Discontinued Phyto-Lab vaporizer

I just got this little pipe (PL) that competes with the VaporGenie (VG) today. I'm going to use this thread as sort of a journal for the next few weeks as I get used to it. I will probably spend a lot of time comparing it to the VG since I have one of those and am quite satisfied with it.

First impressions before use:
1 -- it is little and would be easier to drag around in a pocket than the VG.
2 -- it costs more...$109 vs $50
3 -- the PL comes with the pipe, a bag for it, multiple screens, a short piece of silicone tubing, what looks like a mouthpiece, a pipe cleaner, a torch lighter, and a pretty shitty manual

Here's a pic of the contents:



Including the torch is nice and makes the steeper price more palatable.

Here's a link to the manufacturer:
http://www.phyto-lab.ch/

Their site has some videos on it showing usage. The guy skiing cracks me up. I get that it is cool to be able to vape in nature, but do it in a place where we can't already see your breath so we know you are getting vapor!

This pipe is reported to be constructed out of some sort of medical metal material that is safe. Loading is similar to the VG in that you unscrew the top and load it, although you have to mess with screens. There is a big screen that goes in the bottom of the bowl and small screens that go on top of your weed by putting them in the top before closing it. Here's a pic of the PL disassembled with the big screen still in the bottom of the bowl.



Here's a pic with the little screens in the top:



Finally, here's a pic of the loaded bowl with the top ready to be closed:



Basically, once the PL is loaded and ready to go, you turn it upside down so the stem is horizontal but the bowl is facing the floor. Then you turn on the torch lighter and heat the top of the bowl (which is facing downward). See the video on the manufacturer's website to get an idea of how this works. After heating it for 30 seconds, turn the lighter off and start to draw. The top lid is some sort of metal that has four little holes in it that allow for the airflow over the hot metal and over the weed. Here's a pic of the lid:



After heating the lid you take your draws. Once it stops producing vapor you heat it up again for about 20 seconds and keep hitting it. The company claims that it is much harder for the weed to burn than it is with other flame powered portables.

First use impressions are:
1 -- It definitely works and produces vapor. I can tell I need to use it for a while like I did the VG, because right now I only get small vapor hits. The first hit tasted like smoke so I backed off a little. Even though I got a couple hits that tasted like smoke, there was no burned weed when I unpacked it. I will try to burn it later in the week after I have it working well.
2 -- The idea of heating the unit and taking my draws separately is attractive to me, as this is more relaxing and stealthy than using the VG where I have to heat and draw at the same time.
3 -- The PL gets VERY hot. With the VG I can unscrew the top with my bare hands (even though it is hot), even after three bowls. But with the PL the bowl and top are painful to touch. I think one could easily burn himself with this unit...and I mean burn enough to blister. I had to use a washcloth to take the lid off and I could still feel the heat. The stem also gets hot, but it has those silicon rings on it to keep it holdable. There is definitely something worrisome about a portable unit that gets too hot to touch anywhere. What am I supposed to do with it while it is too hot to go into my pocket?
4 -- My initial reaction is that the VG is more efficient, but that is not fair to say yet as I am very good at the VG. I will use this unit exclusively for the next week to get good at it. The videos on the manufacturer's site show some impressive clouds, so I expect to get there.

I hope this thing works well after I get good at it because it is cool looking and much smaller than the VG. At this point I think that its propensity for getting hot will overshadow the good...we'll see.

Tune in for more pics and to see how I like this unit after some use.

Something else interesting about this unit...it comes with multiple screens, of which I am supposed to find the optimal number to use depending on the substance. They say you can vaporize liquids, etc, but I don't see how yet.

If you guys get any ideas about using this thing let me know. My first session had four screens on top of the weed. Tonight I will go with two screens to see how it goes.

Cool, nice little review. The vape looks interesting, but to be honest, at that price, for such a simple, and to be honest, flawed design, imo, (getting hot as fuck and all those screens, plus the hokey silicone 'handles), it's certainly not for me.

