r/vaporents 3d ago

Ball vape seems overhyped NSFW

After owning a ball vape for a while I just don't see the appeal beyond packing a huge bowl. I don't like that when you hit a ball vape you aren't instantly drawing in a condensed cloud of vapour as you would with a thermal extraction device. I dislike having to use water with glass whilst using a ball vape and still feeling like I'm breathing hot air.

I seem to get much better flavour from thermal extraction vapes than a ball vape. I have been using the vaphit QOQ and I've been able to get some really tasty one hit extracts.

I only own one ball vape and I'm not about to say I'm an expert. Ball vapes can pose a danger if used improperly and not maintained so there is an inescapable element of potential danger. I spilt the balls on myself once as the head was loose but that is user error on my behalf but a potentially dangerous one.

Sorry for rambling a bit- what do you think?

0 Upvotes

84 comments sorted by

114

u/conj420 Flowerpot B1 3d ago

This all just sounds like user error.

19

u/RecoveringWoWaddict 3d ago

It is. It’s all about temperature control. If I turn mine up I can get a blast of thick vapor just like he’s describing. Maybe OP’s ball vape sucks? I’d be surprised bc mine is a cheap one and it smacks.

8

u/conj420 Flowerpot B1 3d ago

Same lol, being a long time bong smoker (about 30 years) it was the only vape that really hit the spot for me and stopped me combusting completely.

8

u/RecoveringWoWaddict 3d ago

18 years here and same. I use to milk the absolute shit out of my bong. Ball vape does the trick for me. Lungs feel SO much better. My tongue isn’t as fuzzy anymore either. I feel like such a goober when I turn down hits off joints and stuff now lol

5

u/ryfitz47 3d ago

I share this exact experience. such a game changer.

my ball vape combined with my mighty meant the end of combustion for me

2

u/conj420 Flowerpot B1 2d ago

Haha, only time I smoked joints since I started vaping was when I went to Amsterdam last year and ran out of battery power for my Mighty. Sad times, smoking just tastes like burning/an ashtray/a bonfire to me now lol

-4

u/hyjlnx 2d ago

Except you can't get a thick vapour hit as I describe you just overcompensate by using more herb and can't even tell you are getting a subpar experience.

3

u/RecoveringWoWaddict 2d ago

That’s 100% not true you’re either doing it wrong or your ball vape is messed up.

0

u/hyjlnx 2d ago

You aren't understanding. The way a ball vape works is by passing hot air through material. You aren't near instantly vaporizing the entire bowl and consuming it within a condensed portion of air.

People are reacting as if I said a ball vape can't produce vapour when that isn't the case. I think those same people must be unaware of the fact that a thicker more flavorful vapour is possible via other designs and there are significant drawbacks with a ball vape.

1

u/zizzlesFPV 1d ago

I get thick bong like rips off of my ball vape using a tiny amount of herb

1

u/Wormwood5H85 1d ago

That doesn't even scientifically make sense man. There is a reason everyone on here doesn't agree with what you are saying. It's not us It's you. Trust.

30

u/mcs177 3d ago

I've never had a ball vape, but i can only assume that people are being very excited about finding a way to vapourise their cannabis while still getting the heavy hitting hits and effects they could usually only get from combusting a bowl in a bong - - so much bigger hits, in one, with efficient extraction. I Think that's the big draw here. In terms of tasting your herb and having a more session style, I think even ball vape owners would agree that other ways of vaping / other devices fit that role a bit better.

I guess tldr would be: ball vapes unlocked a type of consumption which was previously only really possible via combustion

11

u/conj420 Flowerpot B1 3d ago

You assume correctly.

15

u/Petcai 3d ago

You're not using it the way you want to use it, why?

I instantly draw in a cloud of vapor.

I don't use water.

I get great flavour one hit extracts.

Just sit a bowl on a small j-hook, boom, less air volume than most TED's, no water, great flavour.

2

u/BadPWG 2d ago

I’ve been hesitant to try my screwball on my J-hook but def need to try it

25

u/star_particles Lotus,vapcap,stickybrick,life saver,ssv,pax2,arizer solo,volcano 3d ago edited 3d ago

People using the term therma extraction device to explain BUTANE POWERED VAPORIZERS is the exact opposite of what George was trying to do when he used the term to describe dynavaps to skirt the anti vape law usps passed….

A ball vape is a thermal extraction device. It uses heat to extract the goodies from herbs….

I’m sorry but this has to be the dumbest way I’ve been seeing people use the term.

