Chapter 4: What to Consider After Smoking a Hookah
Last updated on 20.02.2025 | Reading time approx. 03:13 min
4.1 What Should I Do with the Still Glowing Charcoal?
When you finish a phunnel, the first thing you should take care of is the charcoal. The most important rule is never to leave the charcoal unattended.
If, for any reason, the phunnel comes loose and something falls, it can cause a fire.
The safest method is to extinguish the charcoal in water. This ensures that no embers remain that could later cause a problem. The best way is to have a bucket of water ready, where you can drop the charcoal, keeping you on the safe side.
A little tip: Also, make sure that the charcoal is completely dry after extinguishing before disposing of it to eliminate any risk.
That's it for the charcoal; in the next section, we will focus on other hot parts of the hookah.
4.2 Should I Consider Anything When Cooling Down the Parts?
When cooling down the hookah phunnel, you should definitely avoid shocking it with cold water. While it might seem tempting to cool it down and clean it quickly, a sudden temperature difference can cause fine stress cracks in the clay and especially in the glaze of the phunnel.
If the phunnel develops cracks, it will become porous, allowing molasses to seep inside during the next session. The result: the phunnel “bleeds” – meaning unsightly molasses droplets appear on its exterior. So, it's best to let the phunnel cool down slowly in the air to extend the lifespan of your equipment.
4.3 Hookah Cleaning
Cleaning Your Hookah Properly – Keeping the Flavor Pure
To enjoy the best flavor experience every time you smoke your hookah, it is essential to clean it regularly. Our recommendation: Perform a thorough cleaning at least once a week. After each session, a quick rinse with a few drops of Hookah Cleaner is usually enough to remove any residual molasses and maintain an unaltered smoking experience.
4.3.1 A Quick Rinse After Every Use
By rinsing your hookah after each use, you can immediately remove molasses and smoke deposits. This not only protects the hookah but also ensures that your next phunnel tastes just as fresh and delicious as the last one.
4.4.2 Deep Cleaning Once a Week
At least once a week, you should take the time for a more thorough cleaning. This involves completely disassembling the hookah and thoroughly rinsing all parts. For more stubborn dirt, you should use special hookah brushes, which you can find in our shop.
It is particularly important to clean the smoke column with a brush, as molasses residues can quickly accumulate there. The glass base should also be well cleaned, especially if you use colored water. You can find out how to remove stains from your glass base here: Removing Hookah Glass Base Stains.
Since germs can be present in breath moisture, the hookah hose also requires regular cleaning. Modern hoses are washable and can be easily rinsed with water. However, make sure to dry the hose thoroughly afterward to prevent mold growth.
If you want to learn how to properly maintain your hose, you can find all the details here: Cleaning Your Hookah Hose.
4.4.4 Regularly Clean the Smokebox
The last but no less important part of hookah cleaning is maintaining the smokebox.
The smokebox can quickly become dirty from burnt tobacco residue and charcoal dust, which can negatively affect your next smoking session. Therefore, it is best to remove any deposits after each session.
To clean it, let the smokebox cool down first, then scrape off any leftover tobacco from the bottom, and soak the smokebox in a container of water overnight. The next day, take the smokebox out of the water and scrub off any remaining residue with a suitable wire brush. Be sure not to use a brush designed for stainless steel HMDs on an aluminum HMD. This way, your smokebox stays clean, and your smoking experience remains fresh.
And that concludes the final chapter of our Hookah Beginner’s Guide.
We hope we were able to answer all your questions and that you had some fun expanding your knowledge in this area. Nothing stands in the way of your perfect hookah experience now. For more detailed questions, feel free to visit our Hookah Knowledge Section or contact our friendly customer service.
