eShisha resource pageS:
The ultimate webpage resource for all things eShisha, especially for those new to eShisha and those simply wanting to maximise their enjoyment while keeping their costs down.
Below are some of the basic definitions and history. On the other pages you will find technical help and links to make your purchases.
Below are some of the basic definitions and history. On the other pages you will find technical help and links to make your purchases.
HOOKAH:
A hookah (hukkā or huqqah) also known as a waterpipe, arghile, or qalyān is a single or multi-stemmed instrument for smoking flavoured tobacco called shisha in which the smoke is passed through a water basin (often glass based) before inhalation. The origin of the hookah is around the area which includes Pakistan, India and Persia, or at a transition point between the two. Also known as Pakistan The word hookah is a derivative of "huqqa", which is what the Indians used to call it. According to author Cyril Elgood, who does not mention his source, it was Abul-Fath Gilani (d. 1588), a Persian physician at the Indian court of the Mughal emperor Akbar, who "first passed the smoke of tobacco through a small bowl of water to purify and cool the smoke and thus invented the hubble-bubble or hookah.". Nevertheless, a quatrain of Ahli Shirazi (d. 1535) refers to the use of the ḡalyān in Safavid Iran. Smoking the hookah has gained popularity outside of its native region, in India, Iran,Pakistan and the Middle East, and is gaining popularity in North America, South America, Europe, Australia, Southeast Asia, Tanzania and South Africa.
SHISHA:
Shisha, or Mu‘assel (Arabic: معسل which means "honeyed"), is a syrupy tobacco mix with molasses and vegetable glycerol which is smoked in a hookah. Shisha (شيشة), from the Persian word shīshe (شیشه), meaning glass, is the common term for the hookah itself in Egypt, Sudan and the Arab countries the Persian Gulf (including Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, UAE, and Saudi Arabia), and in Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Somalia and Yemen. Initial traces of hookah smoking have been found in the North Western provinces of India in the states of Rajasthan and Gujarat. Typical flavours of mu‘assel include apple, grape, guava, lemon, mint, as well as many other fruit based mixes. Unusual flavours, including white gummy bear, blueberry muffin, and Powerbull flavour (similar to the flavour of a Red Bull energy drink), have been introduced in recent years.
E-cigarette:
An electronic cigarette, also known as an e-cigarette or PV, is an electronic inhaler that vaporizes a liquid solution into an aerosol mist, simulating the act of tobacco smoking. Electronic cigarettes are no longer marketed as smoking cessation aids or tobacco replacement in most countries.
There may be similarities between conventional and some electronic cigarettes in the physical design and the nicotine release but there are also many electronic cigarettes which do not resemble conventional cigarettes and it is possible to choose no nicotine at all.
The primitive concept of an electronic cigarette can be traced to an idea by Herbert A. Gilbert, who in 1963 patented a device described as "a smokeless non-tobacco cigarette" that involved "replacing burning tobacco and paper with heated, moist, flavored air." This device heated the nicotine solution and produced steam. In 1967, Gilbert was approached by several companies interested in manufacturing it, but it was never commercialized and disappeared from the public record after 1967.
Hon Lik, a Chinese pharmacist, is widely credited with the invention of the first generation electronic cigarette. In 2000, he came up with the idea of using a piezoelectric ultrasound-emitting element to vaporize a pressurized jet of liquid containing nicotine diluted in a propylene glycol solution. This design produces a smoke-like vapor that can be inhaled and provides a vehicle for nicotine delivery into the bloodstream via the lungs. He also proposed using propylene glycol to dilute nicotine and placing it in a disposable plastic cartridge which serves as a liquid reservoir and mouthpiece. These inventions are the basis of the present-day electronic cigarettes.
The device was first introduced to the Chinese domestic market in May 2004 as an aid for smoking cessation and replacement. The company that Hon Lik worked for, Golden Dragon Holdings, changed its name to Ruyan (如烟, literally "Resembling smoking"), and started exporting its products in 2005–2006 before receiving its first international patent in 2007.
The second generation electronic cigarette, or modern electronic cigarette, was invented and introduced to market in 2008 by Dr. Yunqiang Xiu before receiving its international patents in 2009 & UK patent in 2011. The modern electronic cigarette featured the "tankomizer" (or sealed tank system and sealed atomizer technology). This is more useful for pharmaceutical and medical devices industries.
There may be similarities between conventional and some electronic cigarettes in the physical design and the nicotine release but there are also many electronic cigarettes which do not resemble conventional cigarettes and it is possible to choose no nicotine at all.
The primitive concept of an electronic cigarette can be traced to an idea by Herbert A. Gilbert, who in 1963 patented a device described as "a smokeless non-tobacco cigarette" that involved "replacing burning tobacco and paper with heated, moist, flavored air." This device heated the nicotine solution and produced steam. In 1967, Gilbert was approached by several companies interested in manufacturing it, but it was never commercialized and disappeared from the public record after 1967.
Hon Lik, a Chinese pharmacist, is widely credited with the invention of the first generation electronic cigarette. In 2000, he came up with the idea of using a piezoelectric ultrasound-emitting element to vaporize a pressurized jet of liquid containing nicotine diluted in a propylene glycol solution. This design produces a smoke-like vapor that can be inhaled and provides a vehicle for nicotine delivery into the bloodstream via the lungs. He also proposed using propylene glycol to dilute nicotine and placing it in a disposable plastic cartridge which serves as a liquid reservoir and mouthpiece. These inventions are the basis of the present-day electronic cigarettes.
