Firewood Vaporizer

[Vape Dr.]

Hey guys. Quick update on my FW3.

I pushed the glass tube down about 1/8th" further, bringing the capsule closer to the coil an the glass further into the silcone away from my lips making for a cooler draw.

I continue to get excellent results on temps 1 and 2.

I get roughly 20 draws with a 3/4 filled capsule fluffy, I only tap the side of the capsule to settle the herb.
13 draws on temp 1 and 9 draws on temp 2.

The first draw on both temps have no vapor all taste and the next 12 draws on temp 1, and 8 draws on temp 2 vapor, with increasing vapor.

I start on temp 1 with long 12-14 second draws for the first 6 hits then on the last 6 draws I pull for 4-5 seconds then take my lips off the vape and continue to draw another 4-5 seconds (I find this keeps the draws a bit cooler) I then take 8-10 second draws on temp 2 for the first 5 hits, then the 4-5 second pull away 4-5 second draw for the last 4 hits. Very impressed with efficiency!

I made a DIY 14mm water tool adapter from a haze 2.5 Ed's WPA and plan on trying it out tomorrow on temps 3 and 4.

 

[nosmoking]

You dont really need the adapter. The mouthpiece is already a perfect fit for 14mm.

 

[IAmKrazy2]

Sent out my FW3 yesterday. Customer service was great, i simply printed a return label and sent it out. Although my unit passed the visual test provided by FW on the last page, there was a few other reasons to believe my unit was not operating as designed. I hope that next time i hold a FW3 i am as smitten as the majority of you. Cheers all.

 

[Vape Dr.]

So as I was using my FW3 last night this happened as I was using it!!!...



Has this happened to anyone else?

I removed the top lid, It is very thin. It may need to be thicker because the batteries are constantly pushing against the top.

The Firewood uses (4) 1900 mAh sanyo eneloop AA batteries in case anyone was wondering.
I have (4) 2650 mAh sanyo eneloop XX AA batteries, I don't see why these batteries wouldn't work and give the unit longer battery life.

Now I'm off to make a new top/battery cover...

 

[IAmKrazy2]

So as I was using my FW3 last night this happened as I was using it!!!...



Has this happened to anyone else?

I removed the top lid, It is very thin. It may need to be thicker because the batteries are constantly pushing against the top.

The Firewood uses (4) 1900 mAh sanyo eneloop AA batteries in case anyone was wondering.
I have (4) 2650 mAh sanyo eneloop XX AA batteries, I don't see why these batteries wouldn't work and give the unit longer battery life.

Now I'm off to make a new top/battery cover...

I was having issues producing thick vapor, but the only complaint i had with the actual design asside from the brass screens is the battery compartment. Why wouldn't FW make them more accessible? Magnetic door with ability to switch batteries is a huge value add IMO especially with batteries like these that are readily available. It seems like a no brainer.

 

[Vape Dr.]

@IAmKrazy2 I don't get any vapor the first hit on temp 1 or 2.
The 2nd hit is wispy then it gets increasingly denser as I continue.
My FW has brass screens in it but came with stainless steel replacements.

I agree, there is no reason not to make the batteries more accessible, that's the only thing under the cover and they're designed to be replaced.
I think a nice simple tongue in groove sliding battery cover would be perfect, or even one that twists like an old school dug out top!

 

[IAmKrazy2]

Yeah i was unable to get any visible vapor whatsoever on 1 and 2, with maybe one visible puff on 3, and several on 4. Again, i hope it was my unit and not my technique or just "how it is". Again my unit did pass the visual heater test, but was doing some odd things and thus was sent in.

 

[Vape Dr.]

Always better to be safe than sorry. Sounds like your FW3 is not up to peak performance.
I hope your new unit works better!

 

[firewood]

So as I was using my FW3 last night this happened as I was using it!!!...



Has this happened to anyone else?

I removed the top lid, It is very thin. It may need to be thicker because the batteries are constantly pushing against the top.

