One of the most essential parts of the hookah setup that often goes unnoticed is the hookah bowl grommet. Not using one or using one that doesn’t fit the bowl properly can cause various airflow issues and result in a spoiled smoke session. 

There are numerous kinds of bowl grommets available in the market, which require different types of grommets. In this blog post, we will help you choose the best hookah bowl grommet for an airtight fit and smooth smoke session.

Hookah Bowl Grommet

A gasket, popularly known as a hookah bowl grommet, is a small cone-like piece made of rubber or silicone, creating an airtight seal between the hookah bowl and setup. It is used maintain smooth airflow through the setup.

Hookah bowl grommets are available in multiple sizes and shapes. Depending on the type of the bowl, you need to choose the perfect hookah bowl grommet that makes an airtight seal.

Are Grommets Included with Hookahs?

If you purchase your hookah setup from reputable brands, it is likely to include all the essential hookah accessories like grommets. Hookah setups procured from local stores or hookah shops can also include the grommet. However, sometimes it does not have one. So whenever you purchase it, make a point to ask the seller what all is included in the pack. 

Kindly note that the grommets included with the setup make the best fit for the particular hookah.

Hookah Bowl Grommets: Different Types

There are different types of bowl grommets, among which Egyptian, Mya, and Modern or Mod are the most popular and common ones. They are around one inch in height and have an opening with a diameter of ¾ inch. They generally vary in terms of flexibility and thickness. Grommets are most suitable for hookahs with inside-fitting bowl ports. In such setups, the metal top of the hookah stem slips into the bowl. There are hookahs with outside fitting bowl ports; they are relatively rare and only go with original grommets and bowls that are included with the hookah. Depending on the types of hookah and hookah bowl you are using, you need to choose the hookah bowl grommet that suits your requirements.

Egyptian Grommets: These grommets are mainly crafted for the Egyptian hookahs or traditional hookahs from the Middle East. These hookah setups are handcrafted and come with a durable hookah stem and standard Egyptian clay bowl. Generally, they have a one- to 1.5-inch-wide bowl port. The Egyptian hookah bowl grommets usually come with a medium thickness and sturdy design, making them an ideal fit for most of the hookah bowls, including the standard handmade ones. Nevertheless, some handcrafted hookah bowls vary in sizes, so they may need a thinner or thicker bowl grommet.

Modern or Mod Grommets: Modern hookah bowl grommets are the thickest of all the grommets available on the market. They are especially designed for wide-opening hookah bowls. The thickness of mod grommets covers the gap between the wide opening of the hookah bowl and the hookah bowl stem. 

These bowl grommets are perfect for the modern hookahs featuring narrow bowl ports and certain bowl designs having an opening larger than the most.

Mya Grommets: These bowl grommets are the most flexible and the thinnest ones available on the market. They are usually used in hookahs with little wide ports and shisha bowls having narrow openings.

How to Choose the Best Hookah Bowl Grommet for Use?

Based on the hookah and shisha bowl combination you are using for the session, you need to pick the best hookah bowl grommet. However, if you are using the bowl that came with the hookah set, then ideally you should be using the grommet that came with the set.

In situations where you opt to upgrade or change the hookah bowl, it becomes a little challenging to find the best fit. Ideally, you should place an Egyptian hookah bowl grommet and then the bowl on the hookah stem. If it doesn't sit on the stem or it is slipping upward, then you should try something thinner than that so that the bowl can slide down and sit securely on the stem. However, if it is loose, then you should try a thicker one like the Mod grommet.

There is no fixed rule to decide the fit of the bowl grommet. It is best to test the fit yourself. You may have to experiment with a few grommets to find the best fit.

Bonus Hookah Grommet Tips for a Smoother Smoke Session

Choosing the best hookah bowl grommet for your setup does not work as smooth as it looks. But there is nothing to panic about. Amy Deluxe brings you a handful of tried and tested tips that seasoned hookah smokers follow. We hope these tips will help you find the perfect match and transform your session into an enchanting one.

Make your own grommet collection. We suggest you purchase different types of grommets, if you prefer using different types of bowls. The grommets are inexpensive and hence more economical to have a few options for each type of grommet in your collection. Keeping them handy makes it easier for you to switch between different types of hookah bowls. Also, they are small accessories and often get lost, so having some extra grommets is a good idea.

Grommet layering trick. If you have trouble fitting the bowl grommet, then we got a very useful trick for you. You can try to layer a different grommet on the other. Suppose you are using an Egyptian grommet, but you want it to be thicker. You can try placing a Mya grommet on it.

Paper towel trick. It is a quick makeshift hack and not a substitute for bowl grommet. Just in case of an emergency when the bowl is not fitting properly or you lost your last grommet, you make a grommet out of a paper towel. Take a paper towel and fold it into a band.

Today, the hookah market is booming with a countless number of hookahs and hookah bowls. With that, we also have numerous hookah and bowl combinations to try. Picking the right grommet for the setup becomes tricky. However, with this guide, you can find the match in no time. 

For more such guides, you can browse through our other blogs. And if you want to upgrade your old hookah to get something new, check out our product page. From hookah to bowls, hookah tobacco flavors to charcoal, we bring you the best ones for a captivating smoking experience.