How far away are you holding the flame from the bowl? And what part of the flame are you using?
There's a very useful/informative UTube video of our host, the real life inventor of the VM, demonstrating the basic technique. At one point it was on his web page IIRC but I couldn't find it last time I was there, Google found it, though.
It's entirely too complex to reduce to a 'gonna work' routine. The variations are simply much too large in percentage to make that work. You really do need to get a feel for it and control the action through
timing with whatever the torch is giving you.
And building up the heat for the first hit is entirely different (time/heat wise) than the second and later hits (where the pan is already near 'magic temperature').
It's a conduction vape, so load it 'full' of fine to medium herb. Well cured herb, don't waste heat drying it out instead of making vapor....not to mention gumming up the works forcing earlier tear down for cleaning. It works by herb directly contacting a surface (in this case the Gold plated pan) heated past magic temperature. Go for firm contact.
Use a reasonable size flame, say an inch (I gauge by the width of the ring opening) and direct it onto the exposed pan. Distance isn't all that important (within reason) as the hot gas 'plays' on the taper of the cone. I generally use a 'five count' (probably about 3.5 seconds?) between hits, with an extra one to start but you're sure to be somewhat different. Even if we're both going for the same extraction (not that you might go cloud chasing or anything.....)
You have to discover what works for you. Try a few seconds and sip it and see if you get any vapor. You probably won't.....no make that 'surely won't'......get it the first time or two. Keep at it, just heat for a second or so more. Add still more until you're getting the results you want.
Don't be shy with the heat when you go exploring. Combustion is really pretty hard to get to if you're paying attention. It starts with that 'burnt popcorn' taste in plenty of time. If it happens, stopping the draw instantly stops the fire since the air is cut off instantly.
Keep an eye on the load, magic as VM is the load doesn't last forever. Diminishing THC can interfere with your experiment. Keep it fresh, you can come back and 'finish the bowl' later, just dump it into a container once color changes and output changes and replace it for uniform (useful) feedback on the process.
Getting to know it and work with it is essential, easy enough, very flexible, super efficient and a lot of fun. Prepare a gram or two for uniform loads, set aside some time, pay attention to your results and modify the technique (basically timing with uniform flame conditions) to get the results you want.
Edit:
Anyone tried using a triple flame for the Vapman?
Several guys have, and reported poor results. Too broad a flame (total)? You put most of the heat on the ring and your fingers. You want to shoot 'through the hole', not blasting the rim? Better results from cranking up the typical lighter.
BTW, I highly recommend these guys:
http://www.dx.com/p/jet-1300-c-butane-lighter-1320#.WY6tDxK8oWw
https://www.tinydeal.com/refillable-jet-1300-butane-lighter-with-tank-p-2570.html
Plenty tough, do a great job at three bucks each shipped? Delivery is spotty, you might even order one of each??? Very handy for other things, I've used them for years and have yet to break one, despite some serious efforts. For the record, it will solder brass parts, but not as well as a proper torch.........
Regards to all and best wishes for a great weekend (more likely if you nave a VM handy....),
OF
Jis, jis ,,,
.. which brings me to a question for Rene/Vapman...