This happened once recently when I was making a batch of tops and one of the tops cracked down the middle like yours. I made a change to that processing step to avoid the stress that caused that crack, so it should be fixed going forward and should be rare on existing units. My guess is that your top had a very small crack when I sent it and i just didn't notice it. I'll send you a new top...

the only complaint i had with the actual design asside from the brass screens is the battery compartment. Why wouldn't FW make them more accessible?

Making the batteries quickly swappable presents some challenges that i didn't have an acceptable solution to. It isn't just as simple as the top of a dugout for example, because it has to form a good contact with the tops of the batteries. It also has to withstand a good amount of physical punishment because some users will start swapping every day. Finally it has to use only commodity parts or something I can fabricate fairly inexpensively. I have a philosophy of avoiding custom made parts unless i make them.

edit: now that i have a laser I can experiment with making some parts that would be otherwise hard to make and swappable batteries are definitely on the nice-to-haves list for future development. There won't be anything for at least another 6 months though, if then.

 

[nondarb]

There won't be anything for at least another 6 months though, if then.

Do/will you offer a customer loyalty/trade in towards new units? I'm interested in the fw, but you've made 3 different units in ~2 years and I'm the type who would prefer the newest ones (if you keep moving the direction youre in).

Its a love hate situation, on one hand I'm stoked you're coming up with new ideas but on the other I'm wary of buying a device that may be rendered obsolete in a couple months.

 

[Vape Dr.]

@firewood thank you so much that would be awesome!
It only took me a couple chambers to fall in love with the FW3!

 

[Kaptan]

@firewood thank you so much that would be awesome!
It only took me a couple chambers to fall in love with the FW3!

How does the Firewood stack up against the Elevape?

 

[nosmoking]

I have been using my Firewood 3 for a few weeks now and I like to use it more than my ESV.

I like the taste of the ESV hands down...but there isn't much competition out there when it comes to taste with the ESV. The clouds are just as good and even better in the FW3 in my opinion. The FW3 has good taste, but you get the flavor of the wood as well as some warm vapor. You don't get stopped by the 8sec shutoff and your hits seem to just keep going. I find one capsule filled 3/4 will fill the ESV just about 3/4 full as well. This would be about 6-8 hits on the ESV or 12-16 hits on the FW3. Both can combust but the FW3 seems to only combust if you draw too slow whereas the ESV can easily combust if not used properly. The ESV requires stirring typically. The FW3 does not require any stirring at all.

They are both very easy to clean and would require a tear down and cleaning every 2-3 weeks under heavy daily use like mine. The ESV is simple enough...undo 4 screws and apart heating chamber, vapor path and battery pack. Swab everything with a qtip dipped in ISO and soak the screens. Cleaning takes about 5-10 minutes. The FW3 is just as easy if not easier. Remove mouthpiece, disassemble mouthpiece, soak screens, glass capsule and glass for mouthpiece in ISO. Wipe out silicone tubing. Let dry and put back together. Cleaning takes about 2-3 minutes per mouthpiece.

I have 3 mouthpieces so that also makes the FW3 ready to fire 3 sessions with no fuss or hassle. This is a big benefit over the ESV for me as I don't like having to stir or repack often. I have a higher tolerance so I typically want to do back to back sessions and the FW3 has no problem with this.

The battery life is better for me in the FW3 but the charge time is better in the ESV. So the ESV will last me through about one vape session which would be 4 loads probably. The Firewood will last me 2 vape sessions which is about 6 or 7 loads. The Firewood from dead battery takes 3-4 hours before the light on the charger goes green, however I have used it after letting it charge for only 2-3 hours and it gave the full battery vibration confirmation when I turned it on so The ESV only takes about an hour to an hour and a half to charge.

They are both great. I find myself using my FW3 more often for the fact that it is easier to use and get similar results. The big downsides for me with the FW3 when I compare to the ESV is that it takes so long to charge (which has not become an issue for me), it does not charge by mini USB port, and the vapor is not as tasty or cool as the ESV.

 

[GetLeft]

Recently bought a second portable (last of the three listed in my signature). It hasn't lived up to my expectations. Not blaming the vape; my expectations were probably out of line.

