Basic Newbie Questions/Advice

[nihil]

Hello,

Sorry for the non descriptive post title and long post, but I am literally looking for some basic advice about vaporizers.

I am new to vaporizers in general, but have been using 2 of them for the past month to eliminate combustion from my life. My primary goal was to quit smoking cigarettes (32 days so far), seconded by a new way to consume herb. I am seeking some wisdom on my current practices as well as to where to go from here. As such, any input is appreciated.

Background:

After many weeks of research (thank you to all that have contributed here, I used this forum as a primary resource) I went ahead and procured a Pax and a Vapir NO2.

I am a heavy tobacco user as well as a nightly recreational herb user. My tobacco usage went from 30-50 roll your owns/day (1.25 ounces) to about 0.2 - 0.3 ounces per day via the vapes. In this regard, I am very impressed with vaporizers and plan to continue with zero combustion until I ween myself off of nicotine all together.

The opposite has happened with my herb usage though. I went from an ounce lasting me 4 to 5 months, to blowing through half an ounce in the past month. I contribute some of this higher usage to the fact that I quit smoking and am playing with my new toys (the vapes), but I'm also looking for a way to get back to my normal usage.

For tobacco usage the Pax is damn close to perfect. So much in fact, that I just ordered a 2nd one. The NO2, not so much, but I do like the fact that it vapes slower and is great when relaxing (herb usage) after work.

Questions:

For herb, I find that the NO2 works the best, as it seems to be far more efficient than the Pax. Sometimes I will load the Pax with a little ground herb, then top it off with tobacco, but I still get the hunch that it is less efficient (i.e. wastes more herb).

For tobacco usage, if my Pax is charging and I have to use the NO2, I feel that it is lacking and that I need to do a few sessions to feel satisfied. It's not bad, but it is more time consuming.

Do the above 2 statements seem correct, or am I doing something wrong? I do grind my herb and let it sit out to dry slightly. I also let my tobacco dry slightly, this seems to produce better vapor and allow for less cleaning of the devices.

Regarding herb usage.. As a test, I just had a few hits off of a combustion water pipe and feel more "stoned" than I have been for the past month that I have eliminated combustion and solely used the vapes. This kind of sucks because it is telling me that I am getting more bang for my buck from combustion when it comes to herb. Let me stress that for tobacco usage, I am never going back to combustion, the Pax is that good.

So, after even more research, I am thinking that I need to get a better (for me) vape that is dedicated to herb. As I mostly smoke at home, portable is not a requirement.

I am really liking the E-Nano, does this seem fair to meet my home herb usage requirements (efficiency and the high)? Any other ones that I should be looking at?

Thank you in advance for any feedback.. it will go to good use.

 

[EveryDayAmnesiac]

I would say an E-Nano would be a fine choice for a solid home vaporizer that is plenty powerful and efficient. Any of the log vaporizers currently available (Nano, Underdog, Heat Island) would be good, but the HI has a waiting list.

I haven't used a Vapolution 2.0, but it's supposed to be very efficient as well. Good deal with an FC code too.

If you think you may want portability someday around the house (which really can be nice), look into the Solo or the Firefly, or the Lotus or Hammer if you're okay with using butane.

The Magic Flight Launch Box is used by people as a home unit as well, but I never liked it enough to do that. The thing is pretty damn efficient though.

 

[nihil]

I would say an E-Nano would be a fine choice for a solid home vaporizer that is plenty powerful and efficient. Any of the log vaporizers currently available (Nano, Underdog, Heat Island) would be good, but the HI has a waiting list.

I haven't used a Vapolution 2.0, but it's supposed to be very efficient as well. Good deal with an FC code too.

If you think you may want portability someday around the house (which really can be nice), look into the Solo or the Firefly, or the Lotus or Hammer if you're okay with using butane.

The Magic Flight Launch Box is used by people as a home unit as well, but I never liked it enough to do that. The thing is pretty damn efficient though.

Thank you for the feedback. The Heat Island looks pretty good for the price. I will also research the Vapolution.. interesting looking unit.