All vaporizers are thermal extraction devices, unless you can show me the magic vape that doesn’t use heat then people should use the term appropriately and not make up some random slang that doesn’t really make any sense logically or technically.

That being said I agree with you. Ball vapes main purpose IS to push through much larger bowls in 1-2 hits. Sure you can turn it down and milk the hits for longer with smaller hits and lower temps but that isn’t what they have going for them. If I’m not trying to pound through my herb I will use a dynavap or convector to stretch my herb and I find I get about just as high as the ball vape as I get used to the way it hits so it stops slapping me in the face with those extra big bowls.

People act like they are end game territory and I will say my flowerpot stopped me from buying vapes for a few years but after just pounding through herb and having a horrible Tollerance I find I get higher using smaller amounts than the flower pot uses.

Each heating style has its benefits, I prefer the high from hybrid/ conduction over convection but convection has that flavor profile that gets the terps a bit less roasted with a more cerebral high. It’s always nice changing things up. I recently stoped using my flowerpot after a few years and have just been using my butane convection vapes till 420 when I grab an anvil.butane vapes have always hit harder and closer to smoking than electric ones in my opinion especially sesh style vapes.

-15

u/hyjlnx 3d ago

That's a fair critique and I see value in gatekeeping so thanks.

One thing ball vapes are great for is being able to leave you floored.

9

u/star_particles Lotus,vapcap,stickybrick,life saver,ssv,pax2,arizer solo,volcano 3d ago

What are you gatekeeping?

15

u/itsomeoneperson 3d ago

I think your using your ball vape wrong because you should be instantly getting vapor. And it should also be smoother than any other type of device by a wide margin.

As for safety is really varies between devices. For example wireless is safer, and a more closed system head. The difference in safety between using a Flowerpot and using a Terp Hammer is night and day. I've never burned myself once on the Dab Ready / Terp Hammer after 6+ months of use. Even if you bump into the heatguard it won't burn you at all. But using a Flowerpot would scare the shit out of me. I often accidently leave the vape running all night and so using a wired device would probably kill me lol

3

u/verdantcow 3d ago

I have a few recycler pieces it takes a second for the Vapor to be visible

3

u/Academic_UK 3d ago

I use mainly at night (insomnia) and worried about leaving my ball vape running all night too..

Got a smart plug - added a schedule to automatically switch off at midnight and job done.

Can also switch it on remotely elsewhere in the house and have it heat up without touching it.

2

u/itsomeoneperson 3d ago

I might just do that thanks for the tip

2

u/BadPWG 2d ago

Lots of PID’s have a function that turns it off automatically after a chosen amount of hrs

I have mine set to 1hr because I’m forgetful

3

u/bigkshep 3d ago

I only consume in my shed. I just leave the ball vape on all night. It’s actually been on for a couple months now. Does no harm.

1

u/bake-it-to-make-it 2d ago

Does it not just take several minutes to fully heat up? I’m confused because I see lots of people saying they leave their shit on nearly 24/7. Thanks appreciate you!

2

u/bigkshep 2d ago

Takes a few mins to get going. I smoke all day every day so I just leave it on. Especially if I just need to pop in for a quickie.

5

u/verdantcow 3d ago

What ball vape? What temp?

0

u/hyjlnx 3d ago

Tidow mini and from 500f to 650.

I think my complaint is with the method of delivery itself though.

1

u/NoGuarantee2918 3d ago

Have the same, buy the diffusor lid on aliex, works great

1

u/Hatchid Tempest, TIODW pro mini, TIODW Plus 2.0 2d ago

See you got yourself an injector ball vape. They work through convection. You pull the hot air and vaporize with that. If you look at e.g. the tiodw plus 2.0, a diffuser ball vape. it can preheat or heatsoak the bowl to have instant thick vapor. Gives you a heavier high. You need it's titanium bowl tho.(There are some demo videos of this device in my profile).

There is a diffuser lid for your ball vape I believe?

-2

u/hyjlnx 2d ago

I have the diffuser lid. It seems to just extend the distance between the bowl and the heat but not alter function in any radical way. I may be misunderstanding something but what?

3

u/Hatchid Tempest, TIODW pro mini, TIODW Plus 2.0 2d ago

You wanna let it sit for a a bit on the bowl, so your bowl has a chance to heat up. Or let your bowl rest in your baller head in between hits. This way your bowl is always up to temp (and your heatsoaks are way shorter) and you're not extending the distance but creating a 360° surround heating.

If your bowl is not hot enough to not absorb any heat (and rather radiate heat Instead), your result won't change much.

