MiniVAP Vaporizer

So if I understand correctly, the new glass core gets too hot (or rather, hotter than the teflon core) and affects the flavor of the vapor? And Hermes are going to release an updated model of the MV, keeping the glass core but adding a couple lower temperature settings?

No one knows if/when they're going to release this newer model, and if/when the teflon core model will be discontinued?

The only time I loaded directly into the chamber was when I did not take the advice of the FC community and dumped it straight in (no basket) because I watched a how to video on the minivap. Now I only use the flexi cone and the baskets. Everything is so clean. Zero cleanup other than the basket. The least maintenance of all my vaporizers by a mile.

I'm thinking about buying the decarb kit (somedays I want more clouds quicker) but was wondering if that works if I still use the basket. I'm concerned it will only work without the basket, dumping the herbs directly in the loading chamber. I think using the decarb kit is the way to get the experience of the the new glass core with our Teflon model, but we also have the option to get flavor city using only the Teflon.

A bit of good news, at least for anyone on the fence about buying after reports about the weak taste of the glass-core model. I've been emailing Hermes about my experiences, and they still offer the teflon-core model as an option and plan to continue doing so.

Apparently, Vapor Nation requested only glass-core models, which is why we ended up with those as replacements. So, if you're looking to buy a MiniVAP, and prefer taste to clouds, you can still buy the teflon-core model directly from Hermes.

Smknbud said:

The advantage of the new glass air path is that there is more conductive heating in the loading chamber, which will increase the density and decarboxilation.'

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Very interesting... it really sounds like the glass core is intended to mimic the experience of using the decarb kit. However, it also seems like people using that kit are reporting better taste than the people using the glass-core. Hermes tells me they're running a bunch of tests and should have the results shortly. It will be interesting to see what they find.

Roger D said:

They should be working on a seven temperature update, including lower temperatures, apparently the taste on the glass cores currently out is like that mainly because they run so hot.

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I have to admit... I'm a little skeptical that will solve the problem. As I told Hermes, it seems to me the issue isn't just the higher temperature, but also the higher conductivity of glass. I'm not an engineer, so maybe that's a distinction without a difference. But I do know the taste even on blue is nothing like it used to be -- weaker than red on the old model.

scottg402 said:

Is it me or is it a bit surprising they are making this change?

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Little bit, yeah, especially given that the whole reason they developed such a fanatic following in the first place was because of the amazing taste of pure convection. However, it's ultimately a question of preference, and as you can see from the responses, there are some who don't share our preference for taste over clouds.

Sheer speculation, but I'm guessing Hermes got a lot of requests for decarb kits, some questions about the health effects of teflon, and criticism over the long heat-up time. So, they came up with the new heating technology in an effort to capture that portion of the market. It makes sense, especially now that we know they will continue selling the teflon-core model.

Henry81 said:

Do you think using the metal baskets would take away taste from the all glass core?

It seems the all glass would be better for direct loading.

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Doubtful. My Cloud EVO uses metal baskets with a glass airpath, and its taste is far superior to my glass-core MiniVAP (but slightly inferior to my old teflon-core unit).

The idea that metal affects the taste makes intuitive sense, but has little or no basis in reality, at least in my experience. The teflon-core MiniVAP with the metal basket connected to the Flexicone delivered the best taste of any vaporizer I have ever tried -- hands down. It was truly a revelation, like that moment in Ratatouille where the food critic tastes the eponymous dish.

mixchu69 said:

The only time I loaded directly into the chamber was when I did not take the advice of the FC community and dumped it straight in (no basket) because I watched a how to video on the minivap. Now I only use the flexi cone and the baskets. Everything is so clean. Zero cleanup other than the basket. The least maintenance of all my vaporizers by a mile.

I'm thinking about buying the decarb kit (somedays I want more clouds quicker) but was wondering if that works if I still use the basket. I'm concerned it will only work without the basket, dumping the herbs directly in the loading chamber. I think using the decarb kit is the way to get the experience of the the new glass core with our Teflon model, but we also have the option to get flavor city using only the Teflon.

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I only use the baskets in my MV, Teflon liner or decarb kit.
Works excellently in both modes!

Well guys just pulled trigger just bought a black minivap from minivap.com/usa cause I wanted use PayPal vapornation doesn't have. So now I gotta wait forever minivap to come. I have accessories coming to. So I'll be interested to see which core I get. Am I getting glass or Teflon????

How much do you all think ambient room temperature can affect performance of the MV?

I've had really disappointing results for the past few weeks and am unsure if the unit is becoming unreliable or if it's something else, like my chilly ass apartment. It's like, sweater weather cold inside my place the last few weeks, could this really drive performance down to the point where the temps seems shifted? like red is hitting like green used to, and final abv is light brown, sometimes with flecks of green ? Cuz that's where I'm at right now...


argh...can't wait to spring to figure this out "for sure", not sure what to do...

OnCloud8 said:

How much do you all think ambient room temperature can affect performance of the MV?

I've had really disappointing results for the past few weeks and am unsure if the unit is becoming unreliable or if it's something else, like my chilly ass apartment. It's like, sweater weather cold inside my place the last few weeks, could this really drive performance down to the point where the temps seems shifted? like red is hitting like green used to, and final abv is light brown, sometimes with flecks of green ? Cuz that's where I'm at right now...


argh...can't wait to spring to figure this out "for sure", not sure what to do...

