Hookah Love Blog

Hookah Hoses at a Glance: A Comparative Review

Christophanes — Fri, 17 May 2013 18:50:24 +0000

Hookahs would be substantially less relaxing without hookah hoses. Can you imagine taking turns stooping to take a couple hurried puffs straight from the hose connector, or worse – passing the entire hookah from person to person? Thankfully, the hose allows one to smoke from a distance in comfortable repose, but with so many types and styles of hoses, which one is best for you? This handy guide will point out features of each of the hoses we stock for your referencing convenience:

	Nammor Hookah Hose (Large: around 72 inches, Small: around 62 inches) – The original ‘wide bore’ hose on the market, the Nammor Hookah Hose features one of the easiest pulls of hookah hoses. Also featuring a somewhat longer handle than most hoses and a removeable acrylic mouthpiece, the Nammor’s unique design allows for frequent washing, and has an easy draw superior to most other hookah hoses.
	Fancy Hookah Hose (62 inches long) – These simple washable plastic hoses are a fantastic and affordable choice. Made from plastic components, these hookah hoses can be washed over and over to remove dust or lingering smells and they are inexpensive enough that they can be easily replaced. If you smoke lots of different flavors or often smoke with guests, these are a great choice.
	Mya Freeze Hookah Hose (72 inches long) – The Mya Freeze Hose is the only hookah hose we carry which features a built in cooling element. For cool smoke, simply unscrew the mouthtip, remove the ice packet and place in the freezer prior to smoking. Once the packet is frozen just place it back in the handle, screw the mouthtip back in place, and enjoy cool, crisp smoke.
	Khalil Mamoon Signature Beast Hookah Hose (80 inches long) – If you are looking for the longest, widest hookah hose in our shop, look no further. The KM Beast hose is designed for maximum airflow and maximum reach. You’ll be pumping out monstrous hookah clouds in no time with your new Beast hose. Because of it’s large size, the Beast hose will not work with most small Mya Saray hookahs.
	Banded Nammor Hookah Hose (Large: around 72 inches, Small: around 62 inches) – The Banded Nammor Hookah Hose is constructed in the same manner as the original Nammor hose but features a longer handle which is wrapped with criss-crossing white bands and colored tassles at the ends of the handles. If you are looking to add a bit of traditional flair to your hookah, this is the way to go.
	Chrome Nammor Hookah Hose (Large: around 72 inches, Small: around 62 inches) – Made from the same materials as the Nammor Washable Hookah Hose, the Chrome Nammor hose features a cool “metallic” threading on the handle and has a unique mouthpiece with chrome colored accents. All of the performance of the original Nammor hose with some added flair.
	Fretted Nammor Hookah Hose (Large: around 72 inches, Small: around 62 inches) – The Fretted Nammor Hose features an ultra comfortable “spongy” handle with fretted patterns on it. Just like the Chrome Nammor hose, this hookah hose is built in the same manner as the original Nammor hose but with some added style.
	Cobra Hookah Hose (Large: around 63 inches, Small: around 45 inches) – Sharing the same handmade construction as the Syrian Hookah Hose and Fifi Hookah Hose, the major difference is the presence of the acrylic cobra head shape cresting above this hose’s handle. The cobra head changes the angle of the hose’s opening, allowing for a slightly more ergonomic hold. We do not recommend washing this hose due to the metal coil inside the hose. This hose typically provides an average draw in comparison to other hookah hoses.
	Mya Cloisonne Hookah Hose (72 inches) – With the same construction as the Mya Wood Handle Hookah hose, this one features the elegant ceramic cloisonné work around the handle of the hose, available in many different colors and styles. The stock hose with Mya hookahs featuing Cloisonne ornamentation on the shaft, these fairly heavy-handled hoses may be washed infrequently with minimal wear and tear on the hose, and have an easier draw in comparison to other hookah hoses.
	Tonic Washable Hookah Hose (72 inches) – Tonic’s line of washable plastic hookah hoses could not be simpler. This is a no frills hose option for those who value performance and convenience above all else. We have these hoses in a rainbow of different colors and each and every one of them is 100% washable.
	Mya Wood Handle Hookah Hose (72 inches) – One of the most trusted names in hookah, Mya Saray is the producer of these fine contemporary hookah hoses available in many colors and styles. Mya Hookah Hoses are produced in two synthetic leather-wrapped styles – those with wooden ends, and those with metal tips. Inside-fitting mouthtips will work for the wooden ended hoses, while outside-fitting will work for the metal tipped hoses.
	Tonic Cobra Hookah Hose (74 inches) – These completely washable hookah hoses from Tonic feature a curved cobra head mouthpiece and are available in a variety of colors. Lots of traditional hookah hoses feature a cobra head as it provides an ideal angle for the mouthpiece, allowing for a very relaxed smoke.
	Khalil Mamoon Haya Hookah Hose (72 inches) – Haya is Arabic for snake, and this sleek new hookah hose features a woven trim that wraps itselfs around the heel and handle of this hose much like a snake. These dark hookah hoses will add a bit of style to your hookah and will get you great big beautiful hookah clouds.
	Sheik Hookah Hose (Large: 60 inches, Small: 40 inches) – For the more exotic hookah setup, the brightly colored fabric-covered hoses and dark stained wood will fit in beautifully. The Sheik hose may suffer increased wear and tear if washed, and has a draw average in comparison to other hookah hoses.
	Tonic Long Handle Hookah Hose (72 inches) – The Tonic Long Handle Hookah Hose is a washable, “lounge-style” hose which features a wrapped handle and is available in a variety of colors. Because these hoses are fully washable they should last you a long time with proper care.
	Khalil Mamoon Rainbow Hookah Hose (around 64 inches) – If you have ever purchased a KM hookah, the chances are good that you received a KM Rainbow hose with it. That’s no coincidence as this is one of the most consistently satisfying hookah hose designs around. The only downside to this classic hose is that it is not washable.
	Washable Hookah Hose (60 inches) – One of the lightest hoses around, I personally like the Washable Hookah Hose for a hands-free smoke, by simply holding the plastic mouthpiece with my mouth while typing or reading. Inexpensive enough to be disposable, this hose is compact and washable for a long life. The washable hose is designed for repeated washings, and features an easier draw than average hookah hoses.
	Fifi Hookah Hose (around 63 inches) – With the same handmade construction as the Cobra Hose, the Fifi Hookah Hose features hanging soft, fluffy cloth tassels that add elegant pizazz to your hookah setup. Just like the Cobra Hose, washing this hose may result in moderate wear and tear due to the metal coil inside. This hookah hose was named after a famous Egyptian Singer in the 1960′s that was known for her “flair.”
	Ba Barkir Hookah Hose (72 inches) – One of the most regal hoses in appearance we carry, the Ba Barkir hose’s prominent feature is the long, heavy gold or silver mouthpiece. The hose’s construction is similar to the Mod hose with the synthetic leather wrapping, and it features the standard draw for average hookah hoses. The name of this hookah hose famously came about when an importer noticed the similarities to it and the long skinny microphone used by a famous game show host.

