Hookah Foil vs Heat Management Devices

Hookah Foil vs Heat Management Devices: Pros and Cons

There are two main ways to mount your charcoal onto your hookah, hookah foil and heat management devices, also known as Hookah HMDs. Both options produce a great quality smoke, but each has their pros and cons. Most beginners start with foil, while a seasoned hookah smoker will more than likely use a heat management device. In this blog we’ll be going over everything you need to know, from the price difference to maintenance on both hookah foil and heat management devices. You can find both HMDs and foil on SouthSmoke.com. Let’s jump right in!

Hookah HMD vs Hookah Foil - HEAT MANAGEMENT

Let’s start with comparing heat management. Heat management with an HMD can be quite simple. HMDs have vents to allow airflow through the coals. All you need to do is adjust the vents from open to closed. If your bowl is getting too hot and your smoke is getting harsh, all you have to do is simply remove the lid completely. On the other hand, heat management with hookah foil requires more work to fix an overly hot bowl and it's not always a guarantee you will be able to fix it. You may even need to start all over sometimes. In most cases, removing a coal or two will help, but again, it is not always a guaranteed solution.

Hookah HMD vs Hookah Foil – EASE OF USE

Let’s move onto comparing the ease of use with both options. If you are looking for something without all the hassle, a hookah HMD completely replaces hookah foil and saves you time in the long run. No more questions like, "Hookah foil shiny up or down?" or "Do I have hookah foil?" or "Is my hookah foil the right thickness?" With a hookah HMD you won’t ever need to ask yourself those questions again. Simply add the coals and your session begins! Hookah foil requires more skill. Setting up a hookah properly with hookah foil and punching the holes in your foil takes a bit of practice. When shopping for hookah foil, there is hookah foil that is pre-punched for convenience, but if your foil isn’t pre-punched you can purchase a foil puncher that’ll poke your holes perfectly in one shot. It all comes down to this question: do you enjoy the process, or are you simply eager to start your session?

Hookah HMD vs Hookah Foil – PRICE DIFFERENCE

There is a significant up front price difference between hookah foil and heat management devices. Aluminum foil is inexpensive and about an eighth the price of a quality heat management device. A quality HMD may cost you anywhere around $35-$70. HMDs can be a bit of an investment if you’re just starting out, but they will last you years. One HMD we love is the Apple on Top Provost 2.0. Heat management devices are a universal fit for almost any hookah. If you’re looking for a more budget friendly option, hookah foil will run you just a few dollars but you will have to purchase more and more as you run out. One great foil brand for your buck is Vapor Hookahs Foil. You will get 100 sheets of foil (pre-poked or not) for only $5 and will last you up to 100 sessions.

Hookah HMD vs Hookah Foil – MAINTAINING YOUR CHARCOALS

Charcoal maintenance is truly where both HMDs and foil truly shine. Charcoal maintenance with hookah foil is very convenient, you simply take your tongs and place the coals in different spots. We love that HMDs replace foil usage, but placing the coals in different spots isn’t as convenient. Your area to work with is a bit more restrictive. Foil doesn’t completely outshine a heat management device as far as maintaining your charcoals as HMDs have adjustable vents to control heat flow to your hookah tobacco.

Hookah HMD vs Hookah Foil - COALS PER SESSION

With a heat management device, you will definitely use fewer coals altogether. Why's that? Heat management devices do an excellent job of keeping your coals protected on all sides. This gives your coals and your hookah session a longer life span, ultimately saving you money, especially if you choose to use natural charcoals. With foil, it all comes down to your smoking environment. A controlled airflow environment will help your coals last longer, but a simple breeze will throw it off. Your sessions will become shorter, leaving you with tobacco that didn’t heat thoroughly.

Hookah HMD vs Hookah Foil – CLEANING UP

Cleaning up after each session is where hookah foil beats a heat management device. If convenience is key, this is where a heat management device falls short. When it comes to cleaning up after each session, a heat management device is harder to clean. With foil, you simply throw it away after each session. When using an HMD, you will have to wait for it to cool down, and even after that you might have to scrub shisha residue off the bottom. You don’t need to clean these devices after every session, but it is better to do so sooner rather than later. If you have built up tobacco under your HMD, an easy way to clean it is to simply put it in boiling water. The boiling water will act as its own cleaning agent, getting rid of all the stuck-on molasses in under a minute or two.

Hookah HMD vs Hookah Foil - CONCLUSION

As we've discussed, foil and heat management devices each has their pros and cons. A hookah HMD does initially cost more, but it will save you on time, you will use less coals, and it has better overall heat management. With foil, you get the traditional process and preparation, you will use more charcoal, but the cleaning time is minimal and for us, that can’t be beaten. In the end, it all depends on convenience, preference and budgets. We hope you enjoyed this blog post! Let us know which method you prefer in the comment section below! Check out SouthSmoke.com for all heat management devices and foils available. Don’t forget about our large selection of shisha tobacco and hookahs! If you have any questions, please give us a call at 888-577-6653. We have experienced hookah smokers available to answer any questions you may have!