Vaping 101: Everything You Need To Know Before Buying a Vape Pen

Vaping 101: Everything You Need to Know Before Buying a Vape Pen - November 24, 2021

Vaping has been steadily growing in popularity. There is a good reason for that as well, it works well for both people who are trying to switch to vaping from tobacco as well as people who are looking to turn to cannabis as a medical aid.

They have quickly climbed up to become one of the most popular forms of marijuana consumption. Thehttps://www.onlinemedicalcard.com/blog/5-reasons-to-switch-to-vaping/re are plenty of products in the market, each claiming larger than life effects and in such a case it can get overwhelming when you go out to buy a product.

Today we will be covering every aspect of vaping, including the all-important question, which is the better option – disposable or cartridge + battery?

So, let’s begin our deep dive into the world of vaping.

What Is Vaping?

Vaping is a simple process in which the marijuana flower or extract is heated to a temperature high enough to vaporize the concentrate or the flower without burning it. You can call it a 21st-century play on the act of smoking.

Vaporization devices are engineered in a manner that heats cannabis products to a point that is just below combustion. This ranges between 180-190 degrees Celsius (356 to 374 Fahrenheit). When you smoke there is always a chance that you may burn off many of the compounds and minor compounds that are present in the flower but with vaping you actually manage to activate all of these compounds.

What Are the Different Types of Vape Pens Available?

There are two primary types of vape pens available in the market. These are disposable vape pens and vape cartridge + batteries. Both of them are great options, they have different ways that you can use them.

These devices are pretty much similar to e-cigarettes, in the sense that they are, as a general rule, small, thin, and discreet. Cost also varies from $15 all the way to $200 depending on the brand and what kind you decide to pick.

Vape Pens like any other electronic gadget require some maintenance.

Cartridge + Battery Vape Pens

Cartridge + Battery Vape Pens are made up of five main parts; the battery, button, tank/cartridge, atomizer, and mouthpiece. These vape pens can be recharged and reused.

There is an industry standard that is usually followed when it comes to cartridge + battery vape pens also known as 510 threading. This allows you to interchange the cartridge and use it with any battery that is 510 threaded.

As a novice, there might be a little bit of a learning curve attached to the whole process of using a cartridge + battery vape pen since it requires assembling of the device parts and a button or touch user interface that varies from one brand to another.

Disposable Vape Pens

Disposable vape pens are ready to use, pre charged, pre-filled and compact vape pens. They are pre-loaded, require absolutely no maintenance and you can just throw them out once the vape cartridge empties out.

You can consider disposable vape pens to be the training wheels of vaping. These are the perfect device to get if you are a novice or if you just believe in convenience. If you have never used a vape and what a place to start, a disposable pen offers you the opportunity to just have a try without the commitment.

Disposable Vape pens are available at most dispensaries and online stores and you get to pick from a wide array of brands and specific strains. There is no hassle of a battery either as the only time the device will stop working is if the extract is finished, under those circumstances, all you need to do is chuck it out and get a different one.

It is comparatively easier to use a disposable vape, there is no button source that one needs to use. Most disposable vapes have an inhale to begin the system in place. All you need to do is inhale and wait for the light – that will indicate that you have taken the appropriate dose.

How Do You Use a Vape Pen?

You can use a vape pen by following a simple 5 step process.

Step 1: Ensure that you charge your device beforehand.
Step 2: Go through the user manual and understand the basic functions of your device. Most of the time the buttons on a vape pen follow three functions; One to switch the device on and off, two to press and hold to take a hit, and a third one to help you change the temperature (this is dependent on your device, some devices do not offer this function)
Step 3: Once you have gone through the manual, it is time to assemble the device. This includes assembling the mouthpiece, the battery, etc.
Step 4: It’s time to load the vape pen with the cartridge of your choice. These days almost all cartridges come pre-packaged and just fit into the device, which does have a significant impact on the assembly time.

That’s it! The final step is to familiarize yourself with the options presented to you. All you need to do is smoke and get your dose of medical marijuana.

What Are the Benefits of Vaping?

There are plenty of benefits of vaping irrespective of which form of vaping you decide to pick. Both disposable vape pens and vape cartridge + battery share more or less the same number of benefits that may convince you to switch to vaping. Here’s a brief overview of some of the most common benefits of vaping:

It’s the Healthier Option

Smoking absolutely anything is bad for your lungs. A vape pen is a better option than smoking, there is no doubt. With vaping, you are significantly decreasing your chances of inhaling any carcinogen or plant matter, which is often a problem with the other forms of cannabis consumption like joints, bongs, or even the bowl.

There Is Next to No Smell

Since vape pens aren’t using combustion to get the work done, there is no hassle of lingering smell that’s generally associated with smoking cannabis. Terpenes, the compound that gives cannabis its strong smell, are a great addition to the experience. When you use a vape, the odor is minimal and often disappears within a couple of minutes.

Better Overall Experience

Using cannabis, whether recreationally or medical, isn’t just about the high but also about the entire experience. Terpenes are a big part of this experience. But when one smokes cannabis, the temperatures are often so high that these terpenes get destroyed. Since vape pens work at a lower heat level, terpenes often get the opportunity to shine through and enhance the overall experience in the form of entourage effect.

Factors to Consider When You Are Buying a Disposable Vape Pens

As a beginner, it is always advised that you begin by purchasing a disposable vape pen, picking the right one can get a little confusing as there are just so many options out there. So we have come up with a comprehensive list of factors that you should consider when you go out to make a purchase.

The Number of Hits

The first question that you should answer is the number of hits that you get from the vape. Every disposable vape should provide you with no less than 100 hits and if possible upwards of 200. So, depending on whether the vape in question is filled with wax or oil, you can ensure that you get at least these many hits.

Always Test Before You Buy

If you are buying your pen from a dispensary, always check before you leave the premises. Dispensaries rarely have a refund policy in place, so it is advised that you open and check the pen before you make a purchase.

If you are making a purchase online, then ensure that you do so only from reputable sources.

Look for Your Favorite Strain

Disposable vapes come in strain-specific categories as well and so if there is a strain you have in mind, you can try searching for it, that’s a great place to start.

Research Is Essential

Do comprehensive research before you make a purchase. Spend time scouring message boards, do a google search and ask your friends and family for suggestions. Make an informed decision.

Also Read

Commonly Asked Questions Regarding Vape Pens

How Will I Know When My Vape Cartridge Is Empty?

The best way to figure out when your vape cartridge is empty is by holding the pen against the light and seeing how much liquid is left. If you can’t figure that out then another way to know if your vape cartridge is done is by observing the flavor and aroma.

If you vape from an empty cartridge, the aroma from the cannabis oil would be weaker and you will experience a harsh smoke.

While for some people figuring out when a vape cartridge is empty is an obvious thing, as a first-time user, it might be a little difficult to figure this out. Generally, brands provide information on their packaging regarding the life of their vape pens. Read it carefully to get an estimate.

What Is the Liquid Inside a Vape Pen?

The liquid inside a vape pen is generally a solvent based cannabis oil. It can be a CBD, THC, Delta 8 THC or any other cannabinoid rich vape oil. However, the exact answer will depend on the vape pen and the brand that you are using.

Why Is My Vape Pen Not Working?

Your vape pen might not be working due to a couple of reasons. The most common issue