"All-Glass" Elev8r has metal screen in Quartz heater

[GradeANugs]

So I searched far and wide for an all-glass vape set-up, because I want the cleanest possible vapor with no chance of metal or plastic leaching in. I eventually decided on the Elev8r, and ordered the "all-glass" version, after specifically confirming with the company that it was 100% glass.

But when it arrived, the quartz heater had a metal screen in it. I emailed them and asked if I received the wrong heater, but they said "no, they are all like that. We can't make a glass screen for it. It would break."

Obviously if the heater gets too hot for a glass screen, it also too hot for metal to not leach in. This defeats the purpose of my purchase. Why couldn't they make a quartz screen for it?

What should I do? Remove the metal screen and leave it out? This would mean I couldn't shake it to aerate the herb mid-bowl. Or should I try to find a new glass screen for it? Return it and continue the search?

Do you know of any vapes that are actually 100% glass, rather than falsely being advertised as all-glass?

Thanks

 

[arb]

What is your specific concern with the screen?

 

[GradeANugs]

I don't want metal anywhere near my vape set-up. Some people that use the Elev8r say they can taste the difference when using the metal screen, which means it is leaching into the vapor, at least a little.

 

[Baron23]

What should I do?

Don't breath....ever....if you are that worried about metal leaching into your vapor then you absolutely need to avoid the air in any city or town. Maybe even down to small village. Def do not stand at a city bus stop in the summer.

Maybe Kathmandu.

So, yes...I'm being a bit snide. Please forgive me. But it does kind of lite me up when people are so concerned about a small bit of steel in the air path of their relatively low temp vaporizers without any regard for the context of almost unavoidable exposure to materials in their daily lives.

I have no idea what leaching is. SS will melt and off gas but at temperature MUCH higher than anything you should be seeing in a vape. More likely path is inhalation of oxidized SS and even there its really a non-issue (well, its your right for it to be an issue to you). That's why its called "stainless" as its highly oxidation resistant.

"In nonfluctuating-temperature service, the oxidation resistance (or scaling resistance) of stainless steels depends on chromium content. Stainless steels with less than 18% chromium (ferritic grades primarily) are limited to temp-eratures below 1500°F (816°C). Those containing 18 to 20% chromium are useful to temperatures of 1800°F (982°C), while adequate resistance to scaling at temperatures up to 2000°F (1093°C) requires a chromium content of at least 25%, such as Types 309, 310, or 446. ​

Do as you wish...truly, we are all entitled to our own neurosis...I most certainly have a bunch myself. But as an matter of fact worrying about that screen is pretty disproportionate to its very, very low potential for harm.

More commonly, people like all glass air path for taste.

With all that said, you might find this helpful

https://blog.vapefuse.com/stainless-steel-in-vaporizers-is-it-safe/

 

[Morty]

I gotta agree w/ @Baron23 on this, I would not trip on the screen in the heater. Having said that, you can use the heater w/o the screen w/ the water pipe adapter. You would have to stir the load instead of shake it as you would with the glass wand.

@Alexis Don't (didn't) you use your Elev8r (no, no T you turd burglar ) w/o the screen when pairing it w/ your e-nail coil & WPA ? I remember reading you saying their pretty EZ to pop in & out of place.

 

[MoltenTiger]

I don't think it's that crazy to want to avoid understudied exposure. Chromium isn't a joke.

It pays to be aware of what we are exposed to. Laser printers generate nasty chemicals, and so do plenty of vaporizers. One can be ventilated, the other causes a direct injection to the blood stream.

I don't think you'll be getting an ELEV8R screen red hot, so I don't think the exposure is worth much concern. But I am under no impression that it is free of exposure.

I would suggest you'll be hard pressed to obtain less exposure whilst still vaping. Vaping isn't ever risk free.

There are options that use titanium and ceramic heaters, but there's always a catch.

Removing the metal screen from the ELEV8R would probably give you the most pure all-glass path with an off-the-shelf option.
Try it out and see how the different set ups work for you. Long term, choosing to keep the screen in isn't that relatively bad an idea.

But I will say, using the StemPod the last couple of weeks with glowing hot coils, you can see the off-gas spectrum difference just in the colour of the bong water. Metal exposure isn't a good thing nor is excessive surface layer heat.

 

[Abysmal Vapor]

Remove the damn screen bro.. It is not needed . Also you can look into the vapolution line
Dont own an elev8r nor monitoring the thread,but i cannot imagine it being of paramount importance to the operation.

