Let’s Compare - Hookah Heat Management
By Amir / April 29, 2024
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Hookah Heat Management in Review
You’ve heard the schpeel about hookah Heat Management Devices (HMD) countless times. But if we are going to compare what’s out there, I feel like a short review is in order. Take notes.
Heat Distribution
With traditional foil, shisha directly below your charcoals is cooked first creating hot spots and burned hookah tobacco. The thick base of an HMD disperses heat evenly. By uniformly heating the shisha, you eliminate those hot spots and the need to rotate charcoal.Control the Heat to Your Hookah
With the use of lids and air vents, HMDs allow you to take control of the heat throughout a hookah session. Need more to create bigger clouds and stronger flavor? Just close the vents or put on the lid to trap heat inside. Smoke becoming too harsh? Open those vents to allow more airflow and release some of that trapped heat.Longer Hookah Sessions
By allowing less oxygen to reach the hookah charcoals, they burn slower. Slower burning coals means they last longer and support a longer smoke session.Not Just for Rookies
Hookah Heat Management Devices generate consistently better sessions for even the most experienced hookah smokers. More control equals better results. Don’t think of them as just a crutch. Now that we’ve touched up your HMD knowledge, we can go over the latest and greatest. Let’s compare some of the best Hookah Heat Management Devices on the market, shall we?Best of the Best - Hookah Heat Management
Phoenix 2.0
The first and only phunnel shaped HMD. The Phoenix is solid 6061-T6 Aerospace grade aluminum and is also the first HMD that you can preheat with your charcoal allowing for quicker startup time. It fits up to 4 cubed charcoal and the bottom is solid with raised pieces inside to allow air under the charcoal. Absolutely no ash in your tobacco. Very easy to clean and consistent contact and heating of shisha. The new lid fits around the HMD so it no longer gets stuck and did I say it’s made in America?! My favorite Heat Management Device available right now.
Apple on Top Provost
Made to work with the Apple on Top bowl, the AoT can be used with any hookah bowl but you must use foil. It fits 3-4 flat charcoal so it has plenty of room. A great wind cover for smoking outside. Silicone handles adjust air vents and the stainless steel build heats quickly and holds the heat well. A lower priced HMD, the Apple on Top works best when used directly with its matching bowl.
Starbuzz NAR
The NAR is the latest HMD to hit the market. Very heavy duty and durable weighing 350g, this HMD is designed to take on extreme heat. Preheat the NAR with your charcoals to get the session going quicker. It fits 3-4 cubed charcoal, fits any bowl and the venting is placed on the side walls meaning no ash in your tobacco. Included in the design are adjustable air vents and a thermometer on top to regulate temperature. The NAR has removable handles for transportation. A great feature but you must remove them when smoking or heating or they get too hot to handle. Not as many reviews on the Starbuzz NAR yet but so far it looks like a step in the right direction.
Shishabucks Stratus
The Stratus is a bit different than the other HMDs as it doesn’t have solid sidewalls. Instead, large vents allow for even more heat control. The vents can be closed with the removable lid that locks into place when needed. Small holes, varying in size at the bottom of the Stratus allow for heat to reach the shisha but may also pass small ash particles as well. It fits any bowl and has enough room for your charcoal so no complaints there. Two versions are available. The Premium model is solid aluminum, CNC cut and is a little pricier while the new “Regular” Stratus is liquid aluminum poured into a mold and is more budget friendly.
Kaloud Lotus 2
The first popular HMD and now on its 3rd iteration, the Lotus 2 is the OG of the group. Made out of two solid pieces of CNC cut aluminum with air vents around the lid. An included key is used to rotate the air vents.The new “domed” lid moves the air channels higher to prevent ash and particles from falling into the shisha but limits space inside for charcoals. It does fit on most hookah bowls but better on bowls with a lip as rotating the lid could create movement and allow it to fall off. Biggest downfall may be the mobility of the Lotus as the shape is a bit hard to handle. Most reviews expected more improvements by the 3rd try.