- What is a vaporizer
- How to vaporise
- Dry herb and wax vaporizers
- Different types vaporizers
- Vaping CBD
- What it is vaporizing pen?
- Different types of vaporizing pens
- What are the common features of a vaporizer pen?
- Are vaping pens suitable for you?
- What is Cig-A-Like?
- What are the different types of Cig-A-Like devices?
- What are the typical features of Cig-A-Like vaping devices?
- Is Cig-A-Like suitable for me?
- What are the different types of box mods?
- Caring for the vaporizer
- What are the best types of vaporizers?
- Are vaporizers a safer alternative to smoking cannabis?
- Choosing the vaporizer that suits you best
- Fixed operating voltage
- Sub-Ohm tanks
- Variable voltage
- Variable temperature
- E-cigarettes
- Draw-Fire vaporizer pens
- Vaporizers with POD systems
- Traditional vaporizing pen
- Box mods
What is a vaporizer?
Vapes are devices that vaporize herbs, oils or concentrates. The material is not burned, only heated and turned into steam. The resulting mist is then inhaled. These devices use a similar principle to aromatherapy. The similarity is particularly apparent in the early generation of vaporisers, which were made of glass and heated herbs with a flame. Today, such devices are referred to as manual vaporizers.
There are countless different models of vaporizers on the market, which vary in function. For example, vape pens may have a cartridge, which is a pre-filled capsule of liquid. Cartridges are an ideal choice for beginners and vapers who are looking for a simple and quick method. You can start using the vape pen right away.
However, all models have one thing in common, namely the evaporation of active substances through heat. But how much do vapes heat up? The following table will help you choose the ideal temperature for vaporising cannabis flowers:
| Level of effect | Temperature |
|---|---|
| Gentle and lightweight | 143–166 °C |
| Pleasant, fun and still controllable | 166–187 °C |
| Intense and heavy | 187–225 °C |
How to vaporise
Before you start looking at the different types of vaporizers, it’s obviously important to understand what you need to vape. There are three basic components that are essential to vaping:
- Vaporizer battery or other power source
- Heating chamber/atomizer
- Vaping substance (such as e-liquid or herbs)
It’s easy for beginners to buy a device that looks complete but is missing an important component to make it work. This is especially true for vaporizers designed for e-liquids, which are regularly sold without an attached atomizer (the component that vaporizes the e-liquid).
This is why we recommend beginners start with a vaping kit. These kits contain everything you need to vape on your own (except for your preferred substance), so you won’t waste time, energy, and extra money because you forgot the battery or atomizer.
Dry herb and wax vaporizers
Vaporizers designed for use with dry herbs or wax are rarely sold without heating chambers, so the likelihood of buying a device for one of these substances and missing a necessary component is very low. However, if you’re not sure what else might be needed, you should read the product description carefully or contact the manufacturer.
Different types vaporizers
There are not only different types of devices designed for specific substances, but also different styles that are designed for use with the same substance. Below are the different styles and designs.
Some vaporizers may be designed for your choice of oil, dry herb, or wax (with several attachments and accessories).
Oil vaporizers
Oil vaporizers (often referred to as e-liquid vaporizers) are the oldest style of vaporizers available. Most are designed to use e-liquids that have been infused with nicotine, although e-liquids that do not contain nicotine are also available.
CBD oils can also be used with oil vaporizers, which we’ll talk about later in this article.
Vaping: direct-to-lung (DTL) or mouth-to-lung (MTL)
Within the category of oil vaporizers, you will come across options that are often referred to as DTL or MTL. This means that the device is designed for one or both of these options. A DTL device is one where you can inhale the vapor directly into your lungs without “stopping” in your mouth.
MTL (mouth-to-lung) vaporizers, on the other hand, are designed so that the user inhales the vapor into their mouth first, holds it there, and only then inhales it into their lungs.
DTL designs are more common in high-capacity atomizers intended for vaping e-liquids, as it is much easier to produce huge clouds of vapor. You will typically find “mouth-to-lung” (MTL) designs in devices intended for more viscous oils, such as CBD oils.
Dry herb vaporizers: convection vs. conduction
Dry herb vaporizers come in two standard types: convection or conduction. Conductive devices use a heating element that is in direct contact with the dry herb and vaporizes it. Unfortunately, this can lead to uneven heating, so unless you want a mouthful of ash, you’ll need to stir the dry herb occasionally while vaporizing.
Convection vaporization uses hot air to heat the dry herb, creating vapor intended for inhalation. Convection vaporization works just like a convection oven, so the heat is distributed evenly throughout the heating chamber.
This is an excellent choice if you’re trying to target specific cannabinoids or terpenes, or simply want a better vaping experience. However, there are also vaporizers that combine both of these methods of heating the material (hybrid), thus combining the advantages of both convection and conduction heating.
