I have had my Lotus for a few days now and all smell has worn away. However, I am experiencing a personal downfall. Every time I use it I combust! I have watched some videos and tried many, many different ways of lighting, but no luck. I have read so many favorable reviews, I just don't get it .
here's my 2c. assuming its not overloading, incorrect flame size or clogged screen, you could try adjusting your flame glow intensity w distancing. as a beginner, what helped me was using the lotus in a semi-dark room so that i could see how 'hot' the glow is on the heat plate. an intense orange/red glow (especially a big round orange/red glow) for too long a hit would encourage combustion.
instead once the 1st sign of vapor is detected, try to contract slightly so that the sharp orange/red glow is instead "blurry", and aim/move it around the middle of the plate. it's like using a magnifying glass really close to burn a piece of paper or you pull back, the flame is blurred and the paper will be hot/warm, depending on how you adjust.
in short, once you see or taste the vapor , turn the flame glow into a "blurry" one and continue your toke. l hope this helps.
alternatively, once you see or taste the vapor and you choose not to adjust the flame intensity, then you have to start pulling harder/faster.