The Ploom is Here.

[jxmiller]

Good to see someone else got theirs. Thanks for adding your take on it. I'm not sure why you wanted it to get 10-20 degrees hotter if you also say that the air is too hot. (Which I happen to agree with!)

Because then I could take drags with higher frequency. I suppose I left out the fact that you have to wait for the thing to heat up and start producing vapor. You can't take a drag every 10 seconds... nothing is there. Have to wait about 20-30 seconds between... thats when the air gets hot. Waiting longer made me cough on occasion. I think if it got a bit hotter I could vape it with higher frequency, the aluminum and vaporant would get the majority of the heat while the air (if hits are taken frequently enough) would not take on as much heat because new air would more constantly be filling the chamber. I don't know just a thought.

In the current design lengthening the mouthpiece could help my allowing the vapor to cool a bit before it hits your lungs.

 

[Michelle M]

The latest from Ploom is that even though it's only been a few days since their release, "...we're thrilled with the response!"

Where are those people?

Too bad they don't have a forum on their site in order to see exactly how thrilled everyone really is.

 

[nicotime]

Hey Michelle, great work and pics...avatar included. It looks like the butane exhaust port and air intake are one in the same...is that the case?

 

[River]

Hey Michelle, great work and pics...avatar included. It looks like the butane exhaust port and air intake are one in the same...is that the case?

That's a strange design decision... it's the same one the Death Star manufacturers made and we all know how that worked out for them.

 

[nicotime]

Ha...yeah River if that's the case they need to do some more R&D for sure. Of course they all know that we do that for them for free.
Wouldn't be that hard to separate the two.

 

[usamare]

My best experience with the Ploom so far has been by filling a used pod with peach pipe tobacco and then dripping a drop of e-juice into it.

It's not perfect, but the e-juice doesn't get so hot and it lasts longer than a standard pod. Straight e-juice in a pod is indeed a monster throat hit

 

[Michelle M]

Thanks, Nicotime -- and thanks to USAMare .. how interesting a way of doing it. I may give that a try. Peach pipe tobacco? The pods are so tiny that you must not be able to fit much in. But I'm definitely interested in cooling that bad boy down.

 

[NatureBoy]

Guess I'm not getting one afterall... strange how their ordering system would allow me to put my order through, confirm my order, but then not ship me the product or contact me to tell me it didn't go through.

I wonder if the charge went through on the CC.

 

[BigBMP]

Hello all, I just wanted to drop a quick line about the Ploom as I too got mine this week and have been pestering them to release their beta for sometime. The Ploom itself is an awesome little piece of tech, it works as advertised. The butane lasts a while and heats the bowl adequately. The problem is in their implementation of the pods, there is just not enough vapor, period. If they improved this, everything else would be fine. Another thing is I do not smoke any tobacco so I only tasted the herbal flavors and they are horrible, esp the mint, I could not lose the flavor all night, just disgusting. I have vaped in the past and the experience is not very comparable as e-cigs win out for the purpose. Now I did experiment with an empty pod and some medicinal herbs and it actually worked very well, with the only issue being a small bowl/pod. Just my two cents, but as a personal vape for medicinal herbs it seems it may be the trick and this was my true purpose.

 

[sherid]

After reading all of these posts, I decided not to get a Ploom, but then I got the email today, and I could not resist. Guess I could always sell it to someone else with the same curiosity I have.

 

[JustMeAgain]

I got my email yesterday. I filled out the form, but I don't think I'm going to order one based on what I'm reading about it here.

I did have a couple of questions that I don't think have been discussed yet ~ Their FAQ says: While you do get great flavor and some nicotine when using a Ploom, the experience is a bit more subtle than when burning tobacco (smoking).

Some nicotine?

Do you guys feel like you're getting nicotine from the pods? Our e-cig liquids use nicotine extract, but does heating tobacco really extract anything?

Also, does the vapor smell like the flavoring ~ mint or whatever?

I think these guys are onto something with the butane and the pods, but they've got a little way to go yet.

I think I'll wait for Beta - Round 2.

One other thing: After I created an account, I got a follow up email that refers to a members only area on the site. I don't see it - Am I just overlooking it? I haven't had any coffee yet, so it's possible.

 

[NatureBoy]

I actually got one today, even though it didn't seem like I was.

