The shisha doesn’t taste good – what to do?

The shisha is ready to go and you've just made yourself comfortable to relax and enjoy a pipe and then this: Instead of soft, fragrant smoke with delicious shisha aromas, it scratches your throat and just doesn't taste the same should. Actually, everything was done as usual. We can reassure you that it's usually not the fault of the shisha itself. But there are a few typical mistakes that not only beginners make, but that even occur in shisha bars and can really spoil your taste experience.

Coal is not the same as shisha coal

Most mistakes occur when building the head and lighting the coal . If the shisha charcoal is not completely burned through, this can have fatal effects on the taste of your shisha . Self-igniting coal is particularly problematic because it is placed on the head immediately after lighting and releases a not insignificant amount of black powder and other pollutants, all of which are inhaled.

You should also definitely stay away from charcoal! It is certainly sometimes tempting for those on a budget to simply use the charcoal they have already purchased to fire up the shisha. However, the associated health risk should be reason enough to spend a few euros more. Charcoal is not suitable for operating a shisha as it not only has an extremely unpleasant taste, but also contains a large proportion of carbon monoxide, which in the worst case can lead to loss of consciousness and carries a very high risk of cancer.

With special shisha charcoal made from coconut shells such as the Dschinni Shisha Cubes, you can play it safe and avoid any adulteration of taste. Good shisha charcoal should have a long burning time, low ash production and burn evenly. To get them to glow properly, turn them regularly in the charcoal basket with tongs and, if necessary, add a little air to make it go faster.

Shisha tobacco must not burn

Tobacco can also quickly become a problem. Shisha tobacco must have high humidity, otherwise the shisha session will be over faster than you can say genie. If you feel like the tobacco is a little dry, just mix in a little more molasses to moisten it. Stir the tobacco well before you make a bowl with it; the molasses often simply collects at the bottom of the tobacco tin.

It is also important that the tobacco is not packed too tightly into the bowl. Otherwise you will no longer have optimal draft. Always fill the bowl with tobacco very loosely so that there is still some space for the chimney or aluminum foil . If the tobacco comes into too much contact with the hot coal, the top layer will burn and your shisha will taste charred. In addition, the lower part is not supplied with enough heat and therefore cannot produce enough smoke. Also, if you smoke with a chimney attachment, you must be careful that the tobacco does not come into contact with the underside of the chimney, otherwise it will burn and leave unsightly residue. You should also always keep the edge of the head clear and wipe it again if necessary so that no stickiness occurs. Another important point is not to simply poke around in the tobacco with the charcoal tongs. Always use a fork or a stirring stick to remove the tobacco from the can and loosen it up a little in the bowl, otherwise carbon residues can get into the tobacco , which has no positive effect on the taste and distorts the aromas.

The tobacco head is crucial

The right tobacco head can sometimes work wonders because it is an important factor in heat regulation. Glass or fireclay bowls are best because the tobacco is heated evenly and does not burn. In addition, unlike clay, glass and fireclay do not absorb liquid like molasses and are very easy to clean.

Impurities distort the taste

Unfortunately, many people neglect the hygiene of their shisha in the long run. However, the components of a water pipe must be thoroughly cleaned regularly. Simply emptying the bowl of water and replacing the mouthpieces is not enough. It's best to take a little time to care for your shisha after every shisha session. A lot of residue and impurities accumulate, especially in the hose. That's why you should always wash them well.

But be careful: You can easily wash silicone hoses with water, but with leather hoses rust and mold quickly form inside the hose, so you should stay away from water. Cleaned with a tube brush or a piece of fabric, leather tubes also remain hygienic.

If you like to smoke with a fireplace, you will also notice that deposits quickly accumulate with heavy use. The chimney pipe in particular tends to get clogged, which is why you should clear it regularly with a small brush or a stick . Our Genie fireplace attachments are made of real stainless steel, so they can easily be placed in hot water with a dash of shisha cleaning agent. You can then scrub the grille with a coarse brush until all residue is removed.

With a little care, you will not only experience a genuine taste when smoking, but your shisha will also last longer.

If you avoid these mistakes and pay attention to a few little things, your shisha should be exuding the finest aromas again in no time and have your taste buds cheering.