Tafée Bowle

[SixStringToker]

Oh darn... Christmas has arrived a day early. Whatever am I to do!?



I threw some pedigree in the background.

The battery is charging at the moment. First impressions are very favorable. It's solid, appears to be well built, and feels good cupped in the hand (like a big phat j-hook). The air intake is in the center of the bottom and doesn't get blocked when you cup the puck in your hand. Airflow feels open.

The metal grinder feels like serious business! Why this is the standard version and the cheap plastic one has the "+" designation seems arse-backward to me, but maybe that's why I'm not in marketing.

The charge cable is very nice and quite long, which has me wondering... Can the Bowle be used while charging? I REALLY hope so... that would certainly solve the weak-sauce battery problem for couch-use and would open up opportunities for expansion battery packs.

The bent silicone mouthpiece feels nice but it does put off a bit of silicone flavor, which I'm not thrilled about. I don't actually notice this with the MiniVAP cones. I expect it'll fade after a few "bowles".

The little dab tool that slides into any one of the four holes on the bottom is cute but I can see myself forgetting to put it back in place and losing it in no time... they should have included once for each hole! The o-ring that's supposed to secure it in the holes slides off in the hole when removing the tool sometimes but the tool itself is quite handy for fishing it back out.

Final thought for the moment: CHECK THE PACKING MATERIAL BEFORE DISCARDING IT! I almost tossed the small ziplock back with the spare gaskets; it appears to have been tossed into the box after everything else.

 

[invertedisdead]

Didn't Arno Hazekamp just do evaluatory testing for S&B? I could be wrong here, but I don't believe he actually designed any of the components on any S&B product.

 

[Mr. Me2]

Seems like most people are getting the long stem version. Can I ask why?

 

[SixStringToker]

Seems like most people are getting the long stem version. Can I ask why?

My thoughts were that it might provide a bit of additional cooling and I also just prefer the feel to hitting longer stemmed pipes.

I just did my first bowl (with it plugged in, to answer my own earlier question). I'm getting big tasty clouds with surprisingly cool vapor. I was so surprised at the vapor that I forgot to step the temperature up above 2 for the entire bowl. ABV is just about where I like it and VERY evenly extracted; zero stirring required.

I can only conclude that the Taffe Bowle is magic!

 

[djelibebbi]

How would you rate this for transport? Okay for jacket and/or cargos or nah?

 

[SixStringToker]

How would you rate this for transport? Okay for jacket and/or cargos or nah?

I wouldn't have any problem throwing it into a backpack or possibly an inside jacket pocket. It might be a bit bulky for cargos as one piece, but if you separate the stem from the puck and pocket them separately, it should be ok.

Here's the heat level 2, no-stir ABV from my first bowl:

 

[Zoticus]

I am so excited mine should be here any minute now <3

 

[justcametomind]

How is it to clean the inside of the stem?

 

[Djsleepy]

I just did my first bowl (with it plugged in, to answer my own earlier question). I'm getting big tasty clouds with surprisingly cool vapor. I was so surprised at the vapor that I forgot to step the temperature up above 2 for the entire bowl. ABV is just about where I like it and VERY evenly extracted; zero stirring required.

I can only conclude that the Taffe Bowle is magic!

How medicated were you after the one bowl form Bowle? Lol

Ready to hear everyone’s first thoughts!

 

[Vonv]

How is it to clean the inside of the stem?

Very easy to.
Simply soak/rinse in ISO does the trick.
One can lay stem flat to soak entire length or just pour some into the opening for the pot and let it soak.

The other positive thing is one MAY only need to clean it maybe once every 2-3 months with regular use. I went 3 months on a tester unit with heavy use one time before cleaning mine and still it didn't really require it. It's a personal thing. What you'll need to clean every week or thereabouts is the pots. If you don't empty after use eventually there will be buildup in the screens in the pots. But since you get 5 pots in a complete kit, rotating use will extend the need for cleaning the pots.

Very very low maintenance device we've been blessed with.

 

[Zoticus]

It arrived safe and sound <3 time for some hollablaze testing be back in a day or two <3

 

[marduk]

Is anyone brave enough to take out those four screws on the bottom so we can have a look inside?

 

[SixStringToker]

In addition to what @Vonv said re: the stem, the bulk of the buildup is going to happen on the plate in the stem that's just under the bowl. That plate is very accessible with a cotton swab and easy to wipe clean sans-alcohol when the stem is still warm.

