I got one of these about 6 months ago, used it for like 2 weeks and then put it in my desk because I couldn't get it to work right. I just started using it again about 5 days ago and now I have figured out how to use it correctly. It just takes practice and learning what your mouth and tongue should feel like from the heat. You can inhale fast or slow. I think it works best when you hold the flame just barely inside the lip of the bowl and inhale at a steady strong speed. Keep going until your tongue feels dry and warm. Move the flame away. Then about every1.5 seconds hold the flame over the hole for a split second to maintain the temp. Don't have the flame to the bowl too much or the plant matter will burn. It just takes practice. And if you taste burnt popcorn you are giving it a little too much heat. After 2 or 3 hits i open it and crush the material. Also shake it up after every hit. You can just shake it really fast with the ball screwed on. Now that I know how to use it right its awesome. Just keep practicing and you'll get it.