Dry Herb Vaporizers

What is a dry herb vaporizer?

A dry herb vaporizer is a vaporizer designed specifically for dry herb. A weed vaporizer heats the flower enough to turn the active compounds into vapor, without causing them to ignite.

The result is that you end up inhaling vapor instead of smoke. Studies show that this is much healthier for you and your lungs. Not only that, but you also get a smoother, better tasting hit that is chock full of all those tasty terpenes found in your favorite strain.

Talking about terpenes, let’s get into why vaporizing is healthier, tastier, and a generally better rounded experience compared to smoking.

Vaporizers have operating temperatures between about 300°F and 420°F. This temperature range is where all those tasty and fun compounds and terpenes in your weed start boiling. When they boil, they evaporate. When they evaporate, they become available to you when you inhale from your weed pen. They retain their taste and their active chemicals at these temperatures.

At 451°F, the herb ignites. From this temperature upwards, some of the compounds in the herb are burned and destroyed. You still get the effect. But it’s not the full effect that you would get from vaporizing.

Keep in mind that dry herb vaporizers don’t work with oils. They require dry herb to function. To vaporize oils, you need a device that’s designed specifically for oils. There are also weed vape pens that are compatible with both herb and concentrates.

What to look for in a dry herb vaporizer

Heating method. Conduction or convection?

- Conduction happens when the dry herb is in direct contact with a hot element that heats the herb. Imagine the metal bowl heating up and vaporizing the weed on contact. This is the most common method.

- Convection is when carefully heated air is circulated around and through the herb in the bowl. The herb isn’t in direct contact with the heating element. This results in a more even, controlled, and complete vaporizing of the herb.

Size. Is this your new stealth session device? Or are you looking for a functional centrepiece for your coffee table? Whether you need a pocket-friendly dry herb vape for hits on the go or you want to whip out an appliance at your next smoking sesh, have a look at our selection of the best weed vaporizers on the market.

Temperature control. Some vapes come with no settings. It’s ready to go out the box. Assuming you know how to vape weed, there will be little to no learning curve and no fiddling with buttons and settings. Others come with a number of settings with a temperature range of over 100°F. You can change the temperature based on what experience you want to have and what compounds you want to activate.

Budget. The price of vaporizers can stretch into the thousands. These appliances come with all the bells and whistles you could ever imagine. Automatic vaporizer, anyone? Luckily, there are also a range of vapes that are much more pocket friendly for the everyday smoker. Browse through our range of the best dry herb vaporizers under $100 for budget friendly options.

How to choose a dry herb vaporizer

The number one thing to consider when shopping for a vaporizer is how is this device going to fit into your lifestyle? Do you need something portable that you can quickly slip into your pocket? A simple weed pen or portable vape will do the trick.

If you’re looking for something that permanently occupies a spot on your kitchen counter and slowly cooks up gigantic bags of vapor for you to sip from over the course of an hour or two, a tabletop vape is more up your alley.

The method that the vape uses to heat the herb could also affect your choice. Conduction is the most common method and these vapes are usually cheaper. Convection, on the other hand, results in a more complete and even vaporizing of your herb and is seen as the premium choice if you can afford it.

Pros and Cons

The number one advantage to vaporizing weed is that you activate more compounds in your flower without burning them off, giving you a more complete and rounded experience.

For the health conscious, inhaling vapor is a lot healthier than inhaling smoke. Vapor also smells less than smoke, so your cover won’t be blown if you’re vaping in public. Most vapes are super easy to use and there won’t be much of a learning curve if it’s your first time.

As far as cons go, there aren’t many. Some folks get satisfaction from having a dense cloud billowing from their lungs after a heroic bong hit. This isn’t possible with a vape because vapor is much thinner and lighter than smoke.

Care also needs to be taken to stop the dry herb from igniting in your vaporizer. Most vapes don’t heat up to ignition temperatures to prevent this. But if you’re having an intense session and your vape is working over time, you might start getting close to the ignition point of your flower.

You’ll know immediately if the herb has ignited. You’ll taste and smell the burned herb straight away. If this happens frequently you risk damaging your vape because it’s not designed to operate at these temperatures. Once or twice shouldn’t be a problem though.

How to clean a dry herb vaporizer

There’s nothing like the first hit from a freshly cleaned bong. The same goes for vaporizers. After a while, your dry herb vape is going to get a bit nasty. A quick clean will keep your vaporizer looking clean and working like a dream for years to come.

Most vaporizers come with a little brush or some sort of poking tool. Use this at the end of each session to clean out any plant debris or sticky residue that’s built up. You should view this as a regular maintenance task on your vaporizer to keep it in tip top shape.

Every now and then, you’re going to need to deep clean your vaporizer. Start by taking the whole thing apart. Only disassemble the parts that come apart easily. You shouldn’t need a toolbox for this step.

Next, use the brush to get rid of any built up gunk or plant matter that you find. You might need a cleaning solution to get the toughest stains out. For this, it’s better to use isopropyl alcohol or something similar. Solvents like this evaporate over time and shouldn’t leave a lingering taste or smell in your vape.

Any type of soap isn’t recommended for cleaning your piece. The oils found in soap will leave a coating behind that will affect the smell and taste of your next few sessions. And nobody wants a soapy session!

Once you’ve wiped everything down and you’re happy with your work, leave the device disassembled for a few minutes to allow the solvent to evaporate. Then it’s time to put the whole thing back together and enjoy a session with your clean vape.

Pro Tip: Don’t throw that vaporized herb away. Since it’s been heated up to the point of decarboxylation (the fancy word for the ‘activation’ of compounds in the herb), any of the compounds that are still present are available for your body to absorb. So you can get double the use out of your herb. Put it in a spice shaker to spice up your next meal. Don’t forget to label the shaker clearly.