Chapter 2: Cleaning the XKAH Pro – Basic & Deep Cleaning

Nils Große •Updated 30.06.2026 •9 min

Just like a classic hookah bowl, you should also clean the XKAH Pro regularly. The only difference: with the XKAH Pro you don't clean bowl, HMD and charcoal accessories, but above all the pod, the individual device parts and, when needed, the areas around the heating plate, seals and air channels.

The cleaning process is basically simple and fits well into your normal post-session routine. If you keep your XKAH Pro clean regularly, you avoid burnt-in residues – and therefore burnt flavour – preserve the draw and make sure the device works reliably in the long run.

Why cleaning the XKAH Pro is so important

Smoking creates residues – with a classic hookah just as much as with the XKAH Pro. Over time, tobacco, molasses and heat cause deposits to collect in the pod, at the edges and in small gaps. If these residues aren't removed regularly, they set more firmly and the next cleaning becomes considerably more work.

The pod in particular should be cleaned after every session, because the tobacco sits directly in it. You can also rinse the bottom part of the XKAH Pro with water regularly. With the top part, which holds the electronics, you have to work more carefully – no water may be used here.

Basic cleaning after every session

Basic cleaning is the normal clean you should do after every session. It only takes a few minutes and ensures that residues don't set firmly in the first place. You mainly clean the pod, the bottom part and the externally reachable parts of the top part.

In the end, basic cleaning is no more complicated than cleaning a classic bowl after smoking. The big advantage: the pod comes apart well, so you can easily reach all the important spots.

What you need for basic cleaning

For the normal clean after a session you only need a few things. It's best to lay everything out before you start, so you can clean the XKAH Pro in one go. You'll need:

• Isopropyl alcohol, ideally 99.9 %
• Kitchen roll
• Cotton swabs
• A bowl of water or access to running water
• Standard steel wool
• The supplied XKAH fork with poker end

Optionally you can use a small spray bottle or an empty perfume vial to dose the isopropyl alcohol better. What's important, though: isopropyl alcohol is never sprayed directly onto the electronic top part, but always applied to a cloth or a cotton swab first.

XKAH XKAH Fork & Poker – for pod building & cleaning To the product

Moze Rocket Cleaner – hookah cleaner To the product alite Hookah Stem Brush – Black To the product alite Cleaning Bundle To the product

Step 1: Cleaning the pod

The pod needs the most care. This is where the tobacco sits directly in the device, where molasses collects and where heat creates the most residues. If the pod is cleaned regularly, your session stays more consistent and you avoid tobacco residues burning in.

1. First wait until the pod has cooled down. If it's still hot, only take it out with the supplied tongs. Then remove the used tobacco with the XKAH fork.
2. Use the poker end of the fork to carefully lever out the lower grille. Dirt collects especially often right underneath it. Work without unnecessary pressure so you don't damage the grille.
3. Clean the inside of the pod with steel wool in circular motions. This also loosens heavier residues and burnt-in tobacco from the inner wall.
4. Rinse pod, lid and grille thoroughly under running water. Alternatively you can put the grille in the dishwasher. Afterwards, make sure all parts are completely dry – water likes to collect especially in small crevices.

Reassembling the pod

When reassembling, it's important that the grille is put back the right way round. Insert the grille and press it firmly along the edges with light finger pressure. Then put on the lid and the pod is ready for the next session.

Step 2: Cleaning the bottom part

You can clean the bottom part of the XKAH Pro easily with running water, and if needed it can also go in the dishwasher. There's no sensitive electronics here – but you should still dry it very thoroughly after cleaning.

After rinsing, shake the bottom part lightly. If water still comes out of the side outlets, it's not dry enough yet. Then go into every reachable corner and crevice with a cloth until no more water comes out.

This step matters because residual water can be unpleasant when reassembling and moisture shouldn't linger in the device unnecessarily. Better to take a bit more time here before you put the XKAH Pro back together.

Step 3: Cleaning the top part

First remove the battery, so you can work better and the device is safely prepared. Then apply a little isopropyl alcohol to a piece of kitchen roll or a cotton swab – don't spray it directly onto the device.

Wipe the top surface thoroughly and go into the ring and the reachable gaps with the cloth too. Cotton swabs work especially well for smaller crevices; if a spot is hard to reach, press the cotton swab slightly flat to get in better.

For burnt-in spots you can work with a bit more pressure and friction. Then let the top part dry briefly until there's no more isopropyl alcohol smell. Only then should you put the battery back in or use the device again.

Our tip for cleaning after every session

Do the basic cleaning right after every session, as soon as all parts have cooled down. If you clean regularly, the residues stay soft and are much easier to remove.

If you wait too long, molasses and tobacco residues burn in more strongly. Then you need more pressure, more time and eventually a much more intensive deep clean. So the short clean after every session is the easiest way to keep your XKAH Pro permanently clean.

When is a deep clean necessary?

