Burning In a Hookah Smokebox – Here's How to Do It!

Moritz Otten •Updated 05.08.2025 •2 min read

In a nutshell

Smokeboxes should be burned in before first use – whether made of aluminium or stainless steel.
Reason: Production residues such as oils can release harmful vapours when heated.
Place the Smokebox on a fireproof surface, put two coals underneath and two inside.
Allow to burn out completely – ideally outdoors and not on the coal lighter!
Optional: Burn out in the coal basket for additional safety.
Conclusion: A small effort with a big impact – protects your health and ensures a clean smoking experience.

How Do I Burn In a Smokebox?

You've probably heard before that you should burn in your hookah Smokebox before using it for the first time, right? If not, now is the time, and we'll explain what burning in a Smokebox or HMD is all about. After explaining what it's good for, we'll give you a step-by-step guide so you can easily carry out the process at home.

The Reason Why You Should Definitely Burn In Your Smokebox

Hookah HMDs and Smokeboxes are made of metal. The Kaloud Lotus and the extremely popular ONMO HMD are made of aluminium, while models such as the Na Grani HMD or the AO HMD 912 are made of stainless steel. In general, virtually all notable models are made from these two materials. During the manufacture of metal products, oils are typically used to allow the material to be processed. When the Smokebox is heated during a hookah session through direct contact with the charcoal, these oils vaporise and you inhale them through your hookah. That is precisely why it is so important to burn in your Smokebox before using it for the first time.

Step-by-Step Guide: Burning In a Hookah HMD & Vaporising Manufacturing Residues

After taking your Smokebox out of the packaging, you might think there are no oils or other residues on the metal and that burning it in isn't strictly necessary. However, we strongly recommend carrying out this process regardless, as residues can be present in an extremely thin layer on the surface and are not necessarily visible to the naked eye. The rule is: better safe than sorry – so it's better to burn in the Smokebox than to risk inhaling the toxic fumes produced when the residues vaporise. Here's how the burn-in process works:

Smokebox auf eine feuerfeste Unterlage legen. Am besten draußen auf die Pflastersteine.
Vier Kohle Würfel auf dem Shisha Kohleanzünder entzünden
Zwei der entzündeten Shisha Kohle Würfel unter die Shisha Smokebox legen und zwei hinein
Die Kohle einfach durchglühen lassen, sodass das HMD auf maximale Temperatur gebracht wird

Tip: If you want to be absolutely sure that nothing is ignited by the charcoal and that no sparks fly around in the wind, you can also burn in your HMD inside a hookah charcoal basket! Proceed exactly as described above, with the only difference being that you place the charcoal and the Smokebox inside the charcoal basket.

Caution: CAUTION: Some of our customers have had the idea of placing their new Smokebox on the charcoal lighter to burn it in. We strongly advise against this, as the metal will get too hot and can melt! This will not only ruin the Smokebox but the lighter as well!

Our Conclusion on Burning In

Smoking a hookah is harmful to your health; nonetheless, we believe that you should at least make sure you are not inhaling toxic fumes from the oils left by manufacturing residues. For this reason, we consider burning in the Smokebox to be essential and strongly advise every one of our customers to do so.

Tip: To make sure your next Bowl doesn't taste burnt, your HMD also needs to be properly cleaned after use. You can find out how to treat your Smokebox after smoking to get it clean again, and what you should never do, in our article: Cleaning a Hookah Smokebox – How to Get Your HMD Properly Clean Again. Want to clean your hookah properly? You'll find all the pro tips on hookah cleaning in our category: Hookah Cleaning

FAQ: Burning In a Hookah Smokebox

Why should you burn in a new hookah Smokebox?

During the manufacturing process, residues such as oils form on the metal, which can release harmful fumes when first heated. Burning it in vaporises and thus removes these residues.

How does burning in a Smokebox work?

Place the Smokebox on a fireproof surface, position two glowing pieces of charcoal underneath it and two inside the Smokebox. Allow everything to glow through completely – ideally outdoors.

Can you place the Smokebox on the charcoal lighter to burn it in?

No, this is expressly advised against! The direct heat from the charcoal lighter can melt the metal of the Smokebox and damage both the HMD and the lighter.

Is a charcoal basket necessary when burning in?

A charcoal basket is not strictly necessary, but it offers additional protection against flying sparks and is a particularly safe alternative in windy conditions.

Do stainless steel Smokeboxes need to be burned in as well?

Yes, regardless of the material – whether aluminium or stainless steel – all Smokeboxes should be burned in before first use in order to remove harmful residues.