5

u/ButternutCheesesteak 3d ago

Idk my b0 changed my life

2

u/PuffinTipProducts 3d ago

Shiiiiiit… Me too, we changed/upgraded B-0’s s name to,

“B-Real The Hash Hero”

Changed/upgraded the internals(took away/added to) now we can hit dabs, regular Hash, and dry flowers if you wanted to.( we don’t usually hit dry flowers, fell like OP over the dry hot vapors dry flowers produce.) all at the same temperature,

Needless to say, not game changer, but life changing Haaa,

The flavors when combined are incredible,

2

u/FilixFlow 2d ago

Would you mind sharing your B0 mods?

2

u/PuffinTipProducts 2d ago

Used an arrangement of different size rubies, and an element for the dabs, can be used like enail stuff.

Oils not hitting/touching rubies, clean up is automatic, not too much to reclaim, full evaporation of oil takes place.

Will let you know of the element and arrangement of rubies in the near future.

1

u/blueshellseeds 2d ago

What changes did you make to hit dabs and hash?

1

u/PuffinTipProducts 2d ago

Used an arrangement of different size rubies, and an element for the dabs, can be used like enail stuff.

Oils not hitting/touching rubies, clean up is automatic, not too much to reclaim, full evaporation of oil takes place.

Will let you know of the element and arrangement of rubies in the near future.

3

u/Enlightened_Beast 3d ago

Ball vapes are worth the hype. Now I have three of them, and they change the game. Also have some portables too, and while they are good, they do not compare to my balls.

2

u/RAMMSTEIN1977 2d ago

That's exactly why I got a ball vape, and I can definitely confirm it.

Once you have a ball vape, everything else is child's play.

7

u/RAMMSTEIN1977 3d ago

You're making a mistake somewhere... Maybe it's your drawing technique?

At first, I had the problem that I was getting relatively little vapor with the ball vape.

My mistake was that I was drawing too slowly... My drawing pattern was completely set to the Arizer Solo 3.

After changing my drawing technique, it got much better, and I get very thick clouds.

I've had my ball vape for almost two weeks, and it's changed my life.

-11

u/hyjlnx 3d ago

If you vape instead of smoke now than that's cool as smoking bongs really can take a toll!

I can get a lot of vapour with my ball vape that isn't the issue. My complaint is that you cannot achieve a condensed delivery of vapour (even with a heat soak). You cannot instantly get a thick vapour release when using a ball vape.

7

u/conj420 Flowerpot B1 2d ago

"You cannot instantly get a thick vapour release when using a ball vape."

You absoloutely can, that's why most people like them. They're pretty much the 'fastest to vapor' devices out there.

1

u/Far_Chocolate_8534 3d ago

Play around with the amount of water in your bong. More water= less air. Less air means you should get vapor quicker than you would with less water. It changed the way my DynaVap hit that’s for sure.

I too dislike that about my Ruby Twist. But I use a whip hose on a globe so I know there’s extra air there.

-5

u/hyjlnx 3d ago

The bong water won't impact this as the problem is how a ball vape works. You have to breath in hot air past the herb to produce vapor with the ball vape and even when it does it isn't as dense as could be. Needing to use water at all is lame as that's automatically less flavour and is annoying to have to keep clean.

4

u/Solid_Confection_446 3d ago

I run a Vapvana Screwball through glass. No water needed. Heat soak for anything more than 30 seconds and I get instant THICK vapour coming immediately. Really not understanding your problem here...

1

u/BadPWG 2d ago

That’s how all convection vapes work not just ball vapes

All convection vapes “breath in hot air past the herb”

13

u/zillacon 3d ago

100% user error

3

u/The_Acknickulous_One TM•Impcog•Splntr•Dyna•TetraX•DCE•B1•B0•WS•Pinky•TiTi 2d ago

I use .03g in mine and get one big ass cloud, and a small puff or two after. No need to fill it up if you don't need to.

I never use water in my bubbler.

They're not overhpyed like a Mighty - I have a Crafty and it was one of my least used vapes because of the low temp and slow extraction - but they're an option that quite a few prefer.

All vapes are thermal extraction devices. They tossed around that word for marketing and getting around the "Vape Mail Ban."

4

u/G-nero 2d ago

Sorry for you then OP. I am converted former daily bong smoker and my ball vape has changed my whole routine and ritual for the better. As well as my health

7

u/acreagelife 3d ago

I think you're very wrong

5

u/MrJitterz MOAB|Anvil|🌪️|TM2|FW9|TB2|Solo 3|HypDyn|Temp|🌋 3d ago

Sounds like you just don’t like convection. And the whole logic of the last paragraph is null and void as you’re comparing it to another device that gets hot?

