Getting started with shisha: equipment, preparation, and how it differs from the
The shisha and the puff are two distinct devices that beginners often confuse: the shisha (hookah) is a water pipe that heats a tobacco or tobacco-free substitute with charcoal, while the puff is a pocket vaping product that vaporises an e-liquid. This guide explains what you need to know to get started with shisha — equipment, preparation, maintenance — and recalls why the puff is a different product, subject to different regulations. It does not recommend one over the other.
Getting started with shisha: the equipment
A complete shisha consists of a base (glass), a stem (stainless steel, aluminium or brass), a bowl (ceramic, silicone or glass) that holds the mix, a tray, a hose with mouthpiece, and seals that keep it airtight. Most models sold today come with these parts; the charcoal, the mix and the heat management device are added on.
For a first purchase, the technical criteria are the size (from 20 cm for a compact shisha to over 70 cm), the assembly type (screw-on or click-on), the stem material (stainless steel and anodised aluminium do not oxidise) and the number of hose ports. The Céleste (click-on base and stem, one port, 45 cm) and C5 V2 and C7 V2 (41 and 53 cm, reversible diffuser, Kaloud Lotus-compatible bowl) are the two El-Badia references designed for this use; the full range is grouped in the classic shishas category.
What goes with the shisha
- The mix: shisha tobacco (molasses), or a tobacco-free, nicotine-free substitute based on cellulose or plant molasses. Both are prepared the same way.
- The charcoal: natural coconut charcoal in cubes (26 or 22 mm), lit on an electric hotplate or gas burner for 8 to 12 minutes; or quick-light charcoal, ready in 1 to 2 minutes but to be left to burn off before use.
- The heat management device (HMD): a metal lid placed on the bowl, which replaces the aluminium foil and regulates the heat from the charcoal. Optional, it makes temperature control easier for a beginner.
- Accessories: charcoal tongs, cleaning brushes, hygienic mouthpieces if the shisha is shared.
Preparing a first shisha
- Fill the base with cold water, 2 to 3 cm above the bottom of the stem. Too much water rises into the hose, too little reduces filtration.
- Assemble stem, tray and hose; check that every seal is in place. Cover the hose port with your hand and draw: if air gets through, a seal is leaking.
- Fill the bowl with mix, without packing it down, leaving 2 to 3 mm below the rim. Cellulose-based substitutes are placed the same way.
- Cover with pierced aluminium foil, or fit the heat management device.
- Place 2 or 3 fully glowing coals around the edge. Wait 3 to 5 minutes for the bowl to come up to temperature before the first draws.
- Move or remove a coal if the taste becomes harsh; add one if the smoke weakens. A session lasts 45 minutes to 1 h 30.
Maintenance
After each session: empty the base, rinse base, stem and bowl with lukewarm water, leave to air-dry. Once a week or every five sessions: brush the stem and base with a bottle brush and bicarbonate of soda or a dedicated cleaner. The hose is rinsed if it is washable (silicone); a leather or fabric hose cannot be washed and is replaced once it takes on the taste. Seals are changed as soon as they harden or split.
The electronic shisha, without charcoal
For anyone wanting to do away with charcoal while still using shisha tobacco or a substitute, there are electrically heated devices: complete electronic shishas (ENSŌ) or heating systems placed on a classic shisha (XKAH Pro). How they work is described in the article electronic shisha, the charcoal-free hookah.
And the puff?
The puff is not a pocket shisha: it is a vaping device, with a battery, a coil and a 2 ml e-liquid pod or cartridge, which produces vapour on inhalation. It is used individually, with no preparation, no water and no charcoal, and most often contains nicotine salts (0 to 20 mg/ml). It falls under vaping product regulations: sale to minors prohibited, advertising prohibited, disposable models banned in France since 26 February 2025. The point-by-point differences are detailed in the article shisha or puff: the differences.
Shisha and puff in one table
| Criterion | Shisha | Puff |
|---|---|---|
| What is consumed | Shisha tobacco or tobacco-free substitute | E-liquid, with or without nicotine |
| Heat source | Charcoal (or heating element on an e-shisha) | Electric coil |
| Preparation | 10 to 15 minutes | None |
| Use | Individual or shared | Individual |
| Consumables | Mix, charcoal, seals | Pods or cartridges, 10 ml bottles |
| Regulation | Unregulated object; the tobacco falls under tobacco regulations | Vaping product (French Public Health Code, TPD directive) |
Frequently asked questions
What size shisha to start with?
Between 40 and 55 cm: stable enough for a table, compact enough for storage and cleaning. Smaller models (20-30 cm) are suited to travel.
Do you need a heat management device to start?
No, aluminium foil is enough. The heat management device makes temperature control easier and avoids burning the mix; it can be added later.
Can you smoke shisha without tobacco?
Yes, with a cellulose or plant molasses substitute, free of tobacco and nicotine, prepared exactly like shisha tobacco.
Does a puff replace a shisha?
No, they are two different products: the puff vaporises an e-liquid and falls under vaping regulations; the shisha heats a tobacco or substitute with charcoal.
The sale of vaping products and shisha tobacco to minors under 18 is prohibited.
