VapeNStone
Mark
Fair enough, but I have had a normal o-ring in my solo for quite awhile now with no issues. Also I don't notice a difference in taste, so I think you'll be fine. JMHO
Arizer Solo
- Thread starter Rockwise
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- arizer battery powered
Ok guys, I may need your help. My solo finally came today, and I've just had two bowls through it. I'm fairly experienced when it comes to vapor (used MFLB, Volcano, EQ, VG, SSV, DBV, LSV, Vapor Brothers, EasyVape), but I feel like I'm doing something wrong. I seem to be getting conduction heating *only*, and this is with Ed's TNT stem. I have no other stem yet, but next week should have a PVHES 18mm for glass. I haven't used Ed's stem with glass, still might tonight. Here was my procedure
After charging unit completely, I turned it to it's max position (7) to get rid of any oils in the process. I smelled no robot fart or anything of the sort. After auto-shutoff I powered it back on and set it to 4. I then proceeded to load my stem just below the notches at the end, so close to full. This is bud that seems to produce heavy vapor in particular through my LSV (in comparison to other bud I have, which still produce lovely clouds). I was able to insert the stem while twisting without too much difficulty, but it was very tight, and while the unit was cool I seemed unable to get it in (prior to first use). I did this with the unit upside down to make sure no herb spilled and was level while I started my first inhale. I inhaled for a good 10 seconds, and exhaled no visible vapor but got a decent taste. The second hit there was some whispy visible vapor. Same with the third and fourth. After a couple more very small hits I opened it up to see what it looked like. The herb was a medium brown, but *only* on the top layer, closest to the heater. It looked almost finished, whereas the herb in the rest of the bowl was very green, almost fresh looking. I proceeded to stir and try again, and experienced a similar occurrence. After trying the unit on a higher heat while inhaling faster, I unfortunately still experienced the same.
I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong, but I'm not getting very thick hits, but if I went higher I'm sure I'd combust, and it's far more uneven than any experience I've read. This certainly seems like I've just vaped two bowls completely conduction style heating, and convection was taken out of the mix. I thought Ed's TNT stems would make it more convection, reducing the conduction aspect. It seems like the opposite has occurred (not that I have regular stems to compare).
This may have been a bit longer than necessary, but I am still a bit baked and if you guys could help I'd really appreciate it! Especially if I want satisfying bong rips.
After charging unit completely, I turned it to it's max position (7) to get rid of any oils in the process. I smelled no robot fart or anything of the sort. After auto-shutoff I powered it back on and set it to 4. I then proceeded to load my stem just below the notches at the end, so close to full. This is bud that seems to produce heavy vapor in particular through my LSV (in comparison to other bud I have, which still produce lovely clouds). I was able to insert the stem while twisting without too much difficulty, but it was very tight, and while the unit was cool I seemed unable to get it in (prior to first use). I did this with the unit upside down to make sure no herb spilled and was level while I started my first inhale. I inhaled for a good 10 seconds, and exhaled no visible vapor but got a decent taste. The second hit there was some whispy visible vapor. Same with the third and fourth. After a couple more very small hits I opened it up to see what it looked like. The herb was a medium brown, but *only* on the top layer, closest to the heater. It looked almost finished, whereas the herb in the rest of the bowl was very green, almost fresh looking. I proceeded to stir and try again, and experienced a similar occurrence. After trying the unit on a higher heat while inhaling faster, I unfortunately still experienced the same.
I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong, but I'm not getting very thick hits, but if I went higher I'm sure I'd combust, and it's far more uneven than any experience I've read. This certainly seems like I've just vaped two bowls completely conduction style heating, and convection was taken out of the mix. I thought Ed's TNT stems would make it more convection, reducing the conduction aspect. It seems like the opposite has occurred (not that I have regular stems to compare).
This may have been a bit longer than necessary, but I am still a bit baked and if you guys could help I'd really appreciate it! Especially if I want satisfying bong rips.
weedemon
enthusiast
i do my bowls on a #4 setting, and then unload (stir) and vape it again on a 5 setting, I do this about 75% of the way though that bowls life (the stir and temp change) i get 2-4 extra tokes this way. and i agree that the top and bottom of the bowl and not vaped the same. this is why i stir.
