FAQs

Isn't it dangerous to inhale lighter exhaust? Completely burning butane produces only CO2 and water, which are harmless.
Does the filter release particles or gases? Absolutely not.
How long are the Maple VG and the Exotic Hardwood VG? 4.7" and 5.7"
Can the VaporGenie be used as a regular combustion pipe? That's a bad idea.
Do you sell Briarwood VaporGenies? No, but many people call the Exotic VG "Briarwood"

Is there a store in my city/zip-code that carries the VaporGenie? We cannot keep track of which stores have VGs in stock.
How will my order be packaged... will it be discrete? The return address is "VG"
I don't have a Credit Card, can I order by mail? Yes - Cash, check or money order.
Do you accept PayPal? NO
Do you ship to the country I live in? Yes

Do you sell only the tops? Yes - click here
Can I get replacement screens from you? Yes - click here

 

We have never made a "Briarwood" VaporGenie. Many people refer to the Exotic VaporGenie as "Briarwood". The Exotic VG is made from a few species of Tropical Hardwoods and not from Briar.

All herbs and plant matter contain oils, flavors and other desired compounds. Examples include nicotine in tobacco and terpenes in many other herbs (such as mint). Tobaccos often have flavor compounds added. Vaporization is the process of heating these compounds to convert them to vapor so they can be inhaled. It's the same thing as boiling. Typically, these desirable compounds boil at about 225-375 degrees Fahrenheit.

In conventional combustion smoking, the tobacco is burned and the heat from burning vaporizes the flavor compounds. But burning also creates toxic tar and carcinogens. The byproducts of burning are the most dangerous chemicals found in smoke. Fortunately, these byproducts are only created at temperatures above about 500 degrees Fahrenheit. So, if tobacco is heated to about 225-375 F, but no hotter, the desirable compounds are released, and the dangerous byproducts of burning are never created. That's vaporization.

The VaporGenie relies on a totally new concept to provide the 'sweet-spot' vaporization temperatures of 225-375 degrees.

The secret to the VaporGenie is the patent-pending flame filter. The flame filter is located above your tobacco (between the tobacco and flame). In the pictures, the flame filter is located within the spherical wood part. The flame filter mixes heat from the flame with cold, ambient air. The flame filter is specially designed to mix the flame and cool air and provide vaporization temperatures.

The flame filter is also specially designed to withstand the flame heat for many years. It is made of an extremely durable and nontoxic ceramic.

The VaporGenie is used in a manner very similar to a conventional pipe. That's what makes it so easy to use.

First, the pipe is loaded with tobacco, and then the flame filter is screwed onto the pipe. It is important to use loose, shredded tobacco; do not pack.

Then, you inhale from the pipe while supplying flame to the flame filter. The flame filter automatically protects the tobacco from burning. You control the exact temperature by adjusting the amount of flame applied and speed of inhalation. It is important to not touch the ceramic filter with the flame.

By paying attention to the flavors and heat inhaled, you know the temperature, and can adjust flame application accordingly. Experienced VaporGenie users can keep the air stream temperature to within a range of about ± 30F or better. This is sufficient temperature control for vaporization.

Since the VaporGenie is designed for use with flame, the vapor is not as clean as vapor from electronic vaporizers that are properly used (electronic vaporizers often cause burning and produce smoke when used improperly). With the VaporGenie, flame exhaust is inhaled. However, most users do not notice the difference (lighter flames or match flames are much cleaner than smoke). And unlike electronic vaporizers, the VaporGenie is as portable as a conventional pipe, is less expensive, requires no heat-up time, and is more reliable. There are no electronic gizmos to break in the VaporGenie.

We recommend using an electronic ignition lighter, instead of a conventional flint lighter. Electronic ignition lighters do not produce flint dust, which we believe is somewhat toxic. See the FAQs page.

The VaporGenie is an excellent choice for people just starting out with vaporization, and for people who own an electronic vaporizer, but would like to vaporize away from home.

