Ultimate Cannabis Vape Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Despite the rising popularity of vaping devices in recent years, many people remain unaware that they can use vape pens to consume cannabis as well as nicotine. In fact, a 2019 Canadian Cannabis Survey reports that old-school-style weed-smoking remains the most common method of non-medical cannabis use (at 84% of respondents), despite the rise of vaping in our culture. But why would you want to switch to weed vapes when the traditional ways are so tried and true?

In this guide, we’ll go through the different types of cannabis vapes and how they work. This method of consuming weed comes with many unique advantages for both casual and experienced users.

Top 3 Benefits of Vaping Weed

1. It’s the Healthier Option

Generally speaking, smoking anything isn’t good for your health, and cannabis is no exception. When we smoke cannabis, we light it on fire to cause combustion, after which we inhale the smoke, but burning cannabis also produces unwanted byproducts such as tar and carcinogens. These substances irritate the lungs and are associated with adverse health conditions like chronic bronchitis and even cancer.

We’ve seen the effects smoking can have on our lungs, especially when it comes to tobacco, but it’s worth noting that a direct link between lung cancer and smoking cannabis hasn’t been found yet.

Vaporizers effectively bypass the need for the high temperatures and combustion of smoking. By heating the cannabis at lower temperatures, these devices produce a vapour that contains the desirable substances like the terpenes and cannabinoids without actually burning the cannabis, which means you avoid the harmful by-products. Some studies even show that vaporizing can extract additional anti-inflammatory terpenoids that help protect the lungs from irritation.

2. It’s More Cost-Effective

While vape devices are an initial investment, vaping weed will save you money in the long run because it takes less product to give the same high.

One published study from the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs notes that patients rank vaporizers as the most effective method of cannabis intake – requiring the least dose among edibles, tea, and smoking.

Another experiment found that vaporizers convert 46% of the THC into vapour, whereas smoking only converts 25%.

3. It Can Provide a Better Experience

Vaping gives a much cleaner hit than smoking. Due to the lower temperatures involved in vaping, the natural flavours of cannabis are better preserved instead of being burned off and destroyed, resulting in a vapour that’s usually a lot smoother on the lungs and more flavorful, too.

Some vaporizers give you even more control by letting you choose your vaping temperature!

Lastly, weed vapes come in many forms, giving you more freedom to experiment and improve your experience by picking the right vape.

Vaping: Flower Vs. Oil

Vaping Flower

The cannabis plant is naturally rich in cannabinoids, terpenes, nutrients, and other beneficial compounds. The bulk of these substances are in the plant’s resin glands (trichomes).

Studies show that many of the natural compounds in the cannabis plant improve and enhance each other’s effects when taken together- a phenomenon known as the Entourage Effect. Vaping flower can give you stronger Entourage Effects than vaping something like a distillate that only contains a single cannabinoid.

Another primary reason to choose dried flower is its unprocessed nature. It gives you an experience similar to smoking weed except with a fuller, more in-depth taste that lets you enjoy the subtle nuances of each strain you buy. The same is not true for many oils unless they use a very effective extraction process that preserves the terpene profile.

Oil

Concentrate products like oil have a higher percentage of CBD/THC than dried cannabis flower. The more THC a concentrate has, the more potent the punch when vaped.

Recreational users will reach their desired level of high much faster than other ways of consuming cannabis like edibles. Likewise, patients who need cannabis for pain, anxiety, or other symptoms can get quick and efficient relief.

Oils might also be easier to use because they come in a more compact package. High-quality cartridges like the ones from BC Trees are virtually impossible to mess up. With this level of portability, you can take your pot wherever and whenever you need it. It’s also very discreet as you don’t have to worry about the vape pen stinking up your bag or the distinctive aroma of burning cannabis bringing unwanted attention your way.

Which is better, flower or oil?

At the end of the day, personal preference is key here. Vaping flower gives you a more “traditional” experience, with a fuller flavour and potentially more benefits. Oil-based products are more portable and can have higher cannabinoid concentrations.

We recommend testing out the waters first and trying out smaller portions to discover what suits you best.

How Cannabis Vapes Work

Learning how cannabis vapes work will give you a clearer insight into their benefits. We can break down most cannabis vapes into these essential components:

• Energy Source: Gives the vaporizer power. Desktop versions plug into wall sockets, while portable units can carry disposable or rechargeable batteries.
• Chamber: Also known as the “oven,” this is where you store your flower or concentrate for heating.
• Delivery System: It transfers vapour from the chamber to your lips. Most portable units require you to draw the vapour directly from the device, while desktop versions can use whip tubings or balloons.
• Heating Element: This most significant part of the vape controls the distribution and speed of heat, which affects the overall vaping experience.

