Ian Steppler's InstantVap Insights: Feedback, Tips, and Tricks!

Join me, Rob Pollock, in an insightful interview with the experienced Ian Steppler. We're diving deep into the world of OAV, focusing on Ian's effective use of the InstantVap Oxalic Acid Vaporizer. Get ready for valuable feedback, practical tips, and essential tricks that will enhance your beekeeping skills. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, this conversation is a must-watch! Click play now to gain valuable insights into hive health. #Beekeeping #OxalicAcidVaporizer #IanSteppler #InstantVap

[@michaelremsen2002]

I don't think Ian flipped the unit over before installing the cleaning cap w/water. I love the unit that I bought and it works fabulously!

[@LorobBees]

I’m not sure how he does it without flipping it honestly, the boiling water would blow back at you

[@MikeBarberHBU]

Nailed it Ian and Rob. We have two units and over a thousand colonies, this being the first time (early winter) we have used this system. Our mite count had exploded and we are down to zero. Thank you!

[@LorobBees]

Thanks! We had a great time talking

[@michaelremsen2002]

If you remove the battery just before using the cup w/ water cleaning it makes the flip over less cumbersome

[@LorobBees]

That’s a great tip!!

[@timmorris7022]

Great video and product.Hey Rob ,sure hope you bring extra accessories to the Expo in Ky.Thanks for posting!

[@bomchickawahwaaaaah]

Thanks for sharing this Rob. Happy holidays! I'm looking forward to the upcoming beekeeping season here in NYC.

[@louiseibbotson588]

Fantastic piece of kit 🇬🇧

[@andrewk1191]

Great machine. Does very well broodless in late November (western mass). Also great to use during honeyflow in late june, after isolating the queen for 21 days in a queen excluder cage. Excellent technique for side liners under 100 colonies to keep mites under control in July.

[@bryanbetournay5557]

I’m sold. I’ll be buying mine soon! ❤Got it in the mail today. Sorry Rob. It just didn’t work to get it from you as I’m in Canada too. Dancing Bee had a deal that was just to hard to turn down.

[@BucksBeesS.C.]

Smart video from both of you. Still small and use my johno vape for almost 2 years . Only have 20 to 40 hives at a time

[@LorobBees]

Well thank you, Johno makes a nice machine.

[@scottreese5492]

I found unit works better and more efficiently if only doing 2g at a time, (if 4g needed, do 2g twice), reason being 4g at one time draws temp down below specs before OA is used up. Unit works great, here in taft,tn. Thanks Rob

[@thomasbridgeman5815]

Thanks for the information i love this interview I'm on the same leaving curve

[@LorobBees]

I really enjoyed this conversation with Ian.

[@nathanpotter8569]

I'm glad I watched this when I couldn't sleep... I guess if you have any of the isolators left and the washing cups, I might as well pick them up tomorrow... err in a few hours.

[@Meadsapiary]

How do you get around the charging times on batteries. 1 charger and a 5ah battery takes 1 hour.

[@LorobBees]

Larger batteries yield more hives per amp hour, as well as the “rapid chargers” can get that done much faster

[@robertburgin1688]

@LorobBees Im uk base and used api bioxl on first use, it stopped vaping after around 5-6 colonies, after speaking to uk instant vap was told its the product and to run straight OA 40 colonies in and it works better but not like i see in videos? Will it eventually clear itself or is it possible to strip and clean the element or something? Thanks Rob

[@paulhansen4042]

I'm starting out 8year lost 5 this past winter is there any way to get a discount

[@beebob1279]

I just emailed you today after my new InstantVap failed its first time in use. I'll give you all the information here so that either you or others can help me with the issue. I have DeWalt battery powered InstantVap. My batteries showed 17.5 volts which according to your information should have been fine. The unit started heating up and then just stopped going up and went down. The volts still showed 17.5. I switched out the battery thinking there might be an issue. The second battery did the same exact thing. Your directions aren't very detailed and so I followed them as to what they said. (sorry but a sheet of paper didn't have much). I bought the unit in July of 23' and was excited to use it. Today was perfect as the temperatures are supposed to drop overnight. And so I'm now stuck. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what is going on? Thank you for any suggestions.

[@LorobBees]

Hey bob, haven’t gotten to todays email yet. A 17v battery only had roughly 10% of life left. The battery must be larger then 5ah for best results. A fully charged battery larger then 5ah will resolve your issues.

[@beebob1279]

@@LorobBees Thanks. I've watched videos reviewing the product. My batteries are for regular DeWalt power tools. They are rated at 20 volt. Do I need to buy a different DeWalt battery for this thing?

