How to Use a Weed Vaporizer?

Cannabis consumers have always been inventive in creating new healthier, and more potent ways of using it. Vaping weed is another method that seems to be a modern invention. But honestly, people have been using vaporizing herb practice since ancient times. In his book The History of Herodotus, Herodotus described Scythians' way of consuming marijuana. They used to heat stones to red color conditions and put seeds on the rocks. This made the seeds boil and vaporize, so there appeared vapor that could be inhaled.

The first modern vaporizer was invented less than 30 years ago. In 1993, Eagle Bill developed the first device that used an external heat source for vaporizing. Since then, technology has developed. Firstly, the vaporizers were only desktop models. Nowadays, there are portable pocket-size options. This consumption method is highly popular among users, as it is believed to be less harmful to health as long as producing a stronger high in comparison to smoking via bongs or joints. To learn more about how to vape cannabis and know the difference between different vaporizers, we offer you to check out the article below.

Read Also: Ways to Consume Marijuana: The Definitive Guide

How do Vaporizers Work?

The main idea of any vaporizer is to heat the weed mix instead of combusting it. Vaping devices heat weed to the point where the mind-altering compounds in the plant are released as vapor, which is then inhaled. Because it does not produce any of the harmful components of burning material, such as tar and other cancer-causing agents, vaping is believed to be safer for cannabis and tobacco use.

The Types of Weed Vaporizers

The assortment of vaporizers offered in the market is quite rich. Users can choose devices that work with dry materials, concentrates, or both.

1. The first type of vaporizer appeared back in the 1990s, and it was a desktop vaporizer. This kind of device is not the best one for transferring, but it is still popular among some users. It is a good option for parties, it just needs to be plugged in, so there is no need to bother about its battery. The base is pretty large compared to in-pocket devices, the vapor is quite powerful, and the heat temperature is always under control.
2. For those who need to carry around their devices, there are portable vaporizers. They are pretty discreet because they don't produce such an odor as joints do. It is easy to have a toke from anywhere with portable vaporizers.

Apart from different forms of devices, there are also other methods of heating material. The vaporizers can be of conduction or convention types, as well as hybrids.

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• Conduction vaporizers

Marijuana cannabinoids are released through direct heat contact in conduction vaporizers. However, because of the direct heat, there's a chance you'll burn your weed. These devices are less expensive, more portable, heat up faster, and are easier to use.

• Convection vaporizers

This type of device heats the cannabis through heat transfer like in the oven. Heating elements in convection vaporizers heat the air that is forced around and through the herb rather than directly heating the weed. Convection vaporizers are more expensive and less portable than conduction vaporizers, but they provide better vapor quality and flavor as well as even heating.

Read Also: What is a Marijuana Joint?

Alternative Vaping Devices

• Vape pens Vape pens are devices that also produce vapor, but they are pen-shaped and very discreet. You can really fit them in your pocket or hide them in your hand. The main difference between a vaporizer and a vape pen is that you can't use the dry herb for a pen. You only can use specifically-produced e-liquids or e-juices as well as concentrates.
• Dab pens Dab pens are also very similar to vape pens, except there is a difference in the material that is being vaporized. Dabbing is the process of vaporizing marijuana concentrates such as shatter, wax, crumble, and so on using a dab rig.

How to Choose a Vaporizer?

You should consider several criteria while choosing a device for yourself.

• What are you going to vape?

First of all, to choose the vape that is right for you, you need to decide if you want to vape dry herb, concentrates, wax, oil, or something else.

• Portability

Consider the size of a device you want to possess. It could be something stationary to put indoors, or it could be a portable model to fit into your pocket.

• Battery

Before buying a vaporizer, consider how often you are ready to charge the device. There are different options with varying capacities, so you can choose the one that fits you the best.

• Type of heating

Think about what type of heating you'd like to have in your vaporizer: conduction or convection.

• Temperature control

Temperature control is another function that makes the vaping process healthier while just heating the material without letting it burn. But on the other hand, you need to control the process yourself, making it more complicated. You need to think about whether you need this feature or not.

• Price

Certainly, the prices vary depending on all of the factors mentioned above. But generally, you can purchase a flower vaporizer weed device for around $90-$350, while vape pens are a little cheaper at around $30-$200.