I'm not impressed. The pods are NOT filled the way it's explained in their patent filing, with a wet and dry layer. When I looked inside one of the pods (the blue tea one), all that's inside is a bit of wet herb stuck to the side of the pod. That's it.

When I fired it up, I let it do it's thing, then took a puff. I got a tiny, tiny bit of something... no throat hit, barely any exhaled vapor at all. Then that was it. I didn't get anything out of it after that. Nothing.

It kind of tasted like breathing in steam from a cup of hot herbal tea. That's about as much flavor, vapor or anything else I got from it.

I think these would work a lot better if they actually filled the pods properly. The way they are right now, I can't see how it can possibly be any sort of competition to the current PV market.

I do think it would be useful for alternative uses, however that's neither here nor there. As it is right now, I can't see myself using it.

Although I'm tempted to keep it, store it away, and perhaps take it out 20 years later in hopes that it's worth something, I think I'll probably just post it up in the B/S/T forum and see if someone else wants to experiment with it.

 

[Michelle M]

I got my email yesterday. I filled out the form, but I don't think I'm going to order one based on what I'm reading about it here.

I did have a couple of questions that I don't think have been discussed yet ~ Their FAQ says: While you do get great flavor and some nicotine when using a Ploom, the experience is a bit more subtle than when burning tobacco (smoking).

Some nicotine?

Do you guys feel like you're getting nicotine from the pods? Our e-cig liquids use nicotine extract, but does heating tobacco really extract anything?

Also, does the vapor smell like the flavoring ~ mint or whatever?

I think these guys are onto something with the butane and the pods, but they've got a little way to go yet.

I think I'll wait for Beta - Round 2.

One other thing: After I created an account, I got a follow up email that refers to a members only area on the site. I don't see it - Am I just overlooking it? I haven't had any coffee yet, so it's possible.

That's a good question... the rate of nicotine released from a Ploom pod vs. the nicotine we self-titrate with using ejuice. No way of knowing and they're sure not sharing much about it.

I don't notice that the vapor smells like it tastes. Nothing lingered. But I only had 2 flavors.

 

[Michelle M]

I actually got one today, even though it didn't seem like I was.

I'm not impressed. The pods are NOT filled the way it's explained in their patent filing, with a wet and dry layer. When I looked inside one of the pods (the blue tea one), all that's inside is a bit of wet herb stuck to the side of the pod. That's it.

When I fired it up, I let it do it's thing, then took a puff. I got a tiny, tiny bit of something... no throat hit, barely any exhaled vapor at all. Then that was it. I didn't get anything out of it after that. Nothing.

It kind of tasted like breathing in steam from a cup of hot herbal tea. That's about as much flavor, vapor or anything else I got from it.

I think these would work a lot better if they actually filled the pods properly. The way they are right now, I can't see how it can possibly be any sort of competition to the current PV market.

I do think it would be useful for alternative uses, however that's neither here nor there. As it is right now, I can't see myself using it.

Although I'm tempted to keep it, store it away, and perhaps take it out 20 years later in hopes that it's worth something, I think I'll probably just post it up in the B/S/T forum and see if someone else wants to experiment with it.

Yeah, there really isn't very much packed into the pod. I guess they want to maximize pod sales. Maybe packing it fuller resulted in not high enough temperature to vaporize it properly?

I agree there is seriously NO threat to the ecig business from these peculiar devices.

What do you make of the airflow? It bugged me that it was so airy. I couldn't see a reasonable way to block it and it was so borderline hot that I was kinda scared to!

Thanks for adding your observations!

 

[NatureBoy]

Well mine is on it's way to a new home. Couldn't be bothered with this one, since I've got so many other projects on the go.

 

[geeker]

I have one on the way. I'm perceiveing the Ploom to be a mini-Iolite, as someone previously stated. The trick with the Iolite is to let it heat up before you inhale, and to extend the mouthpiece so the inhale is not so hot. I am determined to find a way to make this work for me, if only for variety's sake. The Iolite is very large and noisy, BTW.

 

[LABeachBum]

Ploom arrived a couple days ago. It is a different experience than an e-cig for sure. An e-cig is supposed to mimic an analog cigarette. A Ploom is supposed to introduce people to a new experience - one of flavor and sophistication.