[@LorobBees]

@@beebob1279 the 20v rating is standard. The amp hour rating is the run time. The side of the battery should day 5ah or larger. If not read the bottom. If the number isn’t on the side generally they are 1.5-2 ah and the unit requires 2ah just to heat up. Once heated it becomes very energy efficient.

[@beebob1279]

@@LorobBees So a 2.0 ah will work or is a 5 Ah what I need?

[@LorobBees]

@@beebob1279 5ah minimum. The XR 5ah dewalt is fine if you have a dewalt unit. The 2.0 will have the same issue you currently have.

[@ronlogreco876]

Does anyone know where to buy a Dewalt 20 volt charger that is powered by auto/truck 12 volt DC power rather than 120V AC. I ordered a DeWalt 12/20 volt charger thinking it ran on 12V DC to charge my 20 volt batteries but 12/20 volt means will charge the older 12 volt Dewalt batteries as well as 20V. The charger is powered by 120V AC. A 12V DC charger would be useful to charge my batteries in the field from my vehicle when moving from yard to yard. See you in Louisville.

[@philbeeman]

Yes. I’d like to figure that out too! The obvious but inelegant solution is a 12v to 120v inverter and then a normal charger. I’d like to have a 12v to 18v charger hardwired into the truck to have a charged battery in the truck full time.

[@duanevonbargen7516]

Good vid with Ian Rob. Thanks for the info.i still have your other pulling cords. Will the water treatme t work for cleanings?

[@LorobBees]

Yes, little water in the cap, just have to hold it on when you flip. Be very mindful not to get water on the heater. (It surrounds the bowl)

[@LaraLovesBees]

Although I've treated my Instavap like a baby, the temp tends to climb up to 465, no matter how many time I reset it lower. And after treatments last night, now it displays "Loc 99.99". Do you know what is happening here and is there a fix? Many thanks!

[@LorobBees]

So the LOC means lock and is shown when the far left button is hold and the numbers represent the pincode. It sounds like a controller that’s on the fritz. Please contact us via our webpage to get your unit in for service

[@LaraLovesBees]

@@LorobBees Yes, I had sent through the website before I found this video.

[@sonofthunder.]

i added a strap to support the handle,...i use damp towel to block entrance if needed,i blast clean w half cap of water after cooling some,sadly mine came before the battery cut off, so i must keep above 15v,i use a nail to clean the tip on occasion,im using dewalt 5 ah,but looking at bigger amp hour,i suppose i could use high temp silicone around the plunger tube to keep any water outa the fiberglass, insulation,,made a apimay nozzle cover outa ptfe 3/4 rod,i drilled, and cut to length,got the ammo can to store it,my plunger does bind some,so ill probably add a drop of mineral, oil ,etc,my dewalt 5ah does about 10 or more colonies at 4g,before i need to swap,bigger colonies may get a double dose,and 5 day regiment if brood is there,...have a great time at the hb conference rob,new compact unit looks badass,ive still got my johno as backup,with underhood inverter or generator,.....battery is way nicer

[@noahG82]

Buying batteries from Grainger!! No wonder he paid so much 😂

[@LorobBees]

Haha! It’s also in Canadian dollars so it’s ratio is higher

[@noahG82]

@LorobBees I mean, I get it, but Grainger is very expensive in the US when compared to other places, lol. I assume it's the same in Canada 🇨🇦

[@BohemiaBees]

Great video Rob! Ian has definitely some variety of experiences in the bee yard to share a valuable perspective and run the instantVap through the guantlet. Looking forward to more from this series

[@LorobBees]

I think it will be a great thing for the community.

[@keithfaithful3989]

Ian can you send me your credit card for mine 😂

[@LorobBees]

😂😂😂😂

[@CastleHives]

Even at a hobbyists level, the InstantVap was a game changer for me. Great interview with Ian, Rob.

[@LorobBees]

Oh just wait, many more interviews to be had. I would like to reach all levels with varying inputs so people can learn from each other. I personally can estimate the hobbies side pretty well. The commercial stuff is very hard for me because I don’t run a commercial operation.

[@aspenhillhoneyfarm735]

Great info. I got 52 4 gram treatments with a Milwaukee 12ah heating unit up with older battery between yards.

[@CastleHives]

Ian saying he bought 50mah of batteries, that is 12.3 million Canadian right? LOL

[@LorobBees]

He did a breakdown, the crazy part is, it was still cheaper than one of the big propane units

[@CastleHives]

Cleaning, I do mine after every round. Figure I treat 15 colonies and then clean it. Wip off the top and front as well. I do have the cover as well and a case. for it. Gotta treat it like a baby. .