If you clean your XKAH Pro regularly after every session, you'll rarely need a deep clean. Still, over time residues can collect in hard-to-reach spots – for example on the heating plate, the heating coil, under the seals or in the side slots.

A deep clean is especially worthwhile when you notice visible molasses residues in the side areas, burnt-in spots have formed on the heating plate, or the device is more heavily soiled after several sessions.

As a rough guideline, a deep clean can make sense about every 5th to 10th session. If you keep your XKAH Pro very clean, it's needed considerably less often.

What you need for the deep clean

For the deep clean you basically need similar tools to the basic cleaning, but you work a bit more precisely and in harder-to-access spots. You'll need:

• Isopropyl alcohol
• Kitchen roll
• Cotton swabs
• Steel wool or a fine wire brush
• The supplied XKAH fork with poker end
• Optionally gloves, especially when working with isopropyl alcohol for longer

For removed seals you can also use water, washing-up liquid or a suitable cleaner, depending on how dirty they are. What always matters: all parts must be completely dry before they're put back in.

Step 1: Remove the battery and prepare the device

Before you start the deep clean, take the battery out of the XKAH Pro. Then remove coarse molasses residues from the outer surface with a piece of kitchen roll. Go around once and feel free to use several sheets if they quickly get dark or sticky.

For hard-to-access spots behind the hinge, you can fold a piece of kitchen roll flat and carefully guide it through the gap. Work gently and without unnecessary force – at first it's only about removing loose residues.

Step 2: Remove the seal on the top part

The most important part of the deep clean is removing the top seal. Underneath it, molasses and residues collect that you don't fully reach during normal basic cleaning.

Place the poker end of the XKAH fork at the small nubs on the side of the device and carefully lever the seal upwards. It usually gives way quickly and can then be pulled out. Afterwards place it to soak in isopropyl alcohol, Rocket Cleaner or water with a little washing-up liquid – while it soaks, you take care of the area underneath.

Step 3: Clean the ring and heating coil

Under the top seal you'll often find molasses that has run through the sides and settled there. These residues are exactly what you remove now. Moisten a piece of kitchen roll with isopropyl alcohol, fold it flat or wrap it carefully around the fork and guide it into the narrow gaps. Work with circular motions and patience – not with strong pressure.

Cotton swabs work especially well for inner edges and the smallest corners. Soak them lightly with isopropyl alcohol and go through the crevices with them. They quickly get dark – swap them regularly so you don't just spread dirt around.

For stubbornly burnt-in molasses on the heating coil, you can guide the poker end very lightly and without pressure across the surface and then wipe with isopropyl alcohol. Work especially carefully here so you don't damage any sensitive areas.

Step 4: Reinsert the top seal

Once the seal is clean and completely dry, put it back in. Start on the opposite side from the hole and press the seal in bit by bit all the way round with light finger pressure.

For hard-to-reach spots you can use the blunt side of the XKAH fork – not the pointed one, so you don't damage the seal. Make sure all the small nubs have clicked fully back into place. Finally, check the whole fit: the seal should sit evenly and not stick out anywhere.

Step 5: Remove and clean the bottom seal

There's a seal on the bottom part too, which can be removed and cleaned during a deep clean. It sits more firmly than the top seal and needs a bit more patience. Carefully release the two nubs holding the rubber with the poker – one side after the other. Hold the seal with your thumb and pull the sealing lip off all the way round.

Once the seal is removed, you can rinse the seal and silicone part under running water or put them in the dishwasher. The bottom part can now be rinsed through especially thoroughly, because without the seal the water runs well through all areas. Here too: before reassembling, everything must be completely dry.

Reinsert the bottom seal

When reinserting, it's best to work with both thumbs. Put the seal back in step by step and press it evenly under the edge all the way round. Take your time so it sits cleanly – if it's not properly seated in one spot, it can be bothersome later or not seal properly. At the end, check once all the way round that everything sits flush.

After cleaning: dry everything and reassemble

Whether basic or deep clean: the XKAH Pro should only be reassembled once all parts are completely dry. That applies especially to the pod, the bottom part and all cleaned seals.

Then put all the parts back together, insert the cleaned or freshly built pod and check that everything sits properly. After that your XKAH Pro is ready for the next session again.

Conclusion: regular care saves you the elaborate cleaning

Cleaning the XKAH Pro is easy if you do it regularly. After every session you mainly clean the pod, rinse the bottom part thoroughly and carefully clean the top part with isopropyl alcohol. That way you prevent residues from setting or burning in.

The deep clean is only occasionally necessary – for example after several intensive sessions or when you notice visible residues on the heating plate, seals or side slots. If you keep your XKAH Pro clean briefly after every session, the effort stays low permanently.

That way you enjoy your device for longer, protect the sensitive areas and make sure your next session tastes fresh and pleasant again.

XKAH XKAH Pro Replacement Pod – 2-Pack To the product

Author

Nils Große

Nils has been part of the team since 2022 and, as a copywriter and designer, turns well-founded hookah knowledge from the community and team into content that is clear, easy to understand and pleasant to read.

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