Arizer XQ2

Because the XQ2 heats by convection, residue collects along the vapor path rather than in the heater: on the glass screen inside the Connoisseur Bowl, on the dome screens in the whips, and inside the balloon. Every part in that path comes off, so maintenance is mostly soaking glass and knowing which pieces must stay out of alcohol.

1. Unplug and let everything cool. Wait until the base and glass are at room temperature. Never put hot glass under cold water, as the thermal shock cracks it, and glass is excluded from the 3 year warranty that covers the rest of the unit.

2. Clear the bowl. Lift the Glass Connoisseur Bowl off using the silicone Tuff BowlGrips, tip out the spent material and work the stainless steel stirring tool around the glass screen to loosen anything baked onto it. Doing this after each session keeps the deep cleans short.

3. Soak the glass and screens. Both Connoisseur Bowls, the glass mini whip, the frosted glass balloon mouthpiece, the dome screens and the flat metal screen are all safe to soak. Arizer suggests roughly 30 minutes in 99 percent isopropyl, then a thorough rinse under hot water. Cotton swabs and pipe cleaners reach the narrow bores. Let everything dry fully before reassembly.

4. Keep the whip out of alcohol. The silicone tubing absorbs the smell and taste of isopropyl, so use hot water and a little dish soap instead. If a length of tubing is stuck on a glass fitting, a few minutes in hot water softens it enough to pull free. Replace the whip once it stays discoloured or tastes stale.

5. Watch the dome screen and bags. The dome screen clogs before anything else. If a balloon needs more than two or three minutes to fill, clean or swap that screen and fit a fresh bag. Bags are consumable and should be retired once they turn crinkly or feel tacky inside.

6. Wipe the base and remote. A soft cloth dampened with warm water, never wet and never abrasive, is all the housing needs. If loose material has fallen into the unit, unplug it, invert it and shake gently until the debris drops out.

7. Change the air intake filter. The reusable cartridge sits under the base behind a tabbed cover and holds a black activated carbon layer plus a white PET fibre layer, which goes in white side out. Arizer recommends new filters every four to six months. Running without the cartridge alters fan noise and balloon fill time only.

Keep liquids out of the glass aromatherapy dish entirely; it takes dry botanicals only, and liquid damage inside the unit is neither repairable nor covered.

With its pure convection heating, the XQ2 delivers exceptional flavor and is featured in our best vaporizers for groups list thanks to its balloon and whip versatility. The easy-to-clean design with all-glass components makes maintenance simple, while the remote control adds convenience.

The XQ2 excels for session vaping and heavy use with unlimited power from the wall. Learn about optimal temperatures to make the most of its precise digital controls. For newcomers to desktop vaping, check out our beginner's guide.