 

[GradeANugs]

Thanks for the replies, everyone. I know most people aren't as concerned as I am about chemical exposure. Of course there are so many toxic air situations in life that I can't really avoid. A lot of people might take that idea and think, "screw it, might as well not worry about it, then." And there might be some validity to the argument that the placebo effect of worrying about exposure is even worse than the actual exposure. But I'm not going to be able to suddenly stop knowing about it or thinking about it. To me all the other sources of pollution I can't avoid just make me want to avoid the ones I CAN actually control even more, especially if I'm going to be inhaling them directly and regularly. MoltenTiger has the right idea. This topic is very understudied. If people can taste the difference the metal screen makes, and it changes the color of the bong water, etc. then it clearly is doing something I'd want to avoid.

Anyway, I'm just going to learn to vape without the screen in there, as Abysmal Vapor suggested. I did look into the Vapolution line, and almost bought one, but I saw too many complaints about their reliability. I'd still be interested to hear about any other 100% glass options people have tried.

 

[Hippie Dickie]

just make me want to avoid the ones I CAN actually control even more, especially if I'm going to be inhaling them directly and regularly.

i agree … although i may be a touch obsessive-compulsive about an all glass vapor path, but i use my vape a lot.

 

[Alexis]

I gotta agree w/ @Baron23 on this, I would not trip on the screen in the heater. Having said that, you can use the heater w/o the screen w/ the water pipe adapter. You would have to stir the load instead of shake it as you would with the glass wand.

@Alexis Don't (didn't) you use your Elev8r (no, no T you turd burglar ) w/o the screen when pairing it w/ your e-nail coil & WPA ? I remember reading you saying their pretty EZ to pop in & out of place.

Hey dude hope you are good. Well done on the T as well, it looks like all those spelling lessons paid off eventually!

But no, that wasn't me. I do recall it being discussed.

But I ALWAYS use the heater screen. Never without, coil or torch. I have given up entirely on the coil though. Far too dangerous for one. But just such a PITA with the bowl and sick clip too hot to handle whenever I want to stir and inspect.

I only torch my Elev8r now. Im miserably limited wrt the vapes I can actually use. I have a collection of brand new, used once or twice only top tier vapes which I cant use at all and really need to sell, but have been too unwell for anything other than daily necessities.

But I will always rock a screen in the Elev8r heater, unless I have no choice.

If you never, ever shake the load, then you can do away with the screen. But if you intend to shake at all, I would advise it. I actually prefer to stir, but I still shake each load so the screen is a must.
Take care bro.

@GradeANugs check out the Vriptech Heat Wand for a 100% glass option.

 

[MyCollie]

So, I bought the Big Shot GT8000 torch to use with my new Elev8r. Will this be too powerful? A ten second heatup? There’s little adjustability with the flame but I have minimal experience with torches aside from an old iwatani. This torch seems like it’s either 90-95% or 100%.

 

[GradeANugs]

I've never tried the GT8000 torch, but I doubt it would be too much for the quartz heater. Maybe hold it further away if you are worried about it? I just use a standard $20 propane torch from Home Depot, but mine is fully adjustable and I use it fairly close to the lowest it can go.

I actually started using the Elev8r without the metal clip holding the heater in, so there is nothing but glass. I just hold it slightly upwards at all times to avoid it falling out. I can still stir the bud around a little by holding it vertically and hitting it lightly against my finger and spinning it a bit. This level of metal avoidance is definitely beyond what most people would bother with, though.

 

[Alexis]

So, I bought the Big Shot GT8000 torch to use with my new Elev8r. Will this be too powerful? A ten second heatup? There’s little adjustability with the flame but I have minimal experience with torches aside from an old iwatani. This torch seems like it’s either 90-95% or 100%.

I always keep the Big Shot flame on minium.

First heat up is usually 20 seconds max. Any longer and the herb will be darkening too fast for my liking and those precious terpenes are ersdicated too quickly to savour and make the most of.

If my load is a big one, like 0.33 or more, 20 secs is still unnecessary for initial heat up. 15-17 will give great, smooth tasty and still large hits from a big load.
Smaller to average loads, 20 secs minium flame is about right.

Reheats- it all depends on how hot the heater got previous hit, how long since last torching etc. It becomes intuitive with practice. If my first hit was underheated and too wispy, I will do 15 seconds on a fairly promot follow up.

But then won't stop to heat and proper vapor production my reheats are normally 10 seconds maximum and can be less if you are reheating fairly quickly.

The flame size does vary a lot, except it is finnicky to keep it on the lowest position. A fine line between the flame cutting out, and being too powerful. You just have to be very delicate about it but you want the lowest flame without it cutting out.

Good luck bro. Btw, there is actually an Elev8r thread here under Pug-ins. This is not the Elev8r thread.

