Shisha Bowls Phunnel, killer and traditional

Picking a hookah bowl

The bowl decides how your shisha heats, how long a pack lasts and where the juice ends up. Three things narrow the choice quickly: the inner shape, the material and how you heat it.

Phunnel or traditional?

A phunnel bowl has one raised hole in the centre, so juices stay in the bowl instead of running down the stem. Bowls such as the Conceptic Design 3D-15, Aeon VYRO Globe and OverDozz G2 work this way. A traditional or Turkish bowl has several holes in the base; Cosmo's Turkish bowl, for example, handles both dark Russian tobacco and blonde leaf.

Clay, silicone, glass or metal

• Clay: the classic. The Wookah Funnel Flow, for example, has a smooth surface that is easy to clean, while an unglazed one like the Alpha Strike lets you control the heat more precisely.
• Silicone, such as the Starbuzz Paradigm: doesn't crack or shatter like clay and handles high heat well.
• Glass, such as the Hooky Head: frosted borosilicate with a rigid silicone part, so it fits most hookahs without a grommet.
• Metal: the Kaloud Samsaris Argis, for example, has an aluminium core for higher heat, with notches that lock a Kaloud Lotus in place. Some metal bowls are made for one device, like the stainless steel XKAH Replacement Bowl 2-Pack for the XKAH Pro and Lite electric heads.

Size and heating

Capacity varies a lot. The Conceptic Design 3D-15 holds about 15g, while the Werkbund Zeus takes 20 to 25g. If you use a Kaloud Lotus, pick a bowl that works with one, such as the Conceptic bowls. Many bowls come as Lite (bowl, grommet and tray), Pro (with an AOT heat management system) or Max (adding foil and 1kg of coconut charcoal). Find more under heat management devices and grommets.

Questions

Will a bowl fit my hookah?

Most clay bowls sit on a grommet on the stem, so a snug grommet matters as much as the bowl. Glass bowls with a rigid silicone part, like the Hooky Head, fit most hookahs without one.

Can I use foil instead of a heat management device?

Many bowls work with either. The Mit Luxury Bowl, for example, is made for use with an HMD or foil.

Why does my clay bowl look different from the photo?

Clay is a natural product, so grain and colour can vary. Handmade bowls like the OverDozz G2 may also differ slightly in shape.