The process of smoking a hookah can easily ruin the tobacco mixture. This leads to the appearance of an unpleasant bitterness – which is why a hookah purge is needed. The mixture can also burn when the bowl is improperly packed (too much tobacco), when the hookah base is heavily soiled, or when the coals are incorrectly placed.
Why is it necessary to purge a hookah?
Purging cleans the base from excess smoke and helps cool the air in the bowl. When should you do it? For prevention (after 2-3 puffs), as well as if you notice a characteristic unpleasant taste while smoking.
How to properly purge a hookah? Simply and gently blow into the hose without force. For ease of purging, hookahs are equipped with a special internal or external type valve. The design and resistance of the valve depend on the model. When purging, the ball inside opens a special hole for excess smoke and carbon monoxide to exit.
Useful tip: the ball(s) of the valve may get stuck – before purging, check its position. Otherwise, liquid from the base will start pouring into the bowl, and the coal and tobacco will simply go bad.
How to properly perform a purge.
To properly purge a hookah, you need to act strictly according to the instructions and with maximum caution. As we mentioned earlier, you should check the valve – if it sticks, the carbon monoxide won’t come out, and you’ll just flood the bowl.
If the ball gets stuck frequently, determine the cause. It’s possible that corrosion has formed on it – cleaning or replacement can help.
In recent years, manufacturers have been releasing hookah models with an improved purge system – smoking them is very easy. Stopper rings are provided for fixing the balls inside. Old models require special care. It’s not recommended to use hookahs without a valve – you won’t be able to purge them during smoking, so the bowl will constantly overheat, and burning of the tobacco mixture will become a common occurrence.
After removing the coals and heat controller, purge the hookah several times and put everything back. If this method doesn’t work, you can use an “emergency” option – purge the bowl itself. Remove the coals and heat controller, carefully lift the bowl (use a cloth or gloves to avoid burning yourself), and blow sharply through the bottom of the bowl’s stem with quick exhalations, bringing it close to your mouth.
How often to purge a hookah.
We’ve figured out why to purge a hookah while smoking and how to quickly eliminate bitterness. One of the main rules for purging is the correct frequency. Professionals recommend purging every 5-10 draws or with intervals of about 5-7 minutes. However, some people purge every 2-3 draws. Blow gently and slowly to avoid overheating and eliminate bitterness. In this case, the temperature of the bowl will remain stable, and there won’t be coughing or irritation in the throat.
It’s not recommended to purge the hookah too often. Fluctuations in temperature in the bowl lead to a deterioration of the taste and aromatic characteristics of the tobacco mixture.
Purging should be done until all the smoke is completely out of the base. If the smoke is clear, it will be easy to evaluate the results; if it’s not clear, use the valve as a guide. Once the smoke stops coming out of the valve, you can continue smoking.
It’s advisable to avoid long breaks between draws from the hookah – otherwise, the tobacco will burn. Natural drying of the packed mixture is also possible.
What is the valve for in a hookah.
Beginners sometimes try to twist the hookah valve, thinking that it is a device for regulating the heat of the coals. This should not be done. The purpose of the valve in a hookah is for purging. If during smoking the hookah there is a noticeable bitterness, it is time to perform the procedure. Air is blown through the hose – this is necessary to remove the heat from the bowl, cool it down, and release excess smoke. You will get rid of burning, excess air, and smoke from the base.