What Are Weed Vape Pens, Wax Vapes, and Dry Herb Vape Pens

What Are Weed Vape Pens, Wax Vapes, and Dry Herb Vape Pens

Cannabis vaporizers, often called weed pens, are devices that allow users to enjoy cannabis without smoking. They heat the cannabis to a temperature where it produces vapor instead of smoke, which can be healthier and less irritating to the lungs.

There are two main types of vaporizers: those designed for cannabis concentrates (like wax) and those made for dry herbs (like whole cannabis flowers). Let's explore the differences between these vaporizers, how they work, their temperature ranges, and how to use them.

Cannabis Concentrate Vaporizers

Cannabis concentrates, such as wax, shatter, or budder, are potent extracts from the cannabis plant. These concentrates contain a higher concentration of THC or CBD compared to regular cannabis flowers. Vaporizers designed for concentrates are built to handle these substances' unique properties and high potency.

What is Cannabis Wax?

Cannabis wax is a sticky, thick, and highly concentrated form of cannabis.

Cannabis wax extraction methods focus on separating the essential compounds, such as cannabinoids and terpenes, from the plant material. The two methods of producing cannabis wax are solvent-based extraction and solventless extraction.

Solvent-based extraction involves using solvents to pull out the active ingredients from the cannabis plant. Solventless extraction uses heat and pressure. The resulting products are much stronger than traditional cannabis flowers.

Making Cannabis Wax:

Solvent-based extraction

1. Extraction: A solvent like butane or CO2 is used to extract cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant.

2. Purification: The extract is purified to remove unwanted materials through winterization and vacuum purging.

3. Texture Creation: The concentrate is whipped to create a waxy consistency, resulting in various forms like budder, crumble, and shatter.

Solventless extraction

These methods do not use chemical solvents. Instead, they rely on heat and pressure to separate the cannabinoids and terpens.

A heat press can be used to squeeze resin out of the cannabis flowers or hash. Ice water and agitation can separate the trichomes from the plant material, which are then sifted from the plant with a sieve.

Types of Cannabis Wax:

Budder: Soft and creamy.

Crumble: Dry and easy to handle.

Shatter: Hard and glass-like.

Live Resin: Made from fresh, frozen cannabis plants, preserving more terpenes and flavors.

Types of Concentrate Vaporizers

Wax Pen Vapes

How Do Wax Pens Work:

Heating Element: Wax pens, also called dab pens, have a small coil or ceramic chamber that heats up when activated. The wax is placed directly onto the coil or in the chamber. Most will have preset heat settings rather than exact temperature settings.

Vaporization: The heat melts and vaporizes the wax, creating vapor that is inhaled through the mouthpiece.

How to Use:

1. Load the Wax: Open the chamber and place a small amount of wax onto the coil or in the chamber.

2. Turn On the Pen: Most pens are activated by pressing a button multiple times.

3. Heat and Inhale: Hold the button to heat the wax and inhale the vapor through the mouthpiece.

Examples and Costs:

Puffco Plus: $90. Known for its sleek design, it has a ceramic chamber and strong vapor production.

LOOKAH Python: $65. It is a robust metal vape pen with a quartz coil and good performance.

Pros and Cons:

Pros: Portable, easy to use, quick heat-up time, easy to clean.

Cons: Small chamber requires frequent refilling and is less powerful than larger devices.

Oil Vape Pens

How Do Oil Vape Pens Work:

Heating Element: Oil vape pens use prefilled or refillable oil cartridges. They are less powerful than wax vape pens but quicker and easier to use. You screw the vape cartridge onto the 510-threaded battery.

Vaporization: Pressing the power button heats the atomizer in the oil cartridge, which vaporizes the cannabis oil. The vapor is inhaled through the mouthpiece on the cartridge.

How to Use:

1. Screw on the Cartridge: Twist the threaded cartridge onto the 510-threaded vape battery.

2. Turn On the Pen: Most pens are activated by pressing a button 5 times to turn them on. Some vape pens are draw-activated, so they automatically heat when you inhale.

3. Heat and Inhale: Hold the button/inhale to heat the wax and suck the vapor through the mouthpiece.

Examples and Costs:

Vessel Compass: $50. Sleek design and long-lasting battery charge.

LOOKAH Bear: $25. A 500mAh 510 battery with a cute bear design.

Pros and Cons:

Pros: Cheap, portable, and easy to use.

Cons: Less powerful than larger devices, need to buy replacement oil cartridges frequently.

Enails

How do Enails Work:

Electric Heating: Enails use an electric coil to heat a banger or nail made of quartz, titanium, or ceramic to very high temperatures. They fit directly onto your dab rig and remove the need for a butane torch.

Dabbing: You place a small amount of wax on the hot banger, instantly vaporizing it. The vapor is inhaled through the water pipe or rig.

How to Use:

1. Set Up: Connect the enail to a power source and set your desired temperature. Some enails like the LOOKAH Q7 are battery-powered.

2. Dab the Wax: Using a dab tool, place the wax on the banger. As the banger heats up, the wax will vaporize.

3. Inhale: Inhale the vapor through the connected rig or water pipe.

Examples and Costs:

Pulsar Micro eNail Elite Kit: $250, a popular mains-powered enail that fits on your dab rig

LOOKAH Q7: $125, Battery powered enail known for its portability and strong performance.

Pros and Cons:

Pros: Precise temperature control and consistent vapor production.

