Hookain Chess Tradi 5 Hole bowl
The Chess is a classic Tradi head with five holes in the bottom of the tobacco reservoir. It is made of clay, comes in beige and sits as a multi-hole head in our Hookain multi-hole range. It is also available in the "Natural" version.
Colour: Beige
Traditional five-hole head made of clay
In use, the Chess shows what separates a traditional multi-hole head from a modern phunnel: it responds more directly to heat and gives you clear feedback while packing. If the phunnel is too forgiving for you in the long run and you like to tweak the setup yourself, the Chess is for you.
What the clay means for the session
Clay stores heat well and releases it evenly to the tobacco. That helps you keep the temperature stable over the session. If you often switch between very different tobaccos, it is best to rinse the head straight after the session.
Which tobacco the Chess suits
With five holes in the bottom, excess molasses drains downwards instead of standing in the reservoir. That suits dark blends and tobaccos of moderate moisture. You smoke very wet tobaccos more relaxed in a phunnel, because the molasses stays in the reservoir there. A molasses catcher under the head keeps the stem clean.
| Aspect | Chess Tradi 5 Hole | Modern phunnel |
|---|---|---|
| Bottom | five holes | one central, raised hole |
| Reaction to heat | direct | usually more forgiving |
| Molasses | drains downwards | stays in the reservoir |
| Heat route | foil or HMD | foil or HMD |
Packing the Chess correctly
With the Chess an even pack pays off, so the five holes do not get clogged. Spread the tobacco loosely and check before starting that the draw stays free. With multi-hole heads in particular, this decides between a pleasant and an unnecessarily heavy draw.
For the heat, foil or a suitable HMD are common routes. With foil you control, via hole pattern and coal position, how much heat reaches the tobacco. An HMD keeps the temperature more even and needs less adjusting. Do not start too hot: give the head time to get going and then adjust step by step.
Cleaning: how the Chess lasts a long time
Let it cool after the session, remove tobacco residue, rinse through with warm water and let it dry. You do not need aggressive cleaners. Make sure the five holes stay free. If you cannot decide between the head designs, our Head Finder can help. Hookah products are intended for adults only.