Discontinued Pax Vaporizer by Ploom

funky1 said:

I recently got one of these, only used it a couple of times.
now all it does is show the purple light for 2-3 seconds, starts blinking then shuts itself off?

I tried cleaning it, the mouthpiece does not seem sticky but i lubed it for the heck of it, that didn't help either.

it's disappointing to have problems almost immediately with a brand new unit given how expensive it is.
anyone else run in to a similar problem?

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Many have run into the same problem. The huge plus is that you can just contact Ploom and get a new one under warranty, as long as you bought yours from a legit distributor. The 10 year warranty is clutch and Ploom is really good about honoring it.

llamaman001 said:

I cant recommend enough getting a few volcano oil screens and cutting them down for the pax. Ive found this to be the BEST method for conserving and it seems to even out the cooking on it as well. Love my pax's

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Help me out with this..? Haha So you take the liquid pads for The Volcano, and sandwich flowers between them? Haha If not, could you lay it out for me, thanks bro!

RajanK97 said:

Help me out with this..? Haha So you take the liquid pads for The Volcano, and sandwich flowers between them? Haha If not, could you lay it out for me, thanks bro!

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You put the herb in and then put the pad on top of the herb. I use the same method and it works awesome. You can even rub oil on the pad and then use it.

cut the pad down to size to fit the pax oven...Place product in the pax oven then place the volcano screen on top

Mr.Krinkle said:

Battery life will deplete 20% after 300 full charges. They will offer a battery swap program for a fee from what I was told by Ploom.

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This is the biggest concern I have about my Pax. I use, and charge, my Pax daily and have owned it since early March. I really wonder how many more charges I will get before I notice the drop in battery performance. After that initial drop, how many more charges will it take before the unit is basically useless?

The warranty clearly states that the battery is not covered. Ploom's website still does not mention anything in regards to a battery swap program as of yet. I did see the "hint" that one could get a stuck temp button but I feel you would really be pushing your luck sending it in after "sabotaging" your unit. I think Ploom would point out your battery failure and still would insist on extra $$$ to repair your Pax.

So to other Pax owners that have had their units longer or charge them more often than me (I charge mine usually once a day, sometimes twice). Have any of you noticed a large drop in battery performance? Has anyone rendered their unit basically useless due to length of ownership and charging?

Let's hear it for the Christmas Pax! I was missing that one truly portable vape in my arsenal so my wife decided to get me a Pax for Christmas. I had plans to catch a local band that night, a perfect opportunity to run it through its paces. The first thing I'm sure everyone notices, look at that canyon of a trench! I found myself grinding my usual load, stuffing it in. Grinding a little more, stuffing it in. Damn!, still barely half full. So I grind some more and we're good to go.
As with any new toy, exploring all of the different party modes, temperatures, etc led to a longer than average half hour maiden voyage. This comes back to bite me later on, but this session did make some good dense vapor that kicks like a mule. The vapor on low still has some good flavor although that toasts pretty quickly. All in all, happy.
Later we go outside on set break, and I'm showing off my new toy when a red blink, blink, blink brings an abrupt end to the party. Note to self, this battery does not last as long as my solo. But that's easy enough to work around.
The next days test, 18 holes of golf. And here is where the Pax starts to shine. We fired it up twice and both sessions were filled with good solid vapor. That massive oven definately pays off. And the cooler outside temps didn't seem to bother it at all.
And last but not least, the glorious experience of Paxing away in a matinee showing of the Hobbit. Not something I would do in a crowded movie, but a Sunday matinee was easy pickin's.
Although the hassles of frequent cleaning and the 3 session battery life will prevent this from being my daily beater, the Pax shines in situations where discrete portability is a must. I'm loving this thing.

Hey all, I am the Wiz and nobody beats me! I mean nobody beats the PAX!

I found this thread doing some research on vaporizing, which I am new to. Ive been medicating via combustion for about 10 years now but was kinda sheltered when it came to gadgets. My first vape experience was the Vape-or-Smoke but I was never able to really dial it in and get it vaping.
So I went on the hunt for other options and found this ridiculously long but helpful thread.