Wax vaporizers
Wax vaporizers have a number of different functions, but their basic purpose is the same. They are equipped with an incandescent chamber in which wax is placed directly onto the incandescent coils. These glowing spirals vaporise the resin, which is then inhaled.
Vaping CBD
With the growing popularity of cannabis and its legalization around the world, the number of hemp and CBD vaporizers is growing. There are all sorts of methods to enjoy popular cannabis products, from simple and inexpensive to powerful, high-end devices with a range of features.
Vaporizing pens for CBD oils
The simplest devices designed for cannabis use are vaporizer pens with CBD oil. These vaporizers are either pre-filled and designed for single use or take the form of batteries that attach to disposable, pre-filled cartridges.
Vaporisers of this type are small and discreet and do not attract attention from the surrounding area. Their size also makes them ideal travel companions. Most CBD vaporizer pens offer variable temperature (heating) settings. So you can play around with different oils and see what temperature produces the best vapor.
Portable dry herb vaporizers
Portable vaporizers for dry herbs are generally bulkier than vaporizer pens. This is because dry herb vaporizers require a larger heating chamber into which dry herb is placed.
This results in the device being larger overall. While you can find devices that are quite compact, a smaller size comes at the expense of performance and, consequently, vapor quality.
Although these devices are usually designed solely for dry herbs, some models offer attachments for e-liquids. These attachments, or tanks, can be filled with your chosen e-liquid and then inserted into the device’s heating chamber.
CBD wax vaporizers
We have already discussed wax vaporizers above. Their popularity is growing, especially among medical cannabis users. Wax offers a stronger effect that kicks in faster than with herbs.
What it is vaporizing pen?
A vaporizer pen is a small, portable device that uses a battery-powered heating element to produce vapor. While vaporizer pens were originally used primarily with nicotine-containing e-liquids, today they are widely used for CBD liquids.
Vape pens offer a unique design advantage over larger and more powerful devices. Because they are very slim and compact, they are easy to travel with and use in public. Pens are particularly popular among users who want or need to use the device throughout the day.
Different types of vaporizing pens
As we have already mentioned, there are various types of vaporizer pens. Each has its own unique advantages and disadvantages.
Which one is best for you depends primarily on which one best fits your expectations.
Fixed operating voltage
Vaporizer pens with a fixed operating voltage do not allow you to adjust the voltage or heating temperature.
The category of fixed-voltage pens typically includes affordable “entry-level” devices. This is especially true for disposable vape pens and pens equipped with a draw-fire system (which heat up when drawn on), which may have limited features.
Fixed-voltage devices are great for beginners or as temporary travel devices. However, most vapers quickly outgrow fixed-voltage devices.
Sub-Ohm tanks
More experienced users who enjoy vaping e-liquid often end up with devices that have sub-ohm tanks. These tanks have an electrical resistance of less than 1 ohm, allowing electricity to flow through them very easily.
What exactly does this mean? When you can deliver a “burst” of power to the atomizer all at once, the result is a large amount of dense vapor.
In the past, using sub-ohm tanks was difficult for beginners. A lack of safety features meant the tank would burn out easily, as it wasn’t designed for rapid power draw.
However, modern sub-ohm tanks are usually paired with a box mod (a box attached directly to the tank) that contains a chipset with automatic safety features. These help prevent this type of damage. There are vape pens that can use sub-ohm tanks, but box mods are usually the better choice.
Variable voltage
Most mid-range vape pens have a voltage adjustment option. You’ll usually find the voltage adjustment at the bottom of the pen. You can change it using a rotary switch or by quickly pressing the power button after turning on the device.
The higher the voltage, the hotter your vapor will be!
Variable temperature
Temperature-adjustable vaporizers and voltage-adjustable vaporizers are essentially the same, with one minor difference. A temperature-adjustable vaporizer displays the actual temperature (in degrees), while a voltage-adjustable device displays the specific voltage you’ve selected.
It is common for pens designed for use with e-liquids to have variable voltage and pens for dry herbs to have adjustable temperature, even though the end result is the same. Higher-end devices usually offer variable temperature settings (often with the option to select specific degrees).
E-cigarettes
E-cigarettes are the oldest form of vaporization. They were originally designed to help people quit smoking traditional tobacco. They are made to look and feel like cigarettes, making them the smallest type of vaporizer currently available.
Because they are so small, e-cigarettes usually have no features beyond the basic ones. They almost always feature a draw-fire mechanism, which we’ll discuss in the next section, and they are almost always designed for single use.
Draw-Fire Vaporizer Pens
Draw-fire pens have no physical buttons and usually do not offer temperature settings. Instead, the device turns on when you inhale, generating vapor in real time. When the device is not in use, it automatically turns off.
Draw-fire vaporizer pens are available in both traditional and disposable versions.
