This article will guide you through the process of how to set up your hookah bowl the right way. When you’re a beginner, hookah bowl packing techniques can seem daunting when you try one the first time. A “pack” refers to the action of putting hookah tobacco inside of your bowl. It’s a crucial step in the smoking experience, which is why it’s essential that you learn the right pack method. There are a number of various packing methods just as there are several different types of tobacco. Before going over the different techniques, you’ll want to learn the general steps. Then, you can start learning about dense packing, underpacking, and more.
How to Pack Tobacco Into Your Hookah Bowl
Understanding how to pack shisha into your hookah bowl is must-have knowledge for any hookah enthusiast, which is why we’ve made this guide to help you understand the process.
- Remove your tobacco from the packaging and place it into a dish.
- Fluff it around with a fork to spread the moisture and ensure even heat distribution.
- Place around 15 to 20 grams of tobacco in the shape of a mountain inside your hookah bowl.
- Take a toothpick and press down on the tobacco so that it ends around two millimeters below the edge of the below. If you’re using a heat management device, opt for one millimeter.
- Distribute the tobacco evenly and level it off.
- Use the toothpick to create a hole down the center of the tobacco.
- Swirl around the shisha with the toothpick to ensure that the hole goes all the way down the bottom. This hole is made to help with the airflow.
- Place the bowl on top of the hookah shaft.
- Heat up and inhale!
Hookah Bowl Packing Guide
Here are the items you’ll need to pack your hookah bowl:
- Shisha tobacco
- Hookah bowl
- Fork
- Toothpick
- Foil (if needed)
Once you’ve gathered all of your essentials, you can use the following techniques to start packing your hookah tobacco.
Technique 1: Light Pack
When it comes to your setup, the light packing technique is one of the most commonly used methods in the hookah world. It involves gently placing a small amount of shisha tobacco into the bowl. Fluff-pack the bowl to where air can easily pass through, and try not to squeeze it in or press it into the bowl. You can sprinkle the tobacco for this type of pack to ensure more airflow. The best brands that accommodate a light pack include Starbuzz, Fumari, and Al Fakher. Most of these brands work best when you pack it simply under the rim of the bowl.
How much do I fill my hookah bowl?
How much you fill your hookah bowl will entirely depend on the tobacco brands you use as well as the size of the bowl. As a good rule of thumb, you’ll want to start with around 15 to 20 grams of shisha tobacco. Then, you can decide on the style of the pack depending on the brand and how it fits inside the bowl. Experiment with pressing it down gently or trying a dense pack.
Technique 2: Semi-Dense Pack
This type of pack will involve slightly less tobacco compared to your average dense pack. Unlike the light packing technique with little tobacco, this method requires you to gently press down into your tobacco leaves. The space between the bowl and the gently-pressed shisha tobacco will ensure the right amount of heat and airflow. Some of the best brands for this hookah packing technique include Haze, Beamer, and Nakhla. There’s no need to squeeze too much tobacco into the bowl. Just make sure that you’re opting for a good medium, somewhere between a thick pack and the light pack mentioned in the previous method.
Technique 3: Dense Pack
A dense pack generally requires you to squeeze in the majority of the tobacco, leaving little to no space between the bowl, foil, and tobacco leaves. When you press it down, there should be no space for airflow. Use a firm press to level it off under the edge of the bowl. This hookah bowl packing method is typically referred to as the “Tangiers pack” because it’s best used for Tangiers tobacco. Tangiers is a premium shisha brand that utilizes dark-leaf tobacco. It produces a heavy and robust flavor profile, which is why it needs a dense pack. When the dense packing technique is used for other brands, it can affect the flavor of tobacco negatively, causing you to waste the shisha.
Technique 4: Overpack
Overpacking your shisha can either be a rookie mistake or a style of packing. This technique is also referred to as the “Fletcher pack.” Keep in mind that this method can cause you to waste some of your shisha and may even lead to a bad smoke session as a whole. This approach doesn’t allow for any air to pass through the tobacco leaves or the hookah bowl. You’ll know when you’ve overpacked your bowl when it’s pressed down but still too high in the bowl. At this point, you should remove some of the tobacco and fluff it around with your toothpick. Some hookah smokers just prefer to overpack the bowl. Just keep in mind that the lack of airflow affects the smoke quality.
Technique 5: Underpack
Underpacking your tobacco refers to when you don’t have enough tobacco in the shisha bowl. As the name suggests, it’s essentially the opposite of the overpack method. Perhaps you’ve only lightly filled the bowl, suggesting that it may be full when there isn’t enough. There aren’t many brands that recommend this style of hookah bowl packing method. But one of the brands that underpacking works with is Social Smoke. This brand is perfect for underpacking because it already has a strong shisha flavor to start and it burns rather slowly. Don’t forget to account for additional airflow when you use this packing method.
Do hookah packing techniques matter?
Yes. The way in which you pack your hookah bowl matters because it affects how your device heats up the tobacco leaves. Packing your shisha incorrectly can result in burnt tobacco, overheating, bitterness, waste, or an unpleasant aftertaste. You want to learn the best way to pack your hookah bowl to guarantee a flavor-rich smoke that’s smooth and not too harsh. Different brands of shisha tobacco will warrant different styles of packing. Using the right techniques will help you achieve a better smoking experience depending on your personal preferences. Don’t let poorly-prepared shisha ruin your smoke session, and start learning about the different techniques we listed above.
Conclusion
There are many reasons why you should learn hookah bowl packing techniques. Packing your hookah properly will ensure that you get the most out of your smoking experience. Well-packed hookahs provide a much smoother and richer flavor than those that aren’t packed correctly. Moreover, packing your hookah properly will help prevent clogging, minimize waste, and provide a longer smoking experience. Learn more about the best way to use your hookah on our home page.
