The Inspirator mkII

Note:

This page tracks the development of The Inspirator mkII. The content is to remain accurate as such.

in·spi·ra·tor (ĭn'spə-rā'tər) n. A device, such as a respirator or inhaler, by which a gas, vapor, or air is drawn in. One who inspires or motivates others. [From Late Latin, from inspirare 'to inspire' (from in- + spirare 'to breathe') + -tor; cognate with, and possibly derived via, English or German]

The Inspirator mkII is considered by its designer to be the criterion of efficiency for vaporizing spice, and to be a cheap and effective method of achieving sufficiently cool, full, measured doses. The device is inspired in part by The Machine but operates by convection heating--diffusing the heat through a ceramic heat-sink, in turn heating the airflow--rather than heating by conduction. This design was the final evolution of The Mini-Machine Bubbler Stem and the original version of The Inspirator.

This particular model of the Inspirator utilizes a removable heating element to enable spice to be loaded into the top-side of the bowl, preventing the occurrence of run-off or drip. The position of the element in relation to the plug also helps prevent overheating or burning by convection, while the element itself serves to protect from exposure to the flame.

Materials Required

Equipment: Glass Dropper Stem (either from a pharmacy OTC or an online vendor) Glass Dropper Bottle (for cleaning and preserving the piece) Ceramic Fiber (optional but preferable, in any form) 1 Round Metal Screen or Faucet Aerator (as long as the metal doesn't burn or melt with the use of a butane torch) Chopsticks (preferably the cheap, skewer-type) Rubber Gasket and/or Rolled Up Latex Tubing Tubing of Same Diameter as Dropper Stem (a broken dropper, as pictured, though a sturdier material is preferable)

Procedure for Construction

The Core of the Heating Element

The Shell of the Heating Element

Constructing the heating element For the core: Place ceramic fiber onto a screen. Fold the screen to clasp the fiber. Begin to roll the screen by folding an end. Roll the screen tightly. For the shell: Firmly hold the tip of a chopstick in the middle of the screen. Bend the sides up around the tip. Bend the ends ups while holding the sides in place to cradle the tip of the chopstick. Place the core in the shell to create the element. Note that it may be necessary to place a small amount of ceramic fiber in the bottom of the shell, under the core, to achive a large enough element that it won't slip into the bowl when in use. Use discretion; it can always be re-worked.

Condensing the element in a broken dropper stem.

The finished heating element

Final Touches:

To form the Element into a single unit that will fit snugly into the the bowl, use a tube of the same diameter as the dropper stem to be used and two chopsticks to press it into shape. A broken dropper stem is pictured, but something sturdier and less hazardous would be ideal--like a pen tube or pipe. The element could also be rolled around between fingertips to help reduce the springiness it may have when attempting to insert into the end of the bowl or dropper stem. It should fit snugly without slipping in or springing out.

When in place, the element will permit air passage through and around itself, into the bowl, and since the element itself will absorb the heat application of the torch, it will in turn heat the air flow while protecting the contents of the bowl from the flame.

Appendices

Special Thanks

• To Warrensaged for pioneering the use of a machine-style bowl with a bubbler.
• To q21q21 and Bumber for inspiring the development of the progenitor of this method.

• To OpeningPandorasBox for "The Key," which helped to inspire the development of this device.