Using the VaporGenie is easy! Follow these steps:

1. Load the bowl with loose shredded tobacco. DO NOT PACK! Shredded tobacco has a high surface area that aids the vaporization process. See the pictures below.
2. Screw the flame filter onto the bowl. Do not screw it tightly.
3. Inhale constantly while supplying flame to the flame filter. It is important to inhale constantly. The VaporGenie works best with a conventional lighter flame about 1 inch tall. It is helpful to move the flame around to get the most uniform heating. We recommend using a Bic lighter.  Do not touch the flame to the ceramic filter. This is important because touching the flame to the ceramic filter will create soot that can eventually clog the filter. Soot will also create a bad taste.

Always remember:

1) With a small flame, inhale slowly.

2) With a large flame, inhale a little faster.

3) Do not touch the flame to the ceramic filter.

The idea is to balance the flame size with the rate of inhalation so you get the right temperature. The temperature can be varied in two ways: 1) Applying more or less flame. Flame can be applied in pulses. 2) Inhaling faster or slower. Inhaling slower produces hotter temperatures.

If you don’t feel like you are inhaling anything, then the temperature is too low. So...inhale slower, or use a bigger flame.

If you inhale smoke, or taste a burned flavor, then the temperature is too high. So...inhale faster, or use a smaller flame.

Pay attention to the flavor and mouth sensations, and adjust flame application accordingly. It requires a little bit of practice, but its not rocket science.

DO NOT touch the flame to the ceramic filter. Contacting the flame to the ceramic filter will not damage the filter, but it will form bad-tasting smoke and soot. Soot will also be deposited on the ceramic filter, and can eventually clog the filter. If you have soot deposits on the ceramic filter (they appear as pitch-black areas), they can be removed by using a blue flame windproof lighter. The windproof lighter produces very high temperatures that burn off the soot.

It is normal to exhale slightly visible blue vapor. Typically, this visible vapor is not smoke, it is oils and flavor compounds vaporized from the tobacco.

When the smoking material turns black, it is spent and there is nothing left but bad stuff. Dump it out.

Between hits, it is helpful to stir and redistribute the tobacco. This will assure uniform vaporization of your tobacco.

The VaporGenie produces very little tar when used properly, and so the Genie will not become clogged with tar. Occasionally, the screen and bowl will need to be cleaned of debris.

Do not screw the filter housing tightly! It is not necessary to screw the filter housing tightly. A perfect air seal is not necessary. Screwing the filter tightly can damage your VaporGenie.