The screens do soak just fine. But pending which strain I’m vaping, I find that my screens need soaking at the end of the day. Every 10-12 bowls seemed a bit excessive. But it is what it is.
It sounds like I won’t really be able to get my full use out of butane devices without a proper torch. So I may as well admit defeat and grab one. I hear they get great use on the tornado also.
10-12 bowls (around 1.5g I'd guess) of some high grade sticky icky will gunk up almost anything in my experience.
Recently I'm cleaning my tempest every other day, about as soon as I notice performance degradation. I use the direct tube and usually aim it at the light to see how gunked up it is.
For me, in about 5-8 minutes, with some 70% ISO, around 10 cotton swabs, a toothpick, a cotton pad for outside parts and 2 kitchen paper towels is what it takes to keep it in great condition all the time. The screen is much easier to clean if you do it more often. Recently i just put the screen on my thumb and drop some iso, rub it carefully, then put it between a bit of paper towel while squeezing and rubbing it gently, works surprisingly good.
I find it a good and comforting ritual to clear a bowl then dissasemble the tempest and clean it while listening to some music. Used to clean by ultrasonic bath but I started to dislike the sound and waiting times
Ball cleaning with a torch might sound intimidating but it really isn't that big of a deal, simple and fast.
)
