Metal Screens...

[Red_Pyramid]

For the last 2 weeks I have opted to use a fited steel screen, for sake of convenience and I've noticed quite strange fluctuations in smoke and flavor. Most of the time the flavor is just lacking, compared to using foil. The smoke is sometimes good, sometimes not. Even though it does seem to get everything smoking a bit faster, it chars a lot quicker. Has anyone else, with metal screens, have any problems?

[Stuie]

Screens will definitely heat faster and could char the tobacco quicker. I have been using foil for a while now. But I occasionally get lazy and just grab a screen on my Hemi or regular Egyptian and use it. It takes more effort ashing the coal and moving them than foil, but it can be done properly. Most People Prefer Foil over everything else.

[mushrat]

i agree. the heat requirements change with a screen. also if the holes are real big you end up with a bunch of ash being suched down ontop of your tobacco and forming an insulating layer.

[white_rabbit]

i also agree that the heat has to be managed differently on a metal screen... i personally like screens. the holes are good sized (being that some screen are different etc) on my screens. I use a mya bowl and put a screen on top. works perfect. actually come to think of it i use a screen with all of my tobaccos except tangiers

[Genie]

I only use screens with foil, usually setting the screen upside down on the bowl because it raises the coals up ever so slightly. The tabs are snipped off all my screens, they just get in my way. Since I use my phunnels almost exclusively now, I don't use screens much--although if I had a screen that fit my phunnels I'd try it. I use them on a couple of my other bowls on the rare occasion that I use them. I like them, but not alone.