Tangiers Standard Bowl Set-up

by Sonthert (Creator of Tangiers) @ Hookah Forum
Stir the tobacco well.

Stir it Very Well. Notice how the unstirred tobacco has a dark, matte finish, while stirred stuff is shiny, nearly iridescent.

The right density of tobacco, it just neads a little more. The tobacco's cut means it lays in the tub at about the same density it should be in the bowl. Other brands that are shred finer need to be "fluffed" and of course, the tendency of the tobacco is to repack itself in the same density as it is in the tub/jar...making it clump and draw poorly. Tangiers is packed in its nearly natural state, so it does not expand or contract nad the draw is fairly constant. Heat makes things expand, so the tobacco does tend to expand slightly during smoking.

Full bowl. I have not "mashed it down", just arranged it so that the tobacco is about the same density as its natural rest density (in the jar/tub). Make sure the tobacco touches the sides well. Gaps make for poor heat transfer, wasting charcoal and imparing smoke density.


 Edit: Look at the two pictures when I'm stirring the tub and its wet and the tub after I have the bowl ready to go. Look at the amount of tobacco "missing". The foil picture is instructive, too. I press the foil down with the palm of my hand and rotate lightly, not pushing down hard...that amount of divot in the foil is about right...more of a divot and it will be harsh...less and it will be too tough to draw air/smoke through.

Foil. Notice the amount of divot the foil experences. I use the heel of the palm of my hand to twist the foil in a circular manner. A tiny little more divot is fine. If the divot is too small, there is too much tobacco and it will draw poorly and the smoke will be thin (since you can't get as big a hit). A larger divot means the tobacco is too sparse and the smoke will be thin.

Poking holes with an oyster fork. Drive the holes all the way to the bottom of the bowl. Go from one side of the foil to the other. Don't start on one side, go to the other and meet in the middle. The tighter the foil, the less ripping of the foil will occur.
Turn the bowl over and blow through the hole that connects to the hookah, gently. It should feel like there is something in there, but airflow shouldn't be obstructed.

Smoking. Japanese Golden Charcoal, Versace hookah, leather hose. Flavor: test batch, black currant. Mysterious leg/foot in the picture!
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