My goal with this article is to answer all of the common questions around vaporizing marijuana, and hopefully convince you to start using a vaporizer if you aren't using one already.
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Lets get into it!
What is vaping?
Vaping is a process in which cannabis can be consumed without having the plant material undergo combustion. When cannabis is smoked through combustion, many harmful chemicals are released and the smoke can irritate the airways of the user. Vaporization using a vaporizer means that the plant matter is not set on fire, but desirable chemicals are released by setting the vaporizer to a certain temperature. For vaporization of cannabis, this temperature ranges from 285°F to 450°F depending on personal tastes. Typically THC is the desired chemical to be vaporized but some choose higher temperatures to get more cannabinoids to be released from the plant matter.
What is a vaporizer?
A vaporizer is a device used to vaporize marijuana. They can also be used for other herbs or with tobacco, but on this website our focus is vaporizing cannabis. There are two main scientific principles that a vaporizer can make use of to achieve the desired effect. The first method is via conductive heating, in which the device heats up a metal or ceramic plate that is in direct contact with the marijuana and the heat is transferred directly from the plate to the plant matter. The second method is via convective heating, through which air is heated to the desired temperature and then allowed to flow through to the cannabis by inhalation or mechanical means, in this method the cannabis is heated indirectly by the hot air flowing through it.
Why should you use a vaporizer?
There are many reasons to choose a vaporizer over other methods of ingesting cannabis. For instance, vaporizing is much better for your lungs than smoking. When you consume marijuana the traditional way, either by smoking a joint or a pipe, a large percentage of the smoke you are inhaling is carbon and other byproducts of burned plant matter and has little to no medicinal value. On the other hand, when you vaporize marijuana about 95% of the vapor you inhale will have active cannabinoids, the rest being byproducts of chlorophyll vaporization. Some users enjoy being able to fine-tune their temperature settings so they are only getting the portions or proportions of cannabinoids and active ingredients that help treat their specific ailments or give them a more pleasurable high.
Vaporizing is a much more efficient way to consume marijuana compared to smoking. More THC is absorbed through vaporization than through smoking, I am not entirely certain of the biological mechanisms at play but the body seems to absorb vaporized THC much more readily than combusted THC.
What are the benefits of vapor?
The toxins that are present in smoke are not present in marijuana vapor. Most people report that their lungs and breathing drastically improve when they switch from smoking marijuana to vaporizing. When you start vaping, marijuana ashtrays, clogged bowls and resin buildup become a thing of the past. Also, your teeth won’t get stained from vapor, unlike smoke.
Many cannabis connoisseurs such as myself enjoy vaping because it allows for greater enjoyment of the flavor profile of the herb. Unlike with smoking, the subtle coaxing of the cannabinoids from the plant allows a much greater range of smells and tastes to be dissected by the user, increasing the overall experience.
Another benefit of vaporization is that once you are done, you can choose to save the brown leftovers, known as AVB (after vape bud), and cook large amounts of it into edibles to enjoy your herbs twice over since there are still some cannabinoids kicking around in there.
If you are trying to be discreet about your cannabis use then vaporizing is the choice for you. The smell is reduced to next to nothing , and the overall smell is different and much more pleasant than the traditional burnt marijuana smell.
Do vaporizers smell?
When compared to smoking, there is virtually no smell in comparison. That being said, there is still a slight aroma given off, especially if used at higher temperatures. To keep the odor of marijuana to a minimum, vaporize at a lower temperature. If you vaporizer between 285-350°F there should be little to no odor at all. The odor that vaporizers do give off lingers for much less time than smoke does. Typically, it only takes about 15-30 minutes for a room that has been vaped in to return to its pre-vape state.
Why are vaporizers so expensive?
If you’re looking to get a quality unit, it’s going to run you a decent amount of money. In reality, it is very difficult to find a quality vaporizer for under $100 and the higher end models, such as the Volcano, can run you upwards of $500. To answer the question of why they are so expensive, it is because quality vapes are made out of quality materials. When buying a vape, the saying “you get what you pay for” is something you should always keep in mind. A $50 vape might seem appealing, but soon after purchase you’ll realize you just bought an overpriced, under-powered car lighter covered in plastic from China. Vaporizers from trusted sources have more consistent temperatures, are easier to use, and are guaranteed safe.
A good vaporizer should last you at least one year and can last for several. Even the most entry-level of vaporizers like the Pulsar APX have proven extremely sturdy and can pass the test of time.
What forms of cannabis can be vaporized?
Cannabis can be vaporized in all forms except for edibles. Recent developments in vaporizing technology has paved the way for concentrate vaporizers allowing those who prefer shatter to flower to enjoy the benefits of vaporization. Whether it be flower, shatter, wax, there is a vaporizer out there ready to help it live up to it’s full potential.
What kind of vaporizer should I start with?
To figure out what kind of vaporizer would best suit you, you must first think about how you plan on using it. Do you want to be able to use it anywhere at any time, or will you only be using it at home? The first big choice is figuring out whether you want a portable system or a desktop system. A portable system is, well, portable, but you make sacrifices in the departments of how much marijuana can be vaporized at once, how long the device can last before needing to be recharged/plugged in, and occasionally with overall power available. A desktop system is more powerful, seldom runs out of power and leaving you not-so-high and dry, but can be much more expensive than a portable.
Next, you have to figure out what kind of marijuana product you will be consuming. Buy a vaporized advertised for dry herbs if you are going to use flower marijuana or buy a vaporizer for concentrates if you are going to be using wax and shatter.
Once you’ve figured out what kind of vaporizer best suits your preferences, your first vaporizer should be of adequate quality but not too expensive in case vaporizing ends up not being your cup of tea. The Magic Flight Launch Box is an excellent choice for beginners who don’t need a lot of bells and whistles, or the Davinci IQ for those who want something a bit more customizable and high-tech.
Where can you buy a vaporizer?
We buy all of our vaporizers from a company called VaporNation. They offer free shipping across the United States, and have the most competitive prices. Use this link and once redirected to their site, you’ll see a coupon across the bottom of the screen for up to 20%.