Your dab straw turns black or really dark brown because of the burned or singed oils. Many times you have no way of knowing what the temperature of the dab straw is so more than likely it is a bit too hot. Then when you put it in the oils or waxes the oils will burn dark. The Elev8R, on the other hand, is vaporizing the oils with convection heat. The Elev8R heater also does not come into contact with the concentrates so they are not burning. After a time the un vaped fats and lipids will start to collect under the FlavorDisc. We recommend burning or soaking the FlavorDisc in alcohol after every 3-6 dabs, depending on how big you go.