Yes, by sophistication I mean little vapor and no throat hit. The device intends for you to enjoy the flavor: bring the vapor into your mouth and maybe let it drift up through the nostrils. The vapor is much more flavorful. The nicotine can be absorbed through the lining of your mouth, throat, and nasal passageways. The device is not intended to satisfy a nicotine crave; rather, it provides only a very subtle stimulating effect. I can see the nicotine levels as being attractive to a non-smoker who simply wants a safe and subtle level of nicotine-stimulation.

Applying your own concoction is quite easy. Just smash together a sticky paste of whatever it is you want to ploom; use the PG or VG you already own. Smear it so that it lines the insides of the pod while being careful to ensure it remains hollow (the hollowness is required to produce vapor). The more moist it is, the more vapor you will receive, but less flavor. To reinvigorate a half-spent pod, simply add more PG/VG to remoisten.

Taking a draw is difficult as you must finagle your lips into a 'sweet spot' of sorts. Take only a puff, not a drag, and do not inhale deeply or you will dilute the vapor and flavor. Think of it this way: when you want to impress your friends with the amount of vapor that comes out of your mouth when you smoke an e-cig, you inhale less so that the vapor remains thicker when you exhale. Same concept applies here. Best results if you only inhale enough to maybe let it drift back up your nasal cavity.

The Ploom does an instant high-temp heat-up when you turn the unit on, then it simply maintains the heat at a lower temp. Best results are obtained if you wait a full 30 seconds before puffing. The butane does not last much longer than an hour or so. Each pod lasts about the time of a regular cigarette.

Anyways, that's my review. I probably would not have purchased one had I known what I know now. But I can see the appeal of the device for a certain type of person.

 

[mallie233]

Hello all, I just wanted to drop a quick line about the Ploom as I too got mine this week and have been pestering them to release their beta for sometime. The Ploom itself is an awesome little piece of tech, it works as advertised. The butane lasts a while and heats the bowl adequately. The problem is in their implementation of the pods, there is just not enough vapor, period. If they improved this, everything else would be fine. Another thing is I do not smoke any tobacco so I only tasted the herbal flavors and they are horrible, esp the mint, I could not lose the flavor all night, just disgusting. I have vaped in the past and the experience is not very comparable as e-cigs win out for the purpose. Now I did experiment with an empty pod and some medicinal herbs and it actually worked very well, with the only issue being a small bowl/pod. Just my two cents, but as a personal vape for medicinal herbs it seems it may be the trick and this was my true purpose.

Maybe I'm just reading it wrong, but uh....by "medicinal herbs" do you mean what I think you mean? Because that's pretty funny!

 

[geeker]

Ploom arrived today. I have been anticipating this thing ever since I Am Nico made us aware of it months ago.

First thing I noticed is that the butane reservoir was filled. I want to assume this is because they tested it instead of them shipping me a used one.

It is hard for me to get it ignited. The butane switch and igniting switch are one, and I prefer the Iolite setup where you switch the butane on then can click a couple if times if necessary for the igniter to work. With this one, if it doesn't ignite, you have to shut the whole thing off and try again.

The pods are tiny. I ordered Orchard and Blue Tea. I finally got it fired up with the Blue Tea. I had been enjoying it for about one minute, when I let go of it and tried to hold it in my teeth. The mouthpice disconnected and the pod went a-flying. No idea where it went.

I had ordered additional mouthpieces so I put a different one on that seems to fit more snugly, and put in an Orchard pod. It is very tasty, mild throat hit, but no vapor to speak of.

I am unsure about this, but I wonder if it has a cutoff. Both times I used a pod today, it sizzled and went out unexpectedly on me after 4-5 minutes of use.

I don't like having to fiddle with it so much to get it lit. This is the biggest drawback I can see, and I wonder what I am doing wrong.

Once it is lit, the TH of the Orchard was ok, but no vapor.

I really want this doohickey to work for me, so I will keep putzing and report back later.

 

[GotiT]

I did get my Ploom working with ejuice fairly well. Put a little ball of filler (cotton) in the air intake side of the mouth piece add two drops of liquid, put a drop of liquid on the cake in the pod. Fired it up makes a nice warm flavorful vapor. Been using the same pod for a couple of days now, with juice.

Vape it like a pipe not a cigarette.