VaporGenie

i have recently bought the aluminium pipe, I love it. it is an refreshment to be able to take one big hit and to be able to be about with you business compared to the long, heavy sessions with my ascent. quick question, i have read something in this thread about putting a drop of oil through the chimney before vaping a bowl, is this safe and do a lot of people do this ? won't it fill up the filter with small pieces of ashes? (i have homemade oil with some waxes left in it) to anyone who has some experience doing this, is it worth it ?

Nok21 said:

Ceramic Filter: No taste at all, never heard of other users tasting it. I suppose it could affect flavor if you use improper technique and touch the lighter to it or clog it with soot. Also heard of people dropping concentrates directly onto the ceramic, thats a no-no.

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edit. i read this now parently its no good
have a nice and toasty day everyone!

Nok21 said:

Vapor Cap on WPA: Go to a smoke/vape shop, and ask if they have metal downstem parts. You can probably find SS parts with ease, especially if you call before you come in. I do know the home depot method works though.

Lotus Hi-Temp cap: By no difference in usage, I assume you mean its heated the same exact way and the functionality/technique is not much different other than being able to take more heat. I'm wondering if the Hi-temp cap will last longer than a normal-temp cap when used at normal-temps because some people said their heating plates were in need of replacement after (presumably) proper usage.

On Ceramic Flaking: Never noticed anything unusual on my old VG's ceramic filter, and that was used almost daily for about 2.5 years. Once every few months, if a friend touched the flame to the filter or combusted, I'd simply torch it red-hot with a butane torch using ceramic tweezers to hold it. I never noticed any degradation or damage.

However, it is fragile and if you push the retaining ring down too hard (I like to think i push mine somewhat hard and I've never had any issues with flaking that I've noticed) it could flake, or if you jab it when trying to remove the retaining ring it could flake. I never had any issues myself. Even after all the drops my ole' purple model has gone through, zero flaking or damage.

Discoloration is normal, if the wrong technique is used. If you see a black mark on the filter, you touched the flame to the filter and that is soot. If you see redish dust, you are using a bic/flint wheel lighter and not letting the flint dust burn off. Light your bick 3' away from the VG, let the flame burn for 2-3 seconds at most, and then use it if you must use a bic. Again, torch the filter red-hot after removing it from the cap and hold it VERY gently, and also take note that one side has a SLIGHTLY tapered end.

If you wanted to ensure that nothing touches the filter while its in your pocket, I'm sure you could use some form of cork to plug the top of the Vapor Cap too.. I might just start doing this.

EDIT: Spelling, etc

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When I mentioned ceramic flaking off I was referring to the lotus hi-temp cap which has black ceramic on it. If that flaked off, it would look pretty bad after awhile. And as far as going to a head shop and asking for spare parts...my location isn't very good for that. I live on an island and the head shops here are kind of sparse. They also sell a lot of low quality items aimed at combusters. The internet and fc is my godsend.

bounce5 said:

When I mentioned ceramic flaking off I was referring to the lotus hi-temp cap which has black ceramic on it. If that flaked off, it would look pretty bad after awhile. And as far as going to a head shop and asking for spare parts...my location isn't very good for that. I live on an island and the head shops here are kind of sparse. They also sell a lot of low quality items aimed at combusters. The internet and fc is my godsend.

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Fair enough, my friend. In my area we have big ones and a lot of them are verified vaporizer dealers as well. They only sell the real mainstream portable electronic vapes and electric pipe "Vapes". They are not knockoffs or otherwise, but they are more than often price jacked.

Ah, the ceramic on the Lotus hi-temp cap! Again, as much as I'd like to I haven't tried one yet. I'd ask in the lotus thread to see if thats a problem.

@mandelbrod, I have yet to try concentrates in my new Sherlock but they do work in regular genies. VG sells concentrate pads for a reason.

On the other hand, you could use a bed of your herbs and melt or drop it onto that. Only down side is that you would have a rough time stirring the load.

Now I'm thinking about using my old MFLB concentrate trays in the Sherlock, but they are meant for conduction usage... Its more or less a very small metal dish with a fine screen on it that you melt concentrates onto. I was going to snag one of those concentrate pads, but they were sold out at the time. Either way, with the Sherlocks draw I think it might be more apt for concentrates. Even at high temps, its still such a smooth draw that it reminds me of a whip vape. I think I'm gonna give this a go tonight.

EDIT: mflb concentrate tray does not fit into my VG.