International Shipping FAQ: Brazil

Katie — Wed, 08 May 2013 21:31:31 +0000

Olá Brasil! We are lucky to have friends around the world, and many hail from the ‘good time capital of South America’ – Brasil! In shipping to Brasil we have noticed a few patterns have emerged, and we would like share this information with you to help you through the ordering and shipping process.

When placing an order there is always a chance it will be stopped by customs. If the order is stopped and that order contains tobacco, there are two possible outcomes:

1) You may be asked to pay duties on the tobacco. The amount of duties is relative to the amount of tobacco which varies state to state, so it is best to contact a local customs office before ordering. Once the duties have been calculated you will be notified by the post office and you have the option of paying the duties or refusing the package. If the package is refused it will be returned to us and we will refund the cost of the order less the cost of shipping and a 15% restocking fee. Generally, from the time the order is refused to when it arrives back at our warehouse is 6-8 weeks, but the travel time is often longer.

2) The order may be refused by customs. When this happens, the order is returned without any notification to the customer or any option for the customer to pay duties. This generally only happens with larger orders, but it has also happened to smaller orders. Unfortunately, we have never found an order size, or a tobacco amount that will always make it through customs. If the package is refused it will be returned to us and we will refund the cost of the order less the cost of shipping and a 15% restocking fee.

We want our Brazilian friends to be aware of these possibilities before placing an order. Hookahs by themselves do not face the same scrutiny as tobacco, but we would recommend anyone placing an order shipping to Brasil to contact their local customs office before completing the order so as their are no surprises. Adeus!

Apple On Top Bowl For Your Hookah

Katie — Tue, 07 May 2013 18:24:04 +0000

No more broken hookah bowls, burnt fingers, or charred shisha!

The concept may be as obvious as gravity, and much like Newton’s apple, the Apple On Top Bowl has fallen from above to knock some sense in to us with its brilliance.

This next level hookah bowl features an aluminum core with a vortex-style design that makes your hookah tobacco last longer and taste better.

Surrounding the core is a silicone sleeve that makes this bowl cool to the touch and easy to handle. It also has a specialty stabilized screen and wind guard that can be easily rotated with the leaf-shaped handle which makes heat management much easier. The bottom hole is much deeper than standard hookah bowls which makes it fit securely on practically any hookah. This bowl holds 20-30g of shisha tobacco and can last for 3-4 rounds of hookah charcoal.

