typically than generics.
• If you are looking for a speciHic brand or model of hookah, it is best to do it online.
• There is much more selection of different hookah tobacco, Hlavors and different
hookah pipes.
• If you want to buy a premium tobacco, like Starbuzz or Tangiers, it is usually
cheaper to do so online.
• Availability of better coals, like Three Kings or Coco Naras.
• If you are making a large order, the cost savings online will make up for the cost of
shipping.
Typically it is best to plan when you will need another order of tobacco and coals and to
buy in bulk online. This will give you better selection and save you money.
Power Move: Other Liquids You Can Use in Your Vase
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(NOTE: Try this at your own risk. Your mileage may very. We’re not responsible if
something crazy happens ‐ got it?)
Coffee
Coffee is an amazing liquid to throw in your vase. We got this idea while we were in Cairo,
at a little bourgie cafe called Tornado’s in Mohandeseen. We were enamored by their
cappuccino "Tornado" hookah. It just tasted amazing. Exactly like being at a coffee roaster.
Eventually we found out the secret: They added coffee to the vase, and plain old Nakhla
shisha to the head. Also works great with Tangiers Cocoa.
How to:
1) Get enough coffee for the vase (usually about 2 large cups to less depending on your
hookah’s vase), and throw it in the refrigerator for about 1‐2 hours. Or use that pot you
forgot to drink in the morning. You can cut the coffee with up to 50% water, but more
coffee the better.
2) Pack a bowl of either Nakhla or Tangiers Cappuccino Hlavored hookah tobacco.
Awesome.
Wine
Red Wine is our favorite alcohol to smoke out of, mostly because you can buy it cheap in the
quantities you need for hookah smoking. With Red Wine, the smoke will take on a little bit
of grape Hlavor and produce much denser smoke. Its also a great "wow" factor for your next
hookah get together.
How to:
1) We recommend getting some Carlo Rossi, preferably their Sangria concoction, which
should be easy to Hind and cheap. If you have time available, chill the wine, and Hill the vase.
Presto. For you HoboHookah owners out there, we recommend buying the big, gallon jug,
drinking it down halfway and then just pop the HoboHookah on there. The Carlo jug makes
a great hookah for Party Pioneers, and is impossible for jackals to tip it over.
2) Pick your favorite fruit Hlavored tobacco: Lemons, Oranges, Grapes all work the best, and
pack your bowl. Mix them together to make Sangria Hookah Tobacco.
Milk
Okay, we get it: Adding milk to your hookah vase and then smoking through it is weird,
right? Wrong. Milk is a great addition because it will work with just about any Hlavor and
give you a dense, creamy smoke. Plus its pretty cheap.
There are two things you need to know though: Milk will bubble up. If you have a short
hookah, the bubbles could get into your hookah and into the hose. Then its game over. The
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other thing: Milk has a tendency to go rancid, so right after your smoke clean your hookah
as thoroughly as possible. Milk works great with the Hobo because of the long down stem
and easy cleaning.
How to:
1) Get skim milk, to prevent bubbling and to limit the milky Hlavor. Make sure its nicely
chilled as well and not expired. Fill your vase. In addition, you may cut the milk with water,
to prevent the bubbling effect.
2) Add any tobacco you’d like. It should just add a mild milky note, but most of all, produce
a thicker smoke.
3) When done, clean out your hookah thoroughly with hot soap and water. Even the hose if
it is washable.
Tonic Water
Tonic Water? Why would that be good? Well, the trick with tonic water is that is contains
quinine, which has a Hlorescent property to it. Ever notice how at clubs every drink looks
like it is, except for Gin and Tonics? Well under black lights quinine will produce the bluish
glow. This is a great way to light up your hookah, and get everyone one’s eye’s buzzing. But
pay attention, is easier said than done.
How to:
1) Get about 1 ‐ 2 liters of tonic water. Tonic Water is carbonated, which is not cool to
smoke out of. You need to Hirst open the bottles, and let them sit out: shaking and using a
straw to blow bubbles through them every so often to release as much of the carbonation as
possible. The goal is to have tonic water that doesn’t Hizz at all. If it does Hizz, you will not be
able to smoke out of it.
2) Get a hookah with a very clear vase. The glass can’t be frosted or otherwise colored. The
black light needs to be able to get into the bottle to Hluoresce the tonic water. For
HoboHookah owners, the 1.75 of plain Absolut Vodka is the best vase. Empty the bottle/
vase and throw in the tonic water. You can cut it with up to 50% water, but the more tonic
water there is, the better the effect.
3) Organize a few black lights near the hookah smoking area. If you have a glass table,
throw a couple under there, and setup the hookah. That should get your bottle nice and
blue when the lights go out.
4) Get some really powerful hookah tobacco. Anything too subtle will be eclipsed by the
Hlavor of the tonic water. Try mint, grape, lemon or peach. These Hlavors are usually very
pronounced, and you shouldn’t be able to taste the tonic.
5) Light it up. If there is a little carbonation still there, the Hirst hits will be rough. But it
will smooth out after that.
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Beer
The blood of the gods, and a cheeky hookah addition as well. Whether or not you match the
beer to your hookah Hlavor, adding it to your vase will give you additional depth and
deliciousness to your session.
How to:
1) Depending on your vase, you'll need 2 ‐ 4 beers. Pop those suckers open, and give them a
few minutes to release some carbonation. If you don't do this, your Hirst several hits will
make you feel like you took soda up your nose. It is intense, and not very enjoyable.
2) Add the beer to your vase and get your session going with a powerful Hlavor. The beer
will bubble up considerably, so be sure those bubbles don't get up to your hose port and in
your hose.
Fruit Juices
Sure, it's obvious, but it's also delicious.
How to:
1) For best results, pick your favorite fruit juice with minimal or zero pulp and add it to
your vase. Stronger juices provide stronger Hlavor for your shisha, and often last longer. You
can cut it with water if you choose, but the fullest Hlavor comes from using all juice.
2) Try mixing and matching Hlavors to Hind your favorite combos.
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Thanks For Reading!
We hope you’ve gotten a little (or a lot) something out of this short guide. It’s everything we
know about hookahs -- all in one place so you can answer every question have as fast as
possible.
If you in fact still DO have any remaining questions about using your pipe... living The Dream...
packing the Phunnel bowl... or anything else, just hit us up...
• mike.williams@hobocans.com
• trent.krupp@hobocans.com
• http://twitter.com/HoboHookah
• http://facebook.com/HoboHookah
... and we’ll take care of you.
Rock on,
~ Mike and Trent
Now Get Out There and Chase The Dream!
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Helping you live The Dream since 2007