I have an Air, which I like lots for many reasons and use often. But it's not a truly effective vape for when I'm out and might want a quick discrete hit or two. Firstly, it's not an easy pocket fit; second, it's not a quick heat up (a minute or so at least).

Visually, the firewood looks like it will take care of my first issue (easy pocket fit). So the real issue: Will I be able to pull it out of my pocket (preloaded) and have a quick discreet couple of hits? If not, I won't bother, because the Air does everything I want it to with the exception of being an easy quick hit when in less than controlled environments. I have used it in such circumstances, but would pick this up if it does better on the two issues I mention above.

 

[Vape Dr.]

How does the Firewood stack up against the Elevape?

@Kaptan My Elevape has been my daily driver since it's release. I have been using it for over a year so I know it very very well.
The FW3 became my second favorite portable vape the day I got it.

I agree with @nosmoking about the Elevape having a cooler draw, I also use about the same amount in both units 3/4 capsule in FW3, and 3/4 chamber in the Elevape.
However I average between 12 and 18 draws on my Elevape (depending on the strains moisture content) on temp 305F with a tweaked coil and extra fine chamber screen, and I get around 20 draws on My FW3 on temps 1 and 2.

The FW3 vapor gets denser and denser as you vape and retains taste quite nicely.

@GetLeft The Elevape is quicker with the instant draw, just "grip it and rip it" which is why I love it.
The FW3 is very close though. It isn't instant because you need to take a "primer" puff to activate the coil. The FW3 only takes about 5 seconds to activate the coil after you turn the unit on and set your temps.

They are both awesome units and I love them both for their own reasons. They are not only my favorite 2 vapes, but they are also 2 of the smallest portable pure convection vapes on the market.

 

[VoodooChild]

Boom. Count me in. All these reviews have me amped up. Looking forward to some turkey next to the Firewood.

 

[friedrich]

How does the Firewood stack up against the Elevape?

I mostly agree with the above comparisons, but for me Firewood is a clear winner.

I pretty much had to disassemble my ESV (four hex screws) every couple of bowls to brush off the abv dust that falls through the screen during the also-frequent stirring that it demands. Otherwise it can go a bit wild and even surprise-combust (...this kills the stealth).
There are fixes I'd like to try for some of those issues, but I haven't acquired the parts and tools they require.

With the FW I usually just blow/brush out the capsule and the mouthpiece screen; no need for a deeper clean so far. It really helps that you can swap/rotate mouthpieces and capsules too.
I use corks from Underdog to hopefully lock in the aroma.

The shape of the FW is much better in a pants pocket. Even the spare mouthpiece holder can fit in there with it

ESV vapor is definitely cooler and maybe a little better tasting, but my FW's woodiness seems to have settled down... each strain's flavor comes through strong with a mouthwatering savory quality. I do like to either pull the mouthpiece out a little or extend with a small glass mouthpiece (by OGB) to cool the vapor.

I haven't used any other vapes for the past week!

 

[Vape Dr.]

Not to derail the thread, but @friedrich FWIW I use a fine-coarse-fine chamber screen setup and a medium bottle cap chamber lid with no MP screen and a delrin tip and have gone 400 chambers before having to clean my Elevape chamber or camera lens using a medium grind and have never combusted.

However I 100% agree with you that the FW3 is super simple and fast to clean! my HAZE brush cleans it in seconds!

 

[nosmoking]

So the real issue: Will I be able to pull it out of my pocket (preloaded) and have a quick discreet couple of hits?

I often turn the device on and pick a temp while it is in my pocket so that I can just pull it out and rip. The pockets in some of my Jeans are small and tight, like my cellphone(which has a bulky case) and the device in the same pocket would feel slightly uncomfortable but I have no problem as long as only one of these devices is in my pocket. There is also a picture on the Firewood sites home page that shows a cell phone(sans bulky case) and the Firewood in the pocket of a set of jeans.

@Kaptan My Elevape has been my daily driver since it's release. I have been using it for over a year so I know it very very well.
The FW3 became my second favorite portable vape the day I got it.

The FW3 vapor gets denser and denser as you vape and retains taste quite nicely.

