Good Afternoon BrickFolk! I am new to the Sticky world and have a question. I have been getting some inconsistent results. Sometimes I get wispy vapor and at other times I get "it-does-a-body-good" milky results. Either way I get happy but I think I understand why I'm not going to the cloud more consistently.
After watching a bunch of videos and reading a little .... I have come to the conclusion that trying to guide the flame to the bowl is causing me some scorched herb, wood and minor combustion.
I think my goal should be to heat the glass and have the glass do the majority of the work providing the heat to the bowl. This would be similar to the convection approach my EVO takes me through. How close am I? Should I try heating the top and outside of the glass before attempting to pull?
Try using a slightly stronger flame. I personally don't preheat the glass but I believe some do. I use a strong flame, at least an inch long, closer to 1.25 inches. This is the length of both the bright inner flame and the outer "ghost" flame.
I have the tip of the outer flame just level with the top of the intake. I keep it pretty much centered, and then I angle it slightly away from myself, towards the carb.
I keep the carb closed for the duration of the entire hit. Adjusting the flame closer to the intake will raise the temp, pulling it away lowers the temp. I try to keep it stationary and control temp with my draw speed.
I draw slow to medium at first until I see vapor. It takes only a second or so for vapor to start forming if your flame is strong and your draw speed is not too fast.
Once I see vapor I increase my draw speed a lot, trying to keep the vapor density a steady thick milk. It's important to not slow down your draw speed suddenly if using this technique, as it can lead to combustion. Just stop hitting it instead.
I keep drawing for a few seconds after I take away the flame. It will surprisingly continue to produce vapor for a short while. I think continuing to draw after removing the flame also helps prevent hot spots.
Again, make sure the carb is closed the entire time, until it stops producing vapor.
This technique is a little advanced but it gives the biggest hits in my experience. Once you dial it in it is very consistent.
You could use a similar technique, with a strong flame and steady medium draw speed. Start off the same way but when you see the vapor form keep hitting it normally, using the flame distance and carb to adjust vapor density.
If vapor gets too thick let off the carb for a second while you move the flame away from the intake. If the vapor is too thin keep the carb closed and move the flame closer to the intake, even a little bit inside of the intake is fine if necessary.
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and I am not worried in the least about the bricks glass surviving a fall! The mouthpiece glass survived the 7 foof drop test...the intake might not be as strong but I have dropped the glass a couple times and it's still perfect.