Has anyone used their VG with a candle instead of a lighter or hemp wick? I'm wondering if the flame from a candle is hot enough or if there would be any safety concerns from inhaling from the candle. My assumption would be that the wax is too heavy and barely turns to liquid much less vapor, so that wouldn't travel through your airstream but maybe there would be concerns about the wick?

Thoughts?

Wax may drip when tilting the candle. Not sure how clean burning a candle is though.

I would t use a candle but couldn't be sure why not. Others have tried hemp wick but it's awkward, twisting a small rope from a few pieces seems to be the best technique iirc

I love a torch lighter. Failing that a piezo candle flame lighter.

steama said:

Bad idea, skip the candle. Unless that is the kind of wax you want to vape.

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Agree 100% @steama.

Do NOT use a candle. As a candle burns, the wick of the candle constantly soaks up the wax which is burned/vaporized (Probably a combination of the two) to keep the candle going. I'd be very skeptical of using this method, and would avoid it like the plague.

A few problems I instantly thought of about using a Candle for a VaporGenie Heat Source:
-It could affect flavor, due to the wax being used as the fuel source of the candle, and potentially being scented with who-knows-what.
-MAJOR soot build up. Put a clear piece of glass over a burning candle for a few seconds and watch the black shit build up. It is also a good way to test the "Purity" of your other flames used with your VG.
-You risk inhaling vaporized/combusted candle wax, which is no bueno. Not sure on the health of this, but the only "wax" I'd consider using is Beeswax on hemp rope. If its a "normal" candle, we have no idea what else is even in it.
-Candle Wax is NOT meant for "First hand" inhalation. Hate using smoker terms, but that fits. Candles are like incense: 2nd hand inhalation only.
-Candle Wax could melt into your VaporCap, and clog our VaporCaps filter. If your filter is already preheated/in use, the wax would vaporize or burn and you risk inhaling that. I wouldn't even use a 100% organic beeswax candle due to the drip risk.

EDIT: A few members touched on these, credit to them; but I wanted to also add my opinion here.

ZC said:

Has anyone used their VG with a candle instead of a lighter or hemp wick? I'm wondering if the flame from a candle is hot enough or if there would be any safety concerns from inhaling from the candle. My assumption would be that the wax is too heavy and barely turns to liquid much less vapor, so that wouldn't travel through your airstream but maybe there would be concerns about the wick?

Thoughts?

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I hope I didn't come across as A condescending dickweed or something along the lines of that, but I don't want to see a fellow VG user ruining their cap or whole vape.

Any reason you thought of using a candle over a refillable lighter/even a bic?

To everyone else:
My apologizes for not having my Sherlock pictures up yet, I've had one hell of a month and just haven't even had time to get my photography station back up to par, let alone taking my photos.

I'll see if I can get a few soon, but i need to deal with some more pressing personal issues before that. I'll be sure to have a size comparison to my classic VG and shoot it in front of a ruler as well.

Thanks for your response @Nok21

You don't come off as condescending, this is the kind of insight I was looking for when I posted the question and I really appreciate it.

As for the reason I was thinking about it, I've been considering building a kind of "desktop style" home for the VG. Something with a constant flame you can just put the VG over and inhale, without having to fumble with a lighter or hemp wick for every single hit. The trouble is deciding what the source of the flame is. The candle is a no-go for reasons you described, I'm open to suggestions.

ZC said:

Something with a constant flame you can just put the VG over and inhale, without having to fumble with a lighter or hemp wick for every single hit. The trouble is deciding what the source of the flame is. The candle is a no-go for reasons you described, I'm open to suggestions.

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I don't share the view that a candle flame is automatically a bad idea. What is hemp wick? The worlds worst candle basically? Lots of wick and almost no wax? And bees wax to boot? Not so pure compared to paraffin. Avoid wicks with lead of course (common in many candles, look for a bead of metal on the tip of the wick, the leak keeps the wick upright. And stick to pure wax, avoid the plasticizers added to many candles. But pure paraffin is basically 'thick kerosene' long chain hydrocarbons, Butane on steroids if you will. And you know a properly trimmed kerosene lamp can burn mighty clean if you run it lean (excess air for the fuel) giving off only water vapor and CO2 like a Butane lighter does. VG will never know nor care where the hot air, steam and CO2 came from.