It looks like I am looking for a log vaporizer then.. the reason I was thinking a plug in unit is that I wouldn't have to worry about batteries like I do with my Pax and NO2. I can also use either of those for portability around the house.

I still haven't ruled out the Solo or the Ascent, but again, I already will have 3 portables and am more concerned about efficiency. I've read that both of these are pretty efficient though.

Again, thank you..

 

[max]

I haven't used a Vapolution 2.0, but it's supposed to be very efficient as well. Good deal with an FC code too.

I used the original (pretty much the same) daily for a couple of years, way back, and would nominate it as a top buy for the money, maybe THE top buy, considering it's only a hundred bucks. The FC code is no more though, although the Purity Package gives you the same all glass vapor path for the same $100. The Vapo is also a 12V design, which is a plus.

The e-nano is going to be a little easier to use, and easier to use with water filtration, but it'll cost you more- over $230 with a good stem and gong bowl. I recommend the glass pieces that have the glass screens, even if you add a stainless steel screen on top, which is what I do.

but the HI has a waiting list.

It's currently a long one, from what I hear. If you want one, better plan on later this year.

 

[nihil]

I used the original (pretty much the same) daily for a couple of years, way back, and would nominate it as a top buy for the money, maybe THE top buy, considering it's only a hundred bucks. The FC code is no more though, although the Purity Package gives you the same all glass vapor path for the same $100. The Vapo is also a 12V design, which is a plus.

The e-nano is going to be a little easier to use, and easier to use with water filtration, but it'll cost you more- over $230 with a good stem and gong bowl. I recommend the glass pieces that have the glass screens, even if you add a stainless steel screen on top, which is what I do.

It's currently a long one, from what I hear. If you want one, better plan on later this year.

Thank you for the information. The Vapo is starting to get my interest, especially at that price point. I'm going to research this one some more.

Regarding the e-nano, I'm willing to pay more to get quality/support a small manufacturer/have something aesthetically pleasing sitting on my desk. I'm also interested in the water filtration, if only for the geekyness factor. I've seen some pretty cool setups on this board with the e-nano and/or the Solo.. and this may be something that I want to get into down the road.

 

[MinnBobber]

Hi,
you said you got higher from smoking thru a waterpipe. IMO, that feeling is from all the other combusted chemical that come thru. In approximate figures, 90% of what comes thru vaping is THC/ THC related. While combusting, 85% of what comes thru is NOT THC but the assorted chemicals, many of which are very toxic and your body jumps on those/reacts to those and feels high.
Plus, what amount did you combust? Many load 10X for combusting, compared to what they load in their vaporizer.
Just my opinion from reading all I could find

 

[herbivore21]

You have chosen the right unit straight away in the E-Nano!

You seem to have come from a similar background to me. You need to get big hits for your high tolerance, but save as much bud/oil as possible.

Here is what I would suggest. First, buy an E-Nano for home use. I have a lotus too, but the Nano is so, so much more efficient, even when you master the Lotus. The Nano also has heat control knob, is basically the zippo lighter of vapes, so few components, such a simple, elegant design. Not only do you get a lifetime warranty for being an FC member, but you also get the comfort of knowing that users like myself (and now many others!) have pulled apart and repaired their Nanos. There is a wealth of knowledge about the internals of these units here, more than most others IME!

Secondly, for portable use, I have found that battery powered flower portables tend not to deliver consistent enough high heat whilst drawing/be discrete enough for public use. I would heartily recommend keeping some oil around and using an oil only vape like those that w9/Dr. Dabber sell. Oils are perfect in public for people with high tolerances, since you can have a small hit of oil and get nice and vaked, as opposed to toking on smelly flowers for a few bowls to get the same effect.

This board is a wealth of information about making oils, and I along with many will happily assist with info on this stuff. At the end of the day, the Nano will suit your every need at home. I don't think I'll ever buy another plug-in unit, and if I did, it'd probably be a Nano for another room of the house lol

The out and about question really depends, but if you like to get good and baked very quickly, get your hands on something oil based for portability.