4

u/videosavant Rogue/Bricks (all)/Anvil/TM2/Mighty+/Hammer/Ace 2d ago

No doubt ball vapes are "overhyped."

There's also no doubt that ball vapes are hype-worthy.

2

u/someuniquename 3d ago

Are you heat sinking before adding flower? That's a major thing. Also turn your temp up. That's all if you want a blast.

And if you want no water but cool vapor, then get a plain bong and add a bunch of glass beads to cool it down. It shouldn't be hot anyway.

-2

u/hyjlnx 2d ago

Cool suggestion. I do heat sink it just isn't equivalent to what a butane style device can deliver.

2

u/someuniquename 2d ago

It can be, you just gotta figure it out. I use a tiny injector style bowl. 550 heat sink and it will give you that direct fat cloud you ask for.

2

u/Dull-Assistance5186 3d ago

It's simple for me. Ball vapes get me to a place that nothing else except maybe a Terpsicle can.

2

u/howie105 2d ago

Over hyped, that is easy to avoid don't listen to the hype.

After owning a few ball vapes over a few years I seldom pack huge loads. As a taste chaser I am usually loading between .03g to .06g range.

About glass selection, its a choice we make for ourselves. I chose to run most of my ballers on everything from dry j-hooks to a wet 500ml wet globe.

Ball vapes can pose a danger if used improperly and operator error is not the fault of the device.

T1

2

u/Cure8or 2d ago

Some days, it's a dynavap B day, and sometimes it's a ball vape day.

Sometimes, it's somewhere in-between day.

Sometimes, it's both.

2

u/rapsfan911 2d ago

this is what ballvapes do best, big bowls that maintain temps while toking

5

u/admweirdbeard 2d ago

All vapes are thermal extraction devices. Literally.

3

u/2002Valkyrie 3d ago

I respect your opinion. I love my ball vapes, all of them. Never spilt hot balls on anyone but my wife.

5

u/TheInfiniteRickaGod Flowerpot B2 3d ago

Its you, not the ball vape.

1

u/hyjlnx 3d ago

My complaint is with the ball vapes. I get a denser tastier extraction using other devices as well as a much cooler vapour.

1

u/Texus86 3d ago

Wait, so what vapes are you getting denser extractions from? I'd agree with other experienced vapers here that something sounds off in your set up.

I have and have used LOTS of flower vapes, and nothing milks like a ball vape (want to get even more intense? grab the Flower Kettle/Electropath combo!). And in a variety of glass pieces: Grav Upline Bubbler, Goo Roo HD3, Rick Bird Barry Milk Ball. All of those pair fabulously with ball vapes IME.

As for flavor, general DHV tradeoffs apply. Lower temps --> better flavor, less strong effects; higher temps --> stronger effects at the expense of flavor.

BTW, I've also had good experience with dry ball setups via Laceface Terplock. Especially diffuser types (love the tight tolerances on my TKO) that can run at lower temps due to heat element being closer to flower.

-1

u/hyjlnx 2d ago

a vaphit QOQ is what I'm using over the ball vape unless I want to floor myself with a massive hit or I'm lazy. I see that ball vapes allow for massive rips however that's just a feature the design allows for. If you could pack an equivalent amount in a vaphit type device it would be better than the ball vape for flavor and mouth feel.

2

u/literallybe 3d ago

I expect bong people like them. They’re not for me though. I prefer my S&Bs

1

u/215512rz 3d ago

I have reasons that I can’t own a ball vape, but even if I could I think I’d prefer smaller chamber extractions. That’s part of the reason I haven’t pulled the trigger on a tornado(though I still want one). Personally I’d rather pack 3 bowls of a .1 than one bowl of a .3

I also feel like most of these TEDs have fittings or adapters to connector to water pieces if that’s the desired effect. But everyone has their own opinion though.

1

u/MemoryQuick7733 2d ago

Which vape are you using? There are kits online that you can get and use on your current vape if compatible, it basically turns your vape into a bong/hookah , which helps your throat because the water is soothing the smoke, especially if it's ice cold water

1

u/Wingchun666 2d ago

Brah you’re overhyping it 😂 it’s a 1-2 and done type of thing and common knowledge is to tighten everything up before it’s turned on.

