If you’re a fan of quick light charcoal, you may want to pack your bowl a bit lighter and shallower. If you’re not sure how to go about how to ensure a lighter bowl, here are a few tips: Break up the tobacco from the clumps it comes out in, and get rid of the stems. Lightly sprinkle the tobacco in the bowl but do not pack it down. The level in which you should stop is about a quarter inch from the level where the foil or charcoal screen will be. The reason for this is when smoking it is easier to control the heat then to remove excess tobacco from a bowl that is already going.
When you look at the tobacco in the bowl it should be fluffy and free, rather than weighted down or compacted.

If you prefer natural charcoal, the initial steps are the same; but you might want to pack the bowl a little higher than with quick light, packing it high enough so that it just barely touches the foil or screen. Natural charcoal is a more forgiving than quick light charcoal in that it doesn’t seem to burn as hot, nor does it burn the tobacco as fast. In addition, it appears to increase the potency of the flavor. The only problem with going natural is that it’s a little more time consuming; however, if you have the time, then I would recommend you treat yourself!

The brand of tobacco also tends to have an effect on how you should set up the bowl. If using a premium tobacco like StarBuzz, it helps to set the bowl shallower than if you’re smoking a lower grade of tobacco. It only really takes very little tobacco to have a good smoke with higher grades of tobaccos. Where as when setting up Nakhla or Layalina, you need to pack it a bit higher to get more flavor out of the tobacco. But I’m only one guy that has an opinion. I’m sure there are many others who think rather differently, but I’m the one writing the article, right?

Many have wondered why some people use a little metal charcoal screen and others a circular piece of foil. Well the difference between the charcoal screen and the foil is another story: You have the lazy, and the ones who will go all the way. If you want to set-up the bowl quickly so you can hurry up and relax...then go right ahead with the charcoal screen. But, I warn you, that the smoke will not be as thick, and if it is it will be burning shortly after. The holes in the charcoal screen are usually wider then that of foil that has holes poked in it, and allows small pieces of charcoal to fall through. You have more air flow and less resistance in the smoke, making the smoke rather thin. Now for those that have a minute of extra time when setting up the hookah, the foil is the way to go. If you use foil, you end up with a thicker smoke, and you can control the heat much better.
 

If the aforementioned details weren’t enough to blow your mind, try also considering what type of bowl you’re using. The three different bowls that can be used are the standard Egyptian clay bowl, ceramic bowl, and Pyrex bowl. Now the instructions above were based on the assumption that you’re using an Egyptian clay bowl, and it even applies to ceramic bowls. The Pyrex bowls however, require a lot more playing around with. Some believe that using a Pyrex bowl is healthier for the reason that there is an article stating that when burning aluminum foil in smoking, it can lead to Alzheimer’s. Now whether that article was talking about people who smoke crack with aluminum foil, or smoking hookah, where you look at the foil afterwards and there is no burn marks to be seen, so….I don’t know. But what I do know is that when I want to sit down and smoke, as long as its going smooth, flavorful, and not burning…it’s all good.