The Science Behind Cannabis Vaping: How Do Dry Herb Vaporizers Work?

Cannabis vapers do not need to miss out on the clean flavours, potent aromas, and other benefits of dry herbs. Just like you can vape concentrates and oils, hemp buds and ground cannabis can also be vaporised. This way, you can enjoy the effects of CBD, THC, terpenes, and other cannabinoids without smoking.

However, you cannot use just any vape device to vaporise dry herbs. Dry herb vaporizers are designed specifically for this practice. 

What Is A Dry Herb Vaporizer?

Dry herb vaporizers heat cannabis flowers until they produce a delicious vapour that is full of cannabinoids and terpenes. Since dry herb vaporizers heat cannabis without burning it, vapers can experience the delicate flavour compounds without the harsh tastes of combustion. 

Dry herb vaporizers provide users with temperature control. The starting temperature for most dry herb vaporizers is around 176 °C, which can be increased to around 204 °C based on your preference. Adjusting your temperature settings will change your flavour and the vapour density. You will get more flavour and less vapour at lower temperatures, while higher temperatures will give you fuller clouds and less flavour.

How Effective Are Dry Herb Vaporizers?

Although the effectiveness of your dry herb vaporizer will depend on its quality, there are a lot more benefits to vaporizing dry herbs than smoking it. When you smoke cannabis, whether it is through a pipe, joint, bong, etc., combustion takes place. During this process, the active ingredients within the dry herbs are released alongside other harmful chemicals that can cause lung damage over time.

Dry herb vaporizers work by heating the cannabis until it produces a vapour that can be inhaled. As mentioned before, you get increased flavour, better aromas, and you will be making a more health conscious choice. 

Conduction Vs. Convection Dry Herb Vaporizers

Dry herb vaporizers can be designed to use either conduction or convection to produce vapour. Some devices may even combine the two heating methods.   

Conduction Dry Herb Vaporizers

Conduction vaporizers can be understood by thinking of how a frying pan on a stovetop works. A frying pan that is made from solid material like ceramic or stainless steel holds food for cooking, while a heating element is applied to the bottom. The heat is then transferred from the heating element to the pan, which heats the food inside. Instead of food, your vaporizer heats dry herbs.

Conduction a more aggressive and direct heating method, making it perfect for those who want powerful hits that lead to quick effects. Conduction vaporizers are usually very easy to use with a long battery life and great flavour production.

However, the process of conduction disperses heat less evenly, leading to inconsistencies in your vaping experience. It also makes it more difficult to predict the flavour and intensity of each hit. You can minimise this issue by stirring your herb after every few hits. 

Another thing to note is that your cannabis will most likely keep heating up after you want it to stop. This is only a problem if you do not use all your cannabis in one sitting. Therefore, you should make sure that you stack only as much cannabis as you want to consume in that session. 

Convection Vaporizers

Convection vaporizers apply a steady stream of heated air onto your dry herbs instead of having direct contact with a heating element. Some convection vaporizers might have internal fans, while others use the airflow that is created when you take a hit. Many vapers claim that convection vaporizers produce a silky and smooth superior vapour quality when compared to conduction vaporizers.

The cannabis immediately stops heating once the airflow stops, making convection vaporizers a good choice for those who like to vape a little now and some more later. Convection vaporizers are usually larger than conduction vaporizers because their heating elements and chambers are separate. This also makes them much easier to clean.

The Different Types Of Dry Herb Vaporizers

Dry herb vaporizers can generally be categorised into two distinct groups: portable vaporizers and tabletop devices. Each has their own set of benefits and drawbacks that will make them suitable for different users.

What Are Portable Dry Herb Vaporizers?

For those who like to take their vape wherever they go, portable dry herb vaporizers are the perfect choice. These devices have become more common over the years since their design has gotten smaller and more effective.

There are many different variations of portable dry herb vaporizers, but they have some common characteristics: you can use the device without it having to be stationary and they do not need to be plugged into a power source while you use them. This makes them a convenient way to consume CBD or THC wherever you travel.