I honestly read MOST of this thread and Im not sure how I feel about that. I generally don't like reading novel length forum posts but this one has some GEMS! After reading close to 400 pages of this sucker, and purchasing my PAX about a month ago, I wanted to share some thanks and additional comments on this life-changing device!


1. Thanks to @2 Paces or whomever came up with the Mentos cap idea! I love it.
@2 Paces - How is the black vinyl paint holding up?
2. Thanks to all the users who dug into this device to really understand how it works and help others understand as well. I made my decision to purchase this device based on the HIGHS (pun intended) and lows shared in this thread. I witnessed how Ploom and this community help each other out, it's a win/win for me.

The PAX is literally the best little gadget that Ive ever spent money on. Let me put that in context for you though, Im new to vaping as I said above, so Ive never even tried a desktop unit. But with that said, this thing blows my mind. Its SIMPLE to use, SIMPLE to clean, and SIMPLE to love.

There is nothing like that first warm draw of a fresh packed oven!

This is the case I have been carrying my little PAXY around in...



--Omit the spray bottle of course--

http://www.amazon.com/Oakley-Sungla...388379880&sr=8-1&keywords=oakley+cleaning+kit

And last but not least...
I have a question for all the PAXers that put a screen or other item in the oven to keep pressure on the load...

Ive tried this with a couple of copper screens bent at the ends to fit nice and snug in the oven. Ive done this a couple of times now and I agree that it works great for small loads. I put a pinch in the oven last night, threw these screens on top and it tasted and vaped great. However, the PAX felt warmer than usual. This makes sense to me though, if you are adding an element that can conduct heat, it would make sense that it would be warmer, right? But wouldn't this also mean you are burning through your herbs faster?

Well that is all for now... thanks again to all who contributed!

IamtheWiz said:

1. Thanks to 2 Paces or whomever came up with the Mentos cap idea! I love it.
2 Paces - How is the black vinyl paint holding up?

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Glad you're liking the lids.

The black paint has held up well, but I've only used the black ones a few times when I wanted to be super discreet. Usually I'll just use my unpainted ones. So I don't really know how the paint would hold up to heavy use.

What's up ppl been lurking around for awhile new to vaping. Have an Atmos Raw but that doesn't really vap. Thx to this thread and Slim's reviews I ordered a Pax on cyber Monday and I'm in love. Took it to Disneyland a couple days later and was faded on every ride and vaped on Space Mountain. Nobody even noticed

Now I'm an idiot cause I was cleaning my Pax the next day in the kitchen, had the mouth piece and oven lid off and you guessed it, I dropped it in the full sink. I practically dove in after it and pulled it out just in time to see the inside temp switch light dim and die. I did what I could to dry it then threw it in rice. The next day I was going crazy so I decide to open it up to dry the insides. Lost the warranty with the water damage so I'd try and fix it myself. After it was bone dry I tried to turn it on and nothing. Tried it on the charger and it flashed I think yellow or orange 3 times then red. I figured the battery was drained so I ordered some from Amazon. I was shitting bricks trying to install the batteries but after an hour I got everything working and put back together.

Glad to say the Pax is working great and I think the battery is lasting longer. Damn I love this thing.

So...decided to give myself and late Christmas/Early Bday present. Had quite a bit of money given to me for gifts!

The Pax is what made me to give portable vapes a serious look a year ago. Supply and reliability issues at the time caused me to go with the Solo...I am still in love with it, but about a year later, I'm was still itching for the discretion and larger bowl of the Pax.

That said, I've been looking around the net for the last few days to find a deal on the Pax. Planetvape was/is out of stock. Best deal I could find was 10% off on some random page (don't remember). This morning just so happened to check the LHS's website. They had an online special for 20% off! I called to see if I could they would honor the special in-store. No go, but they suggested I order on-line pay, the $5 shipping, and just pick up locally same-day. Done!