 

[MyCollie]

I always keep the Big Shot flame on minium.

First heat up is usually 20 seconds max. Any longer and the herb will be darkening too fast for my liking and those precious terpenes are ersdicated too quickly to savour and make the most of.

If my load is a big one, like 0.33 or more, 20 secs is still unnecessary for initial heat up. 15-17 will give great, smooth tasty and still large hits from a big load.
Smaller to average loads, 20 secs minium flame is about right.

Reheats- it all depends on how hot the heater got previous hit, how long since last torching etc. It becomes intuitive with practice. If my first hit was underheated and too wispy, I will do 15 seconds on a fairly promot follow up.

But then won't stop to heat and proper vapor production my reheats are normally 10 seconds maximum and can be less if you are reheating fairly quickly.

The flame size does vary a lot, except it is finnicky to keep it on the lowest position. A fine line between the flame cutting out, and being too powerful. You just have to be very delicate about it but you want the lowest flame without it cutting out.

Good luck bro. Btw, there is actually an Elev8r thread here under Pug-ins. This is not the Elev8r thread.

Alexis,

Thanks so much for the info! I really appreciate it. I'll head on over to the other thread.

 

[Alexis]

Alexis,

Thanks so much for the info! I really appreciate it. I'll head on over to the other thread.

You are welcome my friend, what this place is all about right? Im just starting a very full load now for my first vapor since finishing last nights huge load to get back to sleep this morning.

I put about 0.4 ish in this one. Was packed high up in the bowl so I only heated it for 15 seconds.
Barely visible vapor, but pure taste, more like inhaling essential oils like that at the very low temperature at the start of a load, and I would posit that this is the way it should be to get the most out of your Herb and use those terpenes before they are boiled off.

I did a 13 second reheat, but the flame cut out a few times as it can do, treading that fine line on minium, so my 2nd hit was still barely visible vapor-wise. I usually get a bigger 2nd hit but am going gently so I can keep the herb fresh for as long as possible.

And this is my target actually I always aim to keep the load looking pretty green for as long as possible and it's really surprising how many very large, dense, whitewalled hits you can take with proper heating timing and still keep the herb green.

Whereas if you were to heat for 25 seconds in the beginning or on any follow-up heats or even 20 seconds on a follow up heating after already being up to a good temperature, the load will start to yellow and brown very quickly.

I am always kicking myself if I overheat on any of the initial heat ups on a fresh load and turn the material yellow or brown to quickly because this is wasteful and results in less effects overall in my experience, vs a controlled and measured extraction.

So you just need to test the waters with the Big Shot, learn the ropes. I always use a stopwatch these days because if I am to rely on my senses and judgement there will be variability due to my time perception shifting with medication and variable fatigue, and I will not get as consistent and repeatable Performance with some harsher hits and some underwhelming ones more or less inevitable.

Less is more with the Big Shot and the Elev8r to a degree.
Okay 3rd hit due now. Except I'm going to make sure it's a proper one this time I will do a full 20 seconds because the heater has cooled down now. This will give a very decent hit but it won't be instantly milking up within 1 1/2 seconds when you see this happening the likelihood is that you have overheated and will extract very quickly but the vapor will be a little harsher and leave less behind for following hits.

Then, after this hit, which will be just about right at 20 seconds, 10 seconds max for subsequent hits any more than that without giving the heater more time to cool down will be too much heat for my uses, until the load is declining towards the end and then it is necessary to heat for longer to extract the remainder.

But at all times, ideally it should take about 3 to 5 seconds before the vapor really starts milking up the bubbler. If you observe this delay, then it starts to milk thick- that is the sweet spot where you can take really huge long extended hits which are incredibly smooth and tasty and still leave the material green, without being too harsh for your throat or lungs.

Anyway I hope this elaboration helps you to get your technique down a bit more easily, have fun mate and I hope we get to hear a little report.

 

[MyCollie]

I tried it out last night. The taste is amazing but I needed to let the quartz heat up for longer than I expected. The vapor is smooth and tasty but mine was a bit wispy. For the price I would say this is a winner. I’m glad I purchased it.

You were right about the herb staying green. I took quite a few hits and now it’s pretty good looking AVB.

The vapor is about as warm (but not at all harsh) as I expected. I saw Sneakypete’s review and he seemed to say he liked it through water so maybe I’ll try that.

 

[Alexis]

I tried it out last night. The taste is amazing but I needed to let the quartz heat up for longer than I expected. The vapor is smooth and tasty but mine was a bit wispy. For the price I would say this is a winner. I’m glad I purchased it.