Before you decide which portable dry herb vaporizer you want, you should consider some important features, such as:

• Temperature controls: Temperature control is essential for being able to regulate the intensity of your hits and your flavour. Most portable vaporizers do not have precise temperature control options, but some higher end options might have this feature.

• Battery life: Battery life is important if you are vaping on the go. Be sure to read reviews to determine its estimated battery life before you choose your vaporizer.

• Portability: Consider exactly how portable you need your device to be. You can slip some devices into your pocket without even noticing it is there, but more complex devices might be a bit heftier

• Ease of use: Most vapers probably do not want to struggle with their device for 5 minutes before they can take a hit. Good quality vaporizers will have a user-friendly interface and clear instructions that indicate how to load and use your device. After a few uses, you should be able to use the device without any assistance.

What Are Desktop Vaporizers?

Desktop vaporizers have been around much longer than portable vaporizers have. You could say it is the traditional method of vaporizing dry herbs. However, due to the fact that they are bulky and need to be stationary while you vape, they can be less convenient to use.

When compared to an average portable dry herb vaporizer, desktop vaporizers provide larger hits as they have a lot more power. However, they are much more expensive as well. Hybrid desktop vaporizers are classified as high-end as they allow for users to vape dry herbs and concentrates. 

When deciding on a desktop dry herb vaporizer, there are a few model versions to choose from, including:

• Forced air vaporizers: These vaporizers work via convection heating, where the hot air is trapped in a balloon bag until you are ready to inhale. This design is mostly seen in quite expensive and more high-end desktop vaporizers.

• Whip-style vaporizers: Whip-style vaporizers are much more common than forced air vaporizers are. They are also more affordable. The whip – a vinyl or silicone tube – is attached to the device. As the user inhales through the whip, hot air is pulled over the packed dry herbs.

• Dual vaporizers: Dual vaporizers combine the elements of whip-style vaporizers and forced air vaporizers into a single device.

How To Use A Dry Herb Vaporizer

Dry herb vaporizers are usually very easy to navigate once you get used to them. There are a wide range of options available on the market, from small and sleek devices with one or two buttons to large devices with LED screens and multiple buttons. Here are some of the main steps that are applicable to most dry herb devices:

1. Review The User Manual

This is a good decision in general when it comes to purchasing new appliances. Look for any specific instruction on charging, grinding, packing, general use, cleaning, etc.

2. Charge/Plug In Your Device

Tabletop/desktop devices usually need to remain plugged into an outlet to be used, whereas portable vaporizers can be charged via USB and transported. It is recommended that you do not use your device when plugged in unless it is specifically designed for you to do so. Other vaporizers might use removable batteries, in which case you can check your user manual for charging instructions.

3. Grind Your Herbs

From hemp with high CBD concentrations to potent THC-dominant cannabis, you can vaporize the herb of your choice as long as it is ground down to a medium-fine consistency. It can take some time to figure out exactly how fine you like it, so keep experimenting until you find what works best for you.

4. Pack Your Chamber

Gently add your ground dry herb to your device’s chamber. Make sure that you do not overfill the chamber or pack it too tight. If your chamber is overfilled, it could lead to uneven heat distribution and inconsistent hits.

5. Adjust The Temperature Settings

Once you have turned on your vaporizer, you can adjust your temperature settings. Certain devices offer users to insert their own precise temperature settings, but most devices come with several presets.

The best approach is to start at a low temperature and work your way upwards. Start at about 176 °C or lower and keep adjusting until you find the perfect intensity, vapour level, and flavour. Many vapers like to start low to maximise the flavour they get from the terpenes before they increase the temperature for a more intense effect.

6. Take A Draw

Take a few slow and steady inhales at first if you are new to dry herb vaping. Pace yourself throughout your session and only do what you feel comfortable with. You also do not need to hold in your breath, the cannabinoids will be absorbed into your lungs almost immediately.

Vaporizing your dry herbs can be a beneficial process that can provide you with a pleasurable cannabis experience. Not only do you get better flavour and enhanced aromas; you will also avoid the harmful by-products of smoking. Consider investing in a dry herb vaporizer. Since there are many different varieties, you can be sure to find one that suits your preferences.