Tobacco Head | Phunnel & Multi-hole Head

Shisha head - Does your head smoke?

The smoke or steam of a hookah is produced by heating the tobacco soaked in molasses and glycerine, which is filled into the hookah head. If your head does not draw or you have too little or too much heat, then the enjoyment of smoking is impaired or zero. So choosing the right head setting is crucial for any hookah smoker. Before you decide to buy a tobacco head you should ask yourself the following questions: Do you want to build your head classically with aluminum foil, with smokebox (heat management device) attachment or a chimney?

Classic header with aluminum foil

The shisha head construction with Aluminum foil can be called a classic. This is how heads have been built for a long time and even today many hookah smokers swear by this method. No matter if you use a phunnel or a multi-hole head in any case you first fill the hollow in the head loosely with the hookah tobacco of your choice. Then you take armored aluminum foil or household aluminum foil and stretch it as tightly as possible over the upper end of the tobacco head. So that the whole thing holds fixed, you strip the foil along the head down. Then take a pointed object (toothpick, eel, etc.) and make small holes in the foil. There are different techniques. Some make the holes only on the outer edge of the phunnels, hoping for more flavor. Others punch holes in the entire surface including the area above the phunnel hole. Then a charcoal screen is placed on the tobacco head, on which the charcoal is then placed. Alternatively, one can use natural charcoal can also be placed directly on the armor foil. To achieve optimal heat distribution, the coals should be distributed as evenly as possible on the screen. For less heat and to prevent the tobacco from burning, the coals are pushed to the edge.

Head structure with smokebox attachment

One Smokebox (Also Heat Management Device) is usually made of high quality materials (e.g. aluminum, sometimes even metals, which are used in aerospace and medical technology). It is placed on the head (usually various tobacco heads fit) and rests with the metal bottom on the edge of the head. The glowing coals are placed in the smokebox (often 2 to 2 1/2 coals are enough) and the heat is transferred directly to the head via the metal base. This ensures optimal heat distribution. The smokebox has a high edge, which serves as a windbreak and with a rotary mechanism, the heat can be optimally adjusted for the respective tobacco.

Please note: Never preheat Smokebox on a hotplate or charcoal lighter.

The Kaloud Lotus is probably the best-known smokebox on the market, but is also quite expensive at around CHF 80. The top dog Kaloud offers other models such as the Kaloud Lotus 2, which even costs CHF 140. Of course, there are also cheaper products, for example, from the brands Smokah, Shishabucks or AO Safe.

Head building with chimney

A Chimney top is a kind of lid or hood made of sheet metal, which is placed on the shisha head. A small pipe (chimney) leads from the lid to the top. On the lid is a sieve, on which the glowing shisha coals are placed. To regulate the heat, the coals are pushed either to the center of the screen (high heat) or to the edge of the screen (low heat). A chimney is usually made of sheet metal and is available in our hookah store for as little as CHF 10. So compared to a smokebox, a hookah chimney is very cheap.

Different head types

• 1. the multi-hole head

  The multi-hole head has several holes at the bottom on which the tobacco deposit is placed. Many clay heads, stone heads, partly also silicone heads are classic multi-hole heads. The smoke is drawn through the entire head with this design, which allows many flavors to be absorbed. A disadvantage of this system is that the molasses of the tobacco can get into the holes relatively easily and clog them.

• 2. phunnel / single hole head

  The Phunnel (also funnel), unlike the multi-hole head, has only a single hole in the center of the head. Around the hole, the shell of the tobacco deposit is raised. This has the advantage that the tobacco or the liquid components of the tobacco such as molasses cannot get into the phunnell hole. Not quite as many flavors are given as in the multi-hole head, the smoke development is phenomenal for it. The phunnel also has the head in the smoking time: Because flavors and molasses are retained longer in the head and can thus be utilized more evenly and longer.

• 3. vortex head

  The Vortex head often resembles a phunnel and has several air holes, which are in contrast to the multi-hole head but centered and elevated above the tobacco deposit. Thus, no molasses can get into the smoke column, which guarantees a good draft and lots of flavor. A hookah with Vortex head tastes pleasant and intense, because the air is optimally distributed thanks to the many holes.

• 4. powerbowl head

  The Powerbowl head has several air holes on a raised hemisphere in the tobacco deposit. This type of head is suitable for a change, especially for experienced hookah smokers. Many Powerbowl heads have fairly large tobacco depots. For a more economical setting, the choice of a smaller head is therefore recommended.

• 5. hot shot RT

  The Hot Shot RT head has holes on the side, which has the advantage that no molasses can get into the holes. The draft is strong and the taste is intense. A Hot Shot RT can also be smoked with different attachments, which is appreciated by beginners and professionals alike. The Hot Shot head is considered the most economical head ever. Only 10 grams of tobacco promise a smoking pleasure of one hour.

Clay, glass, stone, metal or silicone?

Tobacco heads are available on the market in various designs and materials. Clay, stone, metal, silicone or ceramic? We will show you the advantages of each type of product.

Head material

• 1. clay heads

  The clay head is the classic and the tobacco head and it is still by far the most widely used today. It can be smoked just as well with a chimney top as with a HMD (Heat Management Device, e.g. Smokebox) or with aluminum foil. A setting of clay head and chimney almost always works - that's why this type of head is especially popular with beginners. The favorable price and the high heat tolerance are further plus points that speak for clay heads.

• 2. stone head

  The material fireclay is also used in stove construction, because it has excellent properties to store heat. In the hookah area, this property is reflected with a very constant temperature in the head, which provides a balanced smoking experience. A stone head needs a little longer until it is at operating temperature - but this is gladly accepted for the advantages.

• 3. glass head

  A tobacco head made of glass looks extremely noble and offers you an exciting insight into the tobacco depot. The material does not absorb molasses and is easy to clean. The biggest disadvantage is probably the fragile properties of glass. Let a little more caution and also a glass head will give you a lot of pleasure for a long time.

• 4. silicone head

  A silicone head is one thing above all: extraordinarily robust. It is therefore particularly suitable for travel and outdoor use, where more fragile heads can be damaged. Single-hole silicone heads are also very well geeinget for gel, jelly or paste, because with punnels made of silicone the hole is usually a little higher, so that no liquid can get into the smoke column.

Clever heads at Shisha-Heaven.ch!

You are looking for the perfect tobacco head for your hookah, you are looking for a new setting for your favorite tobacco or your hookah does not have a good smoke development? The head is crucial for relaxed hookah smoking with good draft and great taste. Click online through the wide assortment in our Shisha Shop and order the products that suit you best. Are you unsure which design fits best or which head fits your base and bowl? Bowl bowl? We will be happy to advise you personally by email or Whatsapp and recommend the right product.