Hookah

How a shisha works

A shisha looks complicated, but the basics are simple. A coal heats the contents of the bowl. Water cools the smoke or vapour before you inhale it.

The principle

When you draw on the hose, you create low pressure in the base. Hot air from the coal is pulled through the bowl and travels down the stem through the water. The cooled vapour then reaches your mouth through the hose.

The bubbling you hear is that air passing through the water. How well all the parts fit together determines how smoothly your shisha draws.

The parts

• Base: the glass vase at the bottom, filled with water.

• Stem: the metal pipe that connects the bowl to the base.

• Bowl: this is where your filling goes, covered with foil and a coal.

• Hose and mouthpiece: you draw the vapour out of the base through the hose.

• Seals: rubber grommets that keep everything airtight.

The right amount of water

Fill the base until the stem sits 2 to 3 centimetres under the water. Too little water gives hot, harsh smoke. Too much water makes the draw heavy.

Temperature and combustion

With a shisha you want to heat the filling, not burn it. That is the biggest difference between a good session and a bad one.

Lighting the coals

Self-igniting 33 mm coals can be lit with an ordinary lighter. Take your time: let them glow through completely until they are grey on the outside. Otherwise you will taste the igniting agent. Never pick up a hot coal by hand, always use coal tongs.

Foil and heat

Stretch aluminium foil tightly over the bowl and poke plenty of holes in it. This spreads the heat evenly. A foil puncher does it in one go.

Place the coals around the edge of the bowl, not in the middle. Depending on the size of your bowl, you will need one or two coals.

Too hot or too cool?

Temperature has a direct effect on the taste. Too hot tastes bitter and sharp. Too cool gives hardly any vapour. If it tastes bitter, move a coal to one side or take one off. That keeps the smoking experience consistent.

Which shisha suits you?

In this category you will find complete shishas from 29 to 56 centimetres. Every item comes complete, so you do not need to buy anything separately to get started.

Size and price

The compact 29 cm shishas are handy at home, and thanks to their travel size easy to take with you.

Larger models such as the Alibaba Shisha blue (49 cm), Black Luxor (55 cm) and Shiny shisha black (56 cm) have a bigger base and a longer stem. The smoke travels further and cools down more. The price is higher, but you get a cooler draw and more presence.

One or two hoses

With one hose, you pass it round. With two hoses, two people can smoke at the same time. That is handy if you often smoke as a pair or in a group. If you usually smoke on your own, one hose is enough.

Style and looks: traditional or modern

Traditional shishas have a long, ornately worked stem and a round base. Modern models are sleeker and more compact. Well-known brands such as Amy Deluxe from Germany stand for that modern style. We do not stock those brands, but our collection does include both styles. Check the product photos for the finish of each model.

When it comes to quality, pay particular attention to the seals and the stem. A shisha that is not airtight draws badly, however good it looks.

History of the water pipe: from nargileh to Khalil Mamoon

Where does the shisha come from?

The water pipe probably originated in the 16th century in India and Persia. Through the Ottoman Empire it spread across the Middle East and North Africa.

Each region gave it its own name. In Turkey it is called nargileh, from the Persian word for coconut, because the first bases were made from coconut shells. In Egypt it is called shisha, and in India and the rest of the English-speaking world, hookah.

Khalil Mamoon and the Egyptian style

Khalil Mamoon from Cairo is known for shishas made by hand. Their traditional Egyptian style, with a long, decorated stem, is still the model of a classic water pipe for many enthusiasts.

Popularity in the Netherlands

In the Netherlands, the shisha's popularity grew mainly through shisha lounges. These days many people also smoke at home, with their own shisha and flavours of their choice.

Steam stones: a tobacco-free alternative to shisha tobacco

Dutch-Smart does not sell shisha tobacco. If you want to smoke without tobacco, Shiazo steam stones are a good alternative.

Steam stones are mineral granules soaked in a liquid of glycerine and flavourings. They contain no tobacco and no nicotine. You use them the same way: in the bowl, with foil and a coal on top.

Flavours and combinations

We stock steam stones in lemon, green grape and raspberry. You can also mix flavours. A combination of lemon and raspberry, for example, gives a fresh, sweet taste.

Storage

Close the jar properly after use. Stored airtight, the stones do not dry out and the flavour lasts longer.

Please note: the coal also gives off carbon monoxide when you use steam stones. Tobacco-free does not mean risk-free.

Shisha or water pipe: what is the difference?

In everyday speech the two words are used interchangeably. In our head shop we do make a distinction.

A shisha works with coals, a bowl and a long hose, and is made for longer sessions. A glass water pipe, also called a bong, works without coals and is made for short hits of cannabis. You will find those under bongs.

Safety and health

Smoking shisha is not harmless, even though the smoke passes through water. According to WHO research, during a one-hour session you can inhale 100 to 200 times as much smoke as from a single cigarette. If you smoke tobacco, you also take in nicotine.

Carbon monoxide

The coals have the biggest impact on your safety. They give off carbon monoxide, a gas you cannot smell or see. So only smoke in a well-ventilated room, never in a closed room or a tent.

Getting a headache, feeling dizzy or sick? Stop and go outside. A carbon monoxide alarm at home is well worth having.

Tips for safe use

• Always put hot coals on a heat-resistant surface.

• Do not put alcohol in the base. Smoking and drinking together increases the chance of dizziness and nausea.

• If you share the shisha, everyone should use their own mouthpiece.

• Smoking shisha is not suitable if you are pregnant. All products are for 18+ only.

Ordering, delivery and contact

Your order is shipped with PostNL, in discreet packaging. If you order before 16:00 and everything is in stock, your parcel leaves the same day. You will usually receive it the next working day.

You can find more information about costs and delivery times under shipping and payment. Questions about an item or your order? Our customer service can help via support@raja.testsuite.shoptrader.com or the contact page. You can read about other customers' experiences and ratings on Kiyoh.

Frequently asked questions about shishas

What do I need to get started?

A complete shisha, a filling such as steam stones, coals, aluminium foil, coal tongs and a lighter. You will find everything in this category of our web shop.

How long does a shisha session last?

With a well-packed bowl, a session usually lasts 30 to 60 minutes. Replace a coal once it has burnt out.

How do I clean my shisha?

Rinse the base with warm water after every session. Let all parts dry thoroughly, especially the hose, to prevent mould. Check the seals now and then. If they dry out, your shisha will leak air.

Do you sell shisha tobacco?

No, we do not sell tobacco. We do have tobacco-free steam stones and all the accessories for your shisha.

Is a more expensive shisha better?

Not necessarily. With a higher price you mainly pay for size, finish and looks. A simple shisha with good seals smokes perfectly well.