The Lotus Vaporizer

[Delta3DStudios]

FYI - if you are going to use the torch to clear the metal screens, I suggest a rinse with ISO to remove any carbon buildup - forgot to do that one time, the taste was horrible!

I usually toss my screens in a small glass jar of ISO and let them soak for weeks until I have 4 or 5 screens in the jar, then I dump them out in a glass dish and let the iso evaporate and reclaim

 

[cityslang]

Thanks @cityslang - Just to clarify, by gauze you mean the metal screen that forms the bottom of the bow?

And also, when you give a couple blasts of flame with lid on, is the lid the Lotus doughnut,bowl ?

Yes the metal screen. The powdery gunk sticks to it a lot where it meets the heating chamber wall.

I did fire (from a distance) without the flower/lid on but it combust easily. I now do it with the lid on. I vape an empty (all bar the gunky mess) bowl and it makes for a couple of free vapes and the powder is dry now and easy to shake/blow/scrape out

I think oil sears to the hot metal surfaces and dry vaped plant sticks to it

 

[Paperback Writer]

Thanks dudes! Was reading a thread in the Vaporizer Discussion forum about the health differences between vaping and smoking and which transitioned to low temp vaping. It got me thinking, is there a way to judge the temp or "safe zones" with our Lotus just by basing it on color after shesh?

 

[seannery82]

Hey guys! Does the WPA kit come with the handle to clear chambers or do you have to buy it on the side?

 

[Delta3DStudios]

The WPA now comes with a handle - it was a new addition to the product (about 6 months old if I'm not mistaken). Old pictures don't show the handle.

 

[cityslang]

Thanks dudes! Was reading a thread in the Vaporizer Discussion forum about the health differences between vaping and smoking and which transitioned to low temp vaping. It got me thinking, is there a way to judge the temp or "safe zones" with our Lotus just by basing it on color after shesh?

No idea I just use taste and texture smoke is harsh and hot. Also any popcorn taste I stop and stir if no improvement I bin what's left.

 

[seannery82]

• Hooray! My Lotus WPA kit is officially in the Toronto sorting facility. I should have it by tomorrow or Wednesday at the latest. Should I use it with a J-hook to get the right feels for it, or go straight for the d-020 bubbler? And how does the handle work i dont see too many ppl on youtube using it.

 

[Pipes]

• Hooray! My Lotus WPA kit is officially in the Toronto sorting facility. I should have it by tomorrow or Wednesday at the latest. Should I use it with a J-hook to get the right feels for it, or go straight for the d-020 bubbler? And how does the handle work i dont see too many ppl on youtube using it.

I'd start with using dry. The learning curve is short to get it functioning but fun to explore other variations of draw speed, flame length and different flame locations. Lots to experiment with.
Hitting through a bubbler puts other variables into the equation like delay and heat taste.

Your in for some fun and a treat.

 

[Delta3DStudios]

• Hooray! My Lotus WPA kit is officially in the Toronto sorting facility. I should have it by tomorrow or Wednesday at the latest. Should I use it with a J-hook to get the right feels for it, or go straight for the d-020 bubbler? And how does the handle work i dont see too many ppl on youtube using it.

Start dry, without any draw restriction from the water. Sometimes the learning curve is harder with water because you need to increase the draw speed to overcome any restriction from the percs in a bubbler.

Edit - if you *really* can't hit it dry - you can start with a few mL of water in your j-hook - it gives a nice perc action which I rather enjoy without any noticeable draw restriction. The only problem is keeping your j-hook upright with water in it (hence my 3D printed j-hook stand design)

 

[Roth]

Just placed my order for a Lotus.

I've been meaning to get a flame based vape as a backup, and with an upcoming ski trip to Colorado, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to get one.

I considered doing the concentrate pen route for the ski trip, but decided the Lotus would be a better option. I don't normally have access to various strains, so I'd like to try as many as possible! And I find I notice the nuances of the herb better in flower vs concentrates.

I'm strongly considering mailing my EVO up to Colorado for use in the room off the slope. But if the Lotus is able to satisfy me, I might not do it to save the time/risk.

Thoughts on if the Lotus would work well enough for a group of 4? Or would it become too hot after being used heavily for a decent amount of time?






Also, this might be an option for my mother. She's a life long joint smoker, so getting her to switch to vaping has been difficult. She's just been smoking joints for so long (40+ years), I think she just enjoys the tactile feel of smoking the joint nearly as much as the effect itself.

