The Iolite Original is a classic portable vaporizer that is part of most serious vaping enthusiast’s collection.

This high-quality vaporizer was the first portable vaporizer to hit the market in 2008 and enjoyed great popularity from early on. The Iolite Original used to be the coolest thing right until the Arizer Solo came out and took off during 2011 and 2012.

Having said that, its high quality and durability are legendary and they continue to attract fans around the world.

The First Impression of the Iolite Original Portable Vaporizer

The Iolite comes across as a quality device. It is packed very nicely and feels very well made overall. This is not a huge surprise as it is manufactured to very high standards in Ireland, by Oglesby and Butler Ltd.

Once you have the vaporizer in your hand, the first thing you realise is its light weight.

The Iolite Original vaporizer is powered by butane gas, so there is no heavy battery or electric heating element inside the unit. The vaporizer uses butane gas and a gas heating element to heat up your herbs.
Butane is the same gas that is used in cigarette lighters, and it is very easy to source. More on that later.

Design of the Iolite Original Butane Powered Portable Vaporizer

This vaporizer was designed back in 2008, however, it surely doesn’t look outdated or ‘out of style’. It looks very cool, somewhat like a toy walkie talkie.

Oglesby and Butler Ltd has been making butane powered devices for decades and even though the Iolite Original was their first vaporizer, I believe they did an exceptional job designing it.

It is available in the ever popular black plus in 7 different colours, so it is easy to find one that suits your style.

How to Use the Iolite Original Butane Powered Portable Vaporizer

The Iolite works a little differently compared to other portable vapes due to being butane powered, however, I find it surprisingly simple to use. Let me walk you through how easy it is.

Step #1 – Filling the vaporizer up with butane

Fill up your vaporizer’s butane tank with gas, so you can start it up. This is a very simple process. Start with making sure that the little switch on the side is sitting on the ‘0’ position.

Hold your vaporizer upright and still while you push the refill cylinder down onto the filling valve.

Step #2 Filling up your chamber

The Iolite has its chamber upside down right at the top, at the base of the mouthpiece. You can simply remove the chamber by sliding it out upwards.

Once you take the chamber off the vaporizer, you can just hold it upside down and fill it up with your finely ground herbs.

Pack your dry herbs loosely to ensure you allow for airflow through your herbs.
You’ll see the spiky thing sticking out of the unit. This is part of the heating element and it slides in the middle of your chamber and helps to heat your herbs more thoroughly.

Once you packed your chamber, keep it upside down and slide your vaporizer back on the chamber before you turn it back.

Step #3 Turning the Iolite Original On

By now, you have your tank filled with butane and your chamber loaded with herbs and you are ready to turn it on.
The first thing to do here, is switching the unit from position 0 to position 1. This will turn on your gas flow, so as soon as you have done this, push the piezo button on the side. This will activate the catalytic heater.

If the heater has been started successfully, you’ll see an orange glow on the side, just under your chamber.

If there is no orange glow, you’ll have to press the piezo button one more time and check again. It usually starts up for the first or second go.

Don’t be too worried about the butane gas or the thought of the gas burning inside the device. The Iolite catalytic heater converts butane into power without actually using a flame.

You’ll hear a hissing sound when the heating element is engaged and working. It sounds a bit like if you were spraying air freshener, but a little quieter. I personally don’t find it distracting, but I have heard from others in our VapeFuse community that they do.   

Step #4 Vaporizing with the Iolite Original

Once the set temperature of 190 Celsius (374 Fahrenheit) is reached, the orange glow on the side of the unit will disappear.

It heats up super fast, in about 30 or 40 seconds. Let your herbs heat up properly, so wait a little longer (another 30 to 60 seconds) before you start to draw vapor.

I find the draw resistance spot on and a good experience to vaporize with the Iolite.
The vapor tends to get hot, however, this is the case with most portable vaporizers.

Once your herbs are vaporized, you can switch off your unit by turning the switch on the side to 0. It will turn off the gas and your unit will start to cool down from here.

