once again, i tried to consider the factors that a consumer may consider before purchasing any vaporizer. in my opinion, here is my short & concise review of the:
"HMK Titanium Skillet Vapor Swing with Curve"
price:
compared to the other Titanium Swings i have seen, this seems to be a very competitive price - others are known to be much more expensive.
ease of use:
many people may find this device easy to use, but some people may not know how to use it properly. the user must heat up the titanium (TI) plate, then swing it into position under the glass bell-shaped "vacuum", place some concentrate on the hot TI plate, and inhale the vapors that are emitted by the concentrates.
risk of combustion:
this area is a little controversial. it is all up to the user to judge when the TI pad is at the right temperature for vaporization. a skillet that is too hot may result in combustion. some people believe that vaporization occurs when there is little to no residue left on the TI pad after inhaling. combustion may be evidenced by black burn marks, a typical "smoke" smell, and stains that are difficult to remove.
angle of curve:
this device does not seem to have that full 180 degree curve that is most helpful. the reason that people consider the angle of the curve is because when oils/concentrates are placed on the hot pad, they tend to liquify and melt. the reason that the full 180 degree curve is preferred is because it will allow the TI pad to stay flat when swung into place, and oils are less likely to drip off a flat surface (parallel to the ground or table that the pipe is resting on). if the TI pad is used when it is not flat, the angle of the TI pad may cause concentrates to drip off of the pad and possibly make a mess. many youtube videos can be seen with many different styles and variations to this simple concept (hot TI pads).
taste of vapors:
the vapors can taste as flavorful as the concentrates you are using, however if the user places the concentrates on the TI pad while its too hot, combustion may occur - which will negatively affect the taste of the smoke (not vapors).
portability of vaporizer unit:
since this piece is detachable and needs the presence of a water pipe (or some other ground glass connection), it can be easily removed and stored or transported. it is fragile since it is glass. since this device requires the use of a flame, it would be difficult to use in the car and almost impossible to drive and use. however, if portability is a requirement, do not rely on this intricate process. one hand will definitely be busy placing the concentrates in a very specific point (requires some focus), and the other hand may be needed to hold the pipe. there is also a flame that must be controlled when using this device because it does not use any electronics or batteries.
portability of vaporization:
since this device requires the use of a (water) pipe, the user must be in direct contact with a pipe in order to use the device. the TI skillet is as portable as the (water) pipe that it is connected to is.
noise level:
this is a fairly quiet device. the only sounds that may be noticeable is the "whoosh" sound of the fuel torch and flame, any "clinking" of glass accessories (dabbers, dishes, etc.), the typical sound of air traveling through water pipes (if water is used), and you coughing your head off!
how long should flame be kept on:
since the unit is powered by a flame, it is recommended that the flame is extinguished after the TI pad is at the desired temperature. if many people are using the device one-after-another, then the flame may be kept on to keep reheating the TI pad. the TI pad takes about a minute (user will gain experience with time) to get above the desired temperature.
availability of accessories/customization:
this is a very customizable piece because it can be attached to almost any glass (water) pipe that has the correct ground glass connector size. also, ground glass connectors can be found for very cheap if one wants to convert a non-ground glass pipe to fit this device.
effect of usage:
many people agree that this packs a STRONG PUNCH.
*assumed overall popularity (my opinion, obviously...but unbiased for sure):
once users start vaporizing oils and concentrates, they seem to prefer it over any other method. if this is taken care of properly, the user can expect about 40% of their money back by selling it used.
warranty:
this is a very basic system that is sure to work if used as intended. glass can be very fragile, so unless there is a defect in the manufacture of the device, it is unlikely that this device will be covered by any kind of long term warranty.
maintenance cost after purchase:
since this piece is removable, it is quite cheap and easy to clean. the only other potential cost that may arise with using this device is fuel refills for your flame, which can be as cheap as a tank of propane or can of butane.
usability with plant matter:
many users do not use plant matter with this device. i am not even sure if there is an effective way to use plant matter only.
overall opinion:
if the user has a lot of oils/concentrates available to them, or they know how to make it themselves, then this is a GREAT investment - especially for this price. this can quickly become a users favorite method of vaporization and is VERY STRONG compared to other methods.
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this is again geared towards newbies because this is what i had to think about when discovering this type of product.
thanks for the opportunity to be in this contest again!