I am interested in it's effectiveness and awaiting more comparisons to the VG, owning one myself, I am quite fond of it.


Are the silicone parts held in place, or do they move around? Are they removable/replaceable?

The silicone parts do slide. In fact, if you look at the pictures you can see that they aren't evenly spaced, and that's because they moved as I was handling it. Without those silicone rings I don't think this thing would be usable due to the heat because the stem gets hot beneath them. The manufacturer's instructions have pictures of the unit wrapped in leather. I guess the silicone thing worked better for them because that is not how it is shipped.

I like the silicone tubing they sent with it. It is bigger and more flexible than the Extreme tubing. But I can't for the life of me figure out the little white mouthpiece. I think maybe it slips into the tubing as a mouthpiece, but the tubing is more comfortable than the mouthpiece. The mouthpiece does not fit on the stem of the pipe.

The website videos also show a guy using it sitting at a table. It's funny because he starts to pick up the mouthpiece to show you how it works but he can't get it out of the crack in the table. So he basically just says (without audio) fuck it and uses it without the mouthpiece.

The screens are more work for loading the thing, but I think they are integral to it being able to vaporize liquids, etc. My biggest worry, at this point, is when I get totally fucked up, am I going to burn myself with it or fuck it up trying to load it, etc?

Bottom line, after using it once I wouldn't use it again, but that's how DD felt about his VG, so I AM going to get good at this thing. I think once I get it down I will appreciate its versatility.

Just a quick update for anyone reading...

I have made contact with the manufacturer to get the technique of this thing down. So far I have burned out three torch lighters, and I think it is because the heat is reflected off the pipe back to the lighter and, at close range, it fries the lighter somehow.

I also think that the proper use of the screens is somehow important. The instructions suck and it is manufactured in Sweden, so I expect to have to go through some trial and error here.

The reason I am so interested in pushing through with this unit is that it claims to not burn the herb, and so far, it hasn't. If I can figure out how to properly use this thing and the heat does not continue to be an issue, it could very easily be superior to the other flame powered vapes out there. Plus, it's smaller and cooler looking. I'll have more feedback on it in about a week when I get my lighter situation fixed.

did you ask them how to vap liquid with it ?

Not yet, but that's on my list.

stickstones said:

The reason I am so interested in pushing through with this unit is that it claims to not burn the herb, and so far, it hasn't. If I can figure out how to properly use this thing and the heat does not continue to be an issue, it could very easily be superior to the other flame powered vapes out there. Plus, it's smaller and cooler looking. I'll have more feedback on it in about a week when I get my lighter situation fixed.

Click to expand...

I still see this vape as primarily a wind proof outdoor unit, like the Vapman. Sure you could use a Genie with a torch, but if you're used to using it with a standard flame lighter, that'll be yet another learning curve. I also question (especially with your torch problems) whether the Phyto can be used with a small torch lighter effectively. The only demo I've seen uses a large torch, which is not even self igniting. If it requires a large, locking torch like the Supreme, the portability goes downhill. I guess it ends up being a trade-off with 'no burn' being a yes for the herb (if your testing proves that out), and no for anything the hot metal comes in contact with. I can see a niche in the market for this model, but I can't see it competing with quick heating portables like the Genie and Vaporstar.

IMHO this is nothing like the Vapman which I still sometimes use (My PD has taken over its coveted #1 spot). The huge drawback of the Phyto for me is the serious heat. How would you put it away immediately after using it? The Vapman has a cool (no pun intended!) case to store it in even right after firing it up.

IMHO this is nothing like the Vapman

Click to expand...

