You can avoid combustion in the FV with careful and consistent counting until you develop a feel for what the vapour is telling you. That's how the instructions tell you to start out. Sloppiness will definitely do you in since half a second too long on the button can be critical.
I think this is exactly the case. The line between 'a little bigger cloud than last time' and 'oh, SHIT!' is mighty fine indeed. Someone suggested 'counting down' I found that worked best for me. Key it on then pretend your're sending men to the moon (often not far off...), "5, 4, 3, 2, 1, vape!" If I'm going for one of the more advanced techniques, I count up from there: "5, 4, 3, 2, 1, vape, 1, 2, 3, power off (keep pulling)". Sound silly, but works well IMO.
It turns out that ceramic is pretty abrasive stuff. Apparently, if stainless steel mesh is constantly rubbed against it, the mesh loses:
I should mention that I discovered this tear when I wiped the screen with a paper towel and it snagged. I'd appreciate it if you FV owners could just gently wipe around the perimeter of your top screen and see if you get a snag.
This public service announcement brought to you by pakalolo, nobly sacrificing himself for the benefit of vaporists everywhere.
No surprise to me, you can sharpen kitchen knives on the stuff after all, and they're a whole lot tougher than 300 series SS mesh. The mesh don't stand a chance.
I just checked mine very carefully, no sign of this problem. Then again, the only time I ever cleaned up there was after a 'combustion experiment' and I took off the lid and boiled it in place (no contact with the screen) and when I brush I do so very lightly with a camel's hair brush (not the normal shortened hog bristle ones I use for MFLB and elsewhere). IMO not touching it is the best option.
Finally, another sacrifice from our long suffering Pak....what can you say? Like Vitolo, BDV and the other 'usual suspects' out there running interference for us, taking the big hits so we don't have to, his reward is no doubt waiting for him in heaven.....the best we can hope for is appreciation I guess. What a guy, we need more like him, too bad there aren't any......
OF