Edit: Usage Tips
Mod note: Important warranty information for the iolite-
The previous warranty policy, requiring units bought after Feb. 1, 2010 to have been purchased through an authorized dealer, has been changed. Now ANY IOLITE, NO MATTER WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED, WILL BE COVERED UNDER THE TWO YEAR WARRANTY AS LONG AS THE OWNER HAS PROOF OF PURCHASE IN THE FORM OF A RECEIPT OR INVOICE .
macbill said:* You need good butane. Not Ronson. You want butane that has been super-refined - that is to say, with fewer impurities. Vector, Colobri are two such brands, available online or check out your local tobacco/cigar store. See also: http://www.keen-newport.com/ourBenchmark.htm
* Be aware that even good brands have impurities. Shake your can before mating with your Iolite. Many people stop refilling from these cans as they become empty because of impurities. You can use the butane for less finicky devices.
* When you fill your unit the first time, bleed off anything that might be in the Iolite tank. Depress the Iolite fuel nozzle with a pen tip or other pointy device. You want to do that occasionally to bleed off any air that may enter the unit, as some kind of inert gas is used as a propellant in the butane can, and it gets in. Sometimes that can be a problem if your unit has a full tank of propellent instead of gas.
* You may may want to use a rubber band to hold the chamber to the unit. Believe me, inevitably you will pick the unit up by the stem and spill your load.
* You'll find the the unit is easier to light if it is warm. Filling with burtane makes it cold, so hold it in the palms of your hands for a half a minute or so.
* It is very important that you do not leave your stems installed if you are not using the unit. They are very easy to break. Especially when hot. But you will find if easier if you remove them while the unit is still warm. Otherwise, the golden vapeing residue will glue them in when the Iolite is cold. No probs. if you forget: just heat the unit to remove the stem.
* Your herb ought to be fairly dry and ground small. How small? For me, I grind it to about the size of sea salt, or for those hujnters out there, 16 to 18 gauge shoti.
* Some folks wait for a pre-heat (1 or 2 heating cycles) before loading and toking. I don't. I like it pre-loaded before I start it. It minimizes (for me) the hassles. Try it all ways and find the one you like. It is all good.
I'm sure I forgot something. All this talk of Iolites convinced to have a load whilst typing. Hopefully others will chime in, so new users don't have to go through the whole thread for basic, operational hints.
Mod note: Important warranty information for the iolite-
The previous warranty policy, requiring units bought after Feb. 1, 2010 to have been purchased through an authorized dealer, has been changed. Now ANY IOLITE, NO MATTER WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED, WILL BE COVERED UNDER THE TWO YEAR WARRANTY AS LONG AS THE OWNER HAS PROOF OF PURCHASE IN THE FORM OF A RECEIPT OR INVOICE .