 

[nihil]

MinnBobber - Thanks for the reply. I had about 0.2 grams via the pipe. Less than the 2 or 3 (maybe 0.8 grams if I had to guess) sessions the NO2 takes to get me to the same level. I am a recreational user though, and like to get "pretty fucking stoned" when I partake.

I am in agreement with you about the high from combustion being driven by other nasty things.. hence why I went this vapor route. Most days the vapor route is fine and I truly enjoy the high (and yes, it is slightly different), but today is the weekend and I am having fun so to speak. You bring up a good point, and maybe I will just have to adjust to a different high with a better health payback.


herbivore21 - I appreciate your response, very informative.

Yes, I like to conserve as much as possible. Typically when combusting I loaded 2 bowls an evening and I am good to go (say for 4-6 hours) taking a hit or two every hour or so. With the NO2, I kind of toke on 2/3 herb 1/3 tobacco throughout the evening. Pleasant, but wasteful.

I almost always smoke herb at home.. I am in one of the 48 states that is not free yet and I won't drive nor bike under the influence. Pot also makes me anxious when out in public. So while I really appreciate the advice on oils and portables, it probably won't apply to my situation.

What does apply though, is the get high quick mentality. It sounds like you have found that in the e-nano? My gut is telling me to get what I now know as a "log vape" and it seems like most are happy with the e-nano, although it is a bit pricey. It is efficient though?

Lastly, thank you (and you others) for offering to share your knowledge. Time is a commodity to most, and giving it freely is honorable.

 

[Caligula]

+1 for the nano. You can get an adapter to run it from your car too... just saying.

 

[herbivore21]

The Nano is an extremely efficient vaporizer.

Here is a video of my Nano used with flowers. Let me note that the .1g of flowers I loaded in this bowl had been COMPLETELY spent in the Lotus already, this was already very brown AVB being vaped in this video.

Look at the clouds. Keep the AVB from your old units, buy the E-Nano (which incidentally is not very expensive at all in the scheme of things, most vapes I have seen/used cost more than $200 USD).

You are going to have an amazing time if you have saved up some serious AVB from your prior vapes my friend! I was herp durp stoned off the 6g of lotus AVB I baked when first using my Nano!

Also, for what it's worth I don't recommend vaping dry tobacco, for the reason that you are taking in much more nicotine this way, remember, vaporizing is much more efficient, actives are not destroyed in the vaping process in the way that they are when you combust them. You are basically mainlining nicotine here. Nicotine is itself not a great thing to have in high concentrations in your system. The actives from cannabis on the other hand are not themselves poisonous

 

[nihil]

Uhm.. did I mention that I was new? I've been flushing my AVB down the toilet for the past month. :/

Okay, after that it looks like I may be getting an e-nano in the near future. Funny too, I've been eyeing the Maple Burl for the past few weeks. Beautiful piece.

Specifics on the glass? What would I need to do a setup like that? Any loss of potency?

Regarding the tobacco, noted. It would also explain the nausea.

Appreciate the advice. If I think of anything else I'll post back here. As it stands, I think I'll be ordering an e-nano in the next week or so.

 

[herbivore21]

Good stuff man, you won't regret it! My Nano is definitely my most guilt-free purchase yet. It cut down my usage dramatically and got me more baked for longer

My glass piece is a Luke Wilson 15 Arm Tree bubbler, the particular one doesn't seem to be available anymore and Luke Wilson pieces are expensive (but fantastic, I love this bubbler!!!) however, you can get all kinds of much more affordable pieces too. Check out the glass section for info on great glass at all price points.

This one is majorly popular around here and crazy cheap! - http://www.dhgate.com/product/d020-bubbler-hand-blown-glass-vase-perc-water/175832535.html

You will need to buy an 18mm GonG with your Nano to connect to this piece, I recommend the adjust-a-bowl GonG, great airflow, adjustable bowl size, nice and cheap. I would also recommend buying one of these http://www.grasscity.com/us_en/black-leaf-carbon-filter-adapter.html#.UzjbPvmSzRo and leaving it empty. I connect my GonG to the CarBall and the CarBall to the Luke Wilson bubbler. This way, finer bits of herb that pull through the nano screen get caught before getting into my bong water

Cannabinoids get stuck to glass, but can be reclaimed by washing out your glass pieces with a given solvent (100% isopropyl alcohol is good, and readily available in most parts of the world!). Remember, when you combust, many of these cannabinoids get destroyed by fire before you can inhale them anyway. Much of the dizzyness/couchlock you are experiencing when you smoke is from benzene/carbon monoxide/assorted chemicals/carginogens created by the act of combustion.

