Smokebox / Heat Management Device (HMD)

Smokebox = Heat Management Device?

The terms Smokebox and Heat Management Device (HMD) are often mentioned in the same breath in the shisha scene. But are they really the same thing? Actually not, because a Heat Management Device (HMD) is actually the upper category and includes all attachments that allow a regulation of the heat by means of hookah coal. Strictly speaking, this also includes the fireplace attachment and actually even the classic shisha setup with aluminum foil. However, the equivalent use of the two terms has now become established and is used by virtually all hookah smokers so. By the way, "Kaloud" is also often used as a synonym for "smokebox", although Kaloud is merely one of the best known manufacturers. So once again the typical "Tempo Nastuch effect", where a manufacturer name is used as a synonym for a product.

How does a smokebox work?

A smokebox is a heat management device, i.e. a system for regulating the heat in the tobacco head of a hookah. When smoking hookah, the heat development in the head is crucial, because if you have too little heat, the smoke development suffers, if you have too much heat, the tobacco can burn and the smoke becomes scratchy. Since the bottom of a smokebox is made of a thick aluminum or stainless steel plate, which heats up very evenly, the heat is also transferred very evenly to the tobacco. There are even smokeboxes where the distance from the coal to the tobacco can be variably adjusted with a turning mechanism. The Shisha Heat Management System from Steamulation is revolutionary in its way and it remains to be seen which products will be launched by the competition in the next few years. Many vendors supply their smokeboxes with a lid as an accessory. This allows the heat of the coals over the tobacco head to be regulated even better.

Smoke Box brands

The most famous smoke box producers are: Kaloud (best seller is the Lotus series), Na GraniM. Rosenfeld, Steamulation, AO, Smokezilla, Kaya the Block, Shishabucks, Ocean Hookah, Hookain. There are new companies entering the market with smokeboxes every year, the offer is now huge. Almost all products are produced in the same standard format and thus fit all common shisha heads. Nevertheless, it is recommended to clarify before buying if the product fits to your existing setting. We will be happy to advise you personally in our customer area on the subject of"Which tobacco heads fit which smokeboxes" and explain the advantages and disadvantages of the various systems.

Smokebox care & cleaning

Since there may still be lubricant residue on a smokebox from the factory, we recommend that you place two coals in the HMD for about 30 minutes before smoking for the first time. After that your smokebox is ready for the first use over your tobacco head. tobacco head. If you build high, i.e. fill a lot of tobacco into your phunnel, then the nubs or the bottom of your HMD will have direct contact with the hookah tobacco. This is called "full contact" smoking. With this design, the underside of the attachment can become quite dirty. We recommend that you regularly remove tobacco residue from the underside of the smokebox (stainless steel or aluminum plate) with a steel brush. Good to know: The insertion of the glowing coal creates very high temperatures. This causes most heat management devices to discolor after a short time and therefore no longer look as good as new. However, this is quite normal and the Smokebox will still offer the best results in smoke development.

Stainless steel or aluminum smokebox?

Most companies and stores rely on aluminum smokeboxes and there is a reason for that. Because the metal aluminum conducts the heat of the coal more evenly to the hookah tobacco than stainless steel. The heat development is therefore easier to regulate with an aluminum heat management device than with a stainless steel HMD and the risk of burning your tobacco is definitely smaller with aluminum products. These advantages are probably decisive for the unbroken success of aluminum products.

Swiss Online Shop

If you order today (MO-FR) in our online store, you will usually have the goods at home the next day. We carry ShishasWe have Shishas, Tobacco Heads, Tobacco, HMD with Lid and many more bestsellers in stock and the delivery is done by A-Post with the Swiss Post. Do you need advice or more information? Our team is at your disposal at [email protected] gladly at your disposal.