Hookah foil covers the bowl to separate the hot charcoal from the shisha tobacco so that the shisha cooks but does not burn.

Hookah charcoal can be quick lighting coals, natural coconut coals, or wood coals. Lit charcoal sits atop the foil to bake the shisha tobacco underneath. This process vaporizes the glycerin in the hookah shisha and creates smoke.

Tobacco leaves mixed with flavoring juices, glycerin, honey or other additives to produce a flavorful smoke when baked.

The hookah bowl sits atop the hookah and holds the shisha tobacco directing the vapor down into the hookah stem. Bowls are usually produced using clay or porcelain and come in several styles including the traditional Egyptian bowl, vortex or phunnel bowl.

An ash tray sits below the hookah bowl. It is meant to catch any loose ashes from the charcoal as well as provides a place to set charcoal when there is too much heat and smoke becomes harsh.

A rubber grommet is used to secure the hookah bowl to the stem for an air-tight fit.

The hookah stem is the main portion of the hookah pipe that directs smoke down into the vase. Stems can be made of many materials including stainless steel, brass, and aluminum and are available in many different styles and heights.

A rubber grommet is used to secure the hookah hose to the stem for an air-tight fit.

9. PRESSURE RELEASE VALVE

This valve is usually opposite the hose port on the base of the hookah stem. It contains a ball bearing that closes when you are smoking and opens when you blow into the hose allowing you to clear harsh smoke from the vase.

The hose port is at the base of the hookah stem and is where you secure the hookah hose.

A rubber grommet is used to secure the hookah stem to the vase for an air-tight fit and stabilizes the hookah.

The downstem is connected to the bottom of the hookah stem and reaches down into the vase. The end of the downstem should sit about one inch below the surface of the water. This directs smoke into the water to be cooled and filtered.

The hookah vase is the base of the hookah. It holds the water for cooling and filtering smoke before it travels into the hose. Vases can be produced with glass, crystal, and acrylic plastics.

A hookah hose attaches to the stem using a hose grommet and allows you to inhale filtered smoke from the vase. Hoses are available in silicone, plastic, and traditional leather.

15. WATER

Water is placed into the vase to just above the bottom of the downstem. Its purpose is to cool and filter the smoke before it reaches the hookah hose.