Be very careful when handling the hot chamber as the metal parts are super hot. They are easy to accidentally touch as the metal is very exposed.

One tank of butane lasts for about 60 to 90 minutes of vaporizing. That’s about 4 to 6 vaping sessions. One 300ml butane gas refill lasts for about 12 to 15 refills, so it costs very little to operate.

Not having electricals in your vaporizer means that the unit lasts a lot longer as well. The battery is usually the first thing to die in a vaporizer. If your fancy vaporizer has an inbuilt battery like the Storz & Bickel Crafty or the PAX, you can throw your device away. Not as bad if you have one with a replaceable battery, however buying new batteries cost just as much or more than buying gas for this one.

Vapor Quality of the Iolite Original Portable Vaporizer

The Iolite produces great quality vapor. The design of the heating element and chamber does a very good job heating the herbs up evenly.

The one temperature setting seems to be figured out perfectly as the quality of the vapor is right up with top electric powered portables. I have seen some people complaining online that they can’t get good vapor from the Iolite. I guess to some degree it is a personal preference kind of thing, however, the Iolite has been working for me with no issues.

Some members of our VapeFuse community worry about the butane affecting the vapor in any ways.
This has never happened to me however, I have heard about users tasting butane in their vapor.

I have smelled a little butane before but never felt it on the vapor. I never draw while the unit is initially heating up (there is no point to do so) and try to draw while the heating element is not engaged, to minimise the possibility of any butane exhaust getting into the vapor through the air intake.   

What’s in the Box

1 x Moisture Condenser
1 x Wide Cleaning Utensil
1 x Seven Dot Chamber Screen
1 x Tool for Maintenance
1 x Heater Mesh Screen
2 x Pipe Cleaners
1 x Extendable Mouthpiece
1 x Instruction Manual
1 x Carrying Case

Cleaning and Maintenance of the Iolite

Just like with any vaporizers, I empty the chamber as soon as possible after every vaporizing sessions. Pay extra attention to the hot exposed metal parts as it is easy to burn yourself.

It is really only the mouthpiece and chamber part that slides off the unit that needs regular cleaning. When resin builds up on the screen, remove it and soak it in rubbing alcohol for a while. Make sure you rinse the alcohol off before putting the screen back and use the vaporizer again.

Use the provided pipe cleaners to wipe the mouthpiece clean every now and then.

Apart from that you just have to make sure you use high-quality butane gas to ensure your heater does not clog up.

If you find that your unit is taking too much time to heat up, or you have to push the piezo button many times for the vape to start up, then most often it is due to low-quality butane being used.

The manufacturer recommends using Vector gas and Newport gas brands.

Who is the Iolite Portable Vaporizer for?

This vaporizer is perfect for anyone that spends a lot of time outdoors for any reason. Can it be work or pleasure, if you are outside, away from power, this vaporizer got you covered.  

When you are away for days, for a long hiking trip for example, you might be limited on power or USB ports to charge a battery-powered vaporizer.

The main feature of this vaporizer is that it is not reliant on power at all. It is a bit like the ‘gas or electric stove’ question. All you need is a bottle of butane gas, your vaporizer and your herbs and you are all set.

I personally don’t use the Iolite for my daily vaping, but it is my first choice for camping, hiking and fishing trips. Instead of loading up with chargers, power banks and spare batteries, I just take my old reliable Iolite.

Conclusion

The Iolite Original is a great vaporizer. The newer WISPR 2, another butane powered portable vaporizer from Oglesby and Butler Ltd, is an updated version of the Iolite. It allows you to check gas levels while the Iolite does not. Despite the improvements in the WISPR 2, I like the Iolite and keep using it when the occasion arises.

I also continue to recommend this vaporizer to anyone that is looking for a quality vaporizer that produces great vapor, simple to use and does not rely on power.  

The Iolite and the WISPR 2 butane powered portable vaporizers are the most portable vaporizers you can get.

Are You still not sure which vape to get? Check Out Our Vaping Guide and let us help you to find the right vape for your needs.