Originating from the Middle East, hookahs were traditionally used during various ceremonies and can be traced back to medieval India. The name implies a double-hosed apparatus whereas a single-hosed device is often referred to as a shisha. All of these devices utilize the cooling and filtration effects of water, with the common bubbling sound often reminiscent of bongs. While shisha is also the name given to what is commonly smoked within a hookah (flavored tobacco), the popularity of these units in the west has never been so high. Many clubs and lounges are dedicated to the use of a hookah, where groups of friends often come to sit around and socialize, much like a bar minus the alcohol. Here we will be looking at how a hookah works and the parts that make up a traditional hookah.
While hookahs look rather complex, their mechanism is actually quite simple. Despite their elaborate designs, hookahs have a straightforward way of utilizing their components. We will start from the top and work our way towards the rest of the design.
Hookahs are big. Hookahs have a lot of parts too. It is highly advisable to clean your hookah after every use to ensure you get a clean experience every time. Failure to do so will allow buildup to form inside the chamber, around the seal, and inside the tubing. Long pipe cleaners and rubbing alcohol is the best way to go about cleaning the individual components of your hookah. While it may seem like a more tedious task than cleaning a regular bong, the end result is worth it. The last thing you want is to be ready for a session, hot coals in place, and you struggle to take a hit and the shisha tastes nasty because you do not clean out your hookah. Because of this factor, hookahs tend to be plentiful and affordable. No matter what you end up getting, make sure to treat your hookah nice, and it will reward you in return. Because hookahs tend to come in all sizes, it would be advisable to start with a smaller one to ease the cleaning process.