How To Vape Weed?

Nikhil Goswami

Vaping started over a decade ago. Vapes (also known as e-cigarettes) gave tobacco users a simpler and seemingly safer way to simulate smoking tobacco. These devices would heat a liquid and produce an aerosol that people could inhale.

Seeing how successful vaping wax was with tobacco smokers, it was only natural that weed smokers took the same approach. Hence vaping for marijuana became the norm. That said, vaping devices are just that- devices. People still need to learn how to use them. So, how do you vape weed?

Is Vaping Weed Possible?

Surprisingly, many people do not know that you can vape weed or even how to vape weed. In fact, despite being an alternative to smoking tobacco, some of the first vaporizers were designed for cannabis use. It started with desktop vaporizers and later advanced to more portable vapes such as a vape pen.

Vaping dry herbs is similar to rolling a joint in the sense that you need to learn a little before you can use your cannabis products. Fortunately, you can learn all you need to about these vape devices here. Hence, if you want to vape weed or other hemp products like CBD hemp bud, you have come to the right place. This is because the guideline for them all remains the same.

This guide focuses on vapes for dry herbs. However, you can find several alternatives to smoking, such as wax pens, weed pens, and electric dab rigs. These are all convenient and produce less odor, keeping your sessions as discreet as possible.

All You Need to Know About Vaping Weed

Before you commence smoking, there are certain things you need to know. This is the knowledge you need to have regardless of the size of your weed vaporizer, be it portable or desktop. However, you may need to purchase a few additional pieces to make your experience a bit more enjoyable. Here are a few things you need to know about vaping hemp products:

Quality of Dry Herb

First and foremost, the quality of your dry herb plays a significant role in determining how well you enjoy your session. Hence, you need to get the best-quality cannabis products. If you live in a region where recreational or medical marijuana use is still illegal, you can order top-notch CBD cannabis online. Remember that the bud you buy should not be too dry or too sticker because you need your vape to heat it effectively.

Vaporizer Type

The type of dry herb vaporizer to use is up to you. Most dry herb vaporizers do the same thing, so you just have to pick which is convenient for you. Most people opt for portable or tabletop vaporizers. They are standalone units and optimal for vaping, so they are your best options when vaping weed products.

Grinders

Grinders are quite important. You need them for rolling joints, but you also need them for vapes. They help to make the smoking or vaping process smoother and easier on the throat and lungs. Hence, a grinder is always a fantastic tool to have at your disposal. In fact, most conduction vapes require one. Furthermore, while convection vapes do not require them, it is always best to get grinders regardless of your vape type.

Accessories for Vaping Cannabis

Accessories go a long while in the before and after stages of using your vape. Some dry herb vaporizers come with cleaning tools such as a stir tool or a brush. You might also find isopropyl alcohol, pipe cleaners, and cotton swabs. 

While these do not need to come with your vape, it is important that you purchase them or have them on the ground as you vape. Cleaning your vape helps to prolong its lifespan. In addition, buying accessories can help give you creative ways to use your vape device. 

How to Vape Weed and Load it With Dry Herbs

You first must turn off your vape device and ensure it is not hot. This is because you run the risk of wasting vapor or burning yourself if you do not turn it off. Furthermore, it is more convenient to load your vape device with the dry cannabis plant or herb when it is not hot. Once you have turned off your device and let it cool down, here are steps you can follow to load it:

  1. Ensure your vaporizer is fully charged or at least plugged.
  2. You need to grind your dry herb finely or to a medium grind. There are some convection vapes that allow you to use full bud, but ultimately, it is a good idea to grind your products before vaping cannabis. This is more important with conduction vapes.
  3. Place your herb in the herb chamber or vaporizer oven. You can do it using a small tool that allows you to load your vape. Some examples of these tools include small business cards, credit cards, or weed scoopers. You can even use your fingers if need be.
  4. Pack the dry herb using the tool of choice, ensuring the surface is flat. If you have a conduction vape, you must pack your herb more firmly to take advantage of surface area. However, you should not pack it too tightly. This is because airflow is important and should be able to pass through with ease. You should think of packing your weed like rolling a joint – it should not be too tight so that you can draw properly.
  5. Turn on your vaporizer and select your temperature of choice. Most vape devices have varying temperatures that let you decide on the taste and amount of vapor you inhale.

