Before you can start using a hookah pipe, you need to understand the different parts that comprise it and learn a few tricks. Most of these tricks are directed to maximizing the use and benefit of the different type of herbal fruits and “tobaccos” that are used on the hookah.

At the top of a slender and tall stem, there is a bowl or ash-tray type receptacle where charcoal and whatever tobacco type of herb is going to be smoked will be placed to smoulder slowly. To this end, there are specific charcoal paddies sold in a wide variety of qualities, forms and origins.

Once the charcoal has ignited well and the tobacco or herbs have started to smoulder, the smoker takes a puff from the flexible hose that is located almost at the base of the Hookah. This pulls the smoke downward through the stem and into the water; the water will bubble with the smoke (this gives it is “American name” of hubble-bubble) and the hose will then aspire the smoke that is located top of the water in the water receptacle.

This action will create a vacuum that in turn will suck air through the light charcoal creating more smoke. Some users enjoy substituting the water of the receptacle for an alcoholic beverage such as vodka or tequila while others prefer milk or fruit juice.