Just finished running first burn-off with ABV and started my final one. Looking forward to giving it go! Hoping this thing is at least as pleasant as my solo has been. Peace.

Hi guys I'm a first time vapor interested in buying a PAX and I have a few questions about it first. I think I'm a light weight smoker (even though I smoke everyday... lol) so looking at the size of the chamber I don't think I would use all of that in one session. My first question is, if I'm done vaping before the weed is done, would I be able to just leave the weed in there and shut off the device and vape again later? My second question is if I could fill the chamber up in small increments like maybe halfway or would that screw up the device? Thanks guys!

Hi-Life said:

Hi guys I'm a first time vapor interested in buying a PAX and I have a few questions about it first. I think I'm a light weight smoker (even though I smoke everyday... lol) so looking at the size of the chamber I don't think I would use all of that in one session. My first question is, if I'm done vaping before the weed is done, would I be able to just leave the weed in there and shut off the device and vape again later? My second question is if I could fill the chamber up in small increments like maybe halfway or would that screw up the device? Thanks guys!

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1. No problem with taking a few hits and shutting down.

2. It is suggested to pack a full chamber. There are some tips about using a second screen to take up additional space when using small loads. Search for it or a more exp. person can chime in

Hi-Life said:

... would I be able to just leave the weed in there and shut off the device and vape again later? My second question is if I could fill the chamber up in small increments like maybe halfway or would that screw up the device? Thanks guys!

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You can do either, although personally I prefer smaller loads so I have fresher material to work with each session.

I usually put in just enough to cover the bottom and then use a second Pax "screen" to cover that and then a loose-rolled pipe screen to fill the space between the second "screen" and the oven cover.

I also tamp the material down after putting the second Pax "screen" in place instead of trying to pack the material directly.

I found that using a needle nose pliers to turn up the shorter edges of the second Pax "screen" just a bit makes removing it with a tweezers easier although I'll often just dump the contents out into the palm of my hand, extract the pipe screen and the second Pax "screen" before dumping the ABV in my ABV storage container.

That said, even if you plan on just dumping it out into your hand or on to some surface instead of using a tweezers, having the short edges turn up just a bit at the very ends help it to come out easier and if you don't include much of the "screen" in how much you bend up slightly, the material in the oven doesn't really make it past it to mess things up.

As for how much of the second "screen" I bent slightly, it was the smallest amount I could get a-hold of with the needle nose and still make a slight bend. You don't want to bend very much or material will easily slip out from underneath.

Hi-Life said:

Hi guys I'm a first time vapor interested in buying a PAX and I have a few questions about it first. I think I'm a light weight smoker (even though I smoke everyday... lol) so looking at the size of the chamber I don't think I would use all of that in one session. My first question is, if I'm done vaping before the weed is done, would I be able to just leave the weed in there and shut off the device and vape again later? My second question is if I could fill the chamber up in small increments like maybe halfway or would that screw up the device? Thanks guys!

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There is a trick to using small loads first get a second pax screen.

In between the two screens smear some hash a good layer (make a sandwich with the two screens)

now fill oven up with herb (about .1-.2 of a gram ) vape on any setting.

the herb will vape like normal and the hash adds to the vapor production.since hash will take a longer to use up.you should get 10-20 oven loads without having to redo the hash sandwich.

Wizsteve said:

It leaves a sticky residue and dissolves in water very poor lube be like adding water to your engine.(also very low temp)
with stuff i use your not forced to clean your pax.mouth piece never sticks oz after oz i vaped thru my pax. till it plugs than i just push it into the oven.but the mouthpiece doesn't stick ever.

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Have you used mineral oil in your Pax? I have food-grade mineral oil but I haven't tried it. Should I run it for a session after lubricating?

editedit said:

Have you used mineral oil in your Pax? I have food-grade mineral oil but I haven't tried it. Should I run it for a session after lubricating?

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Could be the same stuff i use bought for my super automatic coffee machine and it works great
thick gel comes in a tube?

