We all know that smoking is bad for our health. This is true whether you smoke tobacco or cannabis.
As a result, an increasing number of people are switching to dry herb vaporizers. In the UK, they are spoiled for choice; there are hundreds of devices to choose from. This can make making a decision on a vape difficult for those buying for the first time.
We spoke to Cara Robinson, Head of Customer Experience at Vape Elevate to learn the four most important questions to consider when choosing the best Dry Herb Vaporizer.
How much am I willing to spend on a cannabis vaporizer?
More often than not, your budget will likely play a major part in your choice of a vaporizer.
Dry herb vaporizers have a very wide price spectrum. Similar to most electrical items, the adage is true; you get what you pay for.
At their most basic, a weed vaporizer allows you to heat your herbs and enjoy inhaling the vapor produced. However, if you’re prepared to spend more, not only does the quality of the vapor improve but the amount of innovative features does too.
At their most technologically advanced, vaporizers can connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth to further personalize your vaping experience. Some also come with advanced cooling technology and precise temperature control.
However, many deem these features frivolous and are happy to pay less as long as the vaporizer performs well.
Which method of heating is best for me? Conduction vs Convection vs Hybrid
There are two main types of heating methods; conduction and convection. Both of these methods have their benefits and disadvantages.
The majority of vaporizers have conduction ovens. Conduction ovens heat by touch. Vapour is produced when your weed comes into direct contact with the heating element.
This has the advantage of producing vapor almost instantaneously. Unfortunately, however, it can also cause combustion – which is something most of us want to avoid when vaping.
On the other hand, convection ovens creates an atmosphere of hot air. This hot air then heats the herbs in your oven.
Despite being fairly new, convection ovens are becoming a popular choice. Vapers are attracted to the fact that convection pretty much guarantees no combustion.
A third method is Hybrid heating. Hybrid heaters implement a combination of convection and convection. This utilizes the benefits of both methods whilst eliminating their disadvantages.
What materials are used in my weed vaporizer?
No matter how pretty a cannabis vaporizer looks, it is the quality of the materials inside that counts. This is especially true for the oven and the airpath.
The most used materials are plastic, ceramic and stainless steel.
- Plastic Ovens: As a rule, plastic ovens should be avoided at all costs. When exposed to high temperatures, plastic can leak toxic chemicals.
- Ceramic Ovens: Ceramic is the most used material in ovens due to it being so inexpensive. Ceramic is inert which means it does not affect the flavor or smell of your cannabis. Unfortunately, ceramic is also porous; if careful attention is not paid, it’ll quickly become dirty.
- Stainless Steel: Stainless steel is the superior choice for a vaporizer’s oven. However, it is rarely used due to it being expensive and heavy. It is often used in premium vaporizers such as Pax 3.
- Glass: Anyone who has used a quality bong will agree that glass is the best material for the delivery of high-quality taste and flavor. Unfortunately, it is very fragile, which is something to consider when choosing a portable vaporizer.