Taste from unused Vape?

[perpetually_learning]

A few months ago I purchased a high end portable vaporizer. As with units I've had in the past, I ran a few burn off cycles. After >20 cycles I was still getting a distinct taste coming from the unit at higher temperatures, despite never having put any material in the vape. Finally, after still getting the taste at 50 cycles and a few alcohol wipe downs I decided to exchange the unit. I was impressed with the manufacturer, who offered me a swap for free.

My problem is that new unit has the exact same issue. I'd describe the taste as "new car smell," although there's no odour - only taste. I'm afraid to use the unit for health concerns and am looking at my options.

I really love the design of the unit I have now and, as it looks like it will be a total loss if I don't use it, I'd really like to be able to stick with it. But health comes first, am I right?

Anyone else had a similar issue? Is there a fix? Am I right to be worried about this?

I'm considering a Crafty if I can't find a solution, but I'd be pretty down if I drop another chunk of change only to find the same thing.

Thanks so much for any input guys.

 

[Summer]

It's silicone you are most likely tasting. Some are more sensitive taste-wise then others. If the silicone is removeable, try washing it several times in soapy water.

Personally, I wouldn't worry about it, but if your tastebuds are sensitive you may be tasting it for a long while. Your call.

 

[guyonthecouch]

A few months ago I purchased a high end portable vaporizer. As with units I've had in the past, I ran a few burn off cycles. After >20 cycles I was still getting a distinct taste coming from the unit at higher temperatures, despite never having put any material in the vape. Finally, after still getting the taste at 50 cycles and a few alcohol wipe downs I decided to exchange the unit. I was impressed with the manufacturer, who offered me a swap for free.

My problem is that new unit has the exact same issue. I'd describe the taste as "new car smell," although there's no odour - only taste. I'm afraid to use the unit for health concerns and am looking at my options.

I really love the design of the unit I have now and, as it looks like it will be a total loss if I don't use it, I'd really like to be able to stick with it. But health comes first, am I right?

Anyone else had a similar issue? Is there a fix? Am I right to be worried about this?

I'm considering a Crafty if I can't find a solution, but I'd be pretty down if I drop another chunk of change only to find the same thing.

Thanks so much for any input guys.

What's the make and model of the vape you're having issues with?

As Summer mentioned, it's probably silicone. Or might be that nasty tape(teflon?) some companies use. The tape taste/smell are more noticeable at higher temps.

Round here we call that flava Robot Fart

Silly humans, Robots don't fart.. or do they?!

 

[Vaporware]

Edit: I should make it clear up front that what you’re tasting may be entirely benign and I don’t think you should necessarily stop using it or that you have to get something else, just giving my perspective and offering other options if you decide you want to try something different.

This is one of the big reasons I don’t want most mass-produced vaporizers. If you haven’t yet, take a look at some of the convection options from smaller shops here. On the portable side a few to check out are the Nomad, Milaana, Li’l Bud, MVT and Firewood if you can handle unregulated (hold down the button to get heat, let up to stop heating, but you can overheat if you hold too long), Tubo, Li’l Bud Elite, Splinter, iHeat, Imp, Glow, etc. on the regulated 510 attachment (or equivalent mod built in) side.

All of those use metal or glass covered metal heaters and glass and/or wood stems so unless one of them has something bad in the air path that I haven’t heard about they should all be good bets.

My personal top choice of those is the Nomad, and unless you have a problem with NiChrome in the heater I don’t think there’s anything that should concern you or cause a bad taste. The air path is just wood*, metal and glass (which can be replaced with wood or metal if you need a stem that won’t break).

There are plenty of great options though, so if you’re not happy with the plastic and silicone used in a lot of the mass produced options, see what else you can dig up here!

Just to set your expectations accurately though, unless you get something like the Elev8r that can be *all* glass you’re going to get some amount of taste from anything you heat up, so while I also dislike the thought of breathing in something weird tasting when I don’t even know the material the taste is coming from, I don’t disqualify a vaporizer just because I can detect some kind of taste from it when it’s running empty.

*The base/air intake of the heater (which doesn’t get hot) is made of PEEK now, but that can be swapped for wood if you prefer. I think both are fine, but I went with wood just because I like it better in theory.

 

[Jill NYC]

As others have asked, what vape is it, we may be able to give more specific suggestions.
In the meantime, you can also soak the silicone in some coconut oil and then wipe off.
Or just letting the pieces of the vape air out - I believe @OF has suggested putting pieces on top of your router overnight will help air out faster.

 

[Madri-Gal]

I can't even imagine burning off 50 cycles. My patience is such thst 15 would have been about it. 25 if I was really, really, bored and frustrated. You get a Persistence Award from me. I admire your tenacity. I don't know what types of vape it is, but even friendly customer service can't make it right if it isn't possible. I can see being hesitant to invest in another vape and having the same thing happen. You might try borrowing a friends vape to test out, but as that probably isn't possible, you can try renting and testing vapes. I'd just go with a VapCap myself, but if you want electronics, then I'd suggest testing before purchase. You might try contacting the company again and getting details about how your vape is made and trying to determine what to avoid. You deserve a vape that doesn't taste funky, for sure. Best of luck to you in your search.

 

[perpetually_learning]

Thanks so much for all the input everyone.

Round here we call that flava Robot Fart

This description is surprisingly accurate. I can tell you understand my pain.

What's the make and model of the vape you're having issues with?

A DaVinci IQ.

what you’re tasting may be entirely benign

I certainly hope so.