I use just a thin layer(just a dab use a tissue to spread it out your really just trying to lube the spring) on the outside than place mouthpiece back in click it like 4 times or so, remove mouthpiece wipe with a tissue than reapply a thin layer. This solved the sticky mouthpiece issue ppl are having.


It will not burn off or even melt even on hi (melting point past 500F so your fine)

editedit said:

Have you used mineral oil in your Pax? I have food-grade mineral oil but I haven't tried it. Should I run it for a session after lubricating?

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I've never used any lubricant at all, whether it be what came with the Pax originally or something I've come up with myself or read about here.

I haven't really cleaned it all that much either despite using it for 2 or 3 "micro-load" sessions a day since I got it a few weeks ago.

I've removed the mouthpiece and rinsed in ISO periodically but other than always drawing through it while it is cooling down in a mouthpiece-up position and never setting it down mouthpiece-down or on its side while even somewhat warm, I've not even removed the "screen" in the oven that was there originally.

I don't know what part of the mouthpiece assembly is actually part of the circuitry that needs to make contact for it to go into heat-up mode, as opposed to temp-change mode but if someone could figure out where that is, I would think it would be easier to avoid problems by keeping that specific area clean rather than having to worry about cleaning everything.

DanAndroid said:

I've never used any lubricant at all, whether it be what came with the Pax originally or something I've come up with myself or read about here.

I haven't really cleaned it all that much either despite using it for 2 or 3 "micro-load" sessions a day since I got it a few weeks ago.

I've removed the mouthpiece and rinsed in ISO periodically but other than always drawing through it while it is cooling down in a mouthpiece-up position and never setting it down mouthpiece-down or on its side while even somewhat warm, I've not even removed the "screen" in the oven that was there originally.

I don't know what part of the mouthpiece assembly is actually part of the circuitry that needs to make contact for it to go into heat-up mode, as opposed to temp-change mode but if someone could figure out where that is, I would think it would be easier to avoid problems by keeping that specific area clean rather than having to worry about cleaning everything.

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when you do go to remove that screen make sure to heat it up first no need to clean the mouthpiece like that if anything clean the spring pull mouthpiece out in there is where you may need to clean. (small q-tip remove some cotton)

There are few pics here and there on this thread not much to it and yes this solves the temp change problem also by using this lube. (also near the top of the mouthpiece make sure to lube the moving part)

I have had my Pax for 3 months. I use it once a day and treat it very gently etc. The mouthpiece has been inconsistant since about a month ago. It is very difficult to get it to go off. It just won't "catch" when I push it down. I would always eventually get it to stay down until last night. It now will not stay down or "catch" in the off position at all. I am trying to search the list for this problem but haven't found posts related to it just yet...
TIA

mommyto2 said:

I am trying to search the list for this problem but haven't found posts related to it just yet...
TIA

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I don't know that I've seen that exact problem mentioned either.

If you remove the mouthpiece, does the "floating" ring move easily, i.e. if you shake the mouthpiece along the axis of the metal tube, does the ring easily slide back and forth? I don't know that that is the actual locking mechanism but it's something I'd check.

Also, I find that if I push down on the mouth piece directly above the tube, it doesn't catch but if I push down on the opposite side of the mouthpiece it does. Does that seem to make a difference on yours?

DanAndroid said:

I don't know that I've seen that exact problem mentioned either.

If you remove the mouthpiece, does the "floating" ring move easily, i.e. if you shake the mouthpiece along the axis of the metal tube, does the ring easily slide back and forth? I don't know that that is the actual locking mechanism but it's something I'd check.

Also, I find that if I push down on the mouth piece directly above the tube, it doesn't catch but if I push down on the opposite side of the mouthpiece it does. Does that seem to make a difference on yours?

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Thx so much for the reply. I just took the mouthpiece off and tried to understand what you were explaining but am totally stumped. I do not see a floating ring? Is it possible mine is missing?

I tried to push down from the opposite end but that didn't work. Was so hoping!