A small oil lamp (burning pure kerosene) is an option to consider, of perhaps an alcohol lamp burning denatured Ethanol. Part of the problem is VG doesn't work well upside down (the herb tends to fall onto the heat exchanger) but you can work around that.

You might also consider a modified hot air gun? Heat electrically not by fire........

OF

I like the idea of a kerosene lamp, I'm going to look into that.

As for the upside down problem, I've thought of a few solutions but the easiest is to put a formed screen in the top separating the filter from the bowl. If I get an initial prototype thing working well I'll probably make an entirely new mouthpiece and bowl for it.

Not really interested in a hot air gun, for me the point of this project is to have a nice "off-grid" style desktop vape that doesn't require electricity. Something to take camping and put on the picnic table.

Any advice for a first time coil owner/user? I've used an original VG and didn't have this degree of difficulty..

Received it yesterday and got a couple HUGE hits but also ended up scorching nearly black twice. In the vg I could taste when I got too hot but with the coil through water I have an issue recognizing that point since I generally only taste on my exhale. My lighter technique needs work as well, my 5+ year old firebird torch (expensive but highly reccomended, all metal workhorse) is finally getting sputtery and frustrating so I'm primarily working with a piezo soft flame till my new torch comes in.

Interesting ideas, I very much like this discussion!

OF said:

I don't share the view that a candle flame is automatically a bad idea. What is hemp wick? The worlds worst candle basically? Lots of wick and almost no wax? And bees wax to boot? Not so pure compared to paraffin. Avoid wicks with lead of course (common in many candles, look for a bead of metal on the tip of the wick, the leak keeps the wick upright. And stick to pure wax, avoid the plasticizers added to many candles. But pure paraffin is basically 'thick kerosene' long chain hydrocarbons, Butane on steroids if you will. And you know a properly trimmed kerosene lamp can burn mighty clean if you run it lean (excess air for the fuel) giving off only water vapor and CO2 like a Butane lighter does. VG will never know nor care where the hot air, steam and CO2 came from.

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You make many valid points but I had a feeling @ZC was referring to an "ordinary candle". I have no idea if the candle they were referring to is scented, its brand, its ingredients, or anything else about the candle so I merely wanted to point out why I feel a candle should not be used as a heat source for VaporGenies, at least, in this case.

I don't feel a candle flame is automatically a bad idea, I feel a candle is potentially a bad idea for the reasons listed above in my previous post. Though, a few of those reasons do assume that the candle is of poor quality.

I was merely trying to offer some harm reduction under the assumption that the candle could have potential impurities in it, especially since I do not know of the candle question. But hey, I am by no means an expert on candles or candlewax.

Hemp wick is a candle, I'd have to agree 100%. They work well, burn clean, but they do create ash eventually. Some candles can have potential for VG usage, especially if you are mindful of the wax melting and know what ingredients are in the candle. You sound like you know what your talking about, so I may even look into kerosene or paraffin. For now, I am happy with a can of butane and a small torch lighter.

ZC said:

Not really interested in a hot air gun, for me the point of this project is to have a nice "off-grid" style desktop vape that doesn't require electricity. Something to take camping and put on the picnic table.

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I like where this is headed, as I purchased my bronze Sherlock for an easily to hide "desktop" vaporizer- in the sense that it rarely will leave my home and it is easy to conceal.

I like your "off-grid-perma-flame" idea, I'm looking forward to see what you guys find out!

nondarb said:

Any advice for a first time coil owner/user? I've used an original VG and didn't have this degree of difficulty..

Received it yesterday and got a couple HUGE hits but also ended up scorching nearly black twice. In the vg I could taste when I got too hot but with the coil through water I have an issue recognizing that point since I generally only taste on my exhale. My lighter technique needs work as well, my 5+ year old firebird torch (expensive but highly reccomended, all metal workhorse) is finally getting sputtery and frustrating so I'm primarily working with a piezo soft flame till my new torch comes in.

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I've yet to use the coil, though I have modded my vapor cap to quite a few attachments, including a "one-hitter" style using SS parts for travel. It was harsh, but it got the job done without combustion.

If your using it with a waterpipe, my best advice is to watch the vapor being formed, once you see it start to get a little milky, kill the flame, rip it, and go from there. Its kind of like re-learning your technique from the git-go.

EDIT: Derp, saw you mentioned using a torch. Maybe try a normal flame?

Nok21 said:

I don't feel a candle flame is automatically a bad idea, I feel a candle is potentially a bad idea for the reasons listed above in my previous post. Though, a few of those reasons do assume that the candle is of poor quality.