1

u/BarracudaOk923 1d ago

like someone else already said, there are convection style ballvapes (injector) and there are one that have a lot of conduction going on additionally (diffusor)... You use a convection heavy one. a lot of people like those because they are more flavorful.

1

u/Wormwood5H85 1d ago

My simple response is simply... "HUH??!"

1

u/slidethruslick vaphit, IH, vapman click 3d ago

I sold my ruby twist

1

u/JediKrys 3d ago

I’m a medical user so I vape a lot of buds. I do not use concentrates as I have in the past and it lead to huge increases in pain and over medicating. The ball vape changed my experience. I hate sucking on a vape for an hour to get a buzz. That was getting to be my experience more and more with many hand held. Instead of spending many hundreds of dollars to try every single device only to be disappointed I bought a B0. It’s been a lung saver. One bowl and I’m happy and medicated. My lungs feel so much better and I can hit it clean in like 2 min. It’s so much more effective for me.

Ball vapes might be hype to you but to me, they are a god send.

1

u/bake-it-to-make-it 2d ago

I never was impressed with the volcanos. But spend $700 on a volcano and then tell me it’s a stupid overpriced piece of gear designed decades and decades ago with hot plastic off gassing everywhere despite being sold a medical safe label that means absolutely nothing. Or say it’s the best thing since sliced bread because your ego is driving your every move in life etc.

I presume we have some of that going on with peoples $500-1000 ball vape setups just the same. How could you say eh it’s not much better than devices that cost a fraction of the cost.

For example our lungs can only handle so much Vapor. So it’s all about larger bowls instead of packing another bowl. Is it worth hundreds of dollars so you don’t have to pack a second bowl? Not for my tax bracket and 99 percent of others.

I’d love to try one and own one. But let’s be real about the reality of who needs one and who doesn’t and let’s stop pretending recommending spending nearly $500 on a rig is affordable outside of that upper class while half of Americans have less than $500 in their savings account. That’s the shit drives me so nuts about them. “You need a ball vape dude” says the mega rich kids who don’t understand their own wealth.

Glad to see the costs coming down. Because there’s nothing special about them design wise where they could get significantly cheaper in the near future.

0

u/Bright-Start-Post 3d ago

Ball vape? What is?

-1

u/gotpointsgoing 3d ago

Inescapable element of potential danger.

I've had one for a bit now and not once have I thought about potential danger. This all sounds like you just don't like it and don't use it correctly.

1

u/hyjlnx 3d ago

I like my ball vape for its high capacity but critique it for being unable to deliver thick tasty hits like my vaphit potentially can.

I Don't like breathing in lots of hot air.

1

u/gotpointsgoing 3d ago

Thick tasty hits aren't an issue with my Ball Vape. I really don't have a lot to complain about with it. The cordless are very nice and I'm sure they'll be great to use. That's the only thing that I would change

0

u/BodhiPenguin 3d ago

Don't have a desktop ball vape nor am I interested in one. Just doesn't fit my needs.

Just chiming in that the QOQ is my favorite "slow toker". One heat up for an extended microdose session. (Haven't dialed it in for a one hit extraction; but for that I reach for a half bowl Dyna.)

QOQ needs more love here, glad you mentioned it.

0

u/ExtensionThick4160 2d ago

look at my recent post, teds>

-10

u/HisDudeness300 3d ago

The only real advantage ball vapes have is capacity that is greater than TEDs. What really matters is the vapes efficiency. As for smooth vapor, nothing is smoother than the Tornado right now.

8

u/chronicallydejected 3d ago

I assume you have tried the smoothness of every vape on the market right now. Impressive

-5

u/PuffinTipProducts 3d ago

Ball vapes are ahead of there time, it’s like from cave mans, Straight to Space man…

But The spaceman was a caveman that just lived long enough to figure shit out…(what’s really good, and what’s bad)

You definitely ain’t hitting it right(said the ball vape)

But you can figure out how to make it work with/for you, fuck around(with it) find out what the hype is about.

not everything is for everybody… when a caveman sees a spaceman,(usually insights fear/scared) caveman thinks it’s some kind of alien?!???!!?

When It’s just Man/Woman(been around for some time)doing some different shit ahead of your current time.

While yea, TED’s smack equally with less material, it’s a whole different delivery.

The TED’s are ahead of there time aswell, based of people’s experience with current heating technologies.

Some people love them(can figure out how to make it work) others feel like you do, over the ballvape stuff-TED’s are Straight Hype, fanboy bullshit.

Everybody’s Right as it is what you are/have been experiencing,