The culture of smoking hookah has developed significantly in our time and with it, many useful accessories for smoking, packing, and preparing a hookah have appeared.
Hookah tongs.
Hookah coal tongs are a basic necessity and in most cases, new hookahs come with tongs included. However, there are models that do not include tongs in their set. Tongs are necessary for packing tobacco in the bowl, handling coals, and adjusting them on the foil or heat management device. Agree, trying to remove hot coals from the stove, adjust them on the foil or heat management device without tongs can be quite difficult. Therefore, if your hookah did not come with tongs or for any other reason you are without this necessary accessory, it is the right time to find convenient coal tongs of the right length, color, and style to match your hookah.
Hookah Mouthpieces.
They ensure hygienic smoking when a group of people shares one hookah. This accessory is a tip that is placed on the pipe or hose directly before it reaches the lips. Mouthpieces come in different sizes, colors, and materials.
Disposable mouthpieces are typically sold in packs of 100 and come in various shapes and colors. They are plastic tips that are given to each participant when smoking hookah. After smoking, you remove your disposable mouthpiece and pass the hookah hose on to the next person. When it’s your turn to smoke again, you put on a new disposable mouthpiece.
Personal mouthpieces serve the same function as disposable ones but are designed for multiple uses. They are usually made of silicone or plastic and have a specific design. Personal mouthpieces also come in different sizes and colors.
Hookah Bowl.
There is a lot that can be said about hookah bowls, but we will try to keep it short and to the point. Bowls can be made of clay (the most popular), glass, or silicone.
Clay bowls effectively evaporate excess moisture through their pores, heat up well and evenly, but they can absorb the flavor and aroma of tobacco, which may be noticeable during the next smoking session. Glazed clay bowls are available, which do not absorb tobacco odors and are easier to clean. Clay bowls are difficult to overheat, allowing for longer smoking sessions without the tobacco burning out.
Ceramic bowls are very similar to clay bowls in their properties. They are manufactured by machine and have smooth and symmetrical shapes. These bowls are not very heat-resistant, and tobacco can burn if overheated. It is recommended to heat them with three coals and smoke with two coals to prevent the tobacco from burning.
Glass bowls have a stylish look and add a certain aesthetic to your hookah. While some may think that glass bowls are not practical, they are actually made of borosilicate glass and can withstand high temperatures, making them quite durable. Glass bowls also do not absorb previous flavors and are easy to clean. It is important to know how to pack and prepare a glass bowl properly. One downside is that a glass bowl may not evenly distribute heat, with only the part closer to the coals heating up well.
Silicone bowls are known for their practicality as they are virtually indestructible. They are easy to maintain and clean. Silicone can withstand high temperatures, heats up well, but also cools down quickly, which needs to be considered during preparation and smoking. Smoking with a silicone bowl may be faster compared to a clay bowl, for example. It is difficult to overheat silicone bowls, but they may not provide the same flavor transmission.
Now let’s talk about the types and shapes of bowls. Turkish bowl – a bowl with thick walls that heats up well and has a classic shape. It is more suitable for dry tobacco as the juice will flow into the holes. Phunnel bowl – a bowl with a central spire inside. The hole is raised, making it ideal for wet and juicy tobaccos. The syrup from the tobacco will not leak into the shaft. Typically, the draw is light in these bowls due to the larger hole.
Kalouds.
The Kaloud for hookah, also known as a foil substitute, a heat regulator, or simply a Kaloud, is a device that replaces foil. The Kaloud is placed on the bowl, and you put hot coals on it. Usually, Kalouds come with a cover for heat preservation and regulation.
Kalouds were produced in America in 2012, called the Kaloud Lotus. It is a patented invention and rarely included in the standard equipment of hookahs. Mostly, only premium hookahs can boast of including a Kaloud.
Kalouds come in different shapes, colors, and sizes. When choosing one, make sure the diameter matches your bowl. It is also convenient when the heat regulator has rubber handles at the base and on the lid.
