Aromazap/Myrtlezap/CeramicRockZap

[jordon23]

The first hit is the most noticable. However, there is plenty of vapor after the first hit. Even if you can't see it, there is vapor if you use a light. I have a bright LED flashlight and one night I used it to vape in the dark. I could see the vapor and I was getting vapor way after I though it should have been cashed. I even put in ABV and got decent vapor. I let my stem warm up for about 10 seconds before the first hit, and I clear it between hits and let it warm again. With the light I noticed I was loosing vapor if I didn't clear the stem.

If I take 10 -12 hits off a stem and exhale a little and take in some air several times I get a very noticable increase in the effect. I also think that doing 10-12 LONG hits gives it a boost because the glass stem gets hot enough to burn off some of the honey build up toward the bottom of the stem.

 

[wthanna]

"Number of hits per stem" is going to vary by individual. There's really no way to compare the performance of your log style vape by comparing the number of hits you get to what someone else is getting. While most people on this forum, I believe, use this style vape for personal use, I do use mine regularly with a small group of 3 or 4 people at a time. We all have a "number of hits" that we get from the vape that varies for each one of us. I have always been referred to as "iron lungs" in my small circle. I consistently take very long slow hits and only get 2.. maybe 3 per load. My good friend "feels like" he hits it just like I do... however he consistently gets 3 or 4 hits. His wife may get half a dozen hits from the same load. For reference, we are all hitting the same size load, same "grind" out of the same grinder... same amount packed into the load. I know this because I load the stems.

 

[P0KERF1SH]

You should leave the stem in the unit between pulls. The stem needs to get warmed up and stay warm. That's the reason the second pull is so much better than the first.

Really? For me, the first hit is the biggest, the 2nd hit is usually somewhere between "barely there" and "probably not there". I read most people were getting 2-3 pulls from one loaded stem but I seem to get about 1.2 hits per stem. My herb is about as dry and well ground as possible fwiw. I think I'm going to order the 13.5v. The empty altoids tin with all my ABV is still more green than I'd like and it smells more like fresh herb than I'd like - but it still definitely has that vaped popcorn smell.

For me the first is mostly fragrance with minimal vapor. The second hit is the largest and then it is downhill from there. The grade of material, dryness, etc are of course factors. Also I consider the first hit the preheat one...

Also no one replied to my post about the steel stems producing more visible vapor. I would love to know what others think about this.

 

[momofthegoons]

POKERFISH, I have two of CD's stems which have stainless tips. I do not notice any better hits off of them than I do off the stock or glass stems for the Zap. Actually, I get better hits off Rick's glass since the draw is a little easier.

 

[P0KERF1SH]

Thanks for the reply Mom. It is weird as I get a big cloud with the steal and not much with the brass BUT like I said both work perfectly as far as effect.

 

[vcasal2]

You should leave the stem in the unit between pulls. The stem needs to get warmed up and stay warm. That's the reason the second pull is so much better than the first.

Really? For me, the first hit is the biggest, the 2nd hit is usually somewhere between "barely there" and "probably not there". I read most people were getting 2-3 pulls from one loaded stem but I seem to get about 1.2 hits per stem. My herb is about as dry and well ground as possible fwiw. I think I'm going to order the 13.5v. The empty altoids tin with all my ABV is still more green than I'd like and it smells more like fresh herb than I'd like - but it still definitely has that vaped popcorn smell.

Flouris this is word for word what happened to me when i first received my Zap, you can go back about ten pages to see those posts.

The 13.5 definitely helped me out at first giving me some thicker vapor and turning my ABV brown instead of green (the 12v turns my ABV a light brown now however). Of course there are all those factors to consider: dryness, grind, quality, pull technique. I compared two different herbs side by side which i didnt think were THAT big of a leap in quality. However, the stuff that i thought was 'slightly' better if i were to combust it performed much better in the zap. Im talking 1.2 hits compared to 5 and they both look the same afterwords.

Oh ya and try the light trick for sure you will see hits you didnt think you were getting.

Poker: I don't have a PD to compare to or anything but with this med grade i currently have, I am getting nice thick clouds about 4 pulls per stem. Comparable to the 'PD cloud' videos you may have seen. I can't think of a reason stainless would hit harder than brass.

