I’ve been using both the Simrell Titanium Vortex with the Titanium Extraction Engine and the Dynavap XL Titanium stem with a standard Vapcap, and I wanted to share my experience after some thorough use with cooling equipment (Chill Steel Pipe, Sneaky Pete Mega Globe, etc).
Build & Design
The biggest upgrade Simrell offers is the move away from O-rings. The fully threaded Vortex and Extraction Engine make disassembly, cleaning, and long-term use much easier. With the Dynavap, I was constantly replacing O-rings (and even broke one of the included adapters right away). Not having to chase proprietary parts is a huge relief. The machining is gorgeous, everything fits solidly, and the modular design means every part can be cleaned or swapped.
That said, the polished titanium does pick up micro-scratches quickly, while the XL Dynavap’s textured finish hides wear better. The wood sleeve on the Vortex looks beautiful, but feels thin, dents easily, and even requires moisturizing every two weeks—too high-maintenance for something marketed as EDC. I’ll likely swap to a silicone or Galaxy Knurl grip.
Performance
The Extraction Engine is very efficient. Most of the time, I can finish a load in one strong hit compared to two or more with the Vapcap. It heats up in about 45 seconds and delivers excellent extractions. I still sometimes take “second-click” hits, but overall efficiency is where this system shines.
Cooling performance is improved with the Vortex insert, though with my sensitive throat I still rely on external cooling rigs. Where Simrell surprised me was how it brought my Sneaky Pete Mega Globe back into use—the see-through vapor path is invaluable, since Simrell’s own glass adapters don’t offer visibility inside opaque setups like the Chill Steel Pipe.
Adapter Issue
One weak point in my experience was the included adapter that lets the Titanium Extraction Engine connect to a Dynavap stem. The O-rings on that piece broke within a single day, even after following Simrell’s own twisting advice and applying wax. This was actually the deciding factor that pushed me toward ordering the full Vortex stem. In my opinion, the Extraction Engine simply doesn’t pair well with the Dynavap stem long-term, since the O-ring interface is a failure point. The fully threaded Vortex stem, by contrast, has been far more reliable and has eliminated this problem entirely.
Maintenance & Usability
Cleaning is straightforward: the Vortex spiral insert removes easily and doubles as a tool for accessing the dual clickers in the cap. Everything can handle ISO despite Simrell’s cautious recommendations, and the wider bore compared to the Dynavap makes it easier to clean with a full Q-tip.
One nitpick: the Extraction Engine’s cap has more internal parts (two clickers, screen, stopper, threaded insert), which means more pieces to potentially lose. It’s not overly complex, but compared to the simplicity of the Vapcap it does add a little maintenance overhead.
Value & Final Thoughts
At ~$325 for the Vortex and Extraction Engine, this is definitely a luxury setup compared to the ~$200 Dynavap XL Titanium. But it feels like an upgrade: no O-rings, higher efficiency, better machining, modular design, and premium aesthetics.
For me, the Simrell system is a step forward in both performance and long-term usability. I just wish the wood grip was more durable and that some of the “luxury focus” shifted toward everyday-carry durability (scratch resistance, rugged grips, see-through adapters).
Overall, it’s beautiful, efficient, and thoughtfully engineered—easier to clean, more reliable, and a genuine upgrade over the Dynavap, especially if you value efficiency and dislike O-ring maintenance. With a silicone or Galaxy Knurl grip and a see-through extender for rigs, I’d have almost no complaints.
