Everything You Need to Know About Vaporizers

Rolls, pipes, and the like were so last century. Vaporizers (aka vapes, aka e-cigarettes) are taking the cannabis industry by storm. Touted to be the healthier way to smoke, this ultra-portable hi-tech alternative is creeping its way up the ladders and into the pot podium.

And unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past decade, you’ve likely stumbled across one of these nifty devices one way or another. It was the craze in the 2010’s – then the hype died down – and now it’s making an uncanny resurgence thanks to weed.

Vaporizers go by many names and even more types these days. And unless you’re up to the hottest weed trends at lightning speeds, you’ve probably got some catching up to do.

What is a vaporizer?

Better known as vapes or e-cigarettes, vaporizers are handheld devices that heat materials to produce an inhalable gas. Instead of inhaling actual smoke, which you get by burning whatever you’re huffing on, you will be taking in the vapour that contains ingredients from your material.

The vaporizers of today go beyond the typical dry herb vape pens you might be used to. They come in all shapes and sizes, with different chambers for flowers (dry herbs), online concentrates like wax or oil, e-liquids that contain CBD and THC oils – even coffee beans!

How do cannabis vaporizers work?

Vaporizers heat the cannabis to a temperature where it’s hot enough to produce vapour but not so hot that it begins combustion. Cannabis won’t combust and only releases the active ingredients when heated to temperatures around 400°F or less.

What are vaporizers made out of?

Vaporizers are typically made out of aluminum, stainless steel, or ceramic. Some models also come with glass parts that can be removed for cleaning purposes. Other forms use plastic in some components to lower their costs.

What can I use a vaporizer with?

Vaporizers are mostly used to inhale the beneficial compounds found in weed. However, they work just as well for dry herbs and even tobacco!

You can vaporize several different materials, including oil concentrates like e-liquid or wax; different strains of dry herb (flowers); liquid extract (shatter, wax); and even herbal extract or essential oil. The sky’s the limit!

What is vaping weed like?

Vaporizing cannabis will give you a much cleaner and mellower high than smoking your flowers – it’s not harsh on your throat and lungs at all; people who are conscious about their health resort to vaping thanks to its advantage.

That being said, folks who aren’t used to puffing might find vaping the more taxing experience. Your mileage may vary!

Is it healthier to use a vaporizer?

The vapour produced by a vape is much healthier and cleaner than smoke from regular cigarettes. You take in less of those other substances you can’t even name (it’s not 100% pure, though). And it might even be more accessible and more discrete depending on which device you use.

You’ll get your money’s worth when you invest in an e-cigarette because there isn’t as much left behind in your bowl after vaping. If you do get tired of cannabis, you can still use your vaporizer for dry herbs.

Others use it to quit smoking or as a proactive health choice. Others use e-cigarettes for their flavour profiles. With all the different kinds of delectable cartridges chosen from, vaping can quickly escalate into a gastronomic experience.

What are the risks of using vaporizers?

Aside from the health risks associated with any product used for inhalation, vape juice contains vitamin e acetate (a thickening agent) that can cause lung injury.

Though vaping is generally less toxic than smoking, it is still possible to get harmful chemicals in your system. If you’re using an extract or juice to booze up your vaporizer, make sure you read the ingredients list carefully and purchase from a reputable dispensary.

Vaping vs Smoking – What’s The Difference?

The most significant difference between vaping and smoking is that vaporization does not produce smoke. If you have heart disease, the e-cigarette can help you avoid the smoke that could otherwise put your health at risk.

Smoking tobacco products is highly addictive and harmful for old and young people. Unlike regular cigarettes that produce harmful smoke, vapes produce fewer toxins when inhaled.

As a direct result, vaping cannabis is much healthier than smoking. You get all the benefits of cannabis from vapes without the carcinogens or toxins that you might have smoked from, say, tobacco products.

Does vaping lead to smoking?

There’s no concrete evidence to suggest that vaping does indeed lead to smoking. Quite the opposite! Some studies even suggest that those who vape are more likely to quit smoking altogether.

Which type of vaporizer is right for me?

The vaporizers of the past were nothing to write home about – they were clunky and did not provide a satisfying experience for the consumer. However, today’s e-cigarettes are making waves in new markets thanks to their small size, sleek design, and power efficiency.