I was merely trying to offer some harm reduction under the assumption that the candle could have potential impurities in it, especially since I do not know of the candle question. But hey, I am by no means an expert on candles or candlewax.

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With you there. It's not a casual choice. I have some "Plumber's candles" that are pure paraffin with standard cotton wicks (no Lead wire, not that I think such Lead evaporates (it beads up as metallic Lead instead) but it's best avoided?). I also have some with more normal candle wax. I can easily tell the difference at a distance, the 'old school paraffin ones' have melted in the box some on a hot day in their past.

I also have several pure paraffin 'candles in a jar' ones for the patio, but they have Leaded wicks......I know this cuz I'm the guy that cast 'em from a stash of paraffin I have from past adventures. They won't cut it due to the jar of course.

If I were to take up the challenge I'd use an oil or alcohol lamp I think. Constant, predictable flame that doesn't move as the candle burns. Did you know you can light a cigarette on the exhaust at the top of the flue of a typical Kerosene lamp? Well at least John Wayne can. He's dead now though. Fun idea, but I'll stick to my torch lighters and Butane.

Thanks.

OF

OF said:

If I were to take up the challenge I'd use an oil or alcohol lamp I think. Constant, predictable flame that doesn't move as the candle burns. Did you know you can light a cigarette on the exhaust at the top of the flue of a typical Kerosene lamp? Well at least John Wayne can. He's dead now though. Fun idea, but I'll stick to my torch lighters and Butane.

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I'd consider an alcohol lamp of sorts. Using an oil lamp would remind me too much of people vaping coconut oil and getting pneumonia.

Thanks mate! I'd be tempted to give this a go in the future

Nok

Nok21 said:

I'd consider an alcohol lamp of sorts. Using an oil lamp would remind me too much of people vaping coconut oil and getting pneumonia.

Thanks mate! I'd be tempted to give this a go in the future

Nok

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I'd probably start with denatured alcohol ('methylated spirits' to the Brits who've long used them to make their tea when the time comes). It burns very clean (one of the reasons it's added to gasoline) given the right conditions. Cleaner I'd imagine than Butane? Closer to Methane? And most have no concerns with Butane.

Could be a fun 'rainy day distraction', if we ever get rain again in California of course.

OF

OF said:

I'd probably start with denatured alcohol ('methylated spirits' to the Brits who've long used them to make their tea when the time comes). It burns very clean (one of the reasons it's added to gasoline) given the right conditions. Cleaner I'd imagine than Butane? Closer to Methane? And most have no concerns with Butane.

Could be a fun 'rainy day distraction', if we ever get rain again in California of course.

OF

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Maybe. Denatured alcohol still bugs me out. Denatured anything bugs me out, for that matter.

On the whole rainy day thing.. I wish there was something to be done.

Nok21 said:

ve yet to use the coil, though I have modded my vapor cap to quite a few attachments, including a "one-hitter" style using SS parts for travel. It was harsh, but it got the job done without combustion.

If your using it with a waterpipe, my best advice is to watch the vapor being formed, once you see it start to get a little milky, kill the flame, rip it, and go from there. Its kind of like re-learning your technique from the git-go.

EDIT: Derp, saw you mentioned using a torch. Maybe try a normal flame?

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I am using a soft flame, torch died. However when it was working I had better results. The coil seems to focus heat in one area regardless of whether I move the flame around or not. The coil has quite a bit of adjustment as far as the filter and bowl goes so I've started monkeying with it a bit. I'm getting better but the learning curve is a little annoying when I'm scorching otherwise usable ABV and seemingly wasting product. I've also accidentally drawn too hard and extinguished my flame to be welcomed with a sooty butane taste upon exhale, so that sucks.

But when it works well I get the most lungbusting snaps I've ever encountered in a vape. I'm satisfied there is no magic right answer and that I've just got to keep trying. I was just hoping for some tips.

Nok21 said:

Maybe. Denatured alcohol still bugs me out. Denatured anything bugs me out, for that matter.

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Nothing to fear if you're not drinking it I think. Just a small amount of Methanol (which burns easier and cleaner.....) to discourage that. You don't fear burning Methane (natural gas) do you? Same basic stuff, yet used in kitchens very widely.

What inspires caution in you is of course your business, and "Denatured" is intended to inspire caution, but my belief is that chemical safety starts with 'know your enemy'. And from what I know burning it correctly is safe by conventional standards.

