How a hookah works

Traveling through countries in the Middle East or Asia is to enjoy one of the most evocative images for smoke lovers: men and women in total relaxation exhaling the abundant smoke of a hookah.

This smoking technique has spread in recent years throughout Europe: not only are there many people who use hookahs in their own homes, but there are even tea shops and places that have specialized in this beautiful and tasty ritual based on the molasses and smoke.

However, the hookah can be a complex object to understand for those who have no experience with them. How does it work? Why is it necessary to have such a big 'hulk'? What is the secret of using liquids on the bottom? All these questions are very common for first-timers in this ancient art.

It is important to know how a hookah works and how to smoke a hookah correctly to get the most out of it. These are some of the main points to keep in mind and some of the most interesting tips on how a shisha works:

What is the operation of a hookah

The hookah, shisha or hookah works in a very similar way to a pipe: there is a tobacco or molasses which burns thanks to a heat source and the aspiration of the smoker.

However, other things come into play in water pipes, such as liquid, something that is not present in any way in other smoking systems. Thanks to this, the differentiating nuances of the hookah are achieved with respect to tobacco, cigars or the pipe.

How does the hookah work? The molasses is put at the top of the 'fireplace', inside its clay basket. Above it, a burning coal. When vacuuming, a difference in densities is achieved that ends up affecting the molasses area, whose air is burned by the coal and goes down the duct to the water area.

There, the smoke mixes with the water. With what objective? In order to reduce the temperature of the smoke quickly. Thanks to this, the density of the smoke increases even more, generating those characteristic clouds with which shisha smokers are surrounded.

Again this smoke travels through the duct to the smoker's mouth, who can taste the flavors of the molasses and enjoy the smoke.

How to smoke a hookah correctly

As you can see, the operation of a hookah is very simple. However, a series of tips can be followed to improve or add new nuances to the shisha.

For example, some people advise adding ice cubes to water. This way it will be much colder when the smoke comes from the central duct and that difference will generate even more interesting densities.

It is also important to put enough water in: the mast will need to be covered two or three centimeters for the smoke to really come into contact with the water.

Lastly, do not inhale too quickly. Hookah lends itself to a slow, relaxed smoke. Urgent vacuuming will cause the charcoal to get too hot and end up burning the molasses.

These are the main tips and information on how a hookah works and how to smoke a hookah. Beginners and experts can benefit from this information to raise the quality of their experience.