Offgassing from XMAX Starry 4

[UnknownEntler]

Hello everyone, long story short, I am issuing a warning for the Starry 4. Please check out the documentation on the EntExchange Discord:

Tdlr: The unit is emitting most likely toxic vapor caused by a rubber/silicone seal.

Encouraging everyone to test it for themselves. Use max heat for a cycle of 4 min max with an empty and clean chamber. If the vapour smells slightly chemical, this isnt rosin or anything, its the rubber offgassing!

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I´ll try to contact one of the company reps too, which seem to be active here.

 

[Shit Snacks]

Hello everyone, long story short, I am issuing a warning for the Starry 4. Please check out the documentation on the EntExchange Discord:

Tdlr: The unit is emitting most likely toxic vapor caused by a rubber/silicone seal.

Encouraging everyone to test it for themselves. Use max heat for a cycle of 4 min max with an empty and clean chamber. If the vapour smells slightly chemical, this isnt rosin or anything, its the rubber offgassing!

Discord - Group Chat That’s All Fun & Games

Discord is great for playing games and chilling with friends, or even building a worldwide community. Customize your own space to talk, play, and hang out.

discord.com

I´ll try to contact one of the company reps too, which seem to be active here.

Was it a brand new never used unit? I know there have been defects, and other situations with the company, not sure they are active here anymore however... Seeing fumes like this in these type of devices can have a variety of potential explanations, in my experience with a great many of them over the last decade... Hopefully they will make it right for you in some way, and address it, they had been largely reliable and nice via customer service in the past

 

[UnknownEntler]

Was it a brand new never used unit? I know there have been defects, and other situations with the company, not sure they are active here anymore however... Seeing fumes like this in these type of devices can have a variety of potential explanations, in my experience with a great many of them over the last decade... Hopefully they will make it right for you in some way, and address it, they had been largely reliable and nice via customer service in the past

Don't want to be rude, but I think all your questions (and many more) are addressed in the post on Discord.

Purchased new in Summer 2024. Well-treated and maintained unit with medium usage for about 6 months. Fumes started to appear after 4 months.

The fumes are caused by the rubber/silicone or whatever material it is; that's the explanation, and that's what makes it dangerous. Especially considering that this part is not accessible normally. So people will assume the vapor is due to rosin or AVB, which has made its way into the unit, just like I did, while actually inhaling something most likely toxic.

One of the two rep accounts seems to be active here; let's see when they'll respond to my message.

 

[Shit Snacks]

Don't want to be rude, but I think all your questions are addressed in the post.

Not rude at all, thank you for sharing the extra detail here! I honestly did not click through to discord before so I appreciate it, and others here might appreciate it as well

Fumes started to appear after 4 months.

Yeah that's why I was trying to see if this was happening when it was brand new, from my experience it is so hard to test and be sure after use, I've been through so many various units like this... I don't disagree with you, I'm just not entirely sure what is what anymore with these type of devices (I just know personally to stay away from them as they are not my cup of tea for this reason and more) so we'll see what they say

 

[bulllee]

I bought mine when they first came out, didn’t use it too much as I was using the Roffu at the time. I never had any issues other than it can run hot after a couple sesh.
I’ve been using concentrates in capsules at 445, and haven’t noticed any off flavors or gases. I’ve taken out all screens, it’s all open with a random cooling stem. That did the trick . It rips nice and cool . I am really enjoying it now . Great little device on the go for walking my dogs !

https://imgur.com/a/RNVtVNL

It looks a little yellow from the sugar wax .

 

[UnknownEntler]

I honestly did not click through to discord before so I appreciate it and others might as well

Highly recommend doing so before partaking in the discussion. As a user, knowing the fumes are coming from that part is shocking and worrying. There are good insights and pictures, and the process is described in a pretty detailed way.

Yeah that's why I was trying to see if this was happening when it was brand new, from my experience it is so hard to test and be sure after use, I've been through so many various units like this...