How to Vape Weed Dry Herb Vaporizers 

If you have never used a portable or desktop vaporizer, you need time to get used to this apparatus. This is because vapor and smoke have different feelings in the lungs. Despite being cooler than smoking, you might still experience some dryness or roughness in your throat. However, if you keep using your vape and adjusting the temperature, you will eventually adapt to it and find a temperature that suits your needs.

Steps on How to Vape Weed

Here are guidelines to follow to use your portable and desktop vaporizers properly:

  1. When your device gets to the desired temperature, give it about 30 seconds before you take your first puff. You might need to wait for a little over a minute if you use a portable.
  2. Do not start vaping aggressively from the onset. Take a few gentle puffs to prime your vape for the session.
  3. Place your lips on the mouthpiece and drag the vapor until it fills your lungs. Now, exhale.
  4. You can adjust your draw style based on the tightness of airflow. If it feels too tight, you can try drawing like you would from a joint. Loosen your lip’s grip on the mouthpiece and draw. This should provide a smoother process.

Remember that dry herb vaping devices are designed for sessions. Thus, similarly to a joint, they turn off at some point. So, if this happens to you, you just need to turn your vape back on. You might find that you have some residual bud left after your first session. However, this depends on your heat setting. Leftover buds are known as “already vaped bud,” or AVB for short.

When you are done with a session, you can check your herb and see what color it is. Afterward, you can use a stir tool to mix things up and pack your herb down a bit. After mixing, turn on your vape for one more vaping session. Vaporizers offer you the option of additional sessions as long as the bud is not too dark.

Cleaning Your Vaporizer

Vaporizers come in different shapes and sizes. Thus, the cleaning processes for these varying types differ. However, they are typically easy regardless of the method. Some portable and tabletop vaporizers come with tools such as cotton swabs to enable you to clean your device. But, if your device does not, you can always purchase these tools. 

It is important to clean your device as often to keep it as effective as possible for as long as you can. We suggest cleaning your vape after each session. You might even find it fun to do as you feel the effects of your cannabis product. 

At first, it might seem tedious, but once you start doing it after each session, it will become second nature to you and a part of your ritual. This way, your vape will always be available for use whenever you need it, and you get to prolong its lifespan. 

Steps for Cleaning Your Vaporizer

Here are steps to take when cleaning your vaporizer:

  1. Ensure you turn off your vape device and allow it to cool down.
  2. Remove your mouthpiece.
  3. Take a brush and scrub any excess debris you find in your herb chamber.
  4. Use a cotton Q-tip or cotton wool dipped in alcohol and clean the inside of your chamber. The time it takes for this step depends on how dirty the chamber is. Simply scrub until the chamber is clean. This should not take too long.
  5. Dampen your pipe cleaner using alcohol and pass it through the vapor path of your device until completely clean. You can hold your device in the direction of adequate lighting to confirm that the walls are clean.
  6. Store your vape device for the next session.

Cleaning your vape device is essential not just to your device’s health but yours as well. Residual byproducts can build up and cause your device not to produce vapor evenly. Furthermore, this residual product can damage your lungs if left unattended.

You can use your vape for a few sessions without attending to it. However, remember that the longer you stay without cleaning your vaporizer, the harder it will be to clean it. Ultimately a dirty vaporizer is not something you want.

Best Way to Sterilize Your Vape for Vaping Marijuana

Before you turn on your vape and start a session, we suggest you follow a few steps. Some devices you purchase might come with some residual oils from the production factory. These residuals taste and smell funny. Not to mention that they could be harmful to your health. All these factors can ruin your experience. Hence, it is best you take necessary precautions to ensure your vaporizer is clean and you can enjoy your first use. Here are some steps to sterilize your vape before using it for the first time. Some of these methods are also useful after continuous use of your device.

Run Heating Cycles

You can perform a burn-off to clean your vape device and get rid of any residual oil. You do this by leaving your herb chamber empty and running about 3 to 5 heating cycles. Some devices have extremely high heat settings, so you can use this setting to burn off residual herb after vaping cannabis.

Clean Your Device Vapor Path 

Your vape has a path that vapor moves through before getting to your mouth. You can clean this path by using a cotton swab or pipe cleaner. Simply run your apparatus through this path.