 

[Lycanthrope]

Flouris:
Ive now been using my MZ for over 2 months and it just keeps getting better over time. I think that its a synergistic combination of MZ break in time, and the learning curve of packing stems, slow draw, grind size and dry herb. Once you get all of these details down pat your MZ will work well all of the time consistently rewarding you with the best possible experience. Just give it a bit of time and keep practicing especially the stem packing and the draw. I have a 13V but now only use the 12V and get what I used to get only with the 13V. As your MZ gets past its break in period that will make a big difference. How long is a break in, its all a bit different for each individual MZ and the user and their techniques. Make no mistake about it, you have one of the best most efficient and good looking Vapes around and the Customer Service is absolutely the best, bar none.

 

[CuttyBuddy]

Oh boy I'm telling you I could stare at my MZ for hours. At first I didn't feel the connection but now its a whole different story. I have a little feeling inside this will be the ONE toy this big kid will have till the day he meets the pearly gates. Think about it. So organic, built to last, efficient and best of all it brings much joy! On a deeper level I would say a lot of your personal energy goes into this thing. It feels personal. The Warm touch and anesthetic of your personal piece is quite simply, unique.

I will go on to proclaim That I have the most beautiful piece made yet to date. We Get that MZ user pic thread going yet? I'm ready for the Zap-off.

 

[flouris]

Thanks everyone for the responses/suggestion/advice. I honestly think the problem is I had the vape sitting somewhat right in the line of the a/c (central air, coming from ceiling blowing downward right onto vape). I didn't even really piece this together til making my first post about this problem. Since locating the vape to a new location I've had zero probs and it seems to hit better and better w/ each passing day.

Also, not so much a problem as something I took notice of - does anyone else with a light wood zap notice the wood turns darker around the top? Just want to make sure this is normal.

 

[momofthegoons]

Rick was talking about having a customer pic page on his website, if my memory serves me, but a thread would maybe be better! That way the website wont get too cluttered, if you know what I mean. I'll have to take new ones of my Zaps since I think I may have deleted them off my camera. Hmmmm, Cutty, you gonna start this thread? I'm hearing a lot of talk about the best Zap, but can you walk the walk?

 

[Lycanthrope]

Flouris:
My zap is one of the dark ones with some light swirls in it, but mostly dark. My Zap did in fact get darker all over as time went on, mostly during the first month and the top is very dark now. I would say this is completly normal. I used an entire tin of the Zap Polish during the 1st month 1/2. I dont know if this contributed to the darkening or not. Ask Mom what she thinks as she has several Zaps and would be able to comment with more experience than I.

 

[momofthegoons]

Hey Lycanthrope. Good to hear you are enjoying your Zap so much.
Yes they do darken with time, use, and polishing. My first Zap has darkened considerably, especially around the top. Interestingly, the lighter lines or ripples don't really darken; just the background. They actually seem to brighten up. My Zaps predominantly have "pictures" in them rather than waves or curls of grain. I've noticed that the features of the "pictures" are getting more pronounced. Myrtle is such an interesting wood in that it presents itself so many ways. Very cool.

And I will say that I agree with Cutty that you get a personal relationship with this vape. I'm sure other log vape owners may feel the same way and that is why we are all so vehement about how great they are. In my case, I have a affinity with my Zaps and really enjoy the Zapville folk.

 

[Rick]

flouris
The end grain(top wood) will normally get a bit darker quicker on the lighter woods. So glad you figured out the air conditioner air affecting your Zap temp. I was thinking something different must be going on as they NORMALLY either work or do not. Thanks for letting us all know.
As for a Zap pic thread here, that would be up to someone else. Our website plans include a gallery page of some kind and that will happen. At the present time the real world has taken our man to his real job which involves much of his time over the next week or few. So until it happens through our website, we will not be doing anything in that area.
If MZ owners want to do something here, that is entirely up to someone. I will say you certainly have my blessings. I will also say they look cool on this thread but they are scattered for sure.
Almost everyone has been getting the 'Old' wood. There really is something special about it that is very difficult to put your finger on.

 

[CuttyBuddy]

Ok I'm in I'll start it. Can someone tell me how to post pics? The description here on the site is a bit sketchy for me.

Question. What can one use in replacement of the budder rub to shine and pretty up my piece? Household item? >>>>> Not that it needs it! She looks great without makeup trust me

I'm ready to show you guys the nicest Vape your eyes have ever seen.

 

[momofthegoons]

Cutty, go to imageshack.com and upload your pic. They will give you several link options after downloading. Copy the forum link that they give you and paste it on to your post. The only trick to making sure that you have a large pic is to check the area where they offer resizing options prior to uploading. You want to make sure that your option is "do not resize."

