Around 14% of Canadians have used cannabis in the past 3 months. Learn how to choose a THC pen and vape like a boss.
Out of the 4.2 million Canadians who admit to smoking weed, 56% of them are daily cannabis users. Vaping weed lets you experience the benefits of marijuana without the negative health effects of smoking.
You, too, can enjoy a smooth hit of vapor instead of a cloud of smoke. Your lungs will thank you for it. The high alone is worth it. Here's some helpful information to keep in mind when you're choosing a vape pen.
A vape pen is one of the most useful weed accessories a cannabis user could ever have. When you vape weed, you don't have to worry about smoke, or smelling up the place. That's why vape pens are perfect for discrete use. Learning the nitty gritty about vape pens is part of vaping for beginners.
Vape pens are usually loaded with cartridges full of cannabis oil. However, other vapes out there can also turn wax and dry herb into vapor.
The atomizer is what heats up the cartridge's contents. Heating coils increase the temperature whenever you take a hit. This converts the oil into vapor.
A vape pen's battery is what powers the device.
There are 2 main types of vape pens: open source "5/10-thread" vape pens, and proprietary devices.
Open source vape pens are the most common type of weed vape pen. They're called "510 thread pens" because of the threading they use.
The threads connect the batteries to the vape cartridges. In 510 pens, the threading has 10 screw threads. The cartridges are also 5 millimeters long, hence where the term "5/10" comes from.
510 thread pens are considered the "default" pen for cartridges. Think of an open source vape pen as your safest bet.
Plus, open source vape pens come in a variety of colors and designs. Let your freak flag fly and get an open source vape pen that matches your personality.
The major drawback of this kind of device is that temperature control is usually limited… more on that later.
Proprietary vapes offer more features than 510 thread pens. Some of these features include hit tracking, metered dosing, locking, party games, and more.
However, proprietary pens are expensive. With that said, in the world of vape pens, you generally get what you pay for.
Proprietary systems give you a greater degree of temperature control. In fact, many let you control temperature down to the degree.
The best vape pen to buy gives you accurate control over the temperature. Ideally, you should vape at the lowest possible temperature (which is somewhere below 580 degrees Fahrenheit).
Cannabinoids start vaporizing at 285 degrees Fahrenheit. Around 338 degrees Fahrenheit is a good temperature to start with.
Typical 510 vape pens usually let you control the temperature in "zones" like low, medium, and high. If you're not sure about how to work a vape pen, read the instructions or consult the vendor you bought it from.
Vaping at the right temperature enhances the taste of the vapor. It's also better for your health. At high temperatures, certain compounds in cannabis like terpenes can combust and degrade into the kinds of compounds that harm you.
At too high of a temperature, the vapor will also taste burnt and whittle away at those precious cannabinoids.
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is most commonly known as Teflon. Teflon is a non-stick covering that some brands use on certain parts of vape pens. Avoid brands that use Teflon as much as possible.
Teflon is capable of melting. When Teflon melts, it exudes harmful gases and chemicals. That includes polymer fumes. Inhaling polymer fumes can give you polymer fume fever. This condition is also known as Teflon flu. Talk about a buzzkill!
Most popular brands have stopped using Teflon. However, it's better to be safe than sorry and ask to be sure.
The material an atomizer is made of affects the taste and efficiency of your vaping experience.
Atomizers can be made of materials like quartz, titanium, titanium alloys, copper, and ceramic.
Titanium atomizers are famous for giving you big hits. Pure titanium makes better atomizers than titanium alloys do.
Grade 1 or Grade 2 titanium are the highest qualities of titanium you can get. Both types are expensive.
Warning: Many brands out there claim their atomizers are made of pure titanium when they're actually made of titanium alloys.
Quartz is considered the best material for atomizers. Not only do quartz atomizers deliver a smooth taste, but they're super efficient. Get a vape pen with a coil-less quartz vaporizer for extra-amazing vape sessions.
Ceramic atomizers are safe but don't give you as big of a hit as quartz.
Feeling intimidated? Then start out with a vape starter kit. These starter kits usually include a device, battery, charger, and vaping accessories like a carrying case, extra parts, and other items.
The best vape starter kit comes with a variety of accessories. A good rule of thumb is the more you pay, the more expansive the starter kit will be.
Once again: If you don't know how to use something, read the instructions. A little online research can also go a long way, especially for beginners.
There are millions of cannabis users and more and more of them are turning to vaping making vape pens a sign of the times. Marijuana use and vaping are both on the rise. It's only natural people would combine them.
Upgrade your vaping experience and buy good hardware. You won't believe how much more satisfaction you'll get out of vaping.