Dry Herb Vaporizers: The Cleanest Way to Inhale Cannabis

How Dry Herb Vaporizers Work?

Think of a dry herb vaporizer as a discreet, portable oven. Dry herb vaporizers are designed to heat cannabis flower in a controlled way to activate cannabinoids. When you grind your flower and place it in the chamber, the device brings it to a specific temperature range that’s hot enough to release cannabinoids and terpenes as vapor but not so hot that the flower burns.

There are two main ways vaporizers heat your flower: conduction and convection. Conduction vaporizers heat the chamber directly, warming your flower through contact. Convection vaporizers work more like an oven, circulating hot air around the flower for an even extraction. Both methods create vapor, but convection often delivers a smoother, more flavorful experience. Some dry herb vapes even use a hybrid of both to strike a balance between efficiency and taste.

If you’re transitioning from traditional smoking (joints, bowls, blunts, etc.), it can take a little time to adjust, since vapor delivers effects differently than smoke. It may take up to a few weeks to figure out what works for you (i.e. your ideal temperature, how much to pack, etc.)

Directions

Every device works a little differently, so it’s best to follow the instructions specific to the brand you’re using for the best experience.

• Grind your flower and pack the chamber. Pax, a leading American vaporizer brand, suggests grinding flower to a medium consistency and packing the flower firmly so it heats evenly.
• Power up and preheat. Turn on your device and let it preheat. Most vapes have a light or signal that tells you when they’re ready.
• Draw gently. Sip the vapor slowly and steadily. This gives you a smoother hit
• Maintain your vape. A quick clean of the chamber and mouthpiece with isopropyl alcohol every so often will keep flavor fresh and airflow clear.

The Safest Way to Inhale

Instead of burning your bud, dry herb vaporizers use controlled heat to decarboxylate your flower. Decarboxylation, or “decarb” for short, is the process that converts compounds like THCA into THC, unlocking the plant’s psychoactive effects. This happens instantly with combustion, but it also brings along smoke, ash and other byproducts. Vaporizers achieve the same activation without combustion, releasing cannabinoids and terpenes into clean vapor instead of smoke.

Taking smoke out of the equation completely transforms the experience. Vapor feels lighter and smoother, which makes each sesh easier on the lungs and throat. Many people find they can enjoy themselves without the heaviness, coughing, or irritation that often follows smoking. Another major benefit is flavor. Our customers tell us that they taste variances between strains better since the citrus, pine, floral or earthy notes that sometime get dulled by smoke.

Nothing Goes to Waste

Two of the best things about dry herb vaporizers are how much longer your stash lasts and what’s left in the chamber after your sesh.

When smoking, some flower is lost before it ever reaches you because the cherry on a joint or bowl keeps burning between hits. Vaporizers change that by only heating your flower when you draw. This means you’re actually inhaling more of what you paid for and your stash is stretched further.

After a sesh, you are left with decarbed flower, often called ABV (already-been-vaped). Decarbed means the heat from the vaporizer has already converted THCA into THC, the compound responsible for cannabis’s psychoactive effects. This is the same process you would normally do in an oven before making edibles. We love to infuse it into butter or oil.

Want to learn more about dry herb vapes or have questions about how they work? Swing by the shop!