Replace the Bag

This method is for those who use a tabletop vaporizer. You should replace your device’s bag when you notice discoloration or stickiness from the cannabis resin.

Clean the Mouthpiece

Separate the mouthpiece from your vaping device and soak it in alcohol. After, rinse and dry it. If your device comes with any other non-electronic components, you can also take them off and use the same cleaning method.

Types of Vaporizers

Vaporizers heat your cannabis flower and turn all their components to vapor. Most vapes are designed to combust your cannabis product at a specific temperature without burning it. The level of this temperature varies and can go from 200 to 800°F. 

Vapes are optimal compared to smoking because they savor the terpenes and cannabinoids in your products, leading to better health and recreational effects. There are various methods to vape cannabis. The three major types include tabletop vaporizers, vape pens, and portable vaporizers. So, what are the differences between these devices? What are their advantages and disadvantages.?

Tabletop Vaporizers

As their name suggests, tabletop vaporizers are control units that need a flat, solid surface to rest upon. You can also call them desktop vaporizers. Tabletop vaporizers come in various types, but all models include four significant features. These features include:

  • A heating element for heating the herb or cannabis concentrate
  • A heating chamber where you load the herb or concentrate
  • A mouthpiece
  • A dial to regulate and adjust the temperature

Some desktop vaporizers come with a bag that collects this vapor. You detach this bag prior to inhalation. Alternatively, some models have a long tube attached to the heating chamber. This tube allows you to move the vapor from the heating chamber to you. This method is mostly used for cannabis flowers. Tabletop vaporizers are arguably the most complex types of vapes. Hence, you should be able to use other types once you have mastered how to use this one.

There are several kinds of carts suchs as thc carts & delta 8 carts

Some people consider e-nail dab pens tabletop vaporizers due to their similar mechanics. These dab pens allow users to vaporize flowers or concentrate with an electric nail.

Pros of Tabletop Vaporizers

  • These vapes offer precise temperature control.
  • You can use any type of herb or concentrates with them.
  • They are reusable, meaning you reduce the amount of packaging waste.

Cons of Tabletop Vaporizers

  • They are not portable, so you cannot use them on the go
  • Complex and has a learning curve
  • They can be quite pricey.

Portable Vaporizers

Portable vaporizers are probably the most popular vaporizer types. This is because they are small and discreet; you can use them whenever and wherever you like. They have a similar mechanism to tabletop vaporizers, but one major difference is their portability.

These devices have a chamber for the herb or concentrate, a battery, and a heating element. Most portables contain temperature control, which you can operate with a button or small dial. Pressing the button or turning the dial activates the device battery, which in turn, heats the element and turns your herb or concentrate into cannabis vapor. This vapor is then sent to the mouthpiece where you inhale. Keep in mind that portables might not be as precise in terms of temperature control as tabletop vaporizers.

In addition, most people opt for this type of vaporizer because it produces vapor with a less powerful aroma. So, if you are at work or a place where you do not want people to notice you have taken any cannabis products, then this vape is for you. You can easily learn how to use a portable, which is much easier than rolling a joint and smoking it.

Selecting a portable vaporizer depends on what you plan on using it for. There are different forms of cannabis products, from dry herbs to concentrates. Some of these vapes only allow for one of these forms of cannabis, while others are hybrid and can do both. So, keep that in mind as you make a decision.

Pros of Portable Vaporizers

  • They are easy to use.
  • You can use them on the go.
  • You can use them with either dry herb, concentrates, or both.
  • They are optimal for minimal wastage of marijuana products.

Con of Portable Vaporizers

  • They can be quite expensive depending on the brand and type.
  • Some are likely to break easily.
  • The market is saturated with clones.

Vape Pens

Vape pens are also called hash oils pens or weed pens. These devices get their name from their pen-like shape and are mostly used for cannabis oil and distillate. However, you can use them for dry herbs should you purchase the appropriate product.

Most reusable vape pens come with a cartridge and battery. Several people consider these types of vape pens “half-reusable” because you can use the same battery for multiple oil cartridges. However, you must throw away the cartridge when you have emptied it and all the cannabis oil inside has been vaporized.

