What do we need a hookah hose and mouthpiece for? Let's continue to study the device we are interested in. To the upper part of the base is attached a hose - the final segment of the long path of smoke from the bowl to your mouth. Here also takes place the last stage of smoke purification. Therefore, a good hose should be quite tight, less absorbent of odors and not impart a foreign taste to the smoke itself.
Fixing the hose to the hookah
In relation to the base of the hookah the hose can be attached vertically, horizontally and obliquely. The last option is the most convenient. After all, if the hose is mounted vertically, it can bend in this place and prevent the flow of smoke. But when it is mounted horizontally, there is a risk that water will enter the hose (and it will be very difficult to blow the hookah).
When buying a hose, be sure to check his pipe - that is, the part that is inserted into the flask - it must be perfectly round with no chips and cracks.
Hookah hose length and density
If the hose is too short, you will find yourself too "tied" to the hookah in the smoking process, which is very uncomfortable. Therefore, it is desirable that the length of the hose should be not less than 120 cm (ideally 170-180 cm). However, if the hose will be longer than two meters, then, firstly, it can greatly bend, and, secondly, it will complicate the draft. The diameter of the hose may also be too narrow to hinder draught.
What hookah hoses are made of?
Adherents of ancient traditions prefer hoses made of natural leather. Yes, they are beautiful, dense, flexible. But the trouble is that leather can quickly absorb odors, and washing it is not desirable at all - it will just start to crumble.
The same applies to hoses with a braided metal frame. Metal already oxidizes from water vapor, so you can not wash it. As a result, such hoses will have to be replaced often.
But the capron frame can be washed without any problems. But it also has its disadvantages - it is not as flexible and is able to warm up quickly.
The most practical and modern hoses are made of vinyl or silicone. They look nice and are easy to clean. In addition, they usually have an antistatic coating that protects them from debris buildup. True, even in this case the material will still darken with time from smoke. Therefore, it is better for aesthetes to buy hoses made of opaque silicone.
There are very cheap (and, accordingly, short-lived) hoses - made of rubber, thick foil and even food-grade plastic. The latter are essentially disposable and are usually used in hookah bars.
One or more?
You may have seen pictures or photos of several elderly Egyptians sitting around one hookah and smoking it collectively - each from his or her own hose. Of course, it looks funny, but, in fact, it's much safer to use one hose and just pass it around one by one.
First of all, single-hose hookahs, are much more airtight. Second, there's room left over to place a valve to allow the hookah to blow.
Mouthpiece for hookah
A mouthpiece is put on the end of the hose. Since it is the one in contact with your mouth, needless to say, it is unhygienic to use one mouthpiece in company. Each smoker should have an individual removable mouthpiece.
Mouthpieces are made of many different materials - wood, plastic, glass, stone, metal...
The most unhygienic and short-lived is a wooden mouthpiece. Yes, wood is tactilely pleasant, but in its cracks can accumulate all sorts of pathogens. In addition, wood and plastic strongly absorb odor.
The most popular and practical are metal mouthpieces, devoid of all these drawbacks.
When buying a mouthpiece, also be sure to check that it is not too narrow and does not interfere with your comfortable inhalation.