Hookahs have long been a familiar attribute of rest. They are served in clubs, cafes and restaurants. People who do not smoke cigarettes are not afraid to use hookah, because there is almost no harm from special mixes. When choosing a hookah, you need to take into account many parameters, so that later you don’t regret about wasted money. Our guide will help you to understand the principle of operation and device of the hookah, to understand the existing varieties, as well as to know what you should first pay attention to during the selection.
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The best manufacturers of hookahs - which company to choose
The production of hookahs is mainly carried out in Egypt, Turkey, China and Syria, although there are other countries involved in manufacturing. Usually these are small companies that produce small batches. The best firms are, of course, Egyptian brands, followed by Turkish, Syrian and Chinese.
If you do not have the opportunity or desire to get acquainted with the presented material entirely, then pay attention to the list of brands selected by us:
1. Khalil Mamoon;
2. Nammor;
3. AWS;
4. Ager;
5. MYA.
Having bought a hookah from the listed companies, you definitely will not regret, because the quality of materials and performance, as well as cost, have the best ratio. For anyone who wants to learn more about hookahs and what specific model to purchase, we suggest reading our article to the end.
The principle of operation and device hookah
Hookah is a device for smoking tobacco, where the smoke emitted undergoes a special cleaning with water, getting rid of most of the harmful substances.
Its basis is made by a flask into which water is poured, as well as a mine through which smoke passes. On top is a bowl and a plate that serves to set the smoking mixture and prevent the coal particles from falling down. Inside there is a valve that bleeds smoke. The hose and mouthpiece are necessary for the implementation of smoking.
The principle of the hookah looks quite simple. The flask is filled with water, thereby filtering out smoke. Further, a shaft is attached to it, and a tube is immersed in the water through the shaft. Insert the hose into the connector. The bowl is filled with a mixture, covered with foil, with pre-made holes, coal is laid on top.
The air entering the flask passes through the heated coal, and then through the tobacco, drying it, as a result of which smoke is formed. It enters the mine into the water, clears, goes into the airspace of the flask, and then rises again through the mine, cooling and being additionally filtered before it enters the hose, in which some of the harmful impurities still settle.
Types of hookahs
Classic (Turkish) Hookah
The most common type of hookahs. The main distinctive feature is considered to be a cast mine, massive tubes and beautiful painted flasks. There is the Egyptian subspecies of the classic hookahs, which few people know about.
Such devices are different from the Turkish lack of valve and the internal location of the bowl. Egyptian classic hookahs require less maintenance, since the elements are most often made of stainless steel.
Advantages:
- cast mine;
- convenience and ease of use;
- beautiful view;
- easy to find on sale;
- affordable prices.
Disadvantages:
- parts are made of brass and copper;
- Turkish hookahs require regular cleaning from plaque.
Classic hookahs are perfect for home use. In view of the low price everyone can get them.
Hookah "Medusa"
As the name implies, such hookahs differ in their unusual design. Outwardly, they really look like jellyfish.Stand on two high legs, have two hoses on each side. All elements of the device are made of transparent high-quality glass, which allows to observe the passage of thick smoke through the tubes. The flask of such hookahs is much more voluminous compared to the classical ones, its upper part is slightly flattened, like the body of a real jellyfish.
Advantages:
- high quality materials
- large flask,
- most parts are transparent
- there is no need for foil (instead there is a stainless steel mesh),
- silicone hoses.
Disadvantages:
- cost is above average (from 7 to 45 thousand rubles).
Such hookahs are able to decorate various kinds of institutions, contributing their share of originality.
Hookah Fabula (Temple)
Like the previous ones, these hookahs are distinguished by their unusual appearance. They have a small height, only about 50 cm, and a rather large bowl. Hookahs are designed for the simultaneous use of two hoses. Sold devices with lighting elements. Hoses can be either transparent silicone or ordinary white.
Advantages:
- good cooling of smoke;
- presentable appearance;
- small height;
- glass withstands high temperatures;
- a large flask can be decorated in different ways;
- there is a backlight;
- low cost
Disadvantages:
- not found.
Hookahs Fabula (Temple) will be a good choice for any party. Due to the unusual design, the presence of lighting and various decoration options, such devices will become indispensable for various festive events.
Hookah "Fumo"
These hookahs are made by the same American firm. For the production takes exclusively borosilicate glass. Such devices are distinguished by the absence of rubber parts (no seals), excellent fitting of glass elements under each other and modern design. Made hookahs can be not only transparent, but also from frosted glass.
Advantages:
- high-tech glass;
- the absence of rubber elements;
- clean and thick smoke without foreign tastes;
- compactness.
Disadvantages:
- high price (from 15 thousand rubles).
