Oduman Infinity Clear Glass Gold Body 45 cm - Shisha with a Gold-Coloured Titanium Coating

Of the nine colour combinations in the Infinity series, this is the one where the metal gets all the attention. The base is transparent, so everything that carries colour is gold: the tray, the stem, the centre block and the mouthpiece. At the factory the article is known as INF-02-CLEAR.

What does Oduman mean by titanium coated?

The base material is stainless steel. In a vacuum process a thin layer of titanium compound is applied to it, and that is what gives the colour. The difference from plating or lacquering is that the layer bonds to the metal instead of sitting on top of it. You notice that where you apply force every session: the threading of the block and the rim of the base stay intact longer than with a coat of lacquer.

Why clear glass with a gold body

A white or black base adds a second colour and makes the hookah busier. Clear glass does not; it lets the gold parts stand apart and gives a view of the water as well. In practice that means you read the level without disassembling and you see when it is time to change it. Less practical: a hazy film on the glass shows sooner.

Dimensions and weight

Forty-five centimeters tall, twenty centimeters wide and twenty deep, three and a half kilos. The centre of gravity sits low because the glass supplies most of that weight, which keeps the hookah where you put it.

The coal spot on the tray

A separate spot is cut into the tray for a burning coal. Because the underside stays open there, the coal keeps getting air and does not go out while you turn or refill the bowl. On a solid tray you would have to relight it on your coal burner. The stem also carries a bracket for the mouthpiece.

Hose and port

Supplied with it is a white silicone hose with a mouthpiece in the same gold tone as the stem. Silicone takes on no flavour, so switching molasses needs no rinsing in between. There is one port on the block; if you want to smoke with two hoses, you need a different model. Separate hoses sit with the hookah hoses.

Caring for coated metal

A dry cloth is enough for the outside. Scouring pads, steel wool and descaler are out of the question: they scratch or bite through the coating and leave a dull patch that never comes out again. Clean the inside of the stem with a long brush and warm water. Brushes sit with the cleaning supplies.

What you still need yourself

No hookah bowl is included, as with every model from this brand, and no coal tongs either. You get a bowl from the hookah bowls; at this height a phunnel works nicely because you can keep the heat higher without scorching the molasses.

How many coals do you need?

At 45 centimeters the water column is short, so less warmth is needed than on a large hookah. Start with two coconut coals of 25 millimeters along the rim of the bowl and only add a third once the vapor drops off. Only lay them on once they are fully grey; half-lit coals give off a sharp taste.

Assembling it

Fill the base with cold water until the end of the smoke guide disappears a couple of centimeters below the surface. Through the clear glass you do not have to guess at that. Set the stem on, press the grommet home and lay the tray on top. Check the seal by closing the hose port with your hand and drawing: if it stays quiet everything is right; if you hear hissing, tighten the connections.

How often do you change the water?

Every session again. With a transparent base that is not theory: after one bowl you already see the colour turn and a thin layer floating on top. Leave it until next time and you taste the previous molasses again while the draw gets heavier. Rinsing takes half a minute; a thorough round with a brush weekly is enough.

Who is this model for?

For anyone who wants something that stands out without being garish, and for anyone after a hookah that can simply stay on the table. If you are purely after as much smoke as possible and a long water column, a larger model suits you better. If you want something that still looks the same in three years, coated stainless steel is a sensible choice.

Specifications

• Dimensions: 45 cm tall, 20 cm wide, 20 cm deep
• Weight: 3.5 kilos
• Stem: stainless steel with a gold-coloured titanium layer
• Base: transparent glass
• Ports: one hose, silicone and white
• Factory number: INF-02-CLEAR

Beside this combination of gold and clear glass, four others are ready in the colour menu.