Vitolo
Vaporist
My advice is worry less about the stir... just do the session... I get my thickest visible hits in at around hit 6 or 7... and on.
You did not mention turning up the heat.
Try turning the heat up to 5.. even 6.
after that it is all the traditional stuff...
Fine , dry grind... etc.
You did not mention turning up the heat.
Try turning the heat up to 5.. even 6.
after that it is all the traditional stuff...
Fine , dry grind... etc.
Have you let the stem pre-heat some before taking draws? I find that the Solo needs to first pre-heat the stem for a good minute or two before she gives off good vapors.
I havent tried this. It seems like that might give more conduction, but its worth a shot for sure. Also, there's a hole on the side of my stem in the metal bowl part, and when I insert it into the solo the hole is inserted as well and is no longer visible. I can get vapor while pulling the stem out a little bit so the hole is visible, but I'm not sure which is supposed to be the case. I'm assuming not visible.
And weedemon, thanks for advice on the procedure. I think it's fairly similar to what I tried, maybe I need to mess more with my inhale speed. I may also like the PVHES stems better.
@Vitolo - I hesitated to go higher because it was almost black on 5, sorry I think I forgot to mention that. I'm able to get half the bowl green and the other a dark brown. That seems wrong =\.
kingofnull
ace
At least 45 seconds, yeah. Keep the Solo on it's side if you want to diminish conduction (assuming it's not a full stem).Have you let the stem pre-heat some before taking draws? I find that the Solo needs to first pre-heat the stem for a good minute or two before she gives off good vapors.
Can you not just use the stock stem for now? Is it possible the Ed's stems run slightly hotter?
There will always be some conduction going on. The reason I said to pre-heat the stem isn't so much to create more conduction - although it clearly does to some extent - but that the ambient temperature of the entire load gets incresed, thereby using all the heat provided by the heater to go directly to making sweet vapors, instead of wasting energy bringing the bowl up to temperature (a prerequisite for good vapor imo).
There will always be some conduction going on. The reason I said to pre-heat the stem isn't so much to create more conduction - although it clearly does to some extent - but that the ambient temperature of the entire load gets incresed, thereby using all the heat provided by the heater to go directly to making sweet vapors, instead of wasting energy bringing the bowl up to temperature (a prerequisite for good vapor imo).
Makes sense. And kingofnull, I have no stock stems, the Ed's TNT is the only one in my possession at the moment. PVHES is on the way. I just tried it through my bong, and got much better results, but still not entirely what I was expecting. Definitely more visible vapor, and much more evenness in the AVB. I did the preheat you said to do while doing this, but I think what made the biggest difference is the fact the bud didnt fall from the stem. The stem was always right side up, like a bowl. I'm wondering if what was causing the over-browning while not getting good vapor was the fact that the top side of the bud fell into the heater hole when I turned the solo right side up. Does that make sense to anyone else? Would it be a good idea to put a screen in the solo as well?
EDIT - forgot to mention I had it on 7 for bonging.
ataxian
PALE BLUE DOT
I have two SOLO's because I love the results. With the stock glass stems I set it in 4.
With ED's wooden stem about 5. I have found that I get better results with the stock stems.
charliedontsurf
Medical
I love Ed's stems for their beauty and durability, but I get bigger clouds more quickly with a loose-fitting stock stem. I usually start the stock stems at 3 and Ed's at 4-5.
natural farmer
Well-Known Member
Hello Heos! Your issues look like a case of a very tight loading of the stem. Try not to put so much herb in there and don't press it down so you can add more. Just fill the stem by sucking in your herbs like a straw. I would also suggest putting another screen on top of your load in order to avoid some pieces falling and touching the SS heater when you turn your Solo heater side up. With a load like that even my friends M105 (which was always running a little cooler) is able to extract thick clouds of vapor even at 4 or 5. It's all about having good airflow through your herbs. This is when convection can do its job. The more you pack it down the more conduction takes place. The drawn in air has to find a way through your tightly packed herbs and it might be tight enough that it can only find a couple little openings. If so you really need to stir and stir again. Also the more you leave the stem in the Solo between hits the more conduction heating takes the reigns. When the stem is upside down in a bubbler or bong I usually remove the Solo between hits if I take it slowly. The same when I hit straight from the stem and with a second screen topping the load. Remove between hits unless you are having a fast session. Also as the lads said try moving up the temp...
