This a quick review of the VaporGenie, a pipe-styled “vaporizer” that we struggle to call a vaporizer even though, technically, it falls under the definition. With no internal heating element, it relies on an external heat source to create vapor. The external heat source, such as a common lighter, is directed toward a ceramic core which causes both conduction and convection in an isolated chamber below. Due to its design, the heat produced by the external source is lowered to an efficient vaporizing temperature capable of vaporizing your dry blend contained in the heating chamber below. But is it really vapor?

While we won’t comment on whether or not we believe 100% of its production is pure vapor, we will say that it is not a portable vaporizer that we recommend. There are simply too many conventional vapes on the market that are, in our opinion, now far superior to this once popular device. But as this is a review of the VaporGenie, we’ll describe in more depth how it works and what we think of its output.

At first glance, it may appear to be a normal pipe, however, once you unscrew the top part of what appears to be a bowl you’ll realize that there’s something peculiar about this otherwise ordinary piece. You basically load a secondary chamber that sits below what appears to be the bowl, placing your dried blend on a fine mesh screen, but then you screw the bowl-looking top back on and apply heat to this part instead of directly to your blend. A ceramic layer in the top piece acts as a kind of filter that reduces the temperature of the externally applied heat before it reaches the blend. The oven heats up from the external heat source (and some hot air may also come through the ceramic “filter”) to produce vapor. From what we’ve gathered, it supposedly reduces the heat of an ordinary lighter to about 300 degrees Fahrenheit, give or take about 75 degrees. So you may be vaping at a temperature as high as 375 degrees Fahrenheit or as low as 225 degrees Fahrenheit.

With this device we would recommend using an electronic lighter as those relying on flint are known to produce toxins which we assume you’re better off not inhaling.  As far as that goes, we also presume that no butane lighter’s fuel is fully and completely burned before any remaining fumes go through the device and into your lungs.

As far as size goes, the Genie is rather small and therefore highly portable. You can easily fit it in your pocket so no worries there.

Seeing as there’s no internal heat source, there’s also no internal battery so you don’t have to concern yourself with charging – just make sure your external heat source is readily available.

As far as build quality and durability goes, the construction is fairly solid. It definitely doesn’t feel like it’s going to break any time soon. This little pipe-like vape is pretty darn durable. We don’t suggest dropping it, but if you do, there’s a good chance it’ll be just fine.

For those unfamiliar with the operational characteristics of any normal vaporizer, the VaporGenie may hold some special appeal as it lacks temperature controls and other features which may complicate the process for some users.

With the VG, there are quite a few options as far as colors are concerned so if you’re one to care about such things, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding a suitable look. And if the colored variants don’t match your style you can go with one of the plain versions that reveal the natural wood grain.

All things considered, this portable vaporizer is reasonably priced, quite solid in its construction, and easy to use. And given that the vapor produced is superior to pure combustion, although probably not super pure, it’s really not a bad buy if this sounds like something you’re interested in owning. Having said that, there are plenty of other portables that we recommend checking out instead. So if you’re interested in checking out some nice alternatives, we strongly suggest checking out our other portable vaporizer reviews. If you’re intent on buying it, we suggest buying it from this store.