How to Set Up Your Hookah ( Shisha )

1. Fill your glass hookah base with cold water but do not over fill it. After you insert the hookah shaft into the glass base, the metal tube should be submerged approx. 1 inch below the surface of the water.

2. Place the round metal charcoal tray over the top of the hookah stem. This tray is for keeping hot coals and for catching ashes.

3. Place the rubber bowl seal onto the top of the hookah stem. This will help keep an airtight fit for your bowl. Next place the clay bowl onto the top of the hookah stem.

4. Insert the hookah hose into the hose port of the hookah stem using the small rubber seal. The seal will ensure that an airtight fit is created.

5. Next, you will want to test that your hookah is airtight before you begin smoking from it. To do this, simply place the palm of your hand over the empty tobacco bowl while sucking from the hose. If your hookah is airtight, you will feel a suction pull on the hand similar to when you place your hand over a vacuum cleaner hose. *Note: If your hookah is not airtight, you will need to check the seals at the glass base, bowl and hose connections for air leaks.

6. Once your hookah is airtight, you are ready to load your favorite molasses tobacco. Using your metal charcoal pincers, place enough tobacco to fill the bowl to the top.*Note: We recommend sprinkling the tobacco into the bowl rather than packing it in. This way, you increase the amount of airflow through the tobacco and lessen the work required to draw the smoke from the hose.

7. Take a square piece of aluminum foil approx 4x4 and wrap it over the top of the bowl sealing the tobacco in. Using a toothpick or thin wire, insert a series of 16 holes in the foil, piercing the tobacco to the bottom of the bowl. The foil will act as a screen keeping the charcoal from burning the tobacco.

8. Place a hot charcoal on top of the foil screen. If you are using a quick lighting charcoal disc, light it outdoors then place it in the metal charcoal tray until it is red-hot. The natural wood coals or Syrian finger style charcoals can be lit using a stovetop, Bunsen burner or quick light coal.

9. Start by sucking from the hookah hose until smoke begins to occupy the glass base. It should take about 5-6 puffs before you begin to experience the thick rich taste of an ancient past time enjoyed by millions of people across the world.