Vapman Classic Vaporizer Review: Capture Brief Moments of Zen

We’ve covered quite a few vaporizers on Gear Diary, and many of them feature exciting new battery technology or fancy heating elements. But sometimes, it’s fun to get back to the most basic concept of vaporizing — heating material until it gives off a vapor. You don’t need batteries or a fancy heating system with the Vapman Classic, just a torch lighter and some patience!

A very brief primer on vaporizers:

There are basically two ways of heating material for vaporization, convection and conduction. Convection functions by pulling hot air through the material, so it only heats while you’re breathing. Conduction works by heating the bowl the material is in so you can then inhale the heated vapor.

The biggest difference is that conduction heats regardless of whether you’re inhaling, while convection only heats while you’re inhaling. The Vapman Classic we’re reviewing today works solely via conduction; instead of setting a heating element to run continuously for a period of time, we’re heating the bowl by applying heat with a torch lighter (the types of lighters that create a hot blue flame, not a soft flame like a Bic).

Now, having covered the basics there, let’s get into what makes Vapman Classic special. This gorgeous vape is made almost entirely of olive wood, so you get a unique and beautiful woodgrain in each device. It is positively tiny, coming in at a diminutive 1.5″ without the mouthpiece. These are handmade in Italy, and you really can tell when you hold them that there’s a level of craftsmanship and love that goes into each aspect of the vape.

The Vapman Classic Vaporizer opens into two halves, the top half holding the mouthpiece (with three air holes that can be left open or covered with your fingers), a metal filter, and two metal rods to lock it into the bottom half.

On the bottom, there are the two clips that attach to the top, and then on the inside, there is a layer of mica to protect the olive wood with a gold bowl in the middle. Flipping it over reveals more mica and the three points connecting the bowl to the body.

Filling it is very easy, and Vapman provides a small metal funnel to make it even easier. Separate the two parts, and you have easy access to the bowl, where you can drop in the funnel to keep everything neat. You do not need much material at all; a pinch of ground plant matter is sufficient. Note for this review that we used ground hemp flower, which is legal to own and consume.

Once the material is loaded into the bowl, you just remove the funnel and twist the top back into place. This is where you do need to practice a few times to get it right. You’re going to take your torch lighter, flip the Vapman over, and carefully aim it at and around just the gold bowl in the center.

There is no click or indicator that you’ve heated it sufficiently; instead, you’ll go by seconds. Vapman includes a helpful tip in their manual to count based on how long your torch flame is. A shorter flame means less heat and a longer heat time, while a longer flame needs less.

I usually heat the Vapman Classic like this for best results:

1. Heat the crucible for 4-8ish seconds. Remember to always hold the Vapman by the outer edges of the bottom half to keep a firm grip and your fingers out of the way of the heat.
2. Take a cautious draw and see if there is any vapor and/or the amount. Often this hit will not produce any vapor but will be extremely tasty.
3. Heat again in 2-4 second bursts, testing in between until it feels like a comfortable vapor output.
4. Let it cool, open, stir, and repeat if there’s still life left in the material. Stop when it tastes like burnt popcorn.

If none of this was clear to you, that’s ok. There are full-color step-by-steps on their website, and if you’re more of a video person, Sneaky Pete does an excellent video review.

Pushed as far as I could without combusting.

The volume and flavor of the vapor will depend on how much material you’ve included, how hot you heat the crucible, and whether you leave the air holes in the mouthpiece open or closed. I’ve also noticed that I sometimes get wispy bits of smoke from the very edges on the final round of heating, though the inhaled vapor isn’t necessarily burnt.

The Vapman Classic is not a vape you’re going to use when out with friends at a concert, or you’re seeking maximum efficiency in minimal time. Instead, it’s the vape you reach for when you want to unwind after a long day, and you want to savor and appreciate the flavors and experience. It would also be an excellent choice for a camping trip or anywhere else where you don’t want or need to be dependent on an electrical item.

What really impressed me about the Vapman was the volume of accessories the company includes in the Classic Set. They provide you with a small screwdriver in case you need to disassemble any parts for cleaning, a hemp plastic carrying case shaped like an egg, the funnel for easy loading, and three different mouthpieces (metal, plastic, and a longer glass one).

In addition, Vapman helpfully threw in a torch lighter. There’s Vapman branding and it’s unclear who the manufacturer is, but it’s nice.

The Vapman torch lighter has an angled flame, you can quickly see how much fuel is left, and there’s a nice cover to keep the nozzle from getting clogged with dust if you’re the type to shove it in your pocket. Obviously, you can get a torch lighter at any gas station, but adding one in the box is a nice touch. As with all lighters, try to get higher quality butane, as using it will extend the life of your lighter immensely.

The glass mouthpiece is especially helpful if you have difficulty dialing in the heating techniques.

You get a longer path with the glass mouthpiece, so the vapor is slightly cooler, and if you have a particularly good heating session, you can see the mouthpiece filling with vapor as you inhale. It also can feel more comfortable since it puts a bit more distance between your mouth and the hot bottom portion.

Full-size scissors for scale

Once you have the technique down and you’re kicking back with the Vapman Classic, it really does give you a new appreciation for the material you’re vaporizing. You can go through several stages, from explosive flavor to pleasant vapor, to just on the edge of combustion, with the tiniest pinch of material.

We tested a sample of hemp flower in the Vapman Classic as well as in our trusty Pax 3. The flavor from the Pax 3 was good, but the difference when using the Vapman was truly shocking. The first two hits were so sweet it was like enjoying a different strain entirely; you don’t get that sort of flavor from every vape!

The Vapman Classic is a unique device. If you’re only going to own a single vaporizer, there are other options out there, and at €160, the Vapman Classic is not the cheapest vape to buy. But if you’re looking for a secondary device specifically for a slowed-down, simple, and very hands-on experience, it’s an extraordinary piece that should be part of everyone’s collection!

The Vapman Classic Set sells for €160 (approximately $175); it is available directly from the manufacturer.

Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample

What I Like: Compact; Very well made; Produces excellent flavor; Comes with an impressive set of accessories; Functions as both a vaporizer and a work of art; Butane powered torch means no need for batteries

What Needs Improvement: The crucible is small and a little finicky to fill without the funnel; There is a definite learning curve to learning the heat cycles