Pax by Ploom - Breaking the Pax Code/The best Pax method (merged)
I have broken the Pax code!!
This is probably already on here somewhere, but I figured just in case it isn't or for anyone who is just getting into it this could seriously shorten your learning curve. I have experimented with the Pax for a couple weeks and this is the method that I got the hands down best results with. Anyone who doesn't think this vape puts off enough vapor or isn't satisfied...there's a better than average chance that they aren't doing it right. Everyone should try this method before they bash it on the forums or *gasp* sell their unit.
This method works the best with between .2 and .4 grams of material, but I have used less and still gotten decent results. The three major points to this method are as follows:
#1 - You need to grind your material up very finely. I find the finer the better. Some people will suggest that you lay out your material to dry, and it does work a little better but is NOT necessary.
#2 - It has to be packed in uncomfortably tight. Forget what you know about other vapes, this one is different. You want to pack your stuff in so tight that you wouldn't be able to hit it in a normal combustion pipe. This was the hardest part for me to take the plunge on as I am not filthy rich and shelling out the 250$ for a Pax cut into my budget for material, so I was not wanting to waste any and packing it in too tight has always been synonymous with not getting good draws and wasting material. However, I assure you that after I tried this once I realized that NOT packing it down actually seemed like more of a waste. So pack it in good, until you have a solid brick in the bottom of the oven. For reference, .2 grams for me doesn't fill it up halfway when packed properly. I have heard other people say they need to put a half rolled screen in there to fill up space, but when properly packed this has NOT been necessary for me. Leaving it loose in the oven or even not packing it tightly enough causes drastically diminished vapor production for me.
#3 - Ok, so number 1 is easy, number 2 isn't too hard to master, but number 3 is going to be a little different for everybody and that is the actual drawing technique. What I have found produces the most vapor, lung shattering in fact, is the mini puff pulse method. That is where you puff it like a cigar in small light draws just slightly less than a half a second long each. You just do a steady pulse of these "half second or so" draws, puffing with your cheek muscles and then pulling into your lungs between tokes. This really seems to be the proper pacing for this vape and I find that it will simply keep producing vapor in small puffs until your lungs are full. Lots of people say to hit it long and slow like most other vapes, but this has never given me good results, just hot air and a comparatively tiny amount of vapor. A steady pulse of small draws, however, and I can literally get choked out every time and produce very very decent clouds. Now, this is going to be a little different for everyone, but if you start with small puffs and slowly build them up to your preference you will find a better experience than long slow drags, I promise.
In summary, each of these steps is important and this method will not be as mind blowing as it would if you fail at any of them, they are all crucial. You must first grind it up as finely as you can, then make sure it's packed in very tightly, then a steady pulse of small puffs until your lungs are full. Never do I draw on it for more than one solid second at a time. My results using this exact method have been consistently fantastic ever since I have switched. I always vape on medium for the first go and high after one stir and using .2 grams I easily get 10 awesome hits, then another 7-10 decent ones out of the medium run, then about that same amount out of the high run. Some people, my brother included, like to leave it on high for the whole session, which will produce more and stronger hits faster, but also destroys your taste factor faster. That's all personal preference. This method will produce good clouds on medium or high. Low not so much for the clouds, but the taste will be there strongly and last longer so some people will prefer that setting I'm sure.
Here is my testimonial. My brother is a notorious vapor hater. He has never liked vaping and always thought that combustion was the only way, even the mighty Volcano and the Arizer Extreme Q could not sway him. He said unless it was something you could take with you/carry around the house without a cord it was impractical and overall not as good as a smaller combustion pipe. He made an effort to pick out a portable but unfortunately he got sold on the Puffit's discreet shape and did no research into performance. Not surprisingly he felt unsatisfied and it completely turned him off to portables. Also no shock that when I told him I was ordering a Pax he was very skeptical. Telling him how much it cost did not make things any better. When we first started using it before I got a handle on what method I liked the best his skepticism remained unchanged. But once I showed him how well it works if you follow this method his mind quickly changed and he ordered his own that same night. Now he has gone almost a week without using an open flame and I couldn't be more proud.
This next part is just for fun(lol or is it?) About the Pax Code, I want to believe(good luck changing my mind lol) that the designers purposefully left clues about it's proper usage in the design of the device its self. First of all the little light has a pulse to it. If you match your draws to that pulse you will be right about on par with what I am having you do. Secondly it's called a Pax, which subliminally tells you to pack it in there lol As far as grinding it up finely I really don't have anything for that lol but maybe one of you more creative people could think of something.
There you have it, my take on proper Pax technique. LOVE LOVE LOVE this thing. Even around the house it is so much more convenient than hovering over a tower with a whip, or even carrying a balloon full around with you. For use out of the house there is no substitute for its stealth factor and portability, and I can't wait to try another top of the line portable unit to compare it to for actual vapor performance, such as the Ascent when they fix the airflow and taste issues. Taste is definitely a little better in the glass on glass Extreme Q, but the Pax is still very very tasty too. In closing, the portability and speed of use make this my go to device for ALL my vaping needs. That's right, my Extreme Q mainly just looks cool now lol 5/5 stars, two thumbs up, gold medal quality, and life changing are all good descriptive terms. In fact, if they had a Nobel Prize for this sort of thing, give it to this device. Sorry this post turned into a novel, and if you have read the whole thing then thanks for your attention. Go have yourself a mind blowing Pax session, and if you don't have one yet go and order it, and if you follow these instructions you will be thoroughly satisfied.