You were right about the herb staying green. I took quite a few hits and now it’s pretty good looking AVB.

The vapor is about as warm (but not at all harsh) as I expected. I saw Sneakypete’s review and he seemed to say he liked it through water so maybe I’ll try that.

Sounds good so far. Yes actually I was thinking last night while torching my load up, I may have given you slightly conservative guidelines to follow on heat-up times.

But better to start low and build up I feel, getting a feel for it as you go. I would always rather get a few wispy hits than a scorcher.

Im glad you get what I mean about the load staying green- use this as a guage to find and keep that sweet spot. You will be able to increase the heat to get fuller, consistent hits which will blast you sky high, filling your lungs to the brim, but still so smooth AND crucially, without darkening or even yellowing the herb.

So just keep practising. Try to keep all of the variables in mind so that you can control the experience and make it consistent and predictable.

Like- flame strength, distance to heater, angle etc. Load size/consistency (I use a very fine grind in all my vapes mostly).

Different bubblers will also affect your results because they create a different type of suction and therefore extraction and you will find that with a particular bubbler you will need to eat less or the vapor will be harsher.

Oh I missed your last comment- you didn't try through water yet. Lol, I actually have never used my Elev8r dry ( actually that's not true I think I did have a little go through a bubbler without any water in once but it was irritating me more so I just gave up ).

But yes, water, the Elev8r is really for using with a water piece. So just increase heating time in increments. Using a bubbler will also help you get things dialled in becasuse you get much better visual feedback on the vapor production and extraction.

Last night, I was taking monster hits, really smooth perfect timed, and I noticed that the very best hits still were taking 4 to 5 seconds before the bubbler really began to fill up with milk.

If it starts whiting out in only 2 to 3 seconds, heat is too high. The vapor flows so quickly that it can even look very wispy until you blow out a storm cloud.

 

[LabPong]

I've never tried the GT8000 torch, but I doubt it would be too much for the quartz heater. Maybe hold it further away if you are worried about it? I just use a standard $20 propane torch from Home Depot, but mine is fully adjustable and I use it fairly close to the lowest it can go.

I actually started using the Elev8r without the metal clip holding the heater in, so there is nothing but glass. I just hold it slightly upwards at all times to avoid it falling out. I can still stir the bud around a little by holding it vertically and hitting it lightly against my finger and spinning it a bit. This level of metal avoidance is definitely beyond what most people would bother with, though.

Ok...first off....no need for the screen inside the heater. Second...the sick clip on the "outside" of the and and vapor path....is not ever any concern as it will be much less safe to have it off especially if you are using a small rig or the wand.

I am super sensitive to metals and other materials as well....I have a heightened sense of taste and smell. The Elev8r is one of the cleanest tasting vapes your going to find....and at a super low cost. I use mine with a coil mainly, but torch sometimes too.

I do not care for the all glass bowls at all...the screen element is way too open and it just makes the bowl gunk up fast. You also can not grind finer which is what I like for flavor and fast extraction. But if you are worried about using a SS screen...then by all means stick with the all glass bowl.

 

[Alexis]

Yeah good points @LabPong I missed that part somehow or misread:

@GradeANugs Lab Pong is right, you should DEFINITELY always be using the sick clip. Majir safety requurement. You really want to keep that heater safe and secure at all times.

That metal clip is NOT in the airpath at all. No way do you need to worry about breathing in toxins from the clip outside of the bowl.
You are far more likely to die from a housefire.

So yeah man dont fear that clip. If you think you are managing with 100% safety then by all means carry on, but I wouldn't generally advise it. And I HATE that clip. I would much rather it wasn't there, always burning my damn fingertips when I fiddle impatiently to stir between hits.

But I wouldn't consider not using it, just asking for trouble one day.

 

[LabPong]

So yeah man dont fear that clip. If you think you are managing with 100% safety then by all means carry on, but I wouldn't generally advise it. And I HATE that clip. I would much rather it wasn't there, always burning my damn fingertips when I fiddle impatiently to stir between hits.

Alexis....what I do to make the clip less of an issue to put on and off.....

Before heating it up......take some time to bend the clips in or out a bit. You can make it fit really tight or really loose. I have mine set to just grab with little pressure. This way you can remove much easier when it gets too warm. I say warm.....because I do not let mine get hot with torching or my coil because I have one heater with the little nub on it. That helps a lot....wish they just made them with 2 nubs.

 

[MyCollie]

Water helped a lot. I over-torched but didn't combust and the vapor was still smooth. I used it in the Steroeomatrix that NewVape sells. I'll probably use the Elev8r with and without water in the future. Thanks for the tips guys!