Vape pens

Most discreet of all options, the vape pen looks quite literally like a regular writing pen. Vape pens work by heating an e-liquid or “juice” contained in a cartridge. Once heated, a vapour is produced, which you then inhale by the push of a button.

Vape pens work well for when you need something fast or when discretion is necessary. They are handheld devices powered by batteries, making them ideal for when you’re on the go. There are also disposable vapes that are not run by battery but come pre-charged and prefilled.

CBD pens

A lot of vape pens come with prefilled cartridges. A CBD vape pen is one used to vaporize CBD-rich cannabis oil. This vaping device is perfect for those who want to get their daily dose of the stress-reducing drug but don’t want to go the route of smoking an old-fashioned marijuana cigarette.

THC pens

THC e-cigarettes, on the other hand, are the best high-end product for those who just want to get high – with class.

The amount of THC oil in vape juice varies with each brand. Some companies like to go hard with 100% THC juice, but you’ll find that most juices come with 25mg or 50mg of THC per bottle.

Dab pens or wax pens

More experienced smokers stray away from basics and instead use dab pens. Both vape pens and dab pens use concentrated marijuana and are the two main types that fall under a broader classification known as concentrate vaporizers. Unlike its more relaxed counterpart, the wax pen vaporizer wax and shatter THC.

If you want to get the maximum high possible from every hit, then this one’s for you.

Typical dabs pens come with an atomizer that attaches to your chosen material through a chamber. They also typically require that you adhere to some sort of heat apparatus on top of this chamber which can either be an oil rig or an e-nail.

Portable vaporizers

Dry herb vaporizers, sometimes called portable vaporizers, work with the use of dry herbs and flowers. This means that you need to grind up your materials finely before inserting them into the device’s chamber. They typically have a long battery life, making them perfect for people who want to take it on the go.

Desktop vaporizers

A desktop vaporizer is a type of stationary vape that doesn’t need to be plugged in. These powerful vapes are most commonly found in homes, and the average person who uses cannabis as a means of medicating will have one.

Box mods

The box mod is the gaming PC of e-cigarettes: it’s heavier, it’s bulkier, and it’s bonus features (like temperature control) that you might be looking for. A box mod will contain a battery and a matter chamber. However, all of the materials are placed outside of it.

Box mods allow you to tinker with your smoking experience, making them the go-to for pros who know precisely what they want and how to get it. You’re paying more for this type, but in return, you’re getting longer battery life and nifty benefits for all your high-octane sessions.

Difference between convection vs conduction vapes

There are two main vaporizers based on how they heat the weed source: convection and conduction.

Conduction vapes bring direct heat to your weed through its heating elements. While you get faster results, they may not be as flavorful, and you may even risk burning the flower.

On the other hand, convection-based vaporizers take advantage of convection heating to give you a more well-rounded smoking experience. The vapour is created from hot air within the chamber. As a result, you get a more intense albeit more time-consuming tasting experience.

How much does a cannabis vaporizer cost?

E-cigarettes range widely in price depending on the style you choose and whether it has accessories such as glass attachments.

A budget-friendly option for trying out vaping would be to buy a vape pen. These start at around $35 but can go up depending on the style and brand.

If portability is not an issue, you may want to look into buying a desktop vaporizer that will provide more power than your average portable device. These start at around $120 and go up from there.

Finally, if you’re looking for a truly high-end device that will last years down the line, then consider investing around $250+ in an open system box mod vaporizer.

Where to buy vaporizers in Canada

Are you looking to get your hands on the best cannabis vaporizers in Canada today? Stop searching and start buying! Here at ARCannabis, we offer a wide variety of premium quality vape cartridges for you to choose from.

You don’t skimp on quality, and neither do we. Our vape selections are guaranteed to get your dollars’ worth at unbeatable prices and services. And if that’s not enough, we’re offering NO CHARGE delivery service from West Vancouver to Chilliwack.

Don’t know where to start? Try out the Durban Poison Distillate Cartridge | 1g or the General Admission: Guava Chemdawg Live Resin Cartridge (0.95g) and get a vaping experience like no other!

Bottom Line

Cool-looking, clean, and cigarette-free: there’s absolutely no doubt that vaping will continue to make rounds in the cannabis industry. Whether you’re looking for something small and discreet or want to get into new ways to consume weed, there’s a vaporizer that will be perfect for your needs.

So what’s stopping you now? Head on to the ARCannabis store and get your hands on one of the many vaporizers we offer today!