After thermal mass has been reached (15-20 min warmup), my EVO combusts easily at 11, even with the smallest of flower loaded. My herb is not exceptionally dry or finely ground, either.
I've found my range is limited to 9-10:45 once thermal mass is reached. I can go higher if I'm hitting the EVO once the light turns green, not waiting for thermal mass, but then I am literally "playing with fire." I seem to have gotten an exceptionally hot EVO. Sounds like you may have one, too, @
Dr. Plutonious . Once VXL is caught up with pre-orders, I'm sure I'll purchase a backup EVO and send them my LE unit for recalibration.
Today, I'm finding out that I'm still a novice EVO user. My combustion problems at 11, 12 on the dial have vanished. Several reasons:
1. I'm an idiot
2. Proper grind: I was always a bit disappointed in my SharpStone grinder. Just didn't grind very evenly, I was always having to force bits through the holes, etc. Today, I thought, what if I flip the grinder upside down, so the holes don't get clogged with those bigger bits of herb? Well, derpy derp derp, success! Perfectly ground herb that fell right into the lower chamber after I flipped the grinder right-side up.
3. (also #007)
I prefer my EVO's ELB's shaken not stirred...back on topic, I have found that shaking my ELB's when there is closer-to-powered flower in there actually helps to mix the little bits in with the bigger bits better than stirring does. It seems to move enough around that I 'refresh' the ELB, if you will. When I stir and the grind is REALLY fine (my stuff is presently a little dryer than I like), I end up with all the fine bits at the bottom and VERY dark ABV, lightening as we move toward the cap. If I shake (1/3 to 1/2 full) I get consistent coffee ground colored ABV, or if I stop at the toasty taste, I get the color or rolling tobacco...
"Shaken, not stirred." Much like the
Tao of Steve - there is much wisdom in the words of James Bond.
This is also keeping my ELBs cleaner!
4. Re-evaluating when not stoned: My first several combustions were at high temps (2-3). My next set of combustions were at 12 and 11. The early set of these were with ELBs that had either already been vaped to some extent, or they had been prepared earlier (ie. night before) and therefore had most likely dried out considerably. All of these were using unevenly ground herb. Later combustions @11 happened while I was tamping down small amounts (1/5 - 1/3 full) with the marble on my LSV pick. All improper techniques!
5. How to load an ELB: No tamping is necessary. At most temps, it's actually best to keep herb away from the sides of the ELB as much as possible, especially the welds (all along the bottom circumference and one on the side) because that's where major heat builds up, and this is all achieved through proper grind and NOT overing.
So it appears there IS at least ONE MAJOR FLAW in the EVO's design: it's not idiot-proof, or at least not enough for this idiot But thanks to FC, idiots can learn! Thank you, @
Dr. Plutonious , for getting me to re-evaluate my conclusions, and @
M00NEY , same to you, too.
edit(s): all that said, and I just combusted again at 12. Color me clueless now....
(just realized it was the 2nd ELB of a new strain...Grape Soda. This 2nd ELB was filled just under 1/2 full and combusted during the first pull; the 1st ELB was 1/3 full and came out dark brown AVB after 1 pull. Checked against the other strain I'd been using today. My Grape Soda is definitely drier...gonna have to dial down the temp. Not so clueless anymore. Still an idiot, apparently!
Maybe I need to look into getting those humidifying packets to keep all my flower at the same moisture level? Anybody doing this? (h/t @
Caligula :
Boveda packs )