This unbreakable hookah bowl delivers the fullest hookah smoking experience imaginable!

Starbuzz Tobacco-Free E-Cigarettes

Grabertrain — Mon, 06 May 2013 20:16:15 +0000

Starbuzz is our bestselling brands of shisha tobacco, and we’re now happy to offer it in a tobacco-free version! Whether you call it an E-Hookah, a Hookah Pen, or an E-Cig, these disposable tubes are simple to use, require no set up, last up to 500 puffs, and come in your favorite Starbuzz flavors!

Starbuzz E-Cigs are also available in Apple Doppio and Green Savior Flavors.

Blue Mist

Simply Mint

Pirate’s Cave

Irish Peach

Sex On the Beach

Happy Cinco de Mya! 15% Off All Mya Saray Hookahs

Grabertrain — Mon, 06 May 2013 15:36:15 +0000

EDIT: This sale ended on May 13, 2013. Stop by our specials section to stay up to date with our weekly sales!

Howdy Hookah Friends! Yesterday we celebrated Cinco de Mayo, and today we’re celebrating Cinco de “Mya”! What does that mean? We’re taking 15% all Mya Saray Hookahs until May 13th! All Mya Saray Hookahs are on sale, including all Large Mya Hookahs, Small Mya Hookahs, Econo Mya Hookahs amd Crystal Mya Hookahs. Looking for more information on what Mya Hookah to get? Check out the post Small Mya Hookahs – Featured Hookah Pipes or this post about our most popular Large Mya Hookah, the super awesome Mya Obelisk Hookah.

See All Econo Mya Hookahs

See All Small Mya Hookahs

See All Large Mya Hookahs

See All Crystal Mya Hookahs

I don’t know about you, but Cinco de Mayo just isn’t complete without a nice, cold, margarita. Cinco de MYA should be no different! Try Fantasia Margarita Shisha (or any brand of margarita shisha) to add a little bit of fiesta to your hookah session!

2013 Blend Off: Create a Shisha Blend, and WIN!

Katie — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 20:13:16 +0000

Hookah Freak is holding their annual shisha blending contest starting May 1, and we’re proud to be a sponsor

You create and name your own custom shisha blend using up to 5 of any HookaH-HookaH Long Cut Shisha flavors. After the contest has been closed to submissions (May 31), polls are created with the blend names and descriptions for the hookah community to vote on their favorite. Voting takes place over 4 (or 5) rounds; these rounds are open to anyone that wants to vote and it narrows the contest down to our Top Ten Blends.

Once the Top Ten Blends have been chosen, Hookah Freak will mix up batches of each top ten blend and ship out a Top Ten Sampler to everyone that entered the contest so they may actually smoke each of the Top Ten and make an informed vote. The last round of voting is only open to those who have had the opportunity to actually smoke the Top Ten Blends, so everyone that entered the contest gets a vote and everyone that purchases a Top Ten Sampler also earns a vote.

So if you want a chance to win a customized hookah AND a gaming system, not to mention get to try the top 10 blends, then submit your blend into the contest between May 1-31. Good luck!

Khanjar Hookahs – New Mini Hookahs with Specialty Vortex Bowl

Grabertrain — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 17:58:34 +0000

Khanjar Hookahs, named after the traditional curved dagger in Arabian countries, are the newest mini hookahs in our store that are easy on the wallet but creates room-filling clouds. At only 12 inches tall these little guys can compete with hookahs thrice their size in terms of quality and smoke production.

Not only do they look pretty darn cool, Khanjar Hookahs have the following features:

A very well-built sturdy glass base available in three colors: Pink (Khanjar Surrender Hookah), Black (Khanjar Night Hookah), and Clear (Khanjar Insight Hookah).

100% Washable Hookah Hose 45 inches in length.

A specialty Vortex-style bowl for the best smoke possible.

A built-in release valve for easy purging of smoke.

Due to the Khanjar Hookah’s unique design, we created an assembly video to help you get the best possible smoke from your Khanjar:

They also come with a pair of Khanjar Hookah Tongs and cardboard box for easy storage. You can purchase these hookahs here, and as always, Happy Smoking!

13th Birthday Sale Part 2 – 20% Off ALL Shisha Tobacco & More!

Grabertrain — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 16:23:31 +0000

Edit 4/23 – Our Birthday Sale has come to a close, but you can still use coupon code HS13OFF to take 13% off all non-sale items in our store! This coupon code will expire on April 29th at Midnight! Happy Smoking!

Howdy Hookah Friends, and Happy Birthday to us! Today, Tuesday April 16th, is our 13th birthday and to celebrate we’re taking 20% off ALL Shisha Tobacco!

NO COUPON CODE REQUIRED!

All Brands, All Sizes!