Since all my Zaps aren't where I am, I wont be able to post a "familly shot" until I head back down state.

One thing we are going to need for this thread to be "complete" is for AGBeer to incorporate his website's gallery of Zap shots. He has pictures of some beauties. What do you say AG?

 

[Morningstar]

I just looked up the Homepage and i really like what I saw there...
But one question rick! Why, why do you just ship to US?
I'm sure lots of people (me included) would LOVE this in Europe...
Hope you may change idea over that...
Cheers 8)

 

[momofthegoons]

Hi Morningstar, and welcome to the forum!

If I am not mistaken, the problems faced with shipping outside of the U.S. are with customs and the various postal regulations of the different countries. The price of the shipping and the hassle involved with the different postal regions make it very difficult and expensive. Rick has said that he would love for someone to fill that niche, just not him as he has his hands as full as he wants them with his current business and farm. I'm somewhat surprised that no one in Europe, etc. has taken him up on learning how to make these to distribute over seas. Seems to me that there is a big market just waiting for some one with a little ingenuity.

 

[Morningstar]

Thx for reponse Momo... So I guess as soon as I get home I should start talking to some of the headshops I know in order to get this really nice wooden vapes to their way to europe... But I'll still have to contact also Rick for this 8)

 

[Rick]

This is a very interesting subject. I often wonder about Europe trade rules as I know the demand is there for log vapes. They are simple and easy to make. Why no EuroLog?
Our reasons for only shipping to US addresses are vast and definite. Maybe someday someone will pick up that ball and run with it.
Discount code still good but I dropped it half a point.

 

[Lycanthrope]

CuttyButty:
I tried Mink Oil on mine and it worked really well. It seemed to soak into the dense wood and leaves a very high shine. I also rubbed the Mink Oil into the leather on the bottom of the Zap and that worked even better as the mink oil is made for conditioning leather. Ive been doing this for about a month now with very good results. The mink oil is a natural product and that's a plus. You can get Mink Oil at any place that sells shoe polish. I got mine at Wal-Mart in the shoe polish dept. Try it I think youll like it.

Mom, to say that I like my MZ is probably an understatement; I love it and have developed a relationship as I call her Lucile.

 

[chucku]

Cutty,

Linseed oil also works well. It is meant to finish raw wood and is added to various coatings. Rub it in with a terry wash cloth.

 

[CuttyBuddy]

Oh ok right on thanks guys. As per the oil, any idea where i can find these kinda things in Hollywood? Not much of a handyman I will admit but I do want to take some beautiful photos of the MZ and post for everyone. Would be nice to Buff her up first she's a tad shy without her make-up. Her skins a little dry..........

Hmmmm also not to sure if the email notifications are working too well.....Any ideas?

 

[Lycanthrope]

CuttyBuddy;
You can most likely get the Linseed Oil at a hardware store or Lowes or Home Depot. As for the Mink Oil, look at Wall-Mart's shoe polish dept or anywhere that sells shoe polish. The Mink Oil will come in a tin similar to shoe polish. If you decide on the Linseed Oil make sure that its "boiled linseed oil". It will state this on the label. Most Linseed Oils that are used for wood sealing are in fact boiled. Good luck with you sealing and polishing your Zap, and a warm welcome to the forum.

 

[return2heaven]

hi all, im new here and i think this forum is great.
well, after goin thru about 12 pages of this thread i decided to pull the trigger on an MZ today! unfortunately after i placed the order i come across the "extra stem for FC members" lol, no biggie i ordered 2 xtras! im super excited about the MZ and can't wait to get my hands on it!! what i 'am bummed about is the "primo" models... man i would've def ordered a primo for an xtra 15, oh well . Just wanted to say hi before i go back to reading the rest of the 100 pages in this thread! oh btw rick, that promo code in your sig doesn't work anymore in case you didn't know...

D.S

 

[reece]

hi all, im new here and i think this forum is great.
well, after goin thru about 12 pages of this thread i decided to pull the trigger on an MZ today! unfortunately after i placed the order i come across the "extra stem for FC members" lol, no biggie i ordered 2 xtras! im super excited about the MZ and can't wait to get my hands on it!! what i 'am bummed about is the "primo" models... man i would've def ordered a primo for an xtra 15, oh well . Just wanted to say hi before i go back to reading the rest of the 100 pages in this thread! oh btw rick, that promo code in your sig doesn't work anymore in case you didn't know...

D.S

Try emailing Rick, maybe it isn't too late to modify the order.