The bowl at the top of the hookah will hold the shisha tobacco, with hot coals above it. [1] X Research source Air sucked through the hookah will pull heat from the hot coals. This heat bakes the tobacco and pulls the smoke down through the main shaft. The smoke leaves the stem at the end of the shaft, and enters the glass base of the hookah. The smoke travels through water and air in the base, becoming cooler and more dilute. The smoke moves through the hose and into your lungs.

Clean glass components with warm or cold water. Hot water can crack glass.

Too much water can get pulled into your hoses and ruin them. Always leave a layer of air at the top of the hookah.

Attach all the hoses even if you will only use one of them. This guarantees that the shaft is sealed.

If a grommet won’t fit snugly, wet it and try again. If the connection between the shaft and the base isn’t airtight, wrap the shaft with masking tape where it fits onto the shaft. Add layers of tape until it fits snugly but is still easy to remove. If another connection won’t fit, wrap it in aluminum foil or moist paper towels. If using moist paper near the hoses, remember to dry them right after smoking.

If you see any tobacco stems, cut them up into smaller pieces.

Make sure the shisha is low enough to avoid touching the foil, or your smoke will have a burned taste If you don’t have heavy-duty foil, use two layers of normal duty foil instead.

If poking holes with a toothpick or paper clip, start with 15 holes. If you only have a fine-tipped pen or charcoal tongs, start with 4–7 holes instead due to the larger size. For an Egyptian (circular) bowl, start poking around the outer edge and spiral inwards. For a funnel (donut-shaped) bowl, poke three concentric circles between the outer and inner rims. Add more holes only if you aren’t getting enough smoke. Some people like 50 or more small holes, especially with dense, sticky tobacco.

Quick light coals light within 10–30 seconds in a match or lighter flame. Once finished sputtering, let it burn until coated in white-grey ash. Blow on it until it glows orange. Natural coals are less likely to add harsh flavors, burn your shisha, or give you a headache. Light them on an electric stove coil burner [9] X Research source or in an open flame until glowing orange, about ten minutes. Blow on the coals and flip once while lighting to heat evenly. (Avoid glass-top stoves and gas stoves where ash might fall into the gas line. )

Drink plenty of water before you begin. Drink water or mint tea as you smoke to keep your mouth moist, or you may stop tasting the smoke. [11] X Research source Eat light snacks such as bread and dried fruit as you smoke. Stick to a maximum of one bowl a day as a beginner. Avoid exercise immediately before and after smoking.

Move the coals about every 10–15 minutes. Tap them with the tongs to knock off any ash, then flip them over so the other side is against the foil. [12] X Research source If you see smoke rise from the bowl before you inhale, remove the coals and let the hookah cool down.

Milk and carbonated beverages tend to bubble up, getting in the hoses and leaving a permanent, nasty stink. Let carbonated drinks go flat before you use them. If you want to risk milk, use a small splash in the water only. Never drink or eat the contents. The liquid filters out many harmful chemicals. Always clean the hookah thoroughly right after using anything besides water.

Herbal molasses is tobacco-free. [15] X Research source This is a nice place for beginners to start, since it has no nicotine and is hard to burn. It won’t last as long, so use fewer coals than usual (or place them farther from the center). Shisha with a “shredded” appearance is the most basic type. Smoke as described above. Shisha with a sticky, “pureed” appearance may take a larger coal or a longer warmup time to get started. Once heated, it should produce nice, thick smoke. Leafier tobacco tends to have a stronger tobacco flavor. Many of these (such as Tangiers or Nakhla) are finicky specialty products. Ask an experienced hookah fan for advice or look up a more specific guide.