Significant advantages of the Kaloud include:
- Significant saving on coals – coals last about three times longer in a Kaloud with a cover compared to just on foil.
- Tobacco does not burn due to even heating.
- Ash from the coals cannot get on the tobacco and spoil the taste.
- It prevents the dropping of hot coals from the hookah.
The Kaloud is a must-have for all hookah enthusiasts. If you don’t have one yet, we recommend it as it is very convenient.
Charcoal burners.
A charcoal burner is a device used for preparing coals. At first glance, it may seem that coals can be easily lit using common methods such as a gas stove, campfire, fireplace, or home stove. However, those who smoke hookah frequently will tell you that a charcoal burner is necessary. Firstly, it is convenient and safe. Coals can leave marks on household appliances, coal bits can “pop” and pose a safety hazard, and coals may not evenly ignite. All these issues are addressed by a charcoal burner. With a burner, the heating process is quick and convenient.
There are two types of burners:
Gas burners – suitable for outdoor use, operate using a gas canister. The downside is that you will need replacement gas canisters, but the upside is that they are portable and do not require electricity, making them ideal for outdoor activities like camping or barbecues.
Electric burners, the more popular option, run on electricity, and coals can be heated in about 5-7 minutes. There are various burners available in terms of power and size. The power affects the heating speed, while the size and shape impact the amount of coals that can be prepared in one cycle. For hookah use, a larger burner for 5-10 coals is recommended, while a smaller one for 3 coals is suitable for home use. Electric burners heat the coals using a heating coil and are generally durable. If the burner stops working, simply replacing the coil is usually sufficient.
Charcoal baskets.
These baskets are needed for carrying hot coals. They are typically used in restaurants or hookah lounges, where there are many hookahs and coals need to be transported over a distance. It is an accessory that is helpful but not essential. When choosing a basket, pay attention to its size and your needs, considering the amount of coals you will need to carry. Baskets come in different shapes and designs, so choose one that you like and fits your decor.
Hookah bags.
A very convenient accessory if you often take your hookah outside of the house, to the country house, to nature, to friends. The bag will help you not to break the hookah and not to forget all the necessary accessories. Sometimes, premium hookahs already come with bags as part of the set. Buying a bag or case for the hookah is often cheaper than buying a new bowl for the hookah. When choosing a hookah bag, pay attention to the size.
Your hookah should fit easily into the bag, and there should also be space for various small items and accessories. With the hookah, you will always need to bring charcoal, tobacco, foil, possibly several bowls, and all of this should fit in the bag. Also, it is worth paying attention to the soft dividers and walls in the bag, which will help protect your device from external and internal shocks. Inside the bag, it is desirable to have small compartments and pockets for small parts, such as spare balls, grommets, a personal mouthpiece.
Hookah cleaning brushes.
A brush for cleaning is a very useful little thing that will help maintain the hygiene of your hookah. When smoking, syrup from tobacco and ash gets into the stem and bowl, which all dirties them. Once a month (depending on the frequency of smoking), it is necessary to thoroughly clean the stem and bowl with the brush.
There are two types of brushes: one for the base and one for the shaft. The base brush has a shorter length and wide bristles for easy cleaning of the bowl from the inside. The shaft brush, on the other hand, is long and small in diameter. With it, you can easily clean the inside of the shaft from all the dirt.
It is a special device that was invented not so long ago in the USA. However, shisha enthusiasts quickly appreciated it, and it made it to the list of essential devices for hookahs. The Kaloud is designed to hold charcoal and regulate the heat, thus controlling the burning of tobacco. It distributes heat much more evenly and retains it better than foil. Its use also simplifies the process of preparing the hookah for use. They are usually made of metal and have a round shape with a small handle and a lid.
Both methods have their advantages. However, in our opinion, using a Kaloud is better for several reasons.
Almost all Kalouds are the same. They differ only in shape, quality of materials, and finish. In principle, they will all perform their function almost the same way. Therefore, choose based on visual appeal. They may differ in price due to the brand, but again, this does not greatly affect the process.