Completely disassembled the unit, cleaned it, and built it back together a couple of times. Especially to be sure about it. I would never accuse a company without having properly documented evidence where I can clearly say this is it. In this case I can; it is the rubber/silicone or whatever material offgassing. This endeavor, in combination with the AE, has surely changed perspective on how "healthy" vaping actually is...

@seedy53 Highly recommending you check the Discord post... Also, I can't really comprehend from which angle you are coming. I don't care what material it is or would like to engage in nitpicking. The fact is, there's a material build-in, which is off-gassing a significant amount of most likely toxic fumes, endangering users.

 

[seedy53]

Highly recommend doing so before partaking in the discussion. As a user, knowing the fumes are coming from that part is shocking and worrying. There are good insights and pictures, and the process is described in a pretty detailed way.


Completely disassembled the unit, cleaned it, and built it back together a couple of times. Especially to be sure about it. I would never accuse a company without having properly documented evidence where I can clearly say this is it. In this case I can; it is the rubber/silicone or whatever material offgassing. This endeavor, in combination with the AE, has surely changed perspective on how "healthy" vaping actually is...

@seedy53 Highly recommending you check the Discord post... Also, I can't really comprehend from which angle you are coming. I don't care what material it is or would like to engage in nitpicking. The fact is, there's a material build-in, which is off-gassing a significant amount of most likely toxic fumes, endangering users.

ok i see what going on. not engaging

 

[RustyOldNail]

Encouraging everyone to test it for themselves. Use max heat for a cycle of 4 min max with an empty and clean chamber. If the vapour smells slightly chemical, this isnt rosin or anything, its the rubber offgassing!

I bought the Starry 4 when it first came out. Odd that no one reported this before, it’s been out awhile.
But for fun, I just ran (2) SIX minute heat cycles at max temp of 464f, MP closed, air control vent closed.
Even though when I was using this device, I mostly used the odd, oval shaped capsules, after the first 6 minute cycle, I cleaned the load chamber with 190 ethanol. Then ran the 2nd six minute cycle.

After both the first and second cycles, I could NOT detect any “rubber off gassing”.

It’s always possible that the manufacturer switched to a lower heat grade silicone, but in my case I’m satisfied it’s NOT an issue on my particular unit. I don’t really use this anymore as I prefer the airflow of the S&B Venty.

 

[UnknownEntler]

I bought mine when they first came out, didn’t use it too much as I was using the Roffu at the time. I never had any issues other than it can run hot after a couple sesh.
I’ve been using concentrates in capsules at 445, and haven’t noticed any off flavors or gases. I’ve taken out all screens, it’s all open with a random cooling stem. That did the trick . It rips nice and cool . I am really enjoying it now . Great little device on the go for walking my dogs !

https://imgur.com/a/RNVtVNL

It looks a little yellow from the sugar wax .

In principle I did like the unit a lot myself. Especially when you exchange the mouthpiece, it becomes a price/value beast; I was using a similar one.

Would you please test the following:

Remove the mouthpiece and clean the chamber. Heat up the unit to 464 for 4 minutes and check for any vapor production.

 

[bulllee]

In principle I did like the unit a lot myself. Especially when you exchange the mouthpiece, it becomes a price/value beast; I was using a similar one.

Would you please test the following:

Remove the mouthpiece and clean the chamber. Heat up the unit to 464 for 4 minutes and check for any vapor production.

I already did when I read the thread . My only time seeing any off gassing was when I first did a burn off. I haven't fooled around with it for a long time. I just started using it again when I figured out I might be able to do some concentrates with it while taking a walk . I would document right now. Does it off gas right away or does it take time ? Send them a video and see what they say ? IDK but sorry to hear your having issues.

 

[UnknownEntler]

After both the first and second cycles, I could NOT detect any “rubber off gassing”.

It’s always possible that the manufacturer switched to a lower heat grade silicone, but in my case I’m satisfied it’s NOT an issue on my particular unit. I don’t really use this anymore as I prefer the airflow of the S&B Venty.

