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Shisha guide › Lexicon

The shisha lexicon

Phunnel, HMD, Molasses, Diffuser & Co. – all the important terms in the shisha world from A to Z, explained briefly and understandably.

A

Aluminum foil

Thin film that is stretched over the tobacco head and punched several times - the classic alternative to the smokebox. Multiple layers or armored foil ensure even heat.

Heads & Smokeboxes

aroma

Flavoring substance that is added to the raw tobacco via the molasses (e.g. fruit, mint, cola) and determines the taste experience.

Discover tobacco
B

Banderole

Legally required tax stamp on every tobacco tin - proof of tobacco tax paid.

Blow-Off

Shisha pressure relief valve: Blowing forcefully into the hose releases stale smoke to the outside.

Bowl

The shisha's glass water container, which cools and filters the smoke. At HookahX, “bowls” are glass bowls (e.g. Caesar Crystal).

View bowls

Burley

Strong base tobacco with a higher nicotine content - the basis of many dark blends.

Tobacco knowledge
C

Caesar Bowl

High-quality glass bowl made of cut crystal glass - larger and more decorative than a standard bowl.

Glass bowls

Cut (tobacco cut)

Type of cut of the tobacco (fine, medium, coarse). Affects packing and heat distribution in the head.

D

Steam paste

Tobacco-free paste that is placed in the head like tobacco. Important: tobacco-free does not mean nicotine-free - many varieties (e.g. HookahSqueeze) contain nicotine; But there are also nicotine-free versions.

HookahSqueeze

Steam stone

Aroma-soaked mineral stones without tobacco and nicotine - tobacco substitute for the head.

Dark Blend

Tobacco based on strong Burley: intense taste and more nicotine than Virginia. Not for beginners.

Dark Blend Finder

Gasket

Rubber or silicone ring that makes connections (bowl, adapter, hose connection) airtight. Leaky seals = bad draft.

Diffuser

Attachment on the dip tube that divides the smoke into fine bubbles - for quieter bubbling and a softer hit.

E

E-Shisha

Electronic device that vaporizes flavored liquid (≈ vape) – not to be confused with the electric shisha.

Vapes

Stainless steel shisha

Shisha made of stainless steel: durable, tasteless and easy to clean.

Stainless steel hookahs

Electric shisha

Classic shisha with electric heat controller (e-HMD) instead of coal - e.g. B. the XKAH Pro, completely without carbon monoxide.

XKAH Pro
F

fruit head

Homemade tobacco bowl made from a hollowed out fruit (e.g. pineapple or apple) - a summer DIY project.

G

Glycerin

Humectant in tobacco, which causes smoke to develop. More glycerin = denser clouds.

H

Heat management

Controlling the amount and position of the coal so that the tobacco is optimally heated and not burned.

Structure & Heat

HMD (Heat Management Device)

Metal attachment with lid that holds the coal and regulates the heat - replaces aluminum foil. Also called a “smokebox”.

Smokeboxes

Hookah

International term for the shisha (water pipe).

K

Chimney top

Metal attachment with ventilation holes for the tape head - the precursor to the smokebox.

Coal (natural coal)

Charcoal from coconut shells: burns for a long time and has a neutral taste, must be actively simmered - standard for good taste.

Coal

Charcoal lighter

Device for annealing coal – electric (for indoors) or with gas (for outdoors).

Igniter

Coal basket

Mesh basket for glowing and transporting several coals, especially when on the move.

Coal tongs

Tool for safely gripping, placing and turning glowing coals.

head (tobacco head)

The vessel on top of the shisha that holds the tobacco - made of clay, silicone or as a phunnel/multi-hole bowl.

Heads
L

Leather hose

Traditional hose with leather cover (Tradi-Shishas). Important: must NOT be cleaned wet.

M

Multi-hole head

Tobacco head with several bottom holes - popular for dark blend ("Russian style"), usually with smokebox.

Multi-hole heads

Mixology

The art of mixing several types of tobacco to create your own taste.

Mixology tool

Molasses

Viscous mixture of glycerin, flavoring and sugar syrup with which the raw tobacco is soaked.

Molasses catcher

Collection vessel between the head and the smoke column, which catches any molasses that drips through.

Molasses catcher

Mouthpiece

End piece of the hose – often used as an attachable hygiene mouthpiece for smoking in a group.

N

nicotine

Addictive substance in tobacco. Virginia contains little, Dark Blend significantly more; There are also nicotine-free alternatives.

Varieties

Nicotine shock (nicotine flash)

Circulatory reaction (dizziness, nausea, heart palpitations) to too much nicotine - counteract this with fresh air, water and a little sugar.

O

Overpacking

Packing technology in which the tobacco is loosely filled beyond the edge of the bowl (with HMD) - for a more intense taste.

P

Armored film

Particularly thick aluminum foil (approx. 40 µm); one layer replaces several layers of normal film.

Phunnel

Tobacco head with a central, raised hole - holds the molasses particularly well, ideal with a smokebox.

Phunnel heads
R

Smoke column

The vertical middle pipe of the shisha that connects the bowl and bowl.

Russian style

Setup consisting of a multi-hole head and HMD, typical for strong dark blend enjoyment.

S

Hose

Connection between shisha and mouthpiece - today mostly made of silicone (can be boiled), classically made of leather.

Hoses

Self-igniting coal

Coal with ignition powder that ignites itself with a lighter - practical, but weaker in taste than natural charcoal.

Sieve

Metal sieve as a reusable alternative to aluminum foil on the head.

Smokebox

See HMD: metal attachment for heat regulation instead of aluminum foil.

Smokeboxes

Steckbowl

Bowl that is plugged onto the smoke column (not screwed) - quick change, fits over the seal.

T

Immersion tube

The pipe that protrudes from the column of smoke into the water of the Bowl; it should dip about 1-2 cm.

Sound head

Classic tobacco bowl made of fired clay - operated with aluminum foil or chimney attachment.

TPD2

EU Tobacco Directive, which, among other things, Packaging sizes, warnings and ingredients are regulated.

Travel shisha

Compact, dismantled shisha for on the go.

Travel shishas
U

negative pressure

When you pull, a negative pressure is created in the bowl, which sucks the smoke through the water - the basic principle of the shisha.

V

Valve ball

Small ball in the check valve that enables blow-off and prevents secondary air.

Virginia

Mild, slightly sweet basic tobacco with little nicotine – ideal for beginners.

Tobacco knowledge
W

Water pipe

German term for shisha.

water level

Filling height in the bowl: The dip tube should be 1-2 cm under water so that the draw is correct.

Wind cover

Cover over the coal, which ensures stable burning and spark protection outdoors.

Wind cover
X

XKAH

Electric shisha or e-charcoal line (HMD) from HookahX: Heat without real coal and without carbon monoxide.

XKAH Pro
Z

tensile resistance

How “difficult” the shisha is to pull – influenced by the water level, diffuser, number of hoses and tightness.

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Even more shisha knowledge?

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