The Lotus Vaporizer

MrJitterz said:

Hey Lotus crew, I did want to ask. I've only had my lotus for about 2 weeks and have put maybe 40 bowls max through it. I'm getting some pretty dark charring. I know this is normal but this soon? I'm also sometimes getting hot spots so it makes me worried there is something not fitting right. Is this normal? I don't care about looks I just want to make sure I don't have a faulty unit. Works great and tastes even better so no complaints here!

Click to expand...

What torch are you using? It looks like you may be going at it harder than you need to. Ideally you'd use something like an Honest pocket torch turned up to about 2/3" inner flame circling tight within the divot. You can sorta point it away from areas that tend to over-brown, again within the divot.

coolbreeze said:

What torch are you using? It looks like you may be going at it harder than you need to. Ideally you'd use something like an Honest pocket torch turned up to about 2/3" inner flame circling tight within the divot. You can sorta point it away from areas that tend to over-brown, again within the divot.

Click to expand...

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.

MrJitterz said:

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.

Click to expand...

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.

MrJitterz said:

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.

Click to expand...

Are you keeping the flame confined to the divot? I'm not sure how it would go black like that without heating the entire flower/ring.

MrJitterz said:

Thanks for the heating suggestions though, I was more just trying to keep it as centered as possible.

Click to expand...

hmmm. Something doesn't seem right. Anyhow, Have a look at these, they both demonstrate good technique:

coolbreeze said:

Are you keeping the flame confined to the divot? I'm not sure how it would go black like that without heating the entire flower/ring.

hmmm. Something doesn't seem right. Anyhow, Have a look at these, they both demonstrate good technique:

Click to expand...

Yeah I feel like I'm going insane, I know this wood does tend to char more I hear? I reached out to vapenorth which is who I bought it from on week 2 and they said it looked fine and normal. So now I don't know if I should reach out again. I know these things can be abused but I'm pretty sure I'm doing everything as intended. I'll try lowering my inhale speeds though like someone suggested.

MrJitterz said:

Yeah I feel like I'm going insane, I know this wood does tend to char more I hear? I reached out to vapenorth which is who I bought it from on week 2 and they said it looked fine and normal. So now I don't know if I should reach out again. I know these things can be abused but I'm pretty sure I'm doing everything as intended. I'll try lowering my inhale speeds though like someone suggested.

Click to expand...

In my experience, the charring is unusual. If you are using it as intended then I would watch and see if the scorching continues/gets worse. I would think there's something wrong with the build in that case. Nevertheless, if it's not ruining the flavor or smoking and can be used normally then I would just play with it some more and see what you can do. Adjusting your breath, stirring, aiming, etc all should help you hone your technique until it's all second nature and the vapor's just what you want out of it. You'll get there, we'll see to it. ; )

Happy Lotus Friday!

Saturday! Along with some in my favorite analog!

I caved. Finally. After so many years of wanting to try one, this summer sale was the last straw

Olive, because I have to. Super thrilled

It will be here in a couple days, but sadly I will not be able to enjoy it before a couple weeks though, so, any advices and tips for a total new user to help flatten the learning curve will be greatly appreciated. It wil also help me wait and hype my enthusiasm. Thanks.

StellarLarve said:

Finally. After so many years of wanting to try one, this summer sale was the last straw

Olive, because I have to. Super thrilled

Click to expand...

Congrats and happy Lotus Friday! Can't wait to hear how you like it!

It's pretty straightforward to use:
grind some flower,
load it up to maybe 2/3,
turn your pocket torch up a little to about 3/4" inner flame,
focus the torch in the middle of the divot,
begin to make tight circles within the divot (only),
preheat for ~3 seconds,
begin to draw slowly at first to let the heat build,
pick up your draw,
pull the torch as you finish your hit.
Stir as necessary (a courser grind will keep the breakdown of the herbs from clogging the screen as quickly).

If you like waterpipes, give that a try--it's amazing. It's among the easiest manual vapes to use outside, so take it for a hike. Sip it, hit it hard--it's super flexible and can do whatever you require. Mostly, Enjoy!

I've been missing my Lotus, and I dug out a few various screens I had and none fit it's size bowl. Maybe the third time's a charm and I'll ask, can anyone recommend to me the size/a location to source the screens for a Lotus? Nothing I have in my loose little bit of extra pieces and parts is big enough.

I did appreciate how loose the mesh was in it, in that it almost never clogged in any kind of way, but I'll take anything that fits in it. Happy Lotus Friday y'all! (I'd join you if I could!)

delta hotel said:

I've been missing my Lotus, and I dug out a few various screens I had and none fit it's size bowl. Maybe the third time's a charm and I'll ask, can anyone recommend to me the size/a location to source the screens for a Lotus? Nothing I have in my loose little bit of extra pieces and parts is big enough.

I did appreciate how loose the mesh was in it, in that it almost never clogged in any kind of way, but I'll take anything that fits in it. Happy Lotus Friday y'all! (I'd join you if I could!)

Click to expand...

Made in The USA - 100 1/2" (.500) Stainless Steel Pipe Screen Filter - Up in Smoke Pipe Screens​

I got these on Amazon....excellent product.

These fit my Bowle, these fit my S and B mouth pieces, and these fit my Lotus...