Completely burning butane produces only CO2 and water, which are harmless. Lighter exhaust is invisible, which is an indication that it contains very little soot particles or tar. Butane lighters burn quite clean, provided that the flame is undisturbed (i.e. not flickering or touching the filter). Consequently, technique is an important factor affecting the cleanliness of the vapor. However, even sloppy use of the VaporGenie will not produce nearly as much toxic compounds as found in smoke. Lighter exhaust is a LOT cleaner than a regular pipe, and that is easy to tell once you try the VaporGenie.

There will necessarily be some toxic gases in the lighter exhaust, however. We believe that more carcinogens and weird chemicals are released from the material being vaporized (compared to the lighter exhaust), especially if it is overheated. Even in electric vaporizers, there is some tar and toxic chemical production. There is no way to completely eliminate exposure.

You get the cleanest vapor when the flame is not disturbed. You don't want the flame to flicker or touch the filter or sides of the pipe.

We recommend using an electronic ignition (piezoelectric) lighter instead of a conventional flint lighter. Flint lighters produce flint dust, which is visible when a flint lighter is ignited. This flint dust contains "misch metal", which is an alloy of rare earth metals (neodymium, samarium, cerium, lanthanum etc). Rare earth metals are known to be toxic. Hence, we think that inhalation of flint dust should be avoided. And the best way to avoid flint dust is to use an electronic ignition lighter. Please note that the issue of rare earth dust inhalation is not specific to the VaporGenie. Anyone using a flint lighter to light a cigarette or smoke a pipe is inhaling rare earth dust. Any smoker concerned about their health should use an electronic ignition lighter. Below is an abstract describing the toxic effect of rare earth metals on lung tissue. Not good. They are slightly less toxic than cadmium to lung tissue.

We offer high quality electronic ignition lighters made by Vector. These lighters do not produce rare earth dust and are perfect for use with the VaporGenie.

Cytotoxicity of the rare earth metals cerium, lanthanum, and neodymium in vitro: comparisons with cadmium in a pulmonary macrophage primary culture system.
Palmer, R J : Butenhoff, J L : Stevens, J B
Environ-Res. 1987 Jun; 43(1): 142-56
The rare earth metals cerium, lanthanum, and neodymium each were evaluated in an in vitro cytotoxicity assay system using adult, male Sprague-Dawley rat pulmonary alveolar macrophages. Both the soluble chloride form of these metals and their insoluble metal oxides were studied. For comparison purposes, the cytotoxicities of cadmium chloride and cadmium oxide were also quantified in this test system. In general, regardless of the cytotoxicity parameter measured, i.e., cell viability, lysosomal enzyme leakage, or changes in cell surface morphology, cadmium was more toxic to these cells than were the rare earth metals. Of the rare earth metals studied, lanthanum chloride (lethal concentration LC50 = 52 microM), cerium chloride (LC50 = 29 microM), and neodymium oxide (LC50 = 101 microM) displayed significant cytotoxicity in this test system. Cadmium chloride exhibited an LC50 value of 28 microM, and cadmium oxide 15 microM. These findings suggest that rare earth metal fumes should be considered as cytotoxic to lung tissue and therefore potentially fibrogenic.

Absolutely not! The ceramic filter is made of high purity silicon carbide, SiC. SiC is completely inert in the conditions in the pipe. It does not react, or release gases or particulates. Also, the ceramic filter is monolithic (it is made of a single, continuous piece of ceramic). It is not made of sintered particles that can break off and be inhaled.

Using the bottom portion of the VaporGenie as a combustion pipe will ruin it for use as a vaporizer. It will forever taste like terrible tar and burned popcorn. Don't do it. If you do, you will quickly understand why the VaporGenie and vaporizing are so great and why combustion smoking is so awful.

The wood of the VaporGenie is finely sanded smooth and is sealed with natural a food grade varnish that reveals beautiful wood grain patterns. There are no glues, adhesives other toxic chemicals used in the VaporGenie. Almost all components of the VaporGenie are proudly made in the USA (about 75% on a dollar cost basis).