The device was first introduced to the Chinese domestic market in May 2004 as an aid for smoking cessation and replacement. The company that Hon Lik worked for, Golden Dragon Holdings, changed its name to Ruyan (如烟, literally "Resembling smoking"), and started exporting its products in 2005–2006 before receiving its first international patent in 2007.
The second generation electronic cigarette, or modern electronic cigarette, was invented and introduced to market in 2008 by Dr. Yunqiang Xiu before receiving its international patents in 2009 & UK patent in 2011. The modern electronic cigarette featured the "tankomizer" (or sealed tank system and sealed atomizer technology). This is more useful for pharmaceutical and medical devices industries.
COMPONENTS > BATTERY:
Most portable power units contain a lithium-ion rechargeable battery and makes the largest component of an electronic cigarette. This may contain an electronic airflow sensor (AUTOMATIC) so that activation is triggered simply by drawing breath through the device. Other models come with a power switch (MANUAL), which must be held during operation. A LED to announce activation may also be equipped in the front of power unit casing.
Batteries are usually charged via AC outlet, car or USB. Some manufacturers also offer a cigarette-pack-like portable charging case (PCC), which contains a larger battery to charge smaller batteries of individual e-cigarettes.
Batteries are usually charged via AC outlet, car or USB. Some manufacturers also offer a cigarette-pack-like portable charging case (PCC), which contains a larger battery to charge smaller batteries of individual e-cigarettes.
COMPONENTS > CARTRIDGE:
The cartridge, a small plastic container with openings on each end, serves as both a liquid reservoir and mouthpiece. It allows the passage of liquid to the atomizer and vapor from the atomizer back to the user's mouth, without leaking liquid into the mouth.
Most models adopt a plastic sponge to keep the liquid in place, but it is also common to use a refillable tank to hold the liquid, with a separate tunnel connecting to the atomizer. When the liquid is depleted, users can refill it or replace with another pre-filled cartridge. Some users forgo the use of liquid reservoirs and drip liquid directly onto the atomizer in a method known as "dripping".
A single cartridge can be the equivalent of 40 cigarettes.
Most models adopt a plastic sponge to keep the liquid in place, but it is also common to use a refillable tank to hold the liquid, with a separate tunnel connecting to the atomizer. When the liquid is depleted, users can refill it or replace with another pre-filled cartridge. Some users forgo the use of liquid reservoirs and drip liquid directly onto the atomizer in a method known as "dripping".
A single cartridge can be the equivalent of 40 cigarettes.
COMPONENTS > ATOMIZER:
The atomizer contains a small heating coil that vaporizes the liquid, and generally consists of a simple filament and wicking metal mesh or silica wick to draw the liquid in. It is positioned in the centre of the three components that make up the entire electronic cigarette cylinder, as the cartridge attaches to one end, and the power unit to the other. The atomizer's filament will lose efficiency over time due to a build-up of sediment, or "burns out" entirely, requiring replacement.
COMPONENTS > CARTOMIZER (integrated cartridge/atomizer):
In some models, the cartridge and atomizer component are integrated, and this is known as a cartomizer.
LIQUID:
Liquid for producing vopor in electronic cigarettes, known as e-juice or e-liquid, is a solution of propylene glycol (PG) and/or vegetable glycerin (VG) and/or polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG400) mixed with concentrated flavors, and optionally, a variable percent of a liquid nicotine concentrate.
This can be supplied in a bottle, which would typically be used top refill a tank, or in a pre-filled disposeable cartridge. Many manufacturers offer dozens of flavors which resemble the taste of regular tobacco, menthol, vanilla, coffee, cola and various fruits, but
nicotine concentrations vary by manufacturers. Nicotine-free solutions are also common.
Some people opt to make their own e-juice in a form known as "DIY".
This can be supplied in a bottle, which would typically be used top refill a tank, or in a pre-filled disposeable cartridge. Many manufacturers offer dozens of flavors which resemble the taste of regular tobacco, menthol, vanilla, coffee, cola and various fruits, but
nicotine concentrations vary by manufacturers. Nicotine-free solutions are also common.
Some people opt to make their own e-juice in a form known as "DIY".
WHAT LIQUID DO I NEED?
PROPYLENE GLYCOL (PG):
* Produces very little vapour
* Produces more throat hit (harsher and feel is more comparable to smoking)
* Is a relatively thin liquid
VEGETABLE GLYCERIN (VG):
* Produces lots of vapour
* Produces verry little throat hit (smoother)
* Is a relatively thick liquid
* Provides a slightly sweeter taste
The proportions from 100% PG to 100% VG, with a 50%:50% mix in the middle, is down to each persons preferences and availability.
In addition, there is likely to be some distilled water, concentrated flavourings (approx 10%) and optional nicotine.
* Produces very little vapour
* Produces more throat hit (harsher and feel is more comparable to smoking)
* Is a relatively thin liquid
VEGETABLE GLYCERIN (VG):
* Produces lots of vapour
* Produces verry little throat hit (smoother)
* Is a relatively thick liquid
* Provides a slightly sweeter taste
The proportions from 100% PG to 100% VG, with a 50%:50% mix in the middle, is down to each persons preferences and availability.
In addition, there is likely to be some distilled water, concentrated flavourings (approx 10%) and optional nicotine.