That's exacty what I'm using and I'm using the suggested 3 seconds and then inhale. first hit is usually nothing and 2nd hit is great. I do 3-4 hits back to back and then debowl. It makes usually a great roast but yeah the unit started going black day 1.
Thanks for the heating suggestions though, I was more just trying to keep it as centered as possible.
I follow the
Inhale instructions, moving in small circles as said above.
I think the key is the slow inhale. I think you can char the top of the bowl (or even combust) if you pull too much hot air thru the load too quickly. If I detect too much heat in the vapour I slow my draw.
Practicing slow draws I usually get a super tasty lighter cloud on the first pull/heating, then a thick tasty cloud on the second, third is clean-up and often not even worth it. I do tend to use a smaller amount though, 1/2 full-ish usually, so that might be worth noting.
Others here are much more seasoned users than I am but this works well for me.
Edit: noticed you meant charring of the cap! Silly me.