DIY Hookah Diffusers

Here's my simple (and fun) instructions for making a DIY diffuser for your hookah.

A diffuser is basically a device placed at the end of the downstem that breaks up the bubbles produced while smoking. It’s believed to increase the surface area of the bubbles so the flavor of the smoke can be enhanced. It also cuts down the “bubbling” sound the hookah makes as well as the internal splashing of the liquid in the base.

Items:

• 1 can of Guinness Draft (if you are under the legal age for drinking, you can try this with a ping-pong ball)
• scissors
• drill or dremmel tool
• The Hookah stem/downstem in question
• something metal with a pointy tip
• a gas stove or other heat source

(drink responsibly – no driving!)

First crack open the Guinness (you want the tall metal can version with the strange widget inside that produces the "head") and drink. Enjoy it.

(If you’re under the age, go buy some cheap ping-pong balls and skip down to the part w/ drill. Great – you may not be able to drink, but you can handle POWER TOOLS! ~LOL~)

When it's empty, go rinse it out and get a pair of scissors. Carefully cut open the can (watch your fingers) and extract the small whitish ball of plastic from inside.

Rinse that thing off. Now get your downstem and find your drill bits - your looking for a bit that's little smaller than the DIA of the stem. IF you have a ball on the end of your stem - I'm not sure what you can do (yet), sorry. Otherwise drill a hole (CAREFULLY) in the widget - test it against your stem. You want it tight - shove the silly monster on there! Once it fits well, move on. Take your time.

Now turn on your heat source (be it stove, candle, whatever - a lighter will do, but needs more time since you have to relight it each time). Take your small pointy metal object (in my case a extra large safety pin) and heat it up. Now holding the small plastic ball, poke several small holes around the bottom edge of the ball. It's up to you on the amount (depending on the size of your object making the holes), but a good amount. This will take you a few as you have to stop and reheat the pointy thing several times.



Afterward, rinse it off and put it back on the stem. Fill your base up and assemble the hookah. Draw thru the hose and see if you are getting a good pull. If there are enough holes, you won't notice much of a decrease in the drag, if you do - remove the widget and put in more holes.

Once you have it working right, it will decrease the "bubbling" sound as well as the amount of bubbles.

It can be made with other items, but this is the version I have used twice. It works well, but only for my smaller hookah. I didn't notice much "assistance" with the larger one.

I am still working on a method of making one for a "ball ended" stem - thinking about a small airplane bottle.