Vaporizers with POD systems
While many vaporizers use oil-based 510-threaded cartridges, devices equipped with a POD system offer a different solution. Most of them use so-called “PODs” pre-filled with e-liquid, which are inserted into a specific type of vaping device. These devices are very user-friendly, making them particularly popular among beginner vapers.
The design of these devices offers unique advantages but also has its drawbacks. Since the design is patented, only certain PODs work in a specific device (usually both the PODs and the vaporizer are manufactured by the same company or brand). This significantly limits your ability to choose an e-liquid that might be right for you.
However, a unique advantage of POD systems is that they often come in innovative, attractive designs not commonly seen in the vaping world. If you want to vape without people realizing it’s a vaporizer, a POD device might be exactly what you’re looking for.
Traditional vaporizing pen
Most beginners are familiar with the traditional vape pen design. It features a cylindrical battery that uses a 510 thread to connect to e-liquid cartridges.
Cartridges are usually disposable, although those who don’t mind the refilling process can choose from a selection of refillable cartridges that also use a 510 thread.
Box mods
Finally, one of the most popular vaping devices is the box mod.
Box mods feature a high-capacity battery and a wide variety of functions, including precise temperature control. They are compatible with a wide range of atomizers and tanks, making them a popular choice for experienced vapers.
What are the common features of a vaporizer pen?
Keep in mind that vaporizer pens differ from each other to some extent, but most of them have common characteristics. Knowing the common factors will help you identify devices that don’t quite fit the pattern, which can make them better (or worse) candidates for your vaping needs.
Batteries
All vape pens have a battery. Usually, this battery is separate from the other components (though not always). The battery powers the other components to produce vapor, and most pens have batteries that can be recharged.
There are exceptions, such as disposable devices that you can throw away after use. Disposable vaporizers, draw-fire vaporizers, and POD devices often have a battery that cannot be separated from the other components. This makes these vaporizers easier to use but limits your options for which attachments or refills you can use with them.
Cartridge or reservoir
The reservoir (with atomizer inside) holds and vaporizes e-liquid or oils. Often called cartridges, they are usually connected to the vaporizer pen via a 510 thread, although some devices do not allow external connection (especially disposable devices).
Cartridge
Cartridges can be pre-filled or refillable, but if you are using the pen for the CBD oil, they will almost always be pre-filled.
Mouthpiece
Finally, a mouthpiece is attached to the cartridge, through which you inhale the vapor produced inside the atomizer. Many mouthpieces come with cartridges already attached, but many allow you to swap them out and customize your mouthpiece options.
Are vaping pens suitable for you?
Vaporizer pens may be a convenient and easy-to-use option, but that doesn’t mean they are suitable for everyone. Consider the following general pros and cons of these pens and try to think about whether they will suit your needs:
Pros
- Cost-effective
- Easy to use
- Suitable for beginners
- Easy to travel with
Cons
- Often lacks advanced features (e.g. precise temperature settings)
- Capacity for vaporizing fluids is often small compared to options such as box mods
- Very few quality options for vaporizing dry herbs (most pens are designed for e-liquids, oils or concentrates)
- Lack of replaceable battery
- Usually there are no spare parts available for them (so if a component fails you will have to replace the whole device)
What is Cig-A-Like?
Cig-A-Likes are standard e-cigarettes. They are the most basic type of vaporizer pen. They are usually the size of a cigarette (and are often designed to resemble a cigarette as closely as possible).
If you’re new to the vaping scene, you may not have encountered a “Cig-A-Like” device yet, but seasoned vapers will be familiar with it. Cig-A-Like devices essentially have a single goal: to look like a cigarette. This makes them the most discreet form of vaping available, as these devices are often indistinguishable from real cigarettes from a distance.
What are the different types of Cig-A-Like devices?
Since Cig-A-Like devices are basic devices, you’ll find only two real variants of these vaporizers: disposable and refillable. Disposable e-cigarettes have been on the market since the dawn of modern vaping.
Refillable e-cigarettes are newer and allow users who want the convenience of a small vaping device to avoid the additional expenses associated with buying disposable devices.
Most vapers interested in refillable devices eventually switch to devices with more features that still allow for use in public without attracting unwanted attention.
What are the typical features of Cig-A-Like vaping devices?
Whether you use disposable or refillable e-cigarettes, the basic anatomy is similar for all brands. They are also similar to a standard vaping pen with a few minor design and functional differences.
LED
Electronic cigarettes are typically equipped with an LED light at the tip that glows when the user takes a puff. This serves two purposes. The first is that it lets the user know that the device is turned on and heating the e-liquid.
The second is that it helps create the illusion that the device is lit (since the LED looks like the lit end of a traditional cigarette).
The battery in a Cig-A-Like device is very small (similar to a watch battery). In Cig-A-Like cigarettes, it cannot be removed for replacement (not even in refillable models). However, because the power requirement is very low, a Cig-A-Like device has a decent lifespan even with repeated use.
