I just posted this in the IQ2 thread, in response to a user that only uses the PODS:
Thanks for taking your time to share your experience. I just haven’t had any success getting decent amount of vapor from a pod, even at 430f. So far with an immediate iso QTip swab out after brushing bowl, the bowl looks like new, so that is not such a real plus for using pods to keep bowl cleaner. I do only use pods in my Mighty, but I’m finding the IQ2’s glass lined bowl cleans up nice if you stay on top of it.
I just received the Zirconia Spacers, and am testing them. So far I’ve tried the 10mm large one, and have found like most, they work better if loaded LAST, after the flower in the bowl. I was hoping they would work the same if inserted first, to help reduce the amount of tiny herbs getting into the vapor path, and clogging the mouthpiece, as well as making it easier to then be able to judge by eye, how much flower to load on top. BUT, even at higher temperatures, there is a lot less vapor at the same settings, only changing the top/bottom position of the spacer. With the flower first, then the spacer on top, in my second test, I probably put too much in, heated fine, until higher temperatures, then the flower must have expanded, the draw was way to tight at the end.
The heating efficiency is noticeably better with the spacer on top, so I’m going to now have to do some flower weight measurements, so I can just scoop in the exact amount before placing the spacer on top, gentle tamp, let the ball just touch and hold the spacer. This should make it easier to duplicate future loads.
I’ve tested both medium and fine grinds in my BCG, and watched and read as many reviews and articles that originally stated you “NEED A FINE GRIND, PACKED TIGHT”, but now even newer Davinci articles state a medium grind works best, as well as more recent articles. I’ve found this to be true for me and my grinder. The fine grind even lightly tamped really increased the draw RESISTANCE, and the tiny flower bits were clogging up the tiny holes in the mouthpiece, and adding a lot more bits to the flavor chamber. I don’t mind cleaning, but having to do it twice as often, made me decide to stick with a MEDIUM GRIND, and just use amount and light tamp as my variables, as well as the airflow control.