Lately, more and more people are switching from smoking to vaping. This applies not just to tobacco, but also to cannabis. The shift is hugely propelled by health concerns, as vaporizing is generally considered safer to one’s health. It produces less toxic and carcinogenic substances, and also emits limited amounts of harmful fumes. Thus, it’s also better for the health of those around you.
Another benefit of vaping—particularly dry herb vaping—is that you can get the most out of your cannabis. Just a small amount can give you more cannabinoids and a fuller flavor compared to smoking. The AVB (already vaped bud) can even be used for edibles or for a lightly flavored tea.
If you’re interested in experiencing dry herb vaping for yourself, here are the basics to keep in mind.
Choose a Vaporizer
The first thing you need for dry herb vaping is, of course, a vaporizer. You can choose either a portable or a desktop model, but we’re going to focus on portable ones (vape pens) for now. There are various brands and kinds of herb vaporizer pens, not to mention countless designs. One of the most important factors you have to consider, however, is the method of heating the vape pen employs. There are two to choose from: conduction and convection. Heating through conduction means there’s a direct contact between the container of the dry herbs and heat. When the buds get heated enough, they combust and produce the vapors.
Heating through convection, on the other hand, uses gas or liquid to transfer heat. This process results in a more even heating and doesn’t burn the flowers since the heat usually comes from steam. The heat is also more evenly distributed and stays consistent. Moreover, most convection vaporizers come with temperature controls, ideal for different kinds of cannabis buds.
As such, many consider convection vaporizers to be better. However, conduction vaporizers can also provide you with a great experience as long as you stay mindful. Conduction vaporizers are also more affordable, which is definitely appealing for first-timers.
Read the Manual
Once you’ve bought a vaporizer, make sure to read the manual before using it. While the general steps remain the same for all vaporizers, there may be certain procedures prescribed by the manufacturer to ensure the best experience. Follow the instructions carefully, no matter how simple it may seem.
You should also check all the parts of the vaporizer and ensure they’re complete. For herb vaporizer pens, you should check the heating chamber, the mouthpiece, the heating source or battery, and the filter. If you chose a battery-powered vape pen, remember to check the charging cables and plugs.
Buy Accessories (If You Want)
You can use your vaporizer right out of the box after following any and all prescribed preparations. There are some users, however, who prefer to customize with accessories. Additional mouthpieces, extra charging cables, and replacement or spare batteries are some essentials that you may want to consider. There are also cases for easy safe-keeping of your vaporizer. A few other accessories that some long-time users invest in are herb grinders, a loading tool, and an emptying tool. If you prefer to store your AVB, you should also get an airtight container.
Clean It Properly
If your dry herb vape pen already comes with a cleaning kit, good. Otherwise, you can use simple items that you can find at home for easy cleaning. The first thing to do is to brush all the AVBs off using a small, dry brush. Then, clean the heating chamber using isopropyl alcohol and some Q-tips. Use the same method for the mouthpiece. For the vapor path, a pipe cleaner in the correct size should do. Soak it in alcohol then pass it through a few times to remove the traces of the vapor.
Proper and regular maintenance of your vaporizer will ensure the best performance. If not, the residues will build up and you won’t be able to get the most out of the herbs. Worse, the vaporizer may malfunction and get damaged or even cause injuries. The ideal schedule of cleaning is once about every four or five sessions.
Practice!
Your first vape won’t be as smooth as you may expect. It takes a bit of practice, especially if you’re used to lighting up a joint. It doesn’t take long, though, so keep at it and don’t lose your patience. If you think you need help, do a bit more research online or join relevant interest groups. You may discover not just techniques, but also more information, tips and tricks, and reliable sources.