My battery lasted 5 bowls from fully charged down to one led. I did two on level 2, two on level 3, and one on level 4. I'll likely stick with level 2 for most of my herb and use 3 for herb that needs a bit more heat. Level 4 took my current herb about as far as it can go without fire; it was DAAAAAAARK!

(I forgot to take abv photos after my second bowl... lol)

The metal grinder is decent. It's no BCG, but it gets the job done, albeit with quite a bit more inconsistency. I'll probably end up using my BCG. I hope they release some storage containers for the bowls. Even just a magnetic lid that fits over the current bowl section of the metal grinder (maybe with a silicone pad on the inside to keep the bowls sealed) would be good.

Edit:

While it does allow you to use it while charging, it's definitely not bypassing the battery; I had the battery drop a bar while using it plugged in.

 

[Mr. Me2]

Questions for those with a bowle:

How many pulls are you getting from a pod?

Can you use it as a one-and-done vape and return to the same pod that way until finished? That’s my “does it behave like a true convection vape” question.

This one is really sounding like a winner!

 

[His_Highness]

Just got mine! Damn....I gotta go to a Christmas dinner with our bubble. Told the wife I need to stay home for personal reasons and she said "I saw the new vape come through the door this morning and yeah.....it's gonna get personal if you don't get ready to go".

Guess I'll charge it up in the meantime

 

[sickmanfraud]

are there any discount codes?

 

[Vonv]

Questions for those with a bowle:

How many pulls are you getting from a pod?

Can you use it as a one-and-done vape and return to the same pod that way until finished? That’s my “does it behave like a true convection vape” question.

This one is really sounding like a winner!

Oh Boy...If that's your benchmark for a true convection vape then this is an absolute winner.

Based on how the oven is separated from the ceramic pots, it eliminates all the past shortcomings of the "almost was true convection vape" to deliver what is probably one of the purest form of true convection in a battery operated portable.

How many pulls from a Pod is very subjective on various factors.
Some people like me start in level one and work our way into level 3.
I think depending on the makeup of your herbs, higher power settings or lower may be more appropriate and affect how many pulls one gets from a pot.
Also , how long one inhales per draw also determines how quickly one can finish a pot.
I've done hits where I put such little herbs to just cover the stainless steel screen in the pots and finished it completely with 2 draws at power level 3 and 4 . I can' t say enough about the ability to just hit this thing on a whim setup to either deliver tastes and terps in the lower power settings or just clouds in the higher settings.

I've gotten the same battery range experience with @SixStringToker but only if I dabble into level 3.
When I stick with level 2 only I get at least 7 - 8 pots before needing to recharge by inhaling for 6 seconds per draw with 10 draws per pot.
I think it is more than sufficient for even the most demanding especially since this is more an around the home device so there shouldn't ever be battery range anxieties here.
My wife doesn't go past level 1, which surprisingly is also a good level for those low temp terps, for those soccer moms who will stick to level 1 and the occasional level 2, this will do 10 pots per charge.

Went from fully dead to fully charged in 1 hour 11 minutes...but I noticed if I use a different charger than the one suppled it takes much longer.
They probably didn't tweak their charging protocol to accept anything less than a QUALCOMM fast charge and bit the cost bullet by having to supply QUALCOMM 3 chargers with every unit.

I have to say I know it's early days with the Bowle, but 2020 may have birthed a renaissance in devices and I'm very convinced this company if they survive could lead the charge. I applaud the balls to attempt something like this but to also execute for the most part in their first attempt.

 

[SixStringToker]

Is that a temperature diode right at the middle of the screen that sits above the bowl!?

 

[Shit Snacks]

Seems like most people are getting the long stem version. Can I ask why?

I actually had trouble deciding, even tried to see if I could get both, but was told there is not really a difference in performance. So I actually went with the short stem, after I realized it was only about an inch of difference length... Now seeing it in person I feel confident in the decision, we'll see how it goes in use! (also wanted the shorter one thinking it might be better to try to mod something up for other mp options -- need to get measurements to @Delta3DStudios for a SonG asap!)

Anyway mine arrived a little bit ago, it is on the charger and I am soaking the silicone mouthpieces in ISO as well... I actually did not get the metal potter grinder thrown in mine, but they did throw in the drinkware and potter+ even though I ordered without so I could pay less! I guess the value of the drinkware is similar to the metal potter, while I certainly do not need another grinder (just got a new flower mill and pre-ordered the new united machining on top of two brilliant cuts) so I very much appreciate this bonus gift... Plus now I can try it out properly with the cup too!!

