Well, got through all 6 batteries last night
. So far I'm really impressed - really solid piece of kit, seems well made and thought out. Wish the batteries lasted longer, but I might just have to get some spares for those longer sessions - they appear to be difficult to find in the UK, but que sera sera.
Only ever had one vape before - the Vaporstar, which I liked but moved away from due to the inhalation of butane exhaust fumes. Similar sort of technique with the TV though, in that you need to draw *very* gently to allow the heat to build at first, then you can go wild once it's got itself together. One slight combustion at the end of a little session, put that down to inexperience and greed.
Howdy!
Thanks for the information, it's kind of a treat to hear such stuff from 'the Mother Country'. I know what you mean about plowing through the batteries. It's hard to discipline yourself to immediately put the ones you've just flattened in the charger for next time....at least it is for me. I tend to get distracted you see?
Be very careful, there's a very similar battery from the same maker (different color) rated at 900 mAh that will not work. You want the 750 version of that model from that maker only. Different chemistry.
I've had the pleasure of meeting the makers and seeing their shop, your estimate of them and what they do is spot on.
I too have a Vapor Star. Cool with the wood base and all, a 'one man show' from what I gather? I found it harder to hold on temperature than Vapor Genie but easier than Lotus, two similar units. For my personal favorite in the 'heat it with fire and toke' class see Vapman. I really enjoy mine sometimes, it has that 'Steam Punk' down really tight. No butane fumes, the fire is out before you hit. And it's made with wood, and gold plated parts......
This guy is similar but a bit different. It doesn't depend on a modest draw to preheat. Tim (the engineer there doing heat cores) put it real blunt one day, "we make tough cores, let it run". Therefore I tend to give it a 10 second or so (varies with heat and battery condition) 'head start' with no air to heat. Let it cook. You've looked down into the empty bowl and seen the glow? You should if not, you'll see it takes several seconds to come up to full temperature. You want to be there for several seconds so the walls get to full temperature (the whole core get hot),
then start to draw warm air into the load. Done this way (with the heater 'ahead' of you) you can instantly get to more heat with a stronger draw. Or cool it off by slacking back. Instant response, much better control. Even though I 'waste' precious battery power on each hit this way, I find that the hits are enough better to more than make up for it. Lately I never seem to run out of battery before the herb cashes.
One other point, be sure to shake it up between hits. Not doing so leads to overheating and combustion if you're not careful. With most herb (fairly dry already), I grind it fairly fine. Not powder so it falls down the holes easily, but we want surface area. And don't pack it tightly or completely full, we want air moving around freely. I like to take the top off after the first good hit and dump the load in my left palm. I then use my right hand to break up any lumps stuck together and stir it up before tipping it back in. Takes a few seconds, and you can do it hot (well warm at least) if you're careful. I usually do that twice, after that it's fully dry and flows freely. After the third and following hits I just unscrew the top a few turns (to make a bit more room) then holding the whole unit horizontally I roll it over a few times, tumbling the load like damp clothes in the dryer. I then screw the lid back on, turn it vertical, key it back on and start preheat for the next hit. Neat and tidy, works a treat as you'd say?
Thanks again, and stay in touch?
OF