Remember that because you don’t need a coupon code to take advantage of this sale, be sure to check out all the available coupon codes so you can get some free stuff on your order!

Don’t forget that we’re also marking down the price of 2 of our most popular mini hookahs, the Mya Petite Hookah and the Mya Econo Gelato Hookah – both the single hose and the double hose!

Plus we’re bringing back an old favorite – the Ultimate Cloud Machine!

Even more deals!

Mya Wood Handle Hoses – All colors!

Ignite Quick-Lighting Hookah Coals 33mm Box

Vortex Hookah Bowl – 15% Off!

Phunnel Hookah Bowl – 25% Off!

The 20% Off Shisha Tobacco Sales ends Monday, April 22nd at Midnight CST. Happy Smoking!

Portable Hookahs

Katie — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 20:30:45 +0000

Here’s a little known fact: the hookah used to be considered a woman’s device since it was a non-portable item that stayed in the home and was perfect for entertaining. Men were more likely to smoke cigarettes because they were more frequently ‘on-the-go’ doing manly things like…bank heists and strongman competitions. I don’t know what they did, but the point is that in today’s society everyone is busy, and we don’t always have time to sit around the kitchen table enjoying a relaxing bowl of shisha. Never fear! The modern man/woman can now travel equipped with modern hookah technology.

Cup Holder Hookah – The Leila

Some genius in the past few years combined the concept of the hookah and the Big Gulp and created this little beauty: The Leila Portable Hookah. This hand-held hookah can literally fit in your cup holder, and has a unique enclosed-bowl design to ensure safe travels and flawless smoking.

You Make a Good Case

Not every hookah can fit in your cup holder, but some are easier to transport than others. The best way to ensure a happily traveling hookah, is to order one that comes with its own specialty case. These are some of our top selling hookahs that also come with their own carrying case:

Mya sells cases separately, as well. Get a replacement for your Mya, or see if your hookah will work in one of these hard, sturdy hookah cases.

Super Bowl

Regardless of how you transport your hookah, setting it up in an unstable environment can get a little nerve-racking. Making sure you have a sturdy bowl can help reduce some stress. The Ultimate Combo Hookah Bowl is a great travel accessory. The built-in wind cover and hookah bowl screen take away the need for foil, and help prevent falling coals from ruining a perfectly good session!

(Is that a) Pocket Hookah (Or are you just happy to see me?)

Our most recently added product line is possibly the best option for all of your portable hookah needs. They go by many names: E-cigarette, portable hookah pen, portable electronic hookah, or pocket hookah – but we just prefer E-Hookah. These little gems come in a multitude of brands that have a variety of designs, including: disposable, refillable, wickless, button activated, with or without nicotine, and they come in all of your favorite shisha flavors!

Sultan Asfahini Tombac – The Original Food for your Hookah Now Available

Grabertrain — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 08:40:19 +0000

We’ve all done it – perhaps while swiping away on our smart phones we’ve wondered “How did I ever live without one?” Perhaps a couple of seconds’ research on the internet answers a question that’s been on your mind for ages and mused “I don’t know what I did before I could Google things”. How could I possibly smoke my hookah back before there was washed, flavored tobacco? The answer is simple: after a bowl of traditional Tombac, the smoker probably didn’t care about how it tasted. “Tombac” most often refers to whole leaf, unwashed, unprocessed, unflavored tobacco. By today’s standards, a bowl of tombac would most likely render a smoker unable to care about anything except a strong buzz from the large quantities of nicotine.

By request we now carry Sultan Asfahini Tombac in a 500g bag, a type of hookah tobacco that is popular in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iran, and India. This type of tombac is called “Isfahani”, and because of the phonetic translation from Arabic you may see different spellings on the package elsewhere (“Asfahana”, “Isfahani”, etc.). “Ajami” is another name for Tombac, which is what you’ll see on the packaging we carry in our store. What you’ll first notice when opening the package is that it’s basically a brick of pressed large tobacco leaves:

How to Use Tombac: Soak the tombac in water for a few hours. Once they have been soaked, CAREFULLY wring out any excess water by gently squeezing the leaves.

There are basically two ways to smoke Tombec: The leaves can be either shredded with a knife, placed in a hookah bowl, and smoked like normal shisha tobacco. Or, a more recommended method is to take strips of the squeezed-dried shisha and wind it around the bowl stem of your hookah until it eventually looks something like a vertical cigar (see picture below). Just as one would light a cigar, the hookah coals are placed on the top and smoked downwards throughout the session.

This is a fair warning that tombac is VERY strong, and may leave a strong tobacco taste in your hookah and hookah hose. It is recommended to wash out your hookah immediately after smoking, and have a dedicated hose for use with tombac. For those of you that are so bold, enjoy, and happy smoking!