Dry herb vapes have become more popular as people seek healthier alternatives to smoking weed. Pax has been a leader in vaporizer tech since the debut of the company’s flagship device in 2012. Now, over a decade (and several iterations later), the brand’s new Pax Flow is changing the game all over again.
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I got my hands on a Flow, and my initial reaction was “wow, this thing’s a beaut.” After reading about the device and its many improvements, I was super stoked to give it a try. If you’re curious about this all-new Pax, read on for my full review.
Pax Flow: What’s New
The Pax Flow is a handheld device that allows users to essentially bake their bud instead of combusting, inhaling a tasty vapor that’s cleaner than smoke. A new hybrid heating system uses both conduction and convection technologies to evenly and efficiently bring the weed to temp.
This is an improvement over previous iterations, as other Pax vapes used only conduction. According to a press release, the dual heating offers “a rich, smooth, and more flavorful vapor that more efficiently extracts cannabinoids and terpenes.”
The Flow has five pre-set temperatures, or what they call Intuitive Heat Modes:
- Petal 1 (Purple) 180°C
- Petal 2 (Green) 190°C
- Petal 3 (Yellow) 205°C
- Petal 4 (Orange) 215°C
- Bong Mode (Multi-Color) 225°C
Patented, real-time temperature control fine-tunes each session. For a more robust flavor, select the cooler temp. If you want big rips, head for the hottest setting, aka Bong Mode. You can also use Bong Mode with a water pipe adaptor (sold separately).
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Another new feature is an innovative high-rate airflow design, which is meant to create bigger clouds and mimic the smoking experience. A wider airpath delivers up to six times the airflow of previous models, according to the release. For people who yearn for massive hits, this could be a big selling point.
The most noticeable update on the Pax Flow is the new side-mounted oven. Instead of loading flower into the bottom of the device, you can pop open a pipe-shaped door and gently pack your bud. It’s an intuitive design that makes both packing and cleaning a breeze.
How to use
Before using your Flow, charge it up to full power. A USB-C port at the bottom should get you a half charge in 20 minutes and a full charge in as little as 40 minutes.
Meanwhile, you’ll want to prepare your weed. The company recommends grinding your bud to a semi-coarse consistency. Loosely pack it into the oven and replace the door. The oven capacity is anywhere from 0.25g to 0.5g of flower, but don’t feel the need to stuff it full.
To power on, press the mouthpiece down for two seconds. Shake the device to check your battery power; the more petals that light up, the more battery life you have.
Once on, the Flow will start warming automatically. Pink LEDs indicate the unit is heating. Quickly press the power button to toggle through each heat mode. To start the sesh, wait three seconds or shake the device. To activate Bong Mode, cycle through all modes twice until the LEDs turn multi-colored.
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Inhale gently to begin vapor production. Rumor has it that the device has sensors that can tell when you’re stopped hitting it. At that point, the heating element should wind down.
Once you’re done, power the unit off. Wait at least 15 minutes for it to cool before emptying out the spent flower. You can save the used bud if you want, as it still has some active ingredients in it; try making canna-butter or other infusions to make your dollar go even further!
Be sure to clean the Flow regularly. Dip a swab in isopropyl alcohol and gently wipe down the oven area. Remove the screen and soak it in iso for at least 15 minutes. Allow every piece to dry completely before reassembling and using again.
Pax Flow Review
As I mentioned earlier, I was very excited to try out the new Pax Flow device. After all, Pax has been a pioneer in the space for years.
Out of the box, it definitely had more heft than previous iterations. It wasn’t aggressively heavy, and I chalked up the bulk to the new dual heating system.
I started with the lower temp setting, which offers minimal vapor production but a bit more flavor. I have to say, though, that the flavor at this setting wasn’t what I was after. It was a bit more burnt popcorn than I prefer, which is typical for dry herb vapes.
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However, as the heat turned up, so did the weed flavor I was after. In Bong Mode, which is the highest temperature setting, the clouds were robust, and the taste was too. I was actually surprised that the hotter temperature led to a more pleasant flavor, as it’s usually the opposite.
My session lasted for a considerable amount of time, all but confirming the sensor theory. Once I powered down, it was only a few minutes before the device was cool enough for me to remove the spent flower.
What I was curious about was concentrates. Other Pax devices offer a concentrate adaptor, but I couldn’t find one that went with the Flow. Perhaps the company is still working on this. For $350, I would definitely want my vape to have dual use.
Overall, the Pax Flow is a sleek dry herb vaporizer that packs a punch in a tiny package. I was impressed with the vapor production and flavor, even if it wasn’t what I expected. If you’re in the market for a high-end vape that will go the distance, the Flow is definitely for you.