As far as how it's used, it's very much like the Vapman. Unlike other butane powered vapes (except the Supreme), where you draw while heating, the Vapman and Phyto are first heated with a torch. Then you inhale after heating to vapor range. Unlike vapes like the Genie and Vaporstar, you must use a good torch with these two. So despite the difference in the exteriors, the Phyto and Vapman are very similar in the way they work, just as the SSV works the same way as a box vape even though the exteriors are different.

I agree Max.

I just don't care for the execution with the Phyto considering the serious heat issue during and after use.

PokerFish said:

I agree Max.

I just don't care for the execution with the Phyto considering the serious heat issue during and after use.

Click to expand...

Same here. I got my lesson with the Supreme. If you're gonna get stoned and use a vape, you need one that's not gonna bite you. I do think these vapes have a niche for outdoor use where the wind is a factor though.

Just for the record, even though the Vapman works on a similar principle, there is no heat issue after using it due to the design - the heated parts are effectively out of harm's way, surrounded by the wooden UFO disk.

yes, safety is a pretty big advantage the vapman has over the phyto lab

I expect to get some good feedback for you guys on this unit in the next week or so. So far, I think this unit will be the best flame powered unit available for those concerned with not ever getting combustion.

They are also going to come out soon with some videos with them using liquids. They claim, although they cannot publicly for fear of their local laws, to be able to vaporize herbs, liquids and hash.

I tried it in a chilly wind the other night and the unit did not get too hot. Indoors, however, is a problem. I may be able to get a technique down that minimizes the heat, but even in their own videos they are using a handkerchief to remove the top.

bongoman said:

Just for the record, even though the Vapman works on a similar principle, there is no heat issue after using it due to the design - the heated parts are effectively out of harm's way, surrounded by the wooden UFO disk.

Click to expand...

In this respect the PL is much closer to the Supreme.

stickstones said:

So far, I think this unit will be the best flame powered unit available for those concerned with not ever getting combustion.

Click to expand...

In this respect the PL is much closer to the Supreme.

I'm not sure the Supreme is burn proof, but since the digital display is accurate I've never come close to overcooking. So I don't think the PL can claim a monopoly in the catagory. The Supreme's price and lack of exposure/availibility put it under the radar for the most part, but it's a good one. It's long in the tooth though. Just too much competition these days.

I finally got the lighter that comes with it...it is like the torch lighter the guy is using in the snow...definitely more industrial than any lighter I bought. I should have some good feedback on this thing in the next couple of days...I got my PD at the same time, so I won't be as quick to use the PL tonight as I had hoped! But I think I am now on the right track to getting some good results from the PL.

I don't know if this will actually help but any "biotops.biz" has some information about vaporizing liquid product with phyto-lab:

"For the liquid products, il must add 10 filters an the reservoir, put the product on the filter, and put 10 anothers filters above the product.

To guarantize an optimal extraction of the active moll, the air that could moove easly. For the pasty and thick products, add filters between diferents strates, processing by strates. Many ajusts are possible. "

I got back to using this thing the other night (indoors). I used the included Brazer torch, which is a serious device. I warmed the bowl for about 10 seconds and got nothing. I warmed it another 15 to 20 seconds and started getting vapor. I got some decent vapor and remembered that I was hitting the same herb that I put in it around X-mas and hit a few times back then.

I was able to get a few puffs before it needed to get hotter. Then I gave it some serious heat and was able to achieve combustion. So, I think this thing has a little bit of a learning curve to avoid combustion, like the Genie. I was using two screens on the bottom as well as on top of the herb. I wasn't trying to combust, like I was going to do later on, but I ran it a little too hot on some previously spent herb.

Again, I like being able to heat it up and then hit it afterward, instead of inhaling and lighting at the same time like the Genie. But, like before, the thing got hot as hell. I took the cap off the bowl with a washcloth to avoid injury. When I checked the herb, it was dark, as expected. The cap was still painfully hot 30 - 60 seconds later.

It seems that, after communicating with the manufacturer, that this thing is best loaded upside down. That is, put screens in the cap, followed by herb, then another screen. If you want denser vapor, put additional levels of herb + screens. Then put it together with the pipe upside down so nothing falls out of the cap.

