Hookah Buying Guide: How to Buy a Hookah?

Hookah or Shisha have existed since time immemorial, and have always been seen as a great means of refreshment and recreation. When hanging out with friends or partying. If you planning on getting home a Hookah there are pretty much fair chances that you might have ended up all confused and overwhelmed. For as to what to look and what to buy. Owing to its wide popularity and use, you will find an overwhelming amount of variety and features, this little refreshment device has to offer. But don't you worry, as we are here to help you.

There might be a good chance that as a beginner you are not well acquainted with its functioning and its features. There are many factors to be precise which you should be taking into consideration including the origin of the hookah, material used, the height of it, option for multiple hose outlets as well as the price of course. Taking into account this information you can make a very informed decision when you make your purchase. In this article, you will get answers to all your questions and by the end of it, you will probably have a clear picture mind of what you should be taking into consideration when buying a hookah.

What is its origin?

This hookah or shisha, have been in use for about 4000 years. It originated in India and Asia and its invention is attributed to Hakim Abdul Fatha, a physician from India, who invented this amazing device. Thinking it will alleviate the hazards of tobacco smoke by passing it through water before you inhale it.

The reason behind its popularity stems from flavored tobacco. Which became widely sought after in the Eastern Mediterranean countries in the 1990s. From there hookah use burst through spreading all across the globe.

How does shisha work?

You will find a tobacco chamber in hookah which is primarily a bowl holding flavored tobacco of your liking. On top, burning charcoal burned on a gas stove or with a lighter is placed separated from tobacco by a perforated aluminum foil. The moment charcoal starts heating the tobacco below, smoke is produced. Which you draw on through the stem (hose) of the hookah. It then travels through the water chamber getting cooled off before you savor on it. 

What are the types of hookah?

There various types of hookah you can get your hands on, to start your first solo or group session. As there are various types of vapes or pipes available in so is the shisha. Based on some fundamental differences we can categorize hookah into the following types:

1. Anodized Aluminum Shisha

Being one of the most popular hookahs, oppose to its popularity anodized aluminum shisha offers pretty bad quality material. That corrodes easily and breaks in a short amount of use. You can make out this kind of hookah easily by its color which is usually pink or red color. It is very lightweight and makes up for a budget purchase. This one is especially for you if you are a beginner and looking to explore options.

2. Egyptian Shisha

Sporting a slim and tall stem, Egyptian shisha is more of a traditional hookah compared to today's shisha. You will usually find it in single metal as well as in multi-metal types. Available in stainless steel, copper, and brass these are generally handmade and thus have some visible weld spots. In terms of performance, traditional hookahs tend to smoke better than modern hookahs.

3. Modern Shisha

Modern shisha aka mod shisha like anodized aluminum shisha is widely used and thus mass-manufactured in China. Which you can get from anywhere between 25$ to thousands of dollars. It is generally made from brass cores. As a result of which mod shisha can be very heavy.

4. Phunnel Shisha

The bowl of phunnel shisha does not have a hole at its bottom part. Instead, the hole is in the middle of the bowl. The phunnel bowl shisha stands apart from the rest, because of its unique design. Phunnel shisha has a hole in the middle of the bowl instead of its bottom. This allows the shisha juices to last longer. As the charcoals and foil are placed far from shisha tobacco.

What features to look for?

Hookah Materials

It's a firm belief of many hookah connoisseurs that the brass pipe is one of the best when it comes to the material. The material really matters a lot. And brass pipe almost lasts forever although they do oxidize they not vulnerable to corroding. But for that, they do demand polishing on a regular basis which helps to maintain its luster and shine. Other options for you are stainless steel as well as a combination of stainless steel with brass or copper. But there might be some issue with it depending upon the manufacturer and the quality of material used in the same.

Hookah Height

Although the height of the hookah does play an important role in its performance at large it is a matter of preference. But as a thumb rule, it is better not to go for a very large or small one and stick to the standard that is between 28 inches and 32 inches. This range is ideal as it is a happy medium for performance as well as it can be handled with much ease.

But if you're someone that intends to do camping or a lot of traveling with of course your hookah by your side, then you should opt for a smaller one. As mentioned earlier height does play a tangible role in performance. As larger the vase and stem, the larger will be the volume of smoke produce upon inhaling. But it should not deter you from opting for smaller ones as there are plenty of small hookahs that smoke extremely well.

Hookah Hose Options

When you think of a party, doesn't it feels amazing to pull out a hookah right off the bat with four hoses? They are made for partying, but if we did not keep a close eye on the number of hosen will purchasing it. It may suck up the fun as well the performance of the hookah. Because if the hose tip isn't plugged while smoking you will not be able to get enough suction to pull out the smoke.

Luckily there is a simple solution for it. There are rubber stoppers which are usually provided with most of the traditional multiple hose hookahs. You plug in one or two depending on the need to make things much more manageable. Furthermore, if you are all about the party and chilling out with friends. This type of hookahs is a well-suited option for you.

Hookah Prices

You would have started looking for a hookah with off course a price limit in your mind. Although it's good you are consciously buying your hookah. But the price of the hookah directly impacts several dimensions of the equipment. It may affect the:

• Size
• Number of hoses
• Material
• Quality
• Performance

If you are on a tight budget, then you must be ready for the consequences of getting home a cheap hookah. Although as a beginner or of a short-term service they tend to just serve the purpose right. Even though the hookah pot is important the best flavors can enhance the experience.