Typical newbie Tangiers/Phunnel/Vortex/etc. questions

[Orvis09]

I've tried to do some research, but nothing has answered my questions specifically.

What is an ample time to acclimate the shisha, and how do you know when it's ready?

The overpack method... I kinda understand it, but not really. Also, should I move the shisha away from the center spire a little bit for the Vortex?

Does Tangiers smoke badly in a Vortex? Should I go ahead and buy a Phunnel? A Tangiers one, or a fake? And is it honestly worth the extra money?

Thanks. I'm sure I'll have more questions also.

[MachoCamacho131]

im going to do a review soon that should answer all these questions might have it up tomorrow

[Orvis09]

Originally Posted by MachoCamacho131

im going to do a review soon that should answer all these questions might have it up tomorrow

Ah! I've watched a couple of your YouTube videos. That would be great. Your review of Hookah Hookah Wintergreen made me sad I love wintergreen.

[MachoCamacho131]

hahaha sorry man just not my kind of flavor and ya im pretty much going to go over everything about tangiers so im sure it will help you out

[Orvis09]

Even described as "mouthwash/toothpaste" made it sound good still, so I'll still give it a go.

[MachoCamacho131]

ya i know my cousin loves the crap out of mouthwash so this would be his kind of flavor

[Orvis09]

Well I look forward to your video then, because my Vortex and Tangiers comes in on Wednesday.

[Professor Oak]

I'm also going to post up a video somewhat similar to what you're talking about once my Small Tangiers Phunnel comes in. I'll be doing a bowl comparison between these bowls:

- Standard Mya
- Standard Egyptian
- "Mod" Bowl
- Crown Classic
- Vortex
- Crown Micro Phunnel
- Tangiers Small Phunnel
- Large Havana Funnel

Edit: But as far as acclimation and overpacking, I can't really help you there. Once I get a little more experience with Tangiers and overpacking Nak, I'll be sure to post up some how-to's. But I will say up front that I'm pretty sure Tangiers works best in a phunnel.

[03rivers]

Originally Posted by Orvis09

I've tried to do some research, but nothing has answered my questions specifically.

What is an ample time to acclimate the shisha, and how do you know when it's ready?

The overpack method... I kinda understand it, but not really. Also, should I move the shisha away from the center spire a little bit for the Vortex?

Does Tangiers smoke badly in a Vortex? Should I go ahead and buy a Phunnel? A Tangiers one, or a fake? And is it honestly worth the extra money?

Thanks. I'm sure I'll have more questions also.

Acclimation: Only Tangiers needs to be acclimated. It usually takes 2-4 hours for me but it will depend on the humidity where you live. Basicly just put it in a wide shallow container and stir every so often. When it starts to smell like the flavor that it is supposed to be it should be ready.

Overpack: I have limited experience with this method because IMO it uses entirely too much tobacco and the overall effect is not worth it. Basicly it is used mostly with drier tobaccos like nakhla and is usually done in either an Egyptian or a phunnel. Basically you put as much tobacco above the rim of the bowl as you put below the rim and then you press it down good and tight. Then put your coals on and use them to sear the top top layer to the foil to prevent burning. Then smoke and enjoy.

Bowls: There is probably a way to get tangiers to smoke in a vortex but I have no idea what it is and is is definitely not the ideal bowl for tangiers. Yes you should buy a tangiers phunnel bowl and yes it is worth it.

[J-emagdnim]

if you live in a really humid place you have to worry about humidity shock as well. i usually poke a few holes in the bag, then drive home (about 1.5 hours from the shop where i can get tangiers) and then acclimate and stir like the others have recommended. i know it's so hard to wait to get that goodness in you but it often takes about 3 hours. (also if you store it for a long period of time it will need to acclimate again, but not for nearly as long)

[linerndunch110]

As was stated, acclimation depends on the humidity content. Generally it takes 1-4ish hours, I believe the more humid it is the longer it takes. But when it smells like the flavor then it's all set.

I've smoked it out of a Egyptian, Chinese phunnel, vortex, and a grapefruit head at my buddies lounge. Not gunna lie, kashmier peach in a grapefruit head was probably one of the most delicious things I've ever had. But otherwise, egyptian for me was a no go. To juicey. The bowl actuay slid off about 40 minutes in cause the juice got in the grommet. Vortex was good but if you pack it a bit to much the juice will clog the holes. Chinese phunnel was close to the best, but the stem on the phunnel is huge and I had to ghetto rig a grommet and it still was difficult to manage heat. My medium tangiers phunnel is out for delivery today so I'll report back later. As far as i hear, the tangier phunnel makes the chinese one look like a you used a bunt pan(like the cake) to smoke out of.

When you use a vortex. Always. Always. Always. Part the moassel from the spire just a bit to keep airflow.

I also dislike the overpack for the aforementioned reasons.

Now I'm late for class :/

[RedBullGiveWING]

What is an ample time to acclimate the shisha, and how do you know when it's ready?

Anytime, leave it outside on a shallow tray for a couple of hours until it smells like the flavour its supposed to be, no experience of this myself but most people say this.

The overpack method... I kinda understand it, but not really.

Not hard, pack a shit load of tobacco in and push the **** out of down until its dense as a mofo, only necessary with tangiers/maybe nakhla. Youtube "eric tangiers overpack", youll find a video of the tangiers founder doing it himself so no mistakes there.

Also, should I move the shisha away from the center spire a little bit for the Vortex?

Doesn't matter just make sure the holes aren't covered so the air flow isn't restricted completely.

Does Tangiers smoke badly in a Vortex?

Tangiers is supposed to be smoked in a tangiers phunnel bowl cuz of its humidity and wetness and the vortex is too deep aswell, and tangiers is supposed to be overpacked. Overpacking a vortex is gonna be difficult, your gonna cover up the holes.

Should I go ahead and buy a Phunnel? A Tangiers one, or a fake? And is it honestly worth the extra money?

Avoid chinese phunnels theyre bad quality and bad paint, and quality material isnt as good as the real thing. Buy a vortex if your a beginner to shisha, if you get a phunnel be prepared to have a coupl eof trial and error sessions to get the perfect pack. Imo phunnel is better but the list is long as to why so ask me if you want. The vortex/phunnel is a good upgrade from egyptian bowls, go for it if you have the money, youll be happy.


Vortex:

Pros:

- Distributes heat evenly
- Throw and go bowl, no messing around with packing.
- Gets nice smoke and flavour

Cons:

- Poor construction, the spire of mine came off clean while washing it.
- Restrictive flow compared to the phunnel
- Holes can clog up over time if you don't wash it
- Washing is difficult

Tangiers Phunnel

Pros:

- Effortless draw
- Solid construction
- Comes in different sizes.. small, medium, large, mini.
- Looks good.

Cons:

- Packing takes perfection, may have some trial and error sessions
- Even a small phunnel uses a lot of shisha, maybe 30g? Probably the same as a vortex but still, large phunnel uses 100g apparently O_O!
- Foil could get sucked in the spire but this is solved by a tighter and thicker foil, maybe more holes.


Your call, they're both doing the same thing, pick what you want but imo phunnel is the winner.