They are both awesome units and I love them both for their own reasons. They are not only my favorite 2 vapes, but they are also 2 of the smallest portable pure convection vapes on the market.

I couldn't agree more with these remarks. I still like my ESV more just because of the cooler vapor but Firewood was an instant second favorite from the first puff!

I use corks from Underdog to hopefully lock in the aroma.

I do like to either pull the mouthpiece out a little or extend with a small glass mouthpiece (by OGB) to cool the vapor.

This is great to know. I was actually looking at those little corks and wondering if they would work for that exact reason.

I also like to attach a small glass mouthpiece to cool the vapor. I was using a micro-bub but keeping it dry until I broke it this weekend on my garage floor. I have another on the way as well as two other small glass pieces to try, however I don't think they will suit me for regular use. I would love an attachment for this that would be more of a custom look, something like a Joda artworks piece you know. What do you use from OGB? Can you throw us a link or is it a custom request?

 

[friedrich]

I would love an attachment for this that would be more of a custom look, something like a Joda artworks piece you know. What do you use from OGB? Can you throw us a link or is it a custom request?

It was a custom request, for a ~2" angled mouthpiece with 14mm joint. It's pretty effective, fits well and is comfortable to use, but I was also thinking about trying to get a more heady JoDa piece at some point...

 

[Vapzilla]

I've only had my beautiful maple FW3 for about a week now and have used it multiple times with nothing but great results.
At first I was not sure about all the vibration feedbacks it gives . Buzzing on, buzzing battery level, buzzing heat level.
Sounded confusing and not the norm for sure. After a few uses it becomes very user friendly.
Talk about user friendly and stealth too , without looking at it at all, and even while it's in your pocket
from one switch you can turn it on, it automatically gives the battery level feedback vibration and you set your desired temperature.
This is not only great stealth but would also be very beneficial for anyone with vision inpairments.
The vapor production is great for the units size and the auto breath sensor is spot on. It's very sensitive as it detects and turns on the heater with the slightest draw.
I find a nice easy long steady draw produces good vapor. I like a good lungfull so im so happy that there's no 8 second cutoff. Give it a few cigar puffs and it will turn into a cloud machine.
I'm still in the honeymoon stage with it but it's been nothing but awesome so far!
Great job Marc @firewood

 

[b0]

This vape sounds really good, I have an ESV and I'm thinking about buying one of this too. Pure convection, portable, easy to use with an small bubbler... I like how it sounds. Can someone post a picture side to side with an ESV? THX!

 

[firewood]

Sale alert:
$30 off Firewood Vapes using codes blackfriday15 (starts at midnight EST Nov. 27) or cybermonday15 (starts at midnight EST Nov. 30), only while supplies last. We will also be doing unfinished Maple for $135 (finished is $147), so it will be possible to get a Firewood 3 for $105 plus shipping!

Please note that all orders placed using these codes will ship by Friday, Dec. 4, 2015.

 

[nosmoking]

Sale alert:
$30 off Firewood Vapes using codes blackfriday15 (starts at midnight EST Nov. 27) or cybermonday15 (starts at midnight EST Nov. 30), only while supplies last. We will also be doing unfinished Maple for $135 (finished is $147), so it will be possible to get a Firewood 3 for $105 plus shipping!

Please note that all orders placed using these codes will ship by Friday, Dec. 4, 2015.

Any chance you will have a sale on your accessories. I am not sure I can convince myself that I need a second FW3 by Monday but I sure would love to get an extra mouthpiece or two and an extra charger.

 

[GetLeft]

Sale alert:
$30 off Firewood Vapes using codes blackfriday15 (starts at midnight EST Nov. 27) or cybermonday15 (starts at midnight EST Nov. 30), only while supplies last. We will also be doing unfinished Maple for $135 (finished is $147), so it will be possible to get a Firewood 3 for $105 plus shipping!

Please note that all orders placed using these codes will ship by Friday, Dec. 4, 2015.

Thanks.
This might be what I needed to take the plunge.

... what would one use to finish an unfinished maple?