You can find vape pens in various styles; some have buttons, while others don’t. Furthermore, they either have a rectangular shape or a cylindrical one. They could last for a long time or a short period. Lastly, they can recharge. All these varieties mean you will always find a battery to meet your personal preferences. One of the most common batteries is the 510 thread. This type of battery is compatible with most pre-filled vape cartridges on the market regardless of whether it is for medical or recreational use.

A vape pen comes with a chamber, a mouthpiece, and a heating element powered by the battery. You will find cannabis oil or distillate in the chamber of the vape cartridge. These oils and distillates are full of concentrated terpenes and cannabinoids.

You can also find all-in-one or disposable pens. These pens all have the same mechanism as reusable pens, but these types are designed for single use.

Pros of Vape Pens

  • They are relatively straightforward to use.
  • They are extremely portable.
  • They are affordable to most.

Cons of Vape Pens

  • Single-use vape pens are wasteful.
  • You can mostly only use them with oil or distillate cartridges.
  • They have limited versatility in terms of concentrate selection and strain.
  • Vaping regularly can be quite pricey.

The Best Temperature For Vaping: 

The optimal temperature for vaping cannabis varies from user to user. However, most people typically opt for temperatures ranging from 350 to 400°F. Remember that you also need to consider the quality of your buds and vaporizer. Some vapes can reach temperatures as high as 800°F. While this might seem high, vapes are customized not to burn, so this high temperature can only ever produce potent vapor. 

Another thing to consider with temperature is that different temperatures produce varying smoothness and vapor amounts. Hence, it is up to you to do some trial and error and discover what works for you.

When vaping cannabis plants, it is best to take longer and slower drags. Also, remember that as you vape and reach the end of a session, the cannabis vapor loses flavor and becomes thinner. So, when you notice a milder flavor and thinner vapor than when you began vaping, it will soon be time to end the session or start a new one altogether.

Is Vaping Legal? 

Vaping, on its own, is legal. This is because some people use it as a less harmful alternative to smoking traditional cigarettes. However, the same cannot be said about vaping marijuana or when you want to consume cannabis. Vaping marijuana was banned for a long time, but as research began to show the health benefits of this substance, the viewpoint of several countries and states changed. 

Hence, as the popularity of marijuana rises, so does the law governing it changes. That said, these changes are quite frequent and depend on what region in the United States you live in. The first thing you need to find out is if cannabis products are legal in your state. If they are, then you need to research if they are only legal for recreational use, medical use, or both. 

In addition, marijuana use may be legal in your state, but there might be some restrictions as to where you can legally vape. Thus, it is important that you do research about marijuana legality specific to your region. A quick search should provide you with all the answers you need.

Furthermore, testing for cannabis varies across regions in the United States. For example, the vape products found in Washington are tested for potency, toxins, and residual solvents after production. On the other hand, regions like California do more extensive tests, such as looking for traces of pesticides.

Is Vaping Safe?

Vaping devices, in general, are new to the market. Therefore, researchers still need more time to discover all the effects of vaping. Initially, it came about as a healthier alternative to smoking marijuana and tobacco. It is especially useful for smoking cessation. 

Since vapes do not have cannabis smoke and only produce vapor, people thought it was a safer option. In reality, this logic might not hold up. This is because there have been several cases of people getting lung damage from vaping excessively.  

Vaping is fun and is much safer than smoking. There are several kinds of weed vapes that you can try like thc vape pens.

The biggest issue with vaping comes from vitamin E acetate inhalation. This is an additive chemical that most vaping products contain. The cannabis product you use dissolves in this vitamin E acetate and seriously damages your lungs when you inhale it.

Ultimately, vaping is not the perfect substitute for smoking weed. It might be safer or healthier, but a lot of research needs to be done before this theory can be confirmed.

Conclusion: How To Use Vapes That Contain Weed? 

Vaping weed is pretty straightforward, and there are several methods of doing so. You can opt for desktop vaporizers, portable vaporizers, or vape pens. While these devices each have their benefits and drawbacks, they all work the same way to vaporize hemp products. Choosing one depends on how you want to use your cannabis product.

If you plan on only using your vaping device at home, a tabletop vaporizer might be the best for you. Conversely, if you want to vape on the go or discreetly, you should opt for a portable vaporizer or vape pen.

Regardless, it is essential that you clean your device to make sure it lasts for a long time, you get the most out of every draw, and your health is secure.

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