I’ve wanted to write this guide for a while now because I overlooked the importance of the cap in vapour production for a long time. Caps don’t seem as sophisticated as tips but I’ve learned over time that simple adjustments to the cap can help improve the experience noticeably. Also, there are different types of caps available and buying a new cap could prove to be a cheaper way to get bigger clouds or more flavourful rips than buying a new tip or stem.

Heating the Cap

Heating the cap properly is the most important thing you need to learn. Watch this video to know the basic technique: How to use the VapCap | DynaVap

I recommend starting with a single flame torch because it gives you more control. Start by aiming the flame at the middle of the cap and make sure that you don’t immerse the cap into the flame. You want only the heat from the flame to reach the cap, not the flame itself. Rotate the device slowly; it might take a good 25-30 seconds for the cap to click (listen for two clicks) with a single flame torch. This will give you tasty rips with a low chance of burning the herb.

After a while, when you have this technique down, start aiming the flame lower on the cap, near the indents. This will cause the cap to click at a higher temperature and you will get thicker clouds. The reason that you shouldn’t start directly with this method is that it presents a higher chance of burning the bud.

Types of Caps

Captive Cap

This is the ‘default’ Dynavap cap since 2020. This cap is called the ‘captive’ cap and it can be identified by the two indents in the side that keep it from falling off the tip. In my experience, these indents leave a bigger gap between the cap and tip, thus allowing more air in with every draw than a non-captive cap. This results in cooler hits but slightly smaller clouds.

Non-captive Cap (The Cap)

'The Cap’ is the original cap that came with all Dynavap devices made before 2020. Since it exists alongside the Captive Cap, it’s less confusing to refer to it as the Non-captive Cap, even though it is still called ‘The Cap’ on Dynavap’s website. This cap does not have indents on the side like the Captive Cap and therefore has a tighter fit on tips. This allows less air in and produces denser clouds.

Low Temp Cap

The Low Temp Cap is a variation of the Captive Cap that clicks at a lower temperature. Using the Low Temp Cap results in tastier but smaller rips. It also makes accidental combustion less likely. The Low Temp Cap is identified by the (T + downward arrow) symbol on the long part of the cap.

Perforated Caps

Perforated caps were released in 2021 and they are designed for even more increased airflow than the regular Captive Caps. The caps have extremely tiny perforations on them to let in more air with every draw. Perforated caps till now have had limited runs in different designs such as the pumpkin cap, snowflake cap, THC cap, 222 cap and more.

Cap Click Temperature

Dynavaps don’t have temperature controls like electronic vapes do, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t adjust the temperature. The cap is what lets you do it.

As mentioned earlier, the cap clicks faster or slower depending on how high or low you aim the flame. Heating the cap at the top causes it to click at a lower temperature (300°F to 340°F) while heating the base of the cap will cause it to click at a higher temperature (400°F to 450°F). Low temp caps click at 15°F lower than the standard caps.

Adjusting Your Cap

The impact of adjusting the cap on vapour production is underrated in my opinion. A cap that is adjusted properly to fit the cap can give you blissful hits compared to a cap that’s too loose or too tight.

If you look at the bottom of the cap carefully, you might notice that it is not perfectly round. All caps tend to be slightly distorted and must be adjusted to fit the tip perfectly. This is easily done by squeezing the sides of the cap (vertically or horizontally), which results in the cap fitting more tightly on loosely on your cap. It’s explained in these videos:

The Snap | Why Doesn't My Cap Fit?

Getting to know your DynaVap Cap | The Snap

The Snap | How to Adjust Your Captive Cap

If you want denser clouds, fit the cap tightly and keep it loose for cooler hits. Experiment with fitting the cap from really loose to really tight and see what works best for you.

Caps & Induction Heaters

All caps don’t work the same with induction heaters! I initially only owned Captive Caps and I noticed that vapour production was faster with a torch compared to my induction heater (IH). I was baffled by this for quite some time and finally understood why after some research.

The old caps are supposedly made of a different alloy combination than the newer ones, which causes the new caps to heat up less aggressively from induction heating.

To put it simply, the pre-2020 non-captive caps heat up faster with IHs compared to the caps produced from 2020 onwards, both captive and non-captive. The difference is explained in detail in this comment which I have reproduced below:

There are essentially 3 different cap styles out there and it has to do with how they interact with induction heaters.

I will rate these in "gain ratio" as a specific test that can determine how hard the cap couples with the induction heater. Basically how magnetic the cap is.

My favorite cap is an '18-M cap that couples very hard with the IH. Mine reads 6:1, a ratio of the induction heater current without and with the cap inserted. 1 amp without gets you 6 amps with the cap inserted. A simple but reliable measure.

Now a 6:1 gain ratio is a unicorn. I have 2 of these. You wouldn't know the difference by looking at them.

Many of the pre-'20 caps, pre-captive cap have an average gain ratio of about 4:1. Still a decent cap with the upside that they don't combust nearly as easily. These are great all-around caps, but nothing like the 6:1 GR of the unicorns.

Then comes the '20+ caps. gain ratios of under 3:1. These are wimpy caps and I find them difficult to get full extraction without milking the hell out of the load. They work but there is nothing special about them.

So, if your '18 is a unicorn, it will likely have 2 honest clicks quite a ways apart. Sometimes the second cool-down click can come way past the session. Otherwise, I can pretty much tell you that even as a 4:1 GR cap, it is a lot more cap than anything you will get from the shop. I've been scouring the market for older caps. It's a difficult aim.

I have heard rumours about George mentioning in a Twitch stream that Dynavap will release new caps with the same alloy combination as before but there’s no official word on this yet.

Cleaning Your Cap

First of all, it’s difficult (impossible?) to bring the cap back to its original condition if you torch it even once. If you are insane like me and want your cap to look perfect forever, use it exclusively with an IH. The cap will still turn golden but it will take ages compared to a torch. Avoid using bic lighters because the soot will coat your cap.

The easiest way to clean the cap is to soak cotton buds in iso and scrub the cap inside and outside. This will clear out any resin that may have accumulated. After using iso, rinse it with water and let the cap dry for an hour. Scrub the outside with a toothbrush and toothpaste if you want to make it shine again but it won’t be easy.

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For general Dynavap tips, see the Comprehensive Dynavap Guide for Newbies.