 

[Quetzalcoatl]

I would also recommend buying one of these http://www.grasscity.com/us_en/black-leaf-carbon-filter-adapter.html#.UzjbPvmSzRo and leaving it empty. I connect my GonG to the CarBall and the CarBall to the Luke Wilson bubbler. This way, finer bits of herb that pull through the nano screen get caught before getting into my bong water

Respectfully, @herbivore21,

Have you considered putting some buds in the carbon adapter? That'll make some free and potent nugs

 

[sundrk]

Respectfully, @herbivore21,

Have you considered putting some buds in the carbon adapter? That'll make some free and potent nugs

I don't understand why you would want to do that? In general carbon is for burning not vaping, the carbon will absorb thc anyway

 

[herbivore21]

Do you mean to decarboxylate the buds Quetzalcoatl?

 

[Quetzalcoatl]

I don't understand why you would want to do that? In general carbon is for burning not vaping, the carbon will absorb thc anyway

No, silly... you take the carbon adapter with the screen in it, right? Now, take some fresh nuggets from the stash, maybe break them up a little bit? Place them inside the empty glass chamber of the adapter, and vape away. Vapor hits it, resinates it, passes through the bottom screen, and into you.

Vapor-laden nuggets of dankness

 

[sundrk]

No, silly... you take the carbon adapter with the screen in it, right? Now, take some fresh nuggets from the stash, maybe break them up a little bit? Place them inside the empty glass chamber of the adapter, and vape away. Vapor hits it, resinates it, passes through the bottom screen, and into you.

Vapor-laden nuggets of dankness

Ohh I understand now, so you're using the carbon filter piece as a bowl kinda

 

[herbivore21]

Trying it as soon as my Nano warms up to 8.5, I figure the extra heat will help with the extra air that needs to be heated in the bowl.

I just had a brainwave too. Stay with me here, this is gonna get stoney:

Fill the adjustabowl gong with QWISO as I outlined above, then, put a bud in the carball as per @Quetzalcoatl's suggestion. Double bowl Nano goodness!!!!

 

[Quetzalcoatl]

Trying it as soon as my Nano warms up to 8.5, I figure the extra heat will help with the extra air that needs to be heated in the bowl.

I just had a brainwave too. Stay with me here, this is gonna get stoney:

Fill the adjustabowl gong with QWISO as I outlined above, then, put a bud in the carball as per @Quetzalcoatl's suggestion. Double bowl Nano goodness!!!!

 

[Caligula]

Oh about keeping fine bits of weed out of your bong water...

This works aces for that.

http://www.puffitup.com/Arizer-Elbow-Adapter-p/arizerscreenkit.htm

Pops right into the bottom end (part that goes into your glass piece) of an 18mm gong (nano or otherwise). I had ZERO particles of ground herb get into my glass with those installed in the gong.

 

[nihil]

You guys/gals are awesome.. thank you.

Maple Burl e-nano is inbound.. hopefully I'll get it before the weekend.

I kept it vanilla regarding the gong, I plan on researching glass this week and will make a decision from there. I will most definitely start with the links you guys posted above. I also found the Glass Intro thread in the Glass forum and have been reading that as well. Lastly, it seems I need to read the lengthy e-nano thread a bit more closely.

Again, thank you. Very much appreciated. I had no idea a vape could produce that much cloud on so little.

I've also started to save my AVB.

 

[herbivore21]

Glad to have helped man! Enjoy the Nano, you will love it! Glass is a must if you wanna use high heats, things get burny past about setting 7 for me with the direct draw stem!

When you have a good half ounce or more of AVB, prepare for some good oily fun