The MAD Heaters Tempest 2 isn’t your typical vaporizer — it’s a portable ball vape that works with loose balls and an external heater. This concept takes some getting used to. This guide covers setup, heater choice, ball materials, and the key settings you need to know.
- Heater choice: YLL 3.0 (30–100 W) for precise control, jet lighter for portability
- Default balls: Zirconia (included), 80 W = ~35–40 s heat-up time
- Upgrade balls: SiC for speed, ruby for flavor, stainless for maximum clouds
- Injector vs Diffuser: Injector for direct hits, Diffuser for even extraction
First setup: what’s in the box?
The Tempest 2 comes with a stem (glass or wood tube), a head (injector or diffuser), a portion of zirconia balls, and a cap. What’s not included: the heater. You’ll need either a single-flame jet lighter or an induction heater like the YLL 3.0.
Assembly:
- Fill the head with balls (to the marking line, don’t overfill)
- Attach the head to the stem
- Load material into the chamber at the bottom of the stem (finely ground, loose)
- Put the cap on
Which heater for the Tempest 2?
Three options — each has its place:
- 30–100 W stepless
- OLED shows watts + seconds
- Reproducible results
- From 119 €
- Temperature display
- Also does concentrates
- No wattage control
- From 119 €
- Single-flame, not turbo
- Aim flame at balls
- ~20–30 s heat-up time
- From ~5 €
For portability or as backup
Why YLL 3.0? Different ball materials need different power levels. Stainless steel at 60 W takes ~50 seconds, at 100 W only ~30 seconds. With a lighter or Wand, you can’t control this as precisely.
Ball materials: what does what?
The included zirconia balls are a solid all-rounder. But the Tempest 2 supports six different materials — each with its own character:
| Material | Heat-up (80 W) | Character | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zirconia (default) | 35–40 s | Balanced | Beginners, daily use |
| Ruby | 35–40 s | Excellent flavor | Flavor chasers |
| SiC | 31–36 s | Fastest heat-up | Speed lovers |
| Stainless Steel | 38–43 s | Densest clouds | Cloud chasers |
| Borosilicate Glass | 30–35 s | Purest flavor | Purists |
| Quartz Glass | 30–35 s | Light, clear | Boro alternative |
Find all ball materials in the detailed material comparison with density, thermal conductivity, and heat-up times at 60/80/100 W.
Injector vs Diffuser head
The Tempest 2 comes in two head types. Your choice significantly affects the vapor character:
Injector: Hot air flows in a concentrated stream through the material. Result: more intense, direct hits. Better for smaller loads and on-demand style (one strong draw rather than several light ones).
Diffuser: Hot air spreads over a wider area. Result: more even extraction, milder vapor. Better for larger loads and session style (multiple draws in a row).
Recommendation: Start with the Injector (included as standard). If you prefer milder, more even sessions, switch to the Diffuser.
Draw technique and tips
- Draw slowly. The Tempest 2 delivers dense vapor — drawing too fast cools the balls and reduces extraction.
- Grind fine. The finer the material, the more surface area for the hot air. A medium-fine grind works best.
- Don’t overfill. 3/4 of the chamber is enough. Air needs to flow through the material.
- Use a bong. The Tempest 2 fits 14mm and 18mm joints. Water filtration makes the vapor cooler and smoother — especially at high wattage settings.
Cleaning and maintenance
- After every session: Empty the stem, brush the screen
- Weekly: Soak stem + head in isopropanol (99%) for 15–30 minutes, rinse
- Balls: Soak in ISO every 2–4 weeks. Don’t wipe individually — too many.
- O-rings: Occasionally lubricate with Dynawax or Vaseline to keep the head sliding smoothly.
Tempest 2 price history
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an induction heater for the Tempest 2?
No, a single-flame jet lighter works too. But a YLL 3.0 makes results more reproducible and convenient. No butane refilling, no wind dependency, exact wattage control per ball material.
Which balls should I buy first?
Stick with the included zirconia balls until you’ve mastered the basics. As a first upgrade, try ruby balls (better flavor) or SiC (faster heat-up). All options in the material comparison.
Can I use the Tempest 2 with an Ispire Wand?
Yes, but without wattage control. The Wand shows temperatures, not watts. For different ball materials you need different power levels — only possible with the YLL 3.0. Details in the YLL 3.0 vs Wand comparison.
Is the Tempest 2 a good entry into ball vapes?
Yes — it’s the only portable ball vape and much more accessible than desktop systems like FlowerPot or Taroma. The learning curve is still steeper than a typical portable vaporizer though. More in our ball vape science article.
What does a complete Tempest 2 setup cost?
Tempest 2 from 209 € + YLL 3.0 from 119 € = complete setup from ~250 €. Optional extras: upgrade balls (~20–40 €), bong with 14mm joint (~30 €). The Tempest 2 Bundle often includes heater + balls at a discount.
Compare prices: Tempest 2 from 209 € | Tempest 2 Bundle | YLL 3.0 | All Induction Heaters