We got her a Volcano for Christmas last year, but she really only uses it when I'm home to run it for her. I think this might have more of the joint feel for her.



Excited to add the Lotus to my arsenal though.

 

[catbird]

I'm strongly considering mailing my EVO up to Colorado for use in the room off the slope. But if the Lotus is able to satisfy me, I might not do it to save the time/risk.

Thoughts on if the Lotus would work well enough for a group of 4? Or would it become too hot after being used heavily for a decent amount of time?

Also, this might be an option for my mother. She's a life long joint smoker, so getting her to switch to vaping has been difficult.

I think the Lotus is a good option for a desktop-alternative kind of portable when stealth isn't a requirement. I find it to be strong. I am also surprised at the strength of my newly acquired Firewood, considering that it's a battery portable, and I bring this up for comparative purposes. I find that the Firewood is not the greatest for passing around, because it definitely needs some cool down time after a few hits/between bowls, to avoid combusting (and it also seems to get gunked up very quickly). The Lotus, however, I find can be shared successfully -- it also needs to rest for a beat between users, but it's quicker than waiting for the Firewood to cool down. I would just make sure friends understand how to use it to effectively vape and not combust. Now that I vape exclusively, but most of my friends still combust, I'll vape while others smoke, and some people are generally open to trying the vapes, but I find that the Lotus is the only one that people who are most closed off to the idea will use and like. Prior to switching to vaping, I almost exclusively smoked joints for a few years, and I do find that the Lotus/flame-based portable experience is the most reminiscent of smoking, and is satisfying in that way (though I'm not sure it's especially like smoking a joint, versus anything else, to me it just seems closer to smoking in general, but without the smoke part).

 

[colgorkan]

Good choice you won't regret it. The Lotus itself can easily handle several people at a time but I would probably have an extra torch around as they tend to heat up and most are cheaply made.

The use and tactile feel of the Lotus is much akin to smoking a pipe or bong. There is an art to balancing the flame size, the distance between the torch and heat-exchange plate, the pre-heat time and the rate and duration of the draw (inhalation). All these factors affect the quality and density of the vapor. It takes a bit to really dial it in but once you find your sweet spot look out, these things can really pack a punch.

Not sure how well the torches work in cold temperatures but plan on figuring out this winter.

 

[Roth]

That's a good point about the torches in cold temps, hadn't even considered that. Anyone have any input? I plan on using it on the slopes, so hopefully not an issue!

Thanks for the input both of you

 

[FlyingLow]

Unfortunately, that is one of the natural shortcomings of butane powered anything. Cold and Altitude will make for a difficult torch...

 

[Roth]

Okay, after researching for a bit this morning, I believe I might have come up with a solution for using the Lotus in a cold, high altitude environment.

They make butane torch lighters specific for high altitude uses. The two that I've zeroed in on so far are:

Xikar Stratosphere, $22.50 and eligible for Amazon Prime.

Vector Stratos, $22 shipped (not Prime).

Both lighters are rated for use to 12,000'.

Regarding the cold factor, I will be keeping the lighter inside my jacket media pocket most likely. So I'm thinking body heat will keep it warm enough.

Reading one review:
"During recent cold weather here in Georgia I was able to test the Stratosphere outside in slightly more fitting conditions. The stratosphere performed flawlessly in the cold, and has performed flawlessly since I bought it. To further test its cold performance I stuck it in my freezer for two hours hours while I was out getting dinner. Not surprisingly, it didn’t light immediately after coming out of the freezer. However, it lit off at full performance within one minute of coming out of the freezer, and being held in my hand while I clicked the ignition switch every 3 to 5 seconds. This is impressive performance even for a higher end outdoors lighter. If one keeps the lighter in an interior jacket pocket or the like to prevent it from literally freezing when out in extreme cold I have no doubt the Xikar Stratosphere will perform in conditions when you absolutely need to start a fire or get a camp stove going. Previously I’ve tested this lighter in front of a box fan to simulate strong sustained wind, and it stays lit. I’ve even blown it out, which adds exhaled CO2 for further flame suppression. Because of the recessed jet and floating heat coil it immediately relights itself."



So I believe the altitude/cold issue can be resolved.

My next question is, how essential is the angled neck on the lighter? I was unable to find a high altitude lighter with an angled neck.

However, in two video reviews I watched, one person turns the Vector upside down very quickly without the lighter extinguishing. Here's the video in question (skip to 10s in):

In a video review for the Xikar, another person was keeping the Xikar lit while in a horizontal position. Like so (skip to 3min 30sec in):

What are people's opinions on these lighters working in my situation? Do nearly all torch lighters extinguish when held upside down? Perhaps I could make due with angling the Lotus halfway to meet the lighter if all else fails.