Read Also: Vaping CBD for Anxiety: Exploring the Potential Benefits

Vaping vs Smoking Weed: Pros and Cons

According to a study conducted in Canada, more than half of cannabis consumers choose vaping rather than smoking. Among those who prefer vapes, 80% believe that this consumption method is healthier. Let's find out why people choose to vape instead of regular smoking weed. Vaporizing cannabis health benefits are undeniable in comparison to inhaling smoke. But let us explore the full list of vaporizing weed pros cons.

Weed vaping

PROS

• More efficient, as extracts cannabinoids from one pack much slower than while combustion
• More pronounced flavor
• No health risks associated with combustion
• Control over temperature
• Discreet
• Gives more control over the experience
• No lighter/matches needed

CONS:

• More expensive
• Requires maintenance
• The consumer needs to learn how to use a vape
• Needs electricity to be plug-in or charged

Weed smoking

PROS:

• Cheaper as requires no upfront investments
• Easy to learn
• Low maintenance needed

CONS:

• Higher health risks because of combustion agents
• Lower ability to control the high
• The smell is stronger
• Less pronounced flavor
• Not that efficient

Read Also: Vaping vs Smoking – Which Way of Consuming Cannabis Is Better?

Is Vaping Weed Dangerous?

Vaping is considered to be less dangerous than smoking, but it doesn't make it not dangerous at all. We all know that smoking weed or any other material is basically the combustion process that creates carcinogens that are incredibly harmful to the lungs, heart, and human body. The thing is that people have been smoking for centuries, and scientists had all of the time to study the impact of smoking. The negative impact of smoking is rather a long-term thing, while the long-term effect of vaping physically can not be measured for today.

It is a fact that vaping doesn't produce the elements of combustion, but what bothers scientists today is vitamin E acetate that is being inhaled when vaping aerosolized oils. But on the other hand, there is still a lack of evidence of the exact damage vaping can cause. Moreover, we might get no exact information for another decade or so, as all the devices that are used today are quite modern inventions.

How to Use a Weed Vaporizer

Although there are many other options for vaping herbal concentrates, such as weed pens, wax pens, and electric dab rigs, we will concentrate on dry herb vaporizers in this guide. There is no significant difference in using portable or desktop vaporizers.

For you to understand how to vape weed with such a device, we created an easy step-by-step guide that explains the whole procedure. So let's get started.

To vape marijuana, you will need:

• A vaporizer
• Dry herb
• Grinder
• Accessories such as cleaning tools

Pack your vaporizer:

• Make sure the device is turned off and not hot
• Check if it is fully charged or plugged in
• Grind the material with your grinder
• Using a small business card or a weed scooper, put your weed into the oven or herb chamber of your vaporizer.
• Pack the device with the dry herb using your finger or a special tool. Generally, the pack must not be too tight; it just needs to be even with a flat surface. Pay attention that conduction vapes need a firmer pack than convection ones.

Weed Vaping Step-by-step Instruction

1. Turn on the device
2. Select the heating temperature
3. Wait 30-60 seconds until the device heats to the temperature you've chosen
4. Prime the device by taking a few gentle puffs
5. Inhale the vapor
6. Exhale
7. Don't forget to clean your device

How to Clean a Weed Vaporizer

To prevent your device from getting dirty, the best option would be to clean it after each smoking session.

To clean your weed vaporizer:

1. Make sure it is off and not hot
2. Remove the mouthpiece
3. Clear it with a brush to get rid of leftovers
4. Use a cotton Q-tip with alcohol and scrub the chamber inside
5. Add some rubbing alcohol inside the vapor path and shake it until it's clean

It is critical to clean your device! Residue can accumulate, causing uneven vaporization. It's fine to go a few sessions without washing, but don't go too long, or it will be much more challenging to clean. A dirty vaporizer is ineffective.

Conclusion

For those who wonder can you get high from vaping, the answer is "yes." Moreover, some users claim that they got more potent effects from vaping cannabis rather than smoking.

Another reason for choosing vaporizers is that this method of consumption excludes combustion agents' impact on the human body. It is important to control the temperature of heating in order not to burn the herb. Although the invention is quite young, there is not enough evidence that vaporizing is completely safe.

The market offers a wide choice of different devices that use cannabis vaporizing, so there is no problem in finding a vaporizer able to meet your demands.

Read Also: What Is Dabbing Weed & How to Dab?