Vaping pot involves heating the product to release and vaporize the active ingredients just before the product can combust. Vaping devices can use different heating methods to accomplish this, such as:

Conduction Heating

Conduction heating uses an electrically heated surface (usually a screen or solid metal) that directly touches the cannabis product to raise its temperature. This heating method is the most prone to localized burning due to insufficient heat distribution.

Many portable vaporizers and vape pens use conduction heating. So be sure to get a conduction device of high quality to ensure consistent and clean performance.

Convection Heating

Instead of heating the product directly, convection heating raises the surrounding air’s temperature to vaporize the material evenly and efficiently. This method is the preferred choice for users who want to get the most out of their product.

While portable vape devices that use this form of heating do exist, they are arguably rarer because convection requires larger components, like fans and ceramic heating elements. Most of these vapes are also more expensive than their conduction-heating counterparts, but they’re a solid investment if you want the enhanced performance.

Radiant / Infrared Heating

Radiation vaporizers utilize radiant energy from electricity or light to create heat. The product absorbs this energy and heats up until its active components vaporize. Devices that use this type of heating are few and far between, but they are on par with convection devices when it comes to the quality of vapour they produce.

With so many available vape devices on the market, choosing one that best fits your needs can be overwhelming. With every search, the method of heating should always be one of the first features you should consider.

Types Of Cannabis Vapes

An even more significant buying factor is the type of vaping device. Each one comes with its own unique advantages and disadvantages.

1. Tabletop

Anyone who prefers to take their weed in the comfort of their home usually gravitates towards a tabletop vaporizer. Its heftier size and weight, coupled with the need for a wall socket, makes it inconvenient to take with you and use it outdoors as a portable device.

Tabletops typically come with a bag or a hose-like mouthpiece to let users inhale at their own pace. These stationary devices don’t have the build for a one-hit-and-go type of person, but they’re perfect for long, drawn-out sessions or sharing with a group of friends.

Features

The many features of tabletop vapes offset their clunkiness and higher costs. Most of these devices come with better temperature control. Precise, consistent, and even heating can extract more of your product’s active ingredients and has fewer chances of producing harmful by-products.

Tabletop vapes are also more convenient in many ways. You don’t have to worry about recharging your device or replacing the battery. These devices’ sheer size makes it easier to consume more weed in one sitting since you don’t need to refill smaller cartridges frequently.

Performance

This function gives users a higher degree of experimentation since different cannabinoids, terpenes, and other cannabis compounds vaporize at different temperatures. Even if you always vape with the same flower strain or full-spectrum concentrate, using varying heat levels can provide a completely different experience altogether.

Those who prefer a more THC-centred vape can use lower temperatures since this substance evaporates at 157 °C, while CBD only evaporates at 180 °C. You can take the customization even further by factoring in other cannabinoids and terpenes. For instance, CBN (Cannabinol) needs to reach 185 °C before evaporating, but it has many potential benefits, including pain-relief and relaxation.

2. Portable Weed Vapes

Anyone who likes to consume their weed on the go will love the convenience of portable vapes. They’re small, they run on batteries, and they don’t restrict you to one spot.

Features

While portable vapes have the upper hand at portability, their functionality takes a slight hit. Not many devices have made the switch to convective heating, and conduction can be less efficient since only the cannabis that is touching the element will heat up.

With that said, many quality models do the job well, and some even have temperature control functions. So they grant a bit more customization than the smaller vape pens.

Performance

Although these vapes don’t give the same level of temperature control offered by tabletop devices, they can still capture the nuances of each strain. For the best experience, consider investing in modern, more expensive portable vapes as they typically have longer battery lives, use convection heating, and even have Bluetooth compatibility for improved convenience and performance.

3. Vape Pens

For maximum portability, vape pens are the answer. These light, compact devices are usually the go-to choice for any mobile weed enthusiast.

Features

Pen vaporizers are steadily growing in popularity thanks to their inexpensive batteries and smooth, long-lasting hits. These vapes are also an excellent choice if you want to skip the hassle of loading or unloading product and cleaning your device. They often use refill cartridges that are pre-prepared and pre-measured.

Vape pens are also the most discreet. While it might be hard to mask the smell of vapes, most models don’t create too much vapour, and they’re also easy to store in your pocket.