Cartomizer/tank
The cartomizer (the component that produces vapor) contains a microprocessor and heating elements that allow the Cig-A-Like device to generate vapor.
Disposable Cig-A-Like devices often have the cartomizer and tank as a single unit to save space, while refillable versions still attach to a cartridge like a traditional vaporizer pen.
Finally, the mouthpiece is located on the opposite side from the LED light. When you’re ready, simply inhale through the mouthpiece and the device will immediately begin producing vapor using the draw-fire function.
This makes it easy to start and stop vaping, although vapor production will be weaker compared to larger vaporizer pens or box mods.
Is Cig-A-Like suitable for me?
Cig-A-Like offers a unique vaping experience compared to other devices. While this unique experience is an attraction for some, many other people do not enjoy using this type of device. If you are trying to decide if a Cig-A-Like device is right for your vaping needs, take a look at the pros and cons listed below:
- Extremely easy to use (most of them are activated by coating with no further settings)
- Discretion (the devices are designed to look like cigarettes, so they are ideal for not drawing attention to yourself)
- Cost-effective
- Safe to use
- Limited steam production
- Lack of features to personalise the vaping experience
- Very small e-liquid capacity (produces less steam and runs out faster)
What are the different types of box mods?
Even within the box mods you will find a wide range of devices. Some differences are subtle, while others create a completely unique vaping experience.
Squonk mods
Squonk mods feature a unique design that you won’t find in any other type of device. The vaporization reservoir is located inside the box mod’s body and is made of soft, flexible silicone. After turning on the device, the user squeezes the reservoir, forcing a stream of e-liquid onto the heating coils.
This instantly creates a huge amount of vapor, which can easily overwhelm beginner vapers. However, squonk mods are a popular choice among fans of thick clouds because they produce large amounts of vapor quickly.
Moths with re-foldable atomizers (RBA)
Some box mods use tanks that are not designed to be opened or modified. Others use an RBA system and are designed to be opened and have their internal components replaced. This is much more labor-intensive than with standard tanks, as you must build the coils, install them, and insert a wick of your choice.
Caring for the vaporizer
Once you have chosen the right device and have it in your hand, you need to take proper care of it. Essential:
- Store it at room temperature (NEVER leave it in the car).
- Do not store dry herbs or wax in the warming chamber.
- Keep the vaporizer in an upright position to avoid leaking or spilling vaping liquid.
- Replace aging components before they fail.
- These simple steps are a great way to get the most out of your vaping device!
What are the best types of vaporizers?
There is no such thing as an objectively “best type of vaporizer”, because whether someone considers a particular device to be good depends on whether its features and functions meet the user’s specific needs.
Generally speaking, dry herb vaporizers that use convection heating and fully featured box mods offer a complete vaporizing experience, but they may not suit everyone’s needs. This is especially true for those who need devices that are travel-friendly, affordable, or discreet.
Are vaporizers a less risky alternative to smoking cannabis?
“Are vaporizers a less risky alternative to smoking cannabis?” This was the focus of a study published in 2021. The study suggests that vaporizers do not produce toxins or carbon monoxide because the material is not burned.
Study: How Did the Tested Vaporizers Perform?
A study published in 2016 tested the ability of vaporizers to release THC and CBD with vapor. In an in vitro study (conducted in a test tube, i.e., outside the human body), the researchers evaluated 4 electric vaporizers and 1 gas-powered vaporizer. How did these devices perform?
The study’s conclusion suggests that the 4 electrically powered, temperature-controlled vaporizers—DaVinci, Arizer Solo, Plenty, and Volcano Medic—that were examined effectively decarboxylate acidic cannabinoids and reliably release the corresponding neutral cannabinoids into the vapor.
The study also states that vaporizers can be considered a promising delivery method for the safe and effective administration of medical cannabis and cannabinoids. Signs of cannabis combustion, such as ash left in the sample chamber and visible smoke, were observed only in the case of the Vape-or-Smoke gas-powered device.
It is important to emphasize that following the current in vitro validation, further clinical trials are necessary to confirm the efficacy of vaporizers as therapeutic delivery devices.
Tip: Read our reviews of the DaVinci IQ (+MIQRO), Plenty, and Volcano Hybrid.
Choosing the vaporizer that suits you best
The best way to choose the right vaporizer is to take the time to decide what kind of vaporizer will best suit your needs. If you’re not sure where to start, ask yourself the following questions:
- What’s my budget?
- What features are necessary for me?
- What substance do I want to vape?
- Do I plan to vape on the go?
Take the time to answer these questions. You’ll narrow down your choices to specific styles (and maybe even specific brands) of vaporizers, so the process of choosing a device will then be much easier.
Author: Matthias Roth
Photo: AI, producer
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