First some background. I bought the Aluminum VG about a week ago, I have used it four times for DMT and also for herb on separate occasions. I decided on the aluminum because I'm cheap and I am also always breaking glass... but I read that regular genies do an admirable job. I have yet to breakthrough using the VG or even get effects on par with the simple sandwich method in a bubbler.

I've read most of (like 10 pages) of the stickied VG thread. I've tried 10 VG screens, with an without a little herb bed. I have also tried the copper mesh with a few screens. I go away for a while but I never can achieve what I imagine is a breakthrough. I've dosed 25/25/35/50 (not exact estimates but I think they're close).

I've been using electric BICs, is this a serious oversight? I do vape herb fairly well now, but I know spice is much more finicky. Is it possible I am using to much heat? I don't get a burnt taste at all but I don't get much vapor too. When I use it for bud I know I almost combust it sometimes. I wonder.

Torch. And how do you know your not getting much vapor?

Bic if there is no ceramic element between the flame and the material, otherwise torch. You need to be gentle when heating spice directly. You should try to draw in the heat of the flame slowly and steadily, the flame itself should barely waver for a device like this. I would turn the pipe sideways, hold the lighter vertical on a low flame and try to use little inward pressure draw the heat to the left (if you are a righty) and into the bowl. The reason this works better is because heat rises, it's easier to draw it off slowly in a controlled way rather than try to pull it down into a bowl.

Your problem might be the very short length of the pipe though, the lower the volume of the device the harder it is to control the flow. That's why I like a bong, it's like a third lung