Any and all input is welcome and appreciated!

 

[cityslang]

Okay, after researching for a bit this morning, I believe I might have come up with a solution for using the Lotus in a cold, high altitude environment.

They make butane torch lighters specific for high altitude uses. The two that I've zeroed in on so far are:

Xikar Stratosphere, $22.50 and eligible for Amazon Prime.

Vector Stratos, $22 shipped (not Prime).


What are people's opinions on these lighters working in my situation? Do nearly all torch lighters extinguish when held upside down? Perhaps I could make due with angling the Lotus halfway to meet the lighter if all else fails.


Any and all input is welcome and appreciated!

The Xikar one the heat may well bounce back off the lotus and melt the cap. I had one of these and 1st time it dribbled melted plastic on the edge of my Lotus.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00J0FT8RC/ref=sr_ph?ie=UTF8&qid=1410362881&sr=1&keywords=jet+lighter

 

[Roth]

The Xikar one the heat may well bounce back off the lotus and melt the cap. I had one of these and 1st time it dribbled melted plastic on the edge of my Lotus.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00J0FT8RC/ref=sr_ph?ie=UTF8&qid=1410362881&sr=1&keywords=jet lighter

Curious as to why you believe that to be the case? Not saying you're wrong, just unsure why.

I assumed most of the pocket butane torches would have a similar flame temp, am I wrong?

What temp should we be looking for then? I actually don't recall seeing flame temp specs listed on most of the lighters I was looking at.

The Xikar is not advertised as a high temp flame, just high altitude.

Thanks.

 

[Pipes]

The Xikar is not advertised as a high temp flame, just high altitude.

Thanks.

I'm thinking the high altitude part is the electric element end of it.
Never heard of a solution for butane at high altitudes. You might be chasing something that doesn't exist.
Good luck though as maybe something has been thought of...?

 

[cityslang]

@Roth

It's the lid on the 1st one it's at 90 degrees ish to the flame. so the heat may reflect onto the lid. If it did you could snap the lid off I guess.

Non angled lighters without fixed lids if they stop working upside down you can overcome this by having the lotus plate at 90 degrees and the lighter horizontal. If that makes sense?

I'm not saying the first one will melt but the one I linked had a lid at a similar angle and it melted a piece of piss fashion

 

[Roth]

@Roth

It's the lid on the 1st one it's at 90 degrees ish to the flame. so the heat may reflect onto the lid. If it did you could snap the lid off I guess.

Non angled lighters without fixed lids if they stop working upside down you can overcome this by having the lotus plate at 90 degrees and the lighter horizontal. If that makes sense?

I'm not saying the first one will melt but the one I linked had a lid at a similar angle and it melted a piece of piss fashion

D'oh! I completely misunderstood your post. I thought you meant you melted something on the Lotus, not the lighter cap. Gotcha now. Definitely something to consider.

I'm thinking the high altitude part is the electric element end of it.
Never heard of a solution for butane at high altitudes. You might be chasing something that doesn't exist.
Good luck though as maybe something has been thought of...?

Direct from Xikar's website:

"The Stratosphere lighter is taking cigar smoking to new heights. This high altitude lighter works at up to 12,000 feet above sea level. Its durable rubber body, lanyard, protective lid and windproof flame makes it perfect for any outdoor activity."

 

[seannery82]

Just had my first Lotus session. One question, is it normal for the vapor cap to stink like fresh cut wood? Mine litterally stinks and its colouring the flavor alot. Other than that it works well.

 

[nemo]

Just had my first Lotus session. One question, is it normal for the vapor cap to stink like fresh cut wood? Mine litterally stinks and its colouring the flavor alot. Other than that it works well.

the black one i have, used to smell like paint, especially when heated, for quite some time... i have noticed no smell from the wooden-color one, though

 

[cityslang]

@seannery82

my natural finish one had a cedarwood type flavour for the 1st couple of days

 

[SpaceCoyote]

Regarding high altitude torches......
I bought this torch at a head shop in Leadville (10,200 feet!) and it works great:
http://www.amazon.com/Scorch-Torch-Cigar-Lighter-ST612989/dp/B00GAFFSRE
I've used my Zico up to 9000 ft without issues as well.

 

[seannery82]

@seannery82

my natural finish one had a cedarwood type flavour for the 1st couple of days

Thx, I was hoping it wouldnt last.