Cons: Enails can be expensive, and most require a mains power supply.

Erigs

How Do Erigs Work:

Electronic Heating: Electric dab rigs have a built-in heating chamber where wax is placed. These rigs often include digital controls for precise temperature settings. They are portable electronic dab rigs with fully integrated circuitry, a heating chamber, and a bubbler. Many have haptic feedback and LED displays, making them easy to use.

Water Filtration: Erigs come with a water chamber that cools the vapor before inhalation, making for a smoother experience.

How to Use:

1. Load the Wax: Place a small amount of wax into the heating chamber.

2. Set the Temperature: Use the digital controls to set your desired temperature.

3. Heat and Inhale: Wait for the rig to heat up, then inhale the vapor through the mouthpiece.

4. Use cotton swabs to clean out the heating chamber between uses.

Examples and Costs:

Puffco Peak Pro: $400, a high-end erig, known for its versatility.

Kandypens Oura: $300, compact and stylish, with excellent performance.

LOOKAH Dinosaur: $150, Unique stylish glass bubbler and strong vapor production.

Pros and Cons:

Pros: Powerful vapor production, digital temperature control, and smooth vaping experience.

Cons: Bulky, less portable, higher price point.

Electric Nectar Collectors

How Do Electric Nectar Collectors Work:

Heated Tip: These devices have a heated tip or nail that you dip into a container of wax. The wax vaporizes upon contact with the hot tip.

Inhaling: You inhale the vapor through the other end of the device, similar to sipping through a straw.

How to Use:

1. Heat the Tip: Turn on the nectar collector and heat the tip.

2. Dip into Wax: Touch the hot tip to the wax concentrate.

3. Inhale: Inhale the vapor through the mouthpiece.

Examples and Costs:

HuniBadger Pro: $250, powerful and efficient, comes with accessories and a carry case.

LOOKAH Seahorse King: $65, known for strong performance and ergonomic design.

Pros and Cons:

Pros: Portable, easy to use, ideal for quick dabs.

Cons: It can get very hot, needs careful handling, and has fewer features than the erig and enail devices.

Dry Herb Vaporizers

Dry herb vaporizers are for people who prefer using the whole cannabis flower. Cannabis vapes heat the herb to produce a smooth vapor, preserving the natural flavors and effects of the cannabis plant. They can be categorized based on their heating method: conduction and convection.

Conduction Heating Vapes

How Do Conduction Dry Herb Vapes Work:

Direct Contact: Conduction vapes use direct contact with a hot surface to heat the cannabis. The herb is placed in a chamber that heats up, causing the active ingredients to vaporize.

Vaporization: The vapor is then inhaled through a mouthpiece.

How to Use:

1. Grind the Cannabis: Grind your herb to a medium-fine consistency.

2. Load the Chamber: Open the vaporizer and place the ground herb into the chamber.

3. Set the Temperature: Turn on the device and set your desired temperature.

4. Heat and Inhale: Wait for the vaporizer to heat up, then inhale the vapor through the mouthpiece.

Examples and Costs:

Pax 3: $200, known for its sleek design and high quality.

LOOKAH Ice Cream: $60, offers strong performance and is user-friendly.

Pros and Cons:

Pros: Quick heat-up time, straightforward to use.

Cons: Can burn the herb if not carefully monitored, leading to a harsher vapor.

Convection Heating Vapes

How Do Convection Dry Herb Vapes Work:

Hot Air Flow: Convection vapes use hot air to heat the cannabis. The air passes through the herb, vaporizing it evenly without direct contact.

Vaporization: This method preserves more of the flavor and active compounds of the herb.

How to Use:

1. Grind the Cannabis: Grind your herb finely to allow for even airflow.

2. Load the Chamber: Place the ground herb into the chamber.

3. Set the Temperature: Turn on the device and set it to your desired temperature.

4. Heat and Inhale: Wait for the vaporizer to heat up, then inhale the vapor through the mouthpiece.

Examples and Costs:

Storz & Bickel Mighty: $350, a high-end vaporizer known for its performance.

Firefly 2+: $250, offers quick heat-up and flavorful vapor.

Pros and Cons:

Pros: Smooth and flavorful vapor, less risk of burning the herb.

Cons: Usually more expensive, they take longer to heat up and are larger than conduction herb vapes.

Summary

Cannabis vaporizers provide a variety of ways to enjoy cannabis, whether you prefer the intense effects of concentrates or the natural experience of dry herbs.

Concentrate Vaporizers: These include oil pens, wax pens, enails, erigs, and electric nectar collectors. They are ideal for those who enjoy powerful, flavorful hits from oil, wax, or other cannabis extracts. They operate at higher temperatures (315°F to 700°F) and can handle the thick, sticky consistency of concentrates. They let you enjoy dabbing sessions on the go and remove the hassle of traditional dab rigs.

Dry Herb Vaporizers: These are perfect for users who like the full flavor and effects of whole cannabis flowers. With options for both quick heating (conduction) and smooth, even vapor (convection), they operate at slightly lower temperatures (320°F to 430°F) and maintain the natural properties of the herb.

Choosing the right vaporizer depends on your personal preferences, how you like to consume cannabis, and whether you value portability, ease of use, or advanced features. Whether you're a casual user or a seasoned enthusiast, there's a vaporizer out there to fit your needs and provide a cleaner, smoother way to experience cannabis.