SockPuppetTheatrics
Well-Known Member
There are going to be some variables that are hard to predict, like coil positioning on your wand, that could potentially impact performance, but I'd say the first two things to play with are timing and your draw technique. If you have a working VI (I want to say most of the pre-release units have one that's at least good enough), try waiting until the indicator stabilizes and maybe just starts to creep downward before you start to draw.Am I the only one who is not satisfied with the tempest? The ABV I get from it is very inconsistent. I only do half bowls ( with the wand - airflow over the helix ) and still it almost always is charred on top while still slightly green on the bottom. It’s very easy to combust in general. Maybe I’m doing something wrong, but I did follow the instructions from mad heaters. I started with 290deg and also tried lower temps, but haven’t found anything satisfying…
What I also really dislike is the disbalance in weight it has. It’s a big, clunky thing with a heavy overweight at its top. Not ergonomic at all. But that‘s just my personal feeling about it.
Maybe someone can help with the settings for flavorful hits, that don’t combust?
I've also found that you're more likely to get charring and an uneven roast if you start out with a heavy draw. I prefer either a very light, steady draw or a series of puffs / tokes, particularly at the outset. I've gotten the best flavor from start to finish when I keep the draw light and steady the entire way.
I also have the stem airflow set to open and the cap airflow 3/4 closed; this (I think) shifts the airflow balance away from the cap and toward the stem so it's more of a trickle of heat rather than a rush of heat flowing into the bowl. The vapor isn't as dense, but there's still plenty of it and the improved flavor is worth it (IME).
I'll add as a caveat that I don't get it right 100% of the time - usually if I forget and hit it right at the end of the heating cycle instead of waiting a minute, or if I draw too hard right off the bat - and that there's no one-size-fits-all approach for the device. At the same time, it's hands-down the best-tasting TED I've used and edges out the Venty and Tetra P80 in terms of both flavor and efficiency.
Also, I agree that it's weighted toward the tip, but I don't really mind. The only thing I'd change about the form factor is a more robust connection for the heat shield; I can get it to a point where it clicks into place with no wiggle / play, but it's a little too easy to dislodge from that position. I think later releases have a thicker o-ring, which I'm hoping addresses the issue.