Anyone happen to know of a legit source confirming that inhaling this stuff is OK? I've read about "food grade" silicone being used, but I'm not sure that "food grade" means "go ahead and inhale the fumes it gives off at 220ºC." There was a day when I would've said that a large company wouldn't knowingly sell me poison, but I'm now mature enough to know better.

Some are more sensitive taste-wise then others.

Certainly could be the case - I haven't heard these complaints anywhere else on the web, and I've looked. This is my 4th vape - I got started with an iolite, then graduated to a MFLB and finally settled on a DaVinci Ascent. Initially I had a similar issue with the Ascent but, as Jill NYC suggested, leaving the oven open to the air for a day totally got rid of it. It was the positive experience I had with the Ascent that lead me to go for the IQ over the Crafty.

...if you can handle unregulated...

I'm fine with unregulated but I know from my time with the MFLB that unregulated makes sharing a touch difficult - kinda like trying to share the driving on a road trip in your VW Bus with a group of friends who've never driven a stick.

I'd just go with a VapCap myself

From what I'm reading in terms of material safety this seems to be the way to go.

My personal top choice of those is the Nomad

Holy. Fuck.

I can see why. Are these seriously available?

 

[Vaporware]

@perpetually_learning There are some Nomads out there, but unless you could get a current owner to part with theirs you’d have to message @Dan Morrison and get on the waiting list.

He builds batches of about 30 at a time, and he’s mid-way through batch 3 right now. He talks to each of us to work out the design, woods, buttons, etc. since each one’s a unique work of art and he’s great to work with!

Considering the amount of time and attention he puts into each one, although they’re not cheap they are among the best deals in the dry herb vaporizer world. Mine’s being built right now and it’s going to be amazing.

In case you need more reasons to get on the list:

https://www.instagram.com/morwoodco/

 

[perpetually_learning]

After looking into Nichrome a bit, I just don't think I'd be comfortable using it as a heating element - which it a crying shame because those Nomads must be the most beautiful vaporizers I've ever seen.

Thanks for bringing this to my attention though.

Since a few people mentioned that it was important to know my model, but no one replied here, I'll try positing in the IQ forum and see if there's anyone over there might have a fix.

In the meantime, it's still combustion for me.

Thanks again guys.

 

[hoptimum]

After looking into Nichrome a bit, I just don't think I'd be comfortable using it as a heating element - which it a crying shame because those Nomads must be the most beautiful vaporizers I've ever seen.

Thanks for bringing this to my attention though.

Since a few people mentioned that it was important to know my model, but no one replied here, I'll try positing in the IQ forum and see if there's anyone over there might have a fix.

In the meantime, it's still combustion for me.

Thanks again guys.

the Firefly might be more your thing

 

[Vaporware]

After looking into Nichrome a bit, I just don't think I'd be comfortable using it as a heating element - which it a crying shame because those Nomads must be the most beautiful vaporizers I've ever seen.

Thanks for bringing this to my attention though.

Since a few people mentioned that it was important to know my model, but no one replied here, I'll try positing in the IQ forum and see if there's anyone over there might have a fix.

In the meantime, it's still combustion for me.

Thanks again guys.

That’s the one thing that still worries me a little. I don’t think it’s likely to be a real problem, but it did keep me away from the Nomad for a while.

I don’t know if it’ll make you feel better or just give you more models to avoid, but the popular Fury 2 and almost all of the other brands with the same design use Nichrome heaters, and I’m sure others I’m less familiar with do too.

Some of them also use aluminum heaters and/or bowls (even the very well regarded Storz & Bickel products like the Volcano and Mighty which are apparently approved for medical use) if that bothers you.

With the Nomad the Nichrome is the only thing I have any concern about, unlike a lot of others with plastic, silicone, glue, etc. sometimes even in the vapor path. I know that makes this all sound bad, but I think at least 90% of them are far safer than combusting, so I hope you find something you like soon!

I don’t think any of my other suggestions use Nichrome by the way, so if you need more suggestions that are similar designs you can refer back to my first post in this thread.

 

[CarolKing]

It took longer for my Ascent to get that knew vapor taste sensation to be gone than any other vape I’ve had. It took some time. I almost gave up.

 

[Vaporware]

It took longer for my Ascent to get that knew vapor taste sensation to be gone than any other vape I’ve had. It took some time. I almost gave up.

Yeah, I ran my Ascent empty for a long time before using it. I hoped the IQ wouldn’t be as bad, but I guess it is.

Once I was comfortable with using it, it did a pretty good job for a long time. Trying it again recently though, it’s clearly less efficient than the other options I have and there are things I think are pretty bad about the design.

I’ve still considered trying the IQ since it’s probably better, but I’m not sold on it and it keeps getting less likely that I’ll try one as it gets closer to obsolescence and I continue to hear things that keep me away.

 

[Jill NYC]

I almost gave up.

I totally gave up.

@VaporWare - for what it’s worth - I have the mIQro and after the regular cleaning/burn offs it was good to go. No bad taste at all.

 

[perpetually_learning]

Just a quick update on this - I couldn't get rid of the taste in the unused vape but it completely went away after adding dried flower.

I've been nothing less than astonished with Davinci's support on this. I can't remember the last time I dealt with customer service with anything that was this good, so I think it's only right to say it.

A big thanks to everyone here for their advice.

Oh - & thanks to Vaporware, I'll certainly be keeping an eye on that Nomad thread, just in case Morwood ever decides to shift from the Nichrome.