Modern vape pens come with other useful features like battery-life indicators, draw-activated systems, and the ability to switch atomizers.

Performance

The small anatomy of a vape pen means that you’d be hard-pressed finding ones that can use dried herb or resin. Most pens can only use oil extracts, which have a different taste and overall experience. A good way to see if vape pens are for you is to get disposable models that are cheaper, smaller, and more convenient to use.

When picking out your cartridge oils, always double-check the ingredients. Some manufacturers use potentially harmful ingredients like vitamin E acetate to thicken their products.

Best Temperatures to Vape Weed

With over a hundred cannabinoids and terpenes, cannabis is bursting with many useful compounds. The best vaping temperature depends on what kind of hit you’re looking for, as these compounds vaporize at different levels of heat.

Properly vaping weed flowers takes lower temperatures than vaping oils and other concentrates. Here is a general guideline to get you started:

Low Temp (163°C – 177°C)

For vaping beginners, consider starting at this temperature range as it gives a smoother hit that’s easier on the lungs while still providing decent amounts of CBD and THC. With such a low heating temp, the flavours of the strain remain perfectly preserved. Potential side effects from taking weed like red eyes, cottonmouth, and paranoia will also be less severe.

You’ll also get the additional benefits of several cannabis terpenes like D-limonene and beta-myrcene, which vaporizes at 176°C and 168°C, respectively. Many studies show that these plant substances can relieve pain, treat sleep disorders, and relax the muscles.

Mid Temp (177°C – 191°C)

The mid-temperature range is the optimal weed vaping temperature. It provides a more robust vaping experience by releasing more CBD, THC, and other compounds. Many find this range to be euphoric and relaxing, but not so potent that it gives the “couch-lock” effect.

Those who want thicker vapour, faster results, and fuller flavours should also consider trying this temperature range. The warmer vapour might even be more satisfying for experienced users.

High Temp (191°C – 221°C)

The highest temperatures are for those who want a deeply relaxing, almost sleep-inducing high. However, some compounds combust at this range, so expect to get less a bit less flavour. Whether you want an instant recreational high or substantial therapeutic relief, this range might be the best choice.

Many useful cannabis compounds also start to vapourize at this level of heat. For instance, linalool has a boiling point of 198°C, and many studies find that it can relieve stress and anxiety, relax muscles, and reduce convulsions.

For a more balanced experience, you can start with lower temperatures first and reserve this range for last to get that satisfying final hit. Also, make sure to never go above 233°C because the product begins to combust and produce harmful by-products at this temperature.

Taking Care of Your Weed Vape

Over time, many components of your vape can accumulate residue. If left unchecked, they can severely affect your device’s safety and efficiency and even cause permanent damage.

Proper maintenance starts by using the right tools for each job. They won’t damage your vaping components, and you’ll have a more comfortable and faster time cleaning. Below are some of the necessary implements you might need:

If you use the right tools for the job, you will be done quicker and have an easier time. Most importantly, you will not damage your vaping implement. These are the basic requirements.

Solvent

A suitable solvent will loosen the residue stuck to your vaping components. Always check the instruction manual of your model before applying anything to your device. In general, these three solvents can clear up all the residue:

• Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol
• Propylene glycol
• Warm water

Safely remove any components that shouldn’t come in contact with any liquid, like the battery, before cleaning.

Fabric

Once the solvent does its job, you can wipe down the components until they’re free of residue. If you have a larger tabletop device, absorbent cloths and towels may be more convenient to use. You can use cotton swabs, pipe cleaners, test tube brushes, or toothbrushes for small, fiddly components.

If disassembly is necessary, consider placing every component on a clean towel to keep better track of them and absorb excess solvent.

• Tip: Whenever you get a new device, you can take pictures of how each component fits together before completely removing them. This extra step will make it easier to put it back together if you find the owner’s manual confusing.

If you’re not a fan of maintenance, you can just buy disposable pens that don’t require cleaning.

Conclusion

Vape devices are an excellent choice for cannabis users who want a cleaner (and safer) hit. Whether you’re a fan of dried herbs or concentrates, you can find many quality weed vapes on the market that can check all of your boxes.

No standard way to vaporize cannabis exists, so take the time to experiment and find which devices, temperature ranges, and cannabis product combinations create the most desirable experience for you. If you have friends who already own a weed vape, now is the perfect time to ask them for advice.

At Budmail, we want to make every purchase convenient and hassle-free. Check out our shop for quality weed vapes and other cannabis products from established, reliable, and trusted sources!