Just some observations from a fellow newbie:
This thing shines with big loads. I come from the world of Dynavap where the average load size is around 0.07 - 0.10. My primary reason for getting my VB was for larger dosage opportunities. I wanted to go from many 'doses' to just a few 'sessions'. Mission accomplished!
The key for me to get perfect extraction is two things: (1) hand pulled nugs (2) at least 0.30gr of material.
This was 0.68gr and a good example of the size of the load nugs. My average is around 0.50gr. The ball will hold about 1.25gr of hand shredded / 2.0+ of ground. The difference between hand pulled nugs and ground herb is remarkable. Totally changes the vapor flavor / production and overall VB performance.
I initially struggled with combusting a lot of loads or at least uneven toasting and hot spots. No matter how big or small the load, stirring or not, fast / slow draw - if I wanted more than light tan extaction I could not get it without scorching. Damn.
I was (and still am) assuming user error. I wish use a whip and go dry 100% of the time. I know I'm using it 'wrong' as in 'not as designed'. So, I wanted to find a technique that would morph my style with its design. The key is those 2 things: nugs and big loads.
I set it at 10.3 and can NOT combust. The whole nugs break down different than ground cannabis. The toasting process of the convection heat marries perfectly with nugs. This beast was born to convert nugs to vapor.
You owe it to yourself to try nice fat bowl of nugs That bowl in the pic above lasted forever. Just breathing thick vapor that never lost flavor until it just eventually gave up the ghost and stopped making vapor. Good to the last drop!