Presented type of hookahs will give an exclusive atmosphere. Very harmoniously such products will look in institutions in high-tech style.
Hookah selection options
Mine
When choosing a hookah in the first place should pay attention to the mine. Here, height does not matter at all, but its internal diameter is very important: the wider it is, the better the taste is felt and the lighter the draft. Focus on the figures of 15 mm. Less than 12 mm is best not to consider. The service life of the entire hookah depends on the material of the mine.
The mines of stainless steel will last the longest (about 10 years of operation), much less of copper and brass (from one to two years), and Chinese alloys of cheap hookahs will be completely immaculate because they are not able to last more than a year.
Flask
The volume and size of the flask play a role only for visual perception, without affecting the process of smoking. Material production can be different: plastic, acrylic, metal and glass. Of course, glass is preferable, because it beats almost the same as plastic, but it looks much more aesthetic and more expensive. It is better to refuse a metal flask, since the water level in it will not be visible, and this is very inconvenient.
Bowl
Tobacco is best heated in bowls that are made of clay; in the ceramic versions, it most often starts to burn, and this negatively affects the taste characteristics. The depth of the bowl also plays an important role, here it is worth considering the time of smoking. If it usually does not take more than one or two hours, then the average or even small one will do, but for a longer time period it is better to choose a bowl deeper.
Hose
Here, as with the mine, you should pay attention to the inner diameter: too narrow hoses will impede smoking. Hose material must not absorb odors and be environmentally friendly, then the taste will be clean and pleasant. Good options are high quality silicone.
There are hoses with the possibility of inserting a cold capsule for additional cooling. This option is perfect for people with sensitive mucous, as the irritation from the smoke will be minimal. A minimum of substances settle in the hose, so do not worry about cleaning and look for specimens that are allowed to be washed.
Mouthpiece
It can be made of wood, plastic, glass, stone or metal. Wooden mouthpieces are not very durable, as well as unhygienic. Very often microbes and bacteria accumulate in inconspicuous microcracks, so even for individual use such a mouthpiece can be dangerous. It is best to choose a mouthpiece from glass, plastic and stone. The width of the mouthpiece should be wide enough so as not to impair traction.
Number of tubes
They can be from one to five, and sometimes even more. It is important to understand that a non-standard number of pipes for a hookah leads to a deterioration of traction. Even under the condition that there will be valves on all other hoses, this will not change the situation to the end.
Which hookah to choose
1. Almost all hookahs, regardless of types and parameters, are suitable for smoking, but the quality of this smoking will be very different for different devices. The most important thing when using a hookah is getting pure taste and lightness of traction. That is why it is necessary to choose models where there is a large internal diameter at the shaft, a tube and a mouthpiece.
2. Materials also affect taste characteristics. Silicone tubes and glass flasks have proven to be better than others, as they cannot absorb any odors. Each time, taking a mixture with a new taste, you can be sure that the previous flavors do not mix.
3. Inadequately cooled smoke can damage the throat mucosa, causing irritation. To avoid this, you must purchase a hookah with the correct design. Cooling occurs usually in the process of movement of smoke through the mine and the hose. Ensure that the length of these elements is optimal. For additional cooling, you can buy a hose with the ability to insert special capsules.
4. Harmful impurities are deposited in water or other filtration fluid, but the rest remains on the walls of the mine. If the shaft is made of stainless steel, then no oxidation will occur, and cleaning will have to be irregular. But the mines of brass and copper can not boast of such characteristics.
5. Serve stainless steel capable of many times longer, and therefore increases the entire service life of the hookah. But even the most durable materials require maintenance, so do not forget to wash the appliance at least once a month.
6. Tightness of parts is usually provided with rubber seals. This method is one of the most common and cheap. Large firms make models of premium class hookahs without using them, ideally fitting the parts under each other.
7. Often requires manual work, because the price of such devices is much higher than average. If your financial capabilities are not limited, then choose the second option.
8. It is necessary to observe hygiene when smoking hookah. If several people use the device at the same time, everyone should take their own disposable or personal reusable mouthpiece.
How much is a hookah
1. Good hookahs can be purchased for 2 - 5 thousand rubles. This group includes classic (Turkish or Egyptian) devices.
2. If you want to buy a high-quality, high and beautiful hookah, then you should look at the Syrian models for 2-4 thousand rubles.
3. Compact models are in the range of 1,500 - 2 thousand rubles.
4. Hookahs "Medusa" and "Fumo" belong to the premium class, so the cost per copy can reach 30-50 thousand rubles. Such devices are exclusive, as much is done by hand craftsmen.
5. Budget hookahs from Chinese manufacturers can be bought for only 1 thousand rubles.
6. Those who need to buy a hookah with a suitcase will need to pay from 4 to 7 thousand rubles.
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