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bro... sorry but it's probably just your MV failing. this is how both of my failed units died. performance declined very gradually across the entire temp range. it's a bit of a mindfuck. I kept wondering if my herb had somehow degraded, or if my tolerance had increased, or if the honeymoon had simply ended and I was just getting used to the effects. until I realized that red wasn't giving as much vapor as pink used to.

try to remember how glorious it was when you first got it

my experience has been that if I think it's failing, it is.

kimura said:

bro... sorry but it's probably just your MV failing. this is how both of my failed units died. performance declined very gradually across the entire temp range. it's a bit of a mindfuck. I kept wondering if my herb had somehow degraded, or if my tolerance had increased, or if the honeymoon had simply ended and I was just getting used to the effects. until I realized that red wasn't giving as much vapor as pink used to.

try to remember how glorious it was when you first got it

my experience has been that if I think it's failing, it is.

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ugh, i was so hoping to not hear that. but if it's true, it's true. geez.

kimura said:

bro... sorry but it's probably just your MV failing. this is how both of my failed units died. performance declined very gradually across the entire temp range. it's a bit of a mindfuck. I kept wondering if my herb had somehow degraded, or if my tolerance had increased, or if the honeymoon had simply ended and I was just getting used to the effects. until I realized that red wasn't giving as much vapor as pink used to.

try to remember how glorious it was when you first got it

my experience has been that if I think it's failing, it is.

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Yeah... sad to say this was precisely my experience, too. Especially the mindfuck part -- I went half crazy trying to decide if I was doing something wrong with my configuration and technique.

I should have my glass cored model very soon, it has been shipped, finally ! Can't wait to check it !

I bought a black model minivap from minivap.com. I wonder what I'm getting glass or Teflon. Which one should I pick if I have a choice

bigmouth said:

Yeah... sad to say this was precisely my experience, too. Especially the mindfuck part -- I went half crazy trying to decide if I was doing something wrong with my configuration and technique.

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Me three! I see a RMA in your future @OnCloud8 . Good luck!

OnCloud8 said:

How much do you all think ambient room temperature can affect performance of the MV?

I've had really disappointing results for the past few weeks and am unsure if the unit is becoming unreliable or if it's something else, like my chilly ass apartment. It's like, sweater weather cold inside my place the last few weeks, could this really drive performance down to the point where the temps seems shifted? like red is hitting like green used to, and final abv is light brown, sometimes with flecks of green ? Cuz that's where I'm at right now...


argh...can't wait to spring to figure this out "for sure", not sure what to do...

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Looks like i have the same thing. I bought mine in May 2014. It was great but last time I tried it even at red I hardly get any vapour. Such a shame, I guess I will have to send it back.

OnCloud8 said:

How much do you all think ambient room temperature can affect performance of the MV?

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I'd imagine that there exists a threshold range where the ambient temperature does indeed affect the MVs ability to produce consistant performance.
Stands to reason if you lived in the Siberian tundra and tried hitting that shit outside, then the core would struggle to heat the frigid air to temp.
What the range would be ain't for me to say however.
You tried hitting it whilst in front of a radiant heat source? Like a halogen heater or some such? Ensuring the air being pulled through is already pretty toasty.

Kommyknocker said:

I'd imagine that there exists a threshold range where the ambient temperature does indeed affect the MVs ability to produce consistant performance.
Stands to reason if you lived in the Siberian tundra and tried hitting that shit outside, then the core would struggle to heat the frigid air to temp.
What the range would be ain't for me to say however.
You tried hitting it whilst in front of a radiant heat source? Like a halogen heater or some such? Ensuring the air being pulled through is already pretty toasty.

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Yeah, I tried hitting it next to the stove while making lunch. Still really weak performance. Rma started...bummer, now what do I do? For the next month? Go back to the eq? Buy an eNano? ***sigh***

Man.. The thought of only having the EQ to tide me over(should my unit fail) doesn't sound like much fun. I've got my original restricted draw SS chamber Solo as a back up unit. It never failed me before.. I also think that the restriction in my Solo actually trained my breathing technique for future vaping of less restrictive units..
Besides.. I could always hit a bong like a pro smoker back when I was combuster.

Kommyknocker said:

Man.. The thought of only having the EQ to tide me over(should my unit fail) doesn't sound like much fun. I've got my original restricted draw SS chamber Solo as a back up unit. It never failed me before.. I also think that the restriction in my Solo actually trained my breathing technique for future vaping of less restrictive units..
Besides.. I could always hit a bong like a pro smoker back when I was combuster.

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Yeah, eq was my daily driver for years, now the MiniVAP (when it was kicking ass) has spoiled me for all others! I'm super duper bummed.

Go back to the eq and await the second coming!

stickstones said:

Go back to the eq and await the second coming!

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What rapture you'll experience then!

Tis true, a break away from the signature of the illustrious mV makes for a very happy(and drool filled) experience of reunion.

Kommyknocker said:

Tis true, a break away from the signature of the illustrious mV makes for a very happy(and drool filled) experience of reunion.

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Get a herbalizer man love mine. Soon I'll have evo, Herbie, minivap, enano, solo, ssv.

Roger D said:

I should have my glass cored model very soon, it has been shipped, finally ! Can't wait to check it !

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A question: do you use your backup MV with the metal liner (decarb kit) or teflon liner?

Personnally I use mine with decarb kit installed, I think taste suffer a bit especially if you wait a long time with your load in (still efficient but less tasty) before to hit it but imo at the 3 lower settings you get yet the tastier vape in the market and at red setting one of the cloudier!

Maybe I need to take time to re-install the teflon liner although.....

Having an extended test with my decarb rings in just now. I dismissed them really quickly I think upon hindsight.. Maybe too quickly.
Definitely an increase in cloud production for me and my test strain.
Hits hard on the high too maybe? Can't decide if I'm imagining it.

Ugh waiting game adhd can't take this. Wonder which core I'll get.

I've been unable to get any contact (answer to numerous emails) from Hermes now for well over a week, has anyone else been able to get in contact with them?