Anyhow, my bottom line is that it is not for me, but it does have some advantages that some people will want to take advantage of. It's got a cool look and is small. I like the process of heating first, then toking, as opposed to heating and toking at the same time. It is also very versatile for any unit, let alone a portable, in that it can vaporize liquids. You can also use multiple screens to better vaporize your herb depending on how dry/sticky it is.

The cons to this unit have already been documented.

Hello there, has anyone else tried it so far?

Just popping into subscribe; stickstones you seem like quite a capable reviewer and I am interested to see how your journal continues. (:

Sidenote: The first link you posted is broken, try this one (http://img368.imageshack.us/ifs/8870/img408/2/everythingoi9.jpg)

Would you mind clearly outlining some of the unique advantages this unit brings to the table? I'll be re-reading through your posts again later when I'm in a better state of mind for analysis, but would appreciate some sort of "summary" type bit. Many thanks friend (regardless of whether you grant this request).

It's a simple vaporizer that has some serious design problems, imo. I personally wouldn't recommend it to anyone unless they had to vape liquids. I never tried this, but the manufacturer said it could be done and that they were going ot post a video of it in use with liquids.

It's a piece of metal you heat with a torch and suck on. Similar to the VG and even the Supreme vaporizer to a lesser extent. The biggest problem is that it quickly gets too hot to hold. Even the manufacturer video showed him holding it with a towel after using it a little. And I broke several torch lighters using it until I got the industrial strength torch they include in the package.

I would recommend the VG and the LB over this all day long, and they are cheaper, too!

Hello all,

Well my turn to make a review after a couple of weeks with it. I was very tempted by it as it looks solid, it's Swiss quality, it's easier to share with newbies than the VG and i like the way it looks.

Plus it seemed to be a very good choice to vaporize resin or other plants requiring very high vaporizing temps such as salvia (haven't tried it yet with it). I liked the idea that I didn't have to inhale the gazes caused by the lighter's combustion.

I bought in on the manufacturer's website and got the complete pack with the (very good) torch lighter.

I would not say that it is a bad product, indeed. But I agree with you stickstones that it won't become my fav every-day vape. The many superiorities that the manufacturer claims may not be false, but still very theoretical

According to me the heating time instructions given by the manufacturer are insufficient. I had do heat it up at least 45/50 seconds, and a minute was OK, the first time, to get a decent amount of vapor. 30 seconds are a minimum for the following times.

As it pisses me off to have to count mentally while heating I use two small sand timers (I use them for games but they can easily be found on the internet or in game stores), one of 30 sec and one of 1 min. Best way to avoid any accident with the crazily hot device is to put the device in a glass jar right after use.

The temperature of the unit after use is a big con i think. For fun I dropped a drop of water on the heating chamber after use and it boiled off like h*ll. Wouldn't do the same with my fingers. So it can be very dangerous if not handled carefully. That can be an issue if you're high
.
The mouthpiece (they call it "ferrule"on the site) is supposed to get into the silicon tube. I find it a bit "cheap"but it does the job very well.

The lighter coming with is great and solid, seems to be durable. Excellent for cleaning your VG-top with a vacuum cleaner as the VG manufacturer stopped recommending the use of water. I think the PL could still work with a regular candle lighter but less efficiently. The stupid thing is that the space you gain from the small size of the unit is largely lost by the big size of the lighter you have to carry with it.

The results I got by vaping resin were OK but not magnificent neither. Better than with the VG, but that's maybe due to the lighter again.

So well it does the job and has the qualities mentioned above but according to me it is overpriced for having so many cons. Exactly the same use, in any weather condition, could be done with a VG, if you have the right lighter and put it upside down.

Hope that helped anyone

Thanks for the time put into that great review! Good to get a second hands-on opinion of this unit.