The Evolution of a Heating Element
A fairly common question we receive at VaporWarehouse is which heating element is in my wood box style Vaporbrothers vaporizer and should I upgrade to the latest version?
In this post we will examine the different style elements that Vaporbrothers have used throughout the years and let you know if they are available for an upgrade, repair, and/or trade-in.
From the beginning, one of Vaporbrothers main goals was to introduce a better way to medicate than using combustion. With all vaporizers, the heating element plays a major role in providing this safer alternative to combustion. Because of this Vaporbrothers spent years perfecting the perfect heating element for their vaporizers.
There are 3 styles of heating elements that Vaporbrothers have used over the years: "Solder Iron", GNES, and currently Natural Mineral (aka ceramic).
To determine which element you have is as simple as looking through the glass cover or condom as they were originally called and comparing to the photos below.
Original Style Element 1999-2003
When Vaporbrothers introduced the box style vaporizer to the world in 1999, the original heating element was a modified solder iron encased in a glass condom. The glass condom was removable, allowing easy access to the element for cleaning or repairs.
If your heater has a removable glass cover and the element inside looks somewhat like a solder iron, you have one of the original heaters. While all of the box style Vaporbrothers have "Original" on them, this is truly the original heater that was only available in Standard style vaporizers in the first 47,000 something units produced.
Unfortunately due to the configuration of the original box, these units are not eligible for a repair or upgrade but they do qualify for a discounted trade-in available directly through Vaporbrothers.
GNES Element 2003 - 2007
In early 2003, prior to the introduction of the Hands Free version of their popular vaporizer in 2005, Vaporbrothers introduced the GNES heat element. The removable glass condom and solder iron were replaced with a non-removable glass cover and a metal coil.
The GNES element provided for a safer and more reliable heater than the original solder-iron style element.
If your heater has a metal coil that is wrapped around the inside of the glass cover, you have the second generation GNES heat element that was available in both Hands Free and Standard styles.
For a small fee, the GNES element can be upgraded to the Natural Mineral Element.
Natural Mineral Element aka Ceramic 2007 - Present
In 2007, Vaporbrothers once again updated their heater with a much improved and even safer ceramic element known as the Pure Natural Mineral Element. Unlike other brands at the time that were simply encasing a metal rod in ceramic, Vaporbrothers created a pure ceramic element free from metal rods and toxins.
Finally, if your heater has a flat white stem running through the middle of the glass cover and ends at a white filter (please note this screen is ceramic not plastic like many people think), you have the Vaporbrothers Pure Natural Mineral heater better known as the ceramic element.
The Natural Mineral Element is the most up to date Vaporbrothers element, so no need to upgrade.