Denatured Ethanol is just a LOT cheaper than pure Ethanol due to no extra taxes. If you're burning it it's all good? You could, I guess, run it on Everclear?

OF

OF said:

You don't fear burning Methane (natural gas) do you? Same basic stuff, yet used in kitchens very widely.

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Don't get me started on natural gas and fracking

But I'll take your word for it, It will be a fun project making my own alcohol lamp. Organic cotton for wick?

EDIT: @nondarb- I'd try another torch if it works best for you. A tip for learning to use VG's with water pipes is to 'reset' your technique and start back at the beginning with slow, long sessions to see how deep your flame needs to go for how long and how long the draw is. Its very hard to feel the vapor.

Nok21 said:

Don't get me started on natural gas and fracking

Organic cotton for wick?

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Yep, ain't fracking grand?

I sure see no reason not to use organic cotton, although it's likely to get you into the weaving business? The only such material I know is bulk. In my youth I used cotton clothes line rope (the kind with the woven cover about 1/4 inch thick). I cut a piece off the free end of my mother's clothes line in fact. Later in life I've used commercial wicks, basically expensive short pieces of cotton clothes line. The woven wicks for oil lamps are another possibility. Some are fiberglass based, I see no problem there since the whole idea is the wick not getting involved. Something like a baby food jar with a hole in the top (my first ones) works well and is cheap. Just let it cool off from time to time, hot alcohol is not cool.......

https://www.google.com/search?q=alc...X&ved=0ahUKEwiowfepuM_JAhUM6mMKHZ3PC28QsAQISA

I quickly learned the tube around the wick is just a spacer to keep the flame away from the cap, it doesn't have to be sealed or even attached well. Also not overfilling keeps the alcohol cool.

http://www.amazon.com/Seoh-Alcohol-Lamp-Wicks-bundle/dp/B000HWNQLG

Enjoy it. Remember such flames can be harder to see than a candle flame (but they're still there).

OF

OF said:

I sure see no reason not to use organic cotton, although it's likely to get you into the weaving business?

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I regularly have organic cotton around, I use them in my RDA/RTA style vapes. '

Appreciate the links, ill check them out!

Nok21 said:

I regularly have organic cotton around, I use them in my RDA/RTA style vapes. '

Appreciate the links, ill check them out!

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Cool, make it into a 1/4 diameter six inch long rope and your set......

Have fun with it.

OF

Hello VG friends... I have a question. My VaporGenie is doing something strange. It smells real bad! Not the bowl, and nothing you can notice when hitting it, but after a hit if I smell the top of the heat filter/bowl part it smells very bad. I don't know how to explain it. Kinda like how steel smells when you cut it with an abrasive blade- same idea. I thought it must be the result of hundreds of sessions with a flame lighter and soot build up, so I took the filter out to try and clean it. It doesn't look sooty at all. Maybe it's inside the filter though? Seems when I hit it the smell doesn't exactly come through in the hit, but afterwards. And when it cools down the smell seems to go away. I have a torch lighter and it does the same thing, but I prefer the flame style lighter in general, so that is what has been used mostly.

I looked on VG website to see about a replacement filter but I don't see one available. Is there someway to soak the filter to clean it? Has anyone else experienced this?

Jethro said:

I looked on VG website to see about a replacement filter but I don't see one available. Is there someway to soak the filter to clean it? Has anyone else experienced this?

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Two ideas. First go back and dig some on the site. There's a cleaning procedure there. You use a vacuum cleaner to provide draft and pull away fumes and torch it until it seriously glows. The carbide of the exchanger is basically heat proof with torch power.....junk in it isn't.

They do sell replacement heat exchangers (it's NOT of filter.....), but they need to confirm you're an existing owner. Contact them.

Good luck with it. My guess is you picked up something now melted into the exchanger?

OF

remove and Torch the 'filter' until it's glowing brightly orange let it cool and torch it a second time. One of my handcarved tops got an odd smell whenever it cooled down after use(a friend would just shake the VG between hits instead of remove the top and stir), sorta a very stinky sour/ metal odor. torching the filter took care of it 100% it was(and still is) like brand new afterwards.

The vacuum method @OF speaks was only for the original tops when the 'exchanger/filter' was fixed in the top, they made it removable so you can now just take out the ceramic filter to torch it clean while holding it with tweezers or something.