I managed to get it down/off after I had posted but after checking it out again now, it just won't stick. What do I do with it while I wait to hear back from Ploom (I ordered directly from them) Just leave it sitting still? It will drain the battery I suppose? I am freaking out right now. It was such a splurge/sacrifice purchase . So bummed to have a problem already.

mommyto2 said:

I do not see a floating ring? Is it possible mine is missing?

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I suppose anything is possible but I don't know how it would have worked at all without the ring.

The ring should be closest to the plastic mouthpiece and slide up and down the metal tube 4 or 5 mm or so.

For what it's worth, I took out my mouthpiece, pulled the metal tube out, remove the sliding ring, put the tube back in the plastic mouthpiece, inserted it into where it should go and couldn't get it to come out again. So if yours didn't have the ring, I don't think it would even come out.

Although this won't help you, what I had to do to get the mouthpiece and attached tube out again was to pull the plastic part off the tube, put the ring back on the tube and used a toothpick to push the rick down a bit on the tube and it popped out as it should. I then pulled it out the rest of the way, stuck the plastic part back on, put it back in its place and it worked as it should.

At this point, I'm not sure what you could or should try to get it working again.

About the only thing I can say is that it has to be a mechanical problem but I don't know for sure where the problem may be.

Happy New Years

you can take out the mouthpiece and it will turn itself off after a while.

There are 2 versions of the mouthpiece ploom change the design so he may have a older one
with a different so mouthpiece replacement may do the trick .

if you don't feel the floating ring take the mouthpiece out and soak it in iso over night.

Hi mommyto2, just to add to the wise advice given above, I have had the same problem with some of my paxes, (Paxi?) and it is actually an easy fix, but you need to fix it now, because although it is problematic when the mouthpiece won't go down but it is panic city when it won't pop up back up when you want it to turn on, and it is the same issue that causes both problems in my experience.

It is the sliding ring on the mouthpiece that is stuck, and if you do not see the sliding ring on yours, it tells me that yours is so gummed up it is not sliding at all. Soak your mouthpiece in a little dish of rubbing alcohol for a while, until, when you take it out, you can see the moving part (the sliding ring) move. I would also suggest using an Oral B 'Dentastick' moistened with alcohol to stick into the crevice where the mouthpiece goes on the pax itself for a cleaning. There are photos in this thread somewhere that describe better what I am talking about, I apologize, but it is the round crevice on the pax itself, between the tube the vapour travels through and the hole in the pax where you aim the mouthpiece stem, beside the temperature button. But Do Not get any alcohol on your temp button! Do it a few times with a new dentastick each time, going around the entire circular crevice in a small sawing motion until they start to come out noticeably less sticky.

If you have the proper lube for it, take one of the clean dentasticks and dip it into the envelope, to lightly coat it in the lube. Then carefully stick it in the same crevice you just cleaned with alcohol. Then dip it again and use it to rub the lube onto just on the tiny groove the sliding ring is seated in on the mouthpiece, until the ring slides easily when you shake the mouthpiece. Try not to get the lube anywhere else, and wipe off any lube you get on the mouthpiece stem other than where the ring slides. Put the mouthpiece back into the pax and push it on and off a few times to work the lube around, and it should have no more problems clicking into place. I do this to my Paxi every few months or so, or if I feel it is starting to be an issue. If you clip the lube pack closed and stick it in a baggie upright somewhere, one pack of lube will last quite a while. If you leave your pax standing mouthpiece side up when you are done with it, it seems to help keep this from happening so frequently as well.

If you happen to leave it without the mouthpiece being seating, it is no big deal, it eventually times itself out and shuts down. You can also charge it without the mouthpiece in if you need to. Mine occasionally get this gummy, but luckily Pax has been kind enough to send me spares.

Read most of this thread, so much good information!

Haven't heard anyone talk about using the pax in colder weather (say skiing or snowboarding). If i keep it in an inside pocket so its next to my body should it work as normal? Anyone have experience with this?