MAD Heaters TEMPEST 2: How to Use — Getting Started
Pros
- Craft-built flame convection reaches up to 290 °C
- Adjustable bowl and airflow screws tailor sessions
- Works dry or through WPA without electronics
- Breaks down quickly for cleaning
Cons
- Requires a steady jet lighter and 35 seconds of heating
- No dosing capsule system for quick swaps
- Small-batch availability can mean longer lead times
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How to Use - Getting Started for the TEMPEST 2. You can find the complete overview on the main page.
How to Use - Getting Started
Short answer: Before first use, thoroughly clean the parts with a cotton bud according to the manufacturer's instructions. Then loosely fill the bowl with ground material, keep the threads and air path clear and only screw the cap on gently. Heat it using either a suitable jet lighter or a compatible induction heater. The click and visual indicator provide guidance; the indicators themselves must never be heated directly.
The safe start-up procedure
| Phase | Manufacturer's instructions | Important mistake to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Initial cleaning | Before first use, clean all designated parts with a cotton bud as described in the cleaning section. | Do not begin while any cleaning product residue remains. |
| Loading | Unscrew the cap, fill the bowl by dipping it into the material or using the straw method and press down only lightly. | Do not contaminate the threads or pack the load so tightly that it blocks the airflow. |
| Closing the cap | Carefully screw the cap on as far as it will go. | Avoid touching the steel parts with your fingers wherever possible; skin oils can become baked on during heating. |
| Heating | When using a torch, rotate slowly and watch for the click and visual indicator; when using an induction heater, begin with the appropriate manufacturer's baseline setting. | Never apply the flame directly to the indicator or use settings for other ball materials without checking them first. |
| Drawing | According to the instructions, long, slow draws are most effective; the air hole can be covered for most of the draw. | When reheating, do not heat to the same marker as on the first cycle. |
| Emptying | Hold the hot cap safely using the Case, Reload magnet or lid tool, twist it off and remove the material. | The cap remains hot for several minutes; do not touch it or place it on an unprotected surface. |
How to heat it with a jet lighter
Hold the tip of the flame approximately one centimetre away from the cap and rotate the device slowly to distribute the heat. MAD Heaters recommends a dual- or triple-flame model or a medium-sized single flame. The click typically occurs at a lower temperature; also watch the visual indicator. The point at which the cap is heated affects the indicator's behaviour and the balance between convection and conduction. When starting out, therefore, choose a reproducible position, do not switch positions hastily and, when reheating, stop approximately one marker earlier.
How to get started with the Wand or YLL 3.0
MAD Heaters lists the iSpire Wand and YLL 3.0 as compatible induction heaters. On the Wand, the displayed temperature serves as a timing control and is not a measurement of the cap's actual temperature. For the standard zirconia balls, the instructions give 290 °C as a typical starting point in the setup section; the detailed table specifies 280 °C for the V3 adapter. This discrepancy is a good reason to check the adapter version and the specific setup method, start low and make adjustments only in small increments. For the YLL 3.0 with zirconia, for example, the table specifies 80 W for 35 to 40 seconds. Other ball materials require different settings.
Adjusting bowl size and airflow
The supplied insert provides three bowl positions: approximately 0.1 g, 0.15 g or 0.2 g. To select a smaller position, first push the screen downwards and then, working from the neck side, carefully move it to the intended height. The airflow can be adjusted both at the cap and on the stem. Until the basic technique can be reproduced reliably, only one variable should be changed at a time. This makes it possible to determine whether the fill level, airflow, heating position or draw speed has changed the result.
Manufacturer sources: MAD Heaters: TEMPEST-2 manual · official TEMPEST-2 product page. Settings and package details checked on 27 August 2026. The differing Wand starting values are stated as shown in the two sections of the manufacturer's manual and are not interpreted as the actual cap temperature.
More TEMPEST 2 topics
TEMPEST 2 Guides & Niches
A ball vape uses heated balls (usually zirconium oxide or ruby) as a heat reservoir. The hot air flows through the balls to the herb; pure convection with high heat capacity.
A single jet flame is recommended. Double or triple flames can overheat the titanium. Alternatively: induction heater (Ispire Wand, YLL 3.0).
No, the TEMPEST 2 is an independent vaporizer with its own chamber. It does not use DynaVap tips, but it is IH-compatible.
Depending on the screen position: approx. 0.1 g (small), 0.15 g (medium) or 0.2 g (full). Micro-dosing is easily possible.
With jet flame approx. 15–20 seconds, with induction heater similar. You can recognise the right moment by the rising heat and the slight vapour at the mouthpiece.
Yes, it fits directly into 10 mm, 14 mm and 18 mm water filter connections.
Grade-5-Titan (body), zirconium oxide balls (heat matrix), stainless steel (Induction Sleeve). Heat Shield in aluminium or wood.
Both are first-class ball vapes. The TEMPEST 2 offers an adjustable chamber and factory-ready IH compatibility. The Tornado has a spin-airflow design. In terms of flavour, they are on a par.
Soak in isopropyl alcohol (15–30 min), rinse, allow to dry. The balls are practically indestructible.
Yes, screens, balls, Heat Shields and stems are available individually; directly from MAD Heaters or from retailers such as VGoodiEZ.
MAD Heaters grants a 2-year manufacturer warranty on the TEMPEST 2. Wear parts such as ball sets, screens and Heat Shields are excluded from this and can be reordered individually.
The TEMPEST 2 is designed exclusively for dried plant material (Dry Herb). Concentrates, waxes or liquids are not recommended, as the convection heating is not optimised for them and the material would stick in the balls.
The balls are considered practically indestructible as long as they do not fall from 1+ metre onto a hard floor. Regular cleaning in isopropanol preserves their heat storage capacity. After several years of intensive use, microcracks may form — in this case, replacement sets are available from around 25 Euro.
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