The ceramic filter in the VaporGenie is made of high-purity silicon carbide, one of the most inert and heat-resistant ceramics known. Silicon carbide is made of only silicon and carbon, in a diamond crystal structure. Silicon carbide does not contain metals and so will not contaminate your vapor or create metallic flavors. The ceramic filter does not burn, fracture, or deteriorate. It will never need replacement.

All the metal parts in the VaporGenie are either stainless steel or chrome plated for inertness. The VaporGenie comes with a stainless steel screen and stainless steel bowl.

From mouthtip to the center of the bowl (where the flame enters), the Maple VG is 4.5 inches, and the Exotic is 5.7 inches.

The VaporGenie produces very little tar when used properly, so it only needs cleaning occasionally. The screen can be removed for cleaning by rotating it with a needle so that it "unscrews" via the threaded bowl, or by simply pulling it out with tweezers. This will reveal the wire coil that holds up the screen. The wire coil can be removed by pulling with pliers. The screen and wire coil can be cleaned by wiping or soaking in alcohol. The steel bowl can be cleaned with an alcohol swab. Do not get alcohol on the wood because this can damage the finish.

The bottom pipe portion and mouthpiece can be cleaned with a pipe cleaner. First, pull out the mouthpiece. Pull a pipecleaner through the mouthpiece to clean it. Similarly, the pipe can be cleaned by running a pipecleaner through it. Insert the pipecleaner into the mouthpiece end, and pull it from the steel bowl with tweezers or pliers.

If the plastic mouthpiece breaks off in the pipe, the broken-off portion of the mouthpiece can be removed with a #4 wood screw. Twist the screw 1-2 turns into the broken portion and pull with pliers.

Pull out the mouthpiece, remove the screen, and remove the wire coil below the screen. Run a pipe cleaner through the mouthpiece and pipe. Use an alcohol swab to clean the steel bowl and the wire coil.

That metal wire is there to hold up the screen. Holding up the screen encourages uniform airflow over the entire surface of the screen, and this helps create uniform heating and vaporization. The wire can be removed and replaced with pliers.

Buy a #4 size wood screw (usually the smallest size at your hardware store) and screw it into the black plastic piece. Only go in about 2 turns. Then pull the screw out with pliers. The black plastic piece will come out with the screw.

You pull it out, or unscrew/twist it. Use tweezers or a needle or something. We have no specific instructions on how to do this. Use your common sense. Its easy.

Yes - click here for free replacement screens.

Yes, but only for prior VG customers that need a replacement. It may be that you need only to remove soot deposits from the filter. Before contacting us about a new top, please read the maintenance section of the User Guide. If you still want to order replacement tops Click Here. Tops cost $25 each.

If you are having your order delivered to a college campus dorm please investigate the specifics of your housing mail regulations - we have had some problems with misaddressed dorm shipments. You can usually find these instructions on your campus housing website. It is your responsibility to provide correct and complete address information. We cannot be responsible for incorrectly addressed shipments.

The VaporGenie is sold with a lifetime manufacturers warranty covering product defects and unreasonable failures. If your VG comes apart, cracks or otherwise fails with normal use, we will replace it. All we ask is that you send us a picture of the failure (by email). You do not need to return the broken VG. We do not provide free replacements for soot-clogged filters.

We provide full refunds for returned, unused VaporGenies (refund includes outbound shipping). Sorry, but we DO NOT provide refunds for used VGs.

We accept returns on all other products sold on our website.

We have no idea. We cannot keep track of which stores have VGs in stock. And we don't know who carries it because stores often don't buy from us directly.

If you want your local smokeshop to carry the VaporGenie, please ask them to. If your store places a wholesale order (at least 10) on your recommendation, we will give you a free VaporGenie. Also, we are open to providing commissions for VG enthusiasts that initiate wholesale orders to retail stores.

Yes - We ship in plain bubble mailers with the return address as "VG".

Sorry, we do not accept PayPal. We have had problems with PayPal in the past and had to stop accepting it as payment.

