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Stainless steel smokeboxes: more heat for experienced smokers
Stainless steel stores the heat of your coals better and longer than aluminium and passes it on to the tobacco accordingly. Your bowl runs hotter overall, and that's exactly what moist flavours with lots of molasses need to produce really big clouds. In return, you do need to keep a closer eye on your coals. If you've already gained some experience with very moist tobacco on an aluminium HMD, you'll clearly notice how much more you can get out of your tobacco with stainless steel.
Here you'll find all stainless steel smokeboxes in our range, from ONMO and AO.
Key points at a glance
- Stainless steel stores heat longer and runs hotter than aluminium
- Ideal for moist tobacco with lots of molasses
- Start with one coal fewer than with aluminium and adjust more often
- Fits phunnels and traditional bowls
- Durable and easy to clean, burn it out before your first session
What makes stainless steel different
Stainless steel is heavier and denser than aluminium. The stainless steel ONMO HMD weighs 175 g, the aluminium version 69 g. Stainless steel stores and conducts heat differently from aluminium. The HMD runs hotter overall and keeps passing that heat on to the tobacco for longer.
The flip side: once your bowl gets too hot, stainless steel takes much longer to cool down. If you take a coal off, you'll only notice it after a while. That's why it pays to start with a little less heat and add more if you need it. Or you use a hookah like our Moze Breeze Pro. It has a push-to-purge system that lets you quickly cool down a bowl that's too hot.
Our stainless steel smokeboxes compared
The biggest difference between the models is on the underside. That's where it's decided how the heat reaches your tobacco.
| Model | Underside | Special feature |
|---|---|---|
| ONMO HMD Stainless Steel Classic | bars | screw-out base, room for two coals up to 27 mm |
| ONMO HMD Stainless Steel Flat | flat | screw-out base, room for two coals up to 27 mm |
| AO HMD 912 Silver | circular ridges | cut-outs at the rim, heat flows past the tobacco |
The ONMO community had been asking for a stainless steel HMD for a long time. After around three years of development, it's here in two versions. The Classic has exactly the shape of the well-known ONMO, bars on the base included. The Flat skips the bars, so the base sits smooth. Depending on how you pack, that makes it harder for the tobacco to burn in spots. On both, you can screw out the base, which makes cleaning a lot easier.
The HMD 912 from AO has circular ridges on the base that let the coals glow evenly. Through the cut-outs at the outer rim, the heat flows past the tobacco and lets it vaporise nicely. It's around 2 cm high and sits perfectly on a phunnel, but also on many traditional bowls.
Stainless steel or aluminium?
That mainly depends on your experience and your tobacco. Stainless steel gives you more heat and holds it longer, which pays off with moist, molasses-heavy flavours and strong bowls. In return, you'll adjust your coals more often so the tobacco doesn't burn. If you're new to HMDs, an Aluminium Smokebox / HMD is the more relaxed way in, because aluminium cools down faster.
Tip: If you're switching from aluminium to stainless steel, start with one coal fewer than usual. Then experiment with the number and placement of your coals and check more often, and you'll find your setup quickly.
Which bowl fits a stainless steel smokebox?
On a Phunnel, spread the tobacco loosely in the bowl. With stainless steel, a little contact with the bars or base is usually enough, because the HMD gives off plenty of heat anyway.
In Russian style, the smokebox goes on one of the Traditional Bowls. Leave a few millimetres between tobacco and base. That way you get the most out of strong dark blends. The smokebox will be wider than the bowl, and that's fine. Step-by-step instructions for both setups are in our guide Tobacco Bowl preparation.
Burning out and cleaning
A stainless steel smokebox needs burning out before its first use too. Oils are used during manufacturing, and you want them gone before you smoke. Place the smokebox outside on a fireproof surface, put two glowing coals underneath and two inside, and let everything burn through. Don't burn it out or preheat it on the coal burner.
Cleaning is where stainless steel shines. Tobacco sticks to it less than to aluminium, and the residue usually comes off more easily. Let the smokebox cool down, scrape off the rough bits and soak stubborn spots in water for a few hours. On the shiny surface, scratches from a wire brush are easy to see. If looks matter to you, use a brass brush from our Brushes. Keep sharp objects away from it altogether.
Popular stainless steel smokeboxes
ONMO HMD Stainless Steel Classic: the familiar ONMO shape with bars, made of stainless steel with a screw-out base.
ONMO ONMO HMD - Stainless Steel - Classic Hookah Smokebox View product ONMO HMD Stainless Steel Flat: smooth base without bars, the classic style for stainless steel HMDs. You can screw out the base plate.
ONMO ONMO HMD Stainless Steel Flat Hookah Smokebox View product AO HMD 912 Silver: circular ridges in the base for an even glow, perfect on a phunnel too.
AO AO HMD 912 - Silver Hookah Smokebox View product FAQ: Stainless steel smokeboxes
What are the advantages of a stainless steel smokebox?
Stainless steel stores heat longer and passes it on to the tobacco with more punch. That helps especially with moist flavours and lots of molasses. On top of that, the material is durable and easy to clean.
Is a stainless steel smokebox good for beginners?
Stainless steel works best once you have some experience with HMDs. It runs hotter than aluminium and cools down more slowly, so you'll adjust your coals more often. Aluminium is more relaxed for getting started.
What's the difference between stainless steel and aluminium?
Stainless steel stores heat and runs hotter overall, which helps with moist flavours and lots of molasses. Aluminium heats up and cools down quickly, which makes heat management easier.
Which stainless steel smokeboxes do you have?
The ONMO HMD Stainless Steel in the Classic and Flat versions, and the AO HMD 912 Silver.
How many coals do I need with a stainless steel smokebox?
Start with one coal fewer than you're used to with aluminium. Then adjust the number and placement to your tobacco and your bowl.
Do I need to burn out a new stainless steel smokebox?
Yes. There can be oils from manufacturing on the metal. Place the smokebox outside on a fireproof surface, put two glowing coals underneath and two inside, and let everything burn through. Keep it off the coal burner while you do it.
How do I clean a stainless steel smokebox?
Let it cool down, scrape off the rough bits and soak stubborn spots in water for a few hours. A brass brush is gentle on the shiny surface, a wire brush leaves visible scratches. On the ONMO, you can screw out the base for this.
Does a stainless steel smokebox fit every bowl?
The models here fit most common bowls, whether phunnel or traditional bowl. On a traditional bowl, the smokebox is often a bit wider than the bowl. That's fine.