First Timer’s Guide to Vaping Cannabis
If you’re considering vaping cannabis for the first time, you’ve come to the right place. Vaping is a healthier alternative to traditional smoking and has other benefits too. The low odor and lack of smoke make vaping the method of choice for those who value discretion.
What is Vaping?
Vaping is when a material (oil or flowers) is heated to a temperature that releases compounds in a vapor, but is below the temperature of incineration. When you smoke cannabis flowers in a pipe or joint, the heat incinerates the plant material releasing both the effective cannabinoids and burnt residue. This residue builds up in your bowl – what do you think it’s doing in your lungs?
Why Vape?
While smoking cannabis is still much safer than smoking tobacco, vaping is still a healthier option. When smoking, you’re introducing charred material into your mouth, throat and lungs. In addition to feeling and smelling better, you’ll soon start to notice how different cannabis tastes. By eliminating acrid, charred material from your experience, you’ll be able to experience the full flavor profile that is unique to each strain.
Types of Vaping
Pens: Vape pens are now the most popular way to consume cannabis oil. Vape pens heat oil contained in special cartridges to a vapor which the user inhales. Vape pens are affordable, come in many styles and can use a variety of cartridges. Cartridges come in a wide range of strains, from THC- to CBD-rich. Be wary of cheap cannabis oil cartridges which may be processed using harsh solvents. Opt for extracts made from the healthier C02 method.
Dry Vaporizers: Dry vaporizer heat dried cannabis flowers to release their vapor. Second in popularity when it comes to vape options, there are many styles of vaporizers to choose from, from the portable uber-stylish Pax to the classic Volcano tabletop vape. The main benefit of a dry vaporizer is that you can use any dried flowers, either homegrown or purchased. Invest in a solid herb grinder if you opt for a dry vape.
Wet Vaporizers: This refers to any vaporizer made for oils or extracts. These vapes have special chambers made for non-solid products. There are several brands of vaporizers made to handle these products; some have interchangeable chambers to switch between flowers and concentrates. The primary benefit of this type of vaporizer is that they do not require cartridges, so you can vaporize any type of concentrated product.