Drumroll please.....
....SUCCESS! I'm still using the candle. I packed a bigger bowl than usual. I was very patient and held it as far away as you suggested, littlepenguin. The only thing is, the first couple of hits I started as soon as I saw smoke, and I got nothing into my lungs. Plus even though I kept it over the flame and kept rolling, when I finished my hit, it was solidified again. So it's like it's being very slow to melt. So I had to try again and try to get more of it to be liquid before I took a hit, which meant a teeny tiny bit of smoke was wasted while waiting, but that's ok, because I'm getting good hits. This stuff is seriously all but impossible to keep liquified, especially with a large amount in the bowl, because unless I twirl really quickly (which I've found out was part of my problem as well, going slower like you suggested helped) it just solidified on one side while I'm liquifying the other and vice versa.
With enough luck, I managed to get a couple of great hits with little to no wasted smoke by walking the tightrope and getting a large amount of it to liquify before any of it started smoking. I have shit for lung capacity, so if I start a slow draw when it first starts smoking, I'm spent before I've gotten a significant amount of smoke in my lungs.
Anyway, the tips really helped me out! It's even solidifying crystal clear, pun intended. :D
Edit: Still having trouble going to the extreme of not wanting to burn it so I end up not getting a hit at all, but I'm getting better. This is a very delicate art. I did just happen to get the most impressive monster hit I've ever taken of any drug in my life, though! It was difficult getting it all to melt, and I let some smoke be wasted while waiting, but once the entire amount was liquid and had been for a few seconds, I was able to get a good hit. I have to keep reminding myself not to roll too fast. In fact, I have to keep some heat kind of directly on the really thick areas for a second or two before they'll even respond at all (maybe TOO big a bowl or too thick a pipe?)
I do think I'll switch to a lighter when I can find a good, reliable one, because the candle flame wiggles too much with my breath.
Edit #2: So I notice that the times when I get the good hits is when the smoke feels warm entering my throat and the pile stays liquid for more than a brief second after removed from flame, so obviously I need to be getting it good and hot. Why would it be that I'm having trouble getting it hot? Because I'm using a candle with the thick pipe, maybe? Or is that still just my own impatience, hitting it before it's good and warm (although if I wait any longer, half the bowl will have evaporated into the air)? I also notice the first hit after I pack or after I pick back up once letting it cool down doesn't go so well, and they steadily get better, which reinforces the idea that it needs to be getting hotter. Do I need to give it more time over the flame but try to roll it/take it away as soon as it tries to smoke then resume to keep from wasting my shit? Or maybe I really do just have too much in the bowl?
I'm not sure. I need some extra advice on WHY it's behaving the way it is, though I can't thank you enough for giving me enough info to get good hits, regardless of what I have to go through to get them! I accidentally bought more than I wanted, so I don't mind some trial and error, as long as I actually do get high.