Love the unique packaging on top of everything else, also all the parts and accessories, very very nice. Been a while since I bought a non-artisan vape product like this, feels like a real treat!

The puck is lightweight and small enough to hold in the hands comfortably it seems, on its own at least! More to come ofcourse...

 

[SixStringToker]

As far as temperature comfort goes, settings 1 and 2 are completely comfortable for me. I'm really surprised that 2 gets my abv as dark as it does considering how cool it feels and that there are no cooling tricks in the stem. 3 is starting to get into the realm where I'd prefer additional cooling. 4 is toasty hot on the throat and blackens the ABV; 'bit much for me.

 

[ChooChooCharlie]

Top-Down heating is the secret, IMO

Let's all say it in a Borat voice, "Very Nice!"

Learned something new when trying to do a 30 second draw at level four on that pot. It cut me off at around 23 seconds. Guess it thought I had enough. But it did the job

Oh, correction to prior post about being in stand-by after charging session. No, you dope, it died on you while using, so it remembers its prior state. That's why it was in stand-by mode

Tried charging it with wall timer, put it to sleep myself before dead. After charging, sure enough, it was still in sleep mode. When I triple pressed to wake it, it had remembered my last temp selection as well

BTW, maybe my unit needs battery charge level indication calibration. Like many rechargeable devices with these light indicators, they lie. Lousy little lying lights. I checked my batt level like a good boy, it said 2, but it died barely finishing the pot. Let's be careful out there, folks. But then again, it is convection. Can just pull out stem and let it stand while charging

Happy holidays to all of us new happy Bowle owners

Edit: It's only fair to be symmetrical, so I jammed in a whopping .27g

Sure, it was a noticeably more restricted draw, but this vape starts out so free flowing, that stuffing pot like this is an option. Don't let old maxims like "loose pack for convection" ruin your day

 

[SixStringToker]

Top-Down heating is the secret, IMO

If that is indeed a diode at the screen above the bowl, that's probably a big factor, too. A temp sensor directly in the air path, immediately above the herb... the only thing better would be extending the probe down into the middle of the bowl!

Learned something new when trying to do a 30 second draw at level four on that pot. It cut me off at around 23 seconds. Guess it thought I had enough. But it did the job

Interesting. How warm did it feel? 'Wonder if you triggered a thermal protection circuit.

Also, HOLY CRAP! A 30-second draw on level 4 would burn a hole thru the back of my throat!

 

[SquirrelMaster]

How does the glass feel against your lips? Is it like the "plastic" glasses in some restaurants or does it feel more like glass? I like the durability of plastic but I always prefer the feel and taste of a beverage
from a glass container.

Mines coming too! Long stem baby!

Now we can see how this thing will hold up to heavy use .

 

[SixStringToker]

How does the glass feel against your lips? Is it like the "plastic" glasses in some restaurants or does it feel more like glass?

It feels very much like plastic to me. It's a harder plastic, but definitely not glass-like.

Now we can see how this thing will hold up to heavy use .

And quite possibly how good/bad their customer service and repairs are!

 

[kadjo]

I actually had trouble deciding, even tried to see if I could get both, but was told there is not really a difference in performance. So I actually went with the short stem, after I realized it was only about an inch of difference length... Now seeing it in person I feel confident in the decision, we'll see how it goes in use! (also wanted the shorter one thinking it might be better to try to mod something up for other mp options -- need to get measurements to @Delta3DStudios for a SonG asap!)

Anyway mine arrived a little bit ago, it is on the charger and I am soaking the silicone mouthpieces in ISO as well... I actually did not get the metal potter grinder thrown in mine, but they did throw in the drinkware and potter+ even though I ordered without so I could pay less! I guess the value of the drinkware is similar to the metal potter, while I certainly do not need another grinder (just got a new flower mill and pre-ordered the new united machining on top of two brilliant cuts) so I very much appreciate this bonus gift... Plus now I can try it out properly with the cup too!!

Love the unique packaging on top of everything else, also all the parts and accessories, very very nice. Been a while since I bought a non-artisan vape product like this, feels like a real treat!

The puck is lightweight and small enough to hold in the hands comfortably it seems, on its own at least! More to come ofcourse...

Is the base puck the same for the long and short version? Theoretically could you buy one and later get a replacement stem of the other length?

It seems like a bit of a big price jump for an inch of material.