Let me know what happened if that's the case...
Hello Heos! Your issues look like a case of a very tight loading of the stem. Try not to put so much herb in there and don't press it down so you can add more. Just fill the stem by sucking in your herbs like a straw. I would also suggest putting another screen on top of your load in order to avoid some pieces falling and touching the SS heater when you turn your Solo heater side up. With a load like that even my friends M105 (which was always running a little cooler) is able to extract thick clouds of vapor even at 4 or 5. It's all about having good airflow through your herbs. This is when convection can do its job. The more you pack it down the more conduction takes place. The drawn in air has to find a way through your tightly packed herbs and it might be tight enough that it can only find a couple little openings. If so you really need to stir and stir again. Also the more you leave the stem in the Solo between hits the more conduction heating takes the reigns. When the stem is upside down in a bubbler or bong I usually remove the Solo between hits if I take it slowly. The same when I hit straight from the stem and with a second screen topping the load. Remove between hits unless you are having a fast session. Also as the lads said try moving up the temp...
Let me know what happened if that's the case...
This is extremely informative, thank you. I also wasn't aware people seemed to get less thick clouds with Ed's stems, whoops! I opted for it over the stock stem in hopes of improving airflow and getting thick hits. I like your screen idea, and was something I was considering myself. It seems to me you think I should put in a screen after I've packed a load, on top of the load, rather than in the Solo. Is there any reason for that? It seems like it would make it a hassle to stir, even if it solved my problem of conducting heating via the heater surface.
kingofnull
ace
I find that if I set the Solo on a table top with it standing up (stem pointed to ceiling/sky) that the herbs do get significantly browner. With the GonG stems if I don't fill them up all the way, I can finish a bong session at 6/7 and still have some green left in the bowl.
kingofnull
ace
I'd say so, especially for all our friends in the EU and that part of the world.
StrictVapeChick
New Member
Gunna buy me a solo soon 
Super excited!! Gunna read through this whole forum for all these crazy, brilliant ideas!!! 
Super excited!! Gunna read through this whole forum for all these crazy, brilliant ideas!!!
natural farmer
Well-Known Member
When I pack my Solo I usually only top it with a screen rather than putting it at the bottom of the bowl... My stash is always at around 62% moisture thanks to the humidipaks so when grinded me herb doesn't crumble very much and I don't get anything in the mouth even if without a screen. I believe that's how it is intended to be used actually. Just a stem with a glass screen in one fused unity! All glass vapor path! Better when using the Solo upside down with a water piece of course.
ataxian
PALE BLUE DOT
I have 2 of them.Gunna buy me a solo soon
OK over kill!
One is plenty!
I know there are some after market stems.
However I find the stock stems to deliver the best flavor if that is important to you?
ataxian
PALE BLUE DOT
When I got my first SOLO I paid $300 for it.
It was when the M107 first came out.
For me it was worth it and still is today.
I could not burn flowers without coughing.
I had a MFLB and quit using it after I got the SOLO.
MFLB = Burnt Popcorn Flavor
SOLO = Sweet Flowers
The flavor profile is the best I have found under $300 for a portable device.
For $151?
Amazing deal!
kingofnull
ace
well said!
MrNorml
Well-Known Member
You might consider trying the glass that comes with the Solo. I load the glass, insert, turn heat on and wait for it to get to whatever level I'm using (4-5 for straight hits, 6 for bubbler). By the time it has reached temp I get good hits. Ed's stems are nice in that they don't shatter on cement, but my experience is the standard Solo glass works better (less heat needed).
Just noticed you didn't get the standard stems. You may want to. I like the angled stem for taking hits, straight stem for bubbler. Anyhow although expensive IMHO the glass stems are very good and easily convert to bubbler etc with a touch of vinyl tubing...
kingofnull
ace
Heos did not get a glass stem.
HSIHP
Well-Known Member
I guess I use my solo a little different than most here. I usually turn it on to 2, then load one of the stock stems and once its up to heat I put in the stem and start puffing. The first hit and a half get little to no vapor but then after that I get some awesome clouds, yes, even on 2. A then bump it up one level every 2 or 3 hits until I get to 6 and wait for that 12 mins to be up. My abv comes out very even and dark brown, perfect for cooking with.