We do accept orders by mail. Send cash (we prefer cash) or a money order and a note telling us what you want to order, your address, and an email address or phone number.

VaporGenie
1507 Glade Rd
Blacksburg, Va 24060-1912

For orders within the United States we ship by with delivery confirmation. You do not sign for delivery confirmation. We will send a shipping confirmation by email when your order ships. We ship orders Monday - Friday usually around 5pm. Most domestic shipments take 3-5 days.

We ship all orders in a plain bubble mailer or a small box. The return address is "VG".

Non-delivery of orders within the USA must be reported within 10 days of order date.

 

We ship all over the world, nearly every country. We regularly ship VaporGenies to Canada, Australia, Japan, China, South America, Scandinavia, and all across Europe.

Orders outside the United States are shipped by First Class International. Depending on location international shipments usually take from 7-12 days to be delivered.

First Class International shipping costs in US Dollars:
1 VG - $5,
2 VGs - $8
3 VGs - $10
4VGs or more - $12

Express Mail International Shipping is optional and costs $25 no matter how many VGs you buy.

The return address is "Dan Steinberg, VG".

It is a requirement of U.S. and International law to declare all goods shipped internationally. VaporGenies are declared as "Smoking Pipes".

1. Make sure no open flames are nearby.
2. Adjust the flame height to low.
3. Bleed fuel tank by pressing down on the lighter refill valve until hissing sound stops. 
4. Shake refill can to check if it contains gas.
5. Hold both refill can and lighter upside down in each hand.
6. Push refill nozzle firmly all the way into lighter refill valve and hold for 15-20 seconds.
7. Wait until lighter reaches room temperature before igniting (roughly 5-10 minutes).
8. Reset flame height adjuster to your desired setting.

• Keep lighters clean from any type of dust (i.e., falling ashes when cigars and cigarettes are lighted, and dust from pockets when lighters are kept in your pockets). Use lighter leather covers to prevent dust from penetrating into the lighter. Over 90% of return lighters are serviced simply by blowing off excessive dirt and dust inside a lighter using compressed air.

• If necessary, blow off any excessive dirt and dust from the catalyzer area using compressed air can. Compressed air can be easily purchased from any local hardware or office supply store.

• Electronic Piezo lighters have sensitive ignition mechanisms that require delicate handling of the ignition switch. Do not flick or press ignition switches like a fluid flint lighter at a fast pace. Operate the push-down ignition switch slowly and gently. The lighter ignition system has a split-second delayed reaction time. Fast ignition usually results in misfiring, whereas slow and gentle ignition method ensures perfect ignition every time.

• When the flame gets weak and low, it usually means a time to refill. Constant ignition and adjustment of the flame height when the flame is weak can seriously damage lighters. Use only triple refined  premium butane gas to refill the lighter.

• Simply keeping a lighter free of dirt and dust, and refilling on a regular basis will lengthen the longevity of the lighter. For any other troubles, refer to the do it yourself maintenance guide below.

No proof of purchase needs to be included when sending your lighter(s) back for service/repairs.

Please send your lighter back for service to:
 
    KGM Industries Co., Inc.
    c/o Customer Service
    6016 Triangle Drive
    City of Commerce, CA  90040, U.S.A. 

Be sure to include your full address including a telephone number in case we need to contact you for any reason. Insure your package for possible loss during transit and include a money order or cashiers check (no personal checks accepted) for $7 to cover shipping and handling ($15 for International Consumers).  Do not send the lighter inside of its original packaging box (tin or paper box).   The original packaging box will not be returned to you .   Wrap your lighter with a soft paper tissue so that the outer surface doesn't scratch during transit.   The turn-around time to service and return your lighter is 2 weeks or less from the day we receive your lighter.   You can also choose to pay for shipping and handling by credit card if you do not wish to include a money order.  In case of paying by credit card, be sure to include card number, expiration date, card holder's name and exact billing address.   We accept Visa, Master & AMEX.  Debit and Discover cards are not accepted at this time.