So there's absolutely no vapor forming at all at 464 for 6 minutes? If so, that's great!

What has caused this will most likely never be uncovered... But it's at least a positive sign that so far this seems to be an isolated issue with my unit, although the reference numbers are low. Still, such things shouldn't happen but are unfortunately prone across the industry, i.e., the melting venty or the fiberglass enhanced.

I already did when I read the thread . My only time seeing any off gassing was when I first did a burn off. I haven't fooled around with it for a long time. I just started using it again when I figured out I might be able to do some concentrates with it while taking a walk . I would document right now. Does it off gas right away or does it take time ? Send them a video and see what they say ? IDK but sorry to hear your having issues.

Hehe, yes, concentrates and hash work really nicely with it!

To answer your question: Yes, it does start right away and keeps going for the full time. There's a video on Discord; check it out; it's a crazy amount of vapor. I'm curious too when and what the response will be. Also, I'm eager to learn more about what material this is and what could have caused it. The degradation of the concerned part is at a minimum surprising, being completely brittle, and porous.

 

[RustyOldNail]

Hehe, yes, concentrates and hash work really nicely with it!

Maybe it’s because I NEVER use concentrates in my dry HERB devices.
I know it works, but concentrates turn to oil when heated and can easily drip down below the inner screen and below the ceramic bowl. That oil residue usually hardens when cooled, and when reheated can deliver some wispy vapor as well as a bad smell, possibly taken as off gassing. Just a possibility…..

I believe you mentioned you took yours apart. If you are no longer going to use the device, and can’t return it for replacement, try removing the suspect gasket/oring. There is a primitive test you can do by heating the oring with a small torch, and see if the “silicone” burns clear. I forget all the details, but I found that info by searching online. That’s about all I can suggest, as I haven’t see this issue reported much for this device…
Good luck.

 

[UnknownEntler]

Maybe it’s because I NEVER use concentrates in my dry HERB devices.

Smart advice, and for most other devices, there's nothing left but to fully agree. Except that this device is specifically designed to handle both! There's even an OEM concentrate chamber, which is fully closed to avoid what you describe.

But yes, as said before and also suggested by one of the mods, I´ll leave this for now and not engage in any discussions. Let's see what the manufacturer says.

 

[YuccaPlant]

Made an account to contribute here specifically because i have two units of the Starry4 (on my third), had to replace with warranty after the screen stopped working but it still turns on and i can put it up till max temp and after doing a cleaning with both, I noticed some vapor coming out the screenbricked one but it didn't smell foul or synthetic so i think it was burning off leftovers inside the airpath because on the third cycle it stopped producing any of that too so both of my devices don't have any vapor coming out with clean ovens now.

Also, after having checking the discord discussion it seems to me that the age of the device might have brought about that degradation together with concentrate usage because that stuff gets everywhere and with devices like these even if you do a disassembly you might not get everything out which might contribute to that funky smell if it is year old gunk fused inside the heater or any silicone that's not supposed to come in contact with anything.
As you've mentioned it would be surprising if after years of popular use of this device no one noticed anything like this, because it probably hasn't happened to (m)any. Also as i said I'm on my third device i exchanged with warranty before and i have to say it's quite a fragile thing for the problems i had like a sudden bubble on the screen out of nowhere or it not working at all at some point with the second one. The one i got now works perfectly thankfully, and thankfully doesn't seem like i have this problem here either but it is a budget dhv after all and these individual problems are probably not that uncommon, so I leave you with this info and wish you a good day

 

[LesPlenty]

But it's at least a positive sign that so far this seems to be an isolated issue with my unit, although the reference numbers are low

Sorry for the late reply, I was out bush for the weekend. I have not heard of the off-gassing problem with the Starry4 before and a lot of peeps like and use the vape for concentrates due to its high max temp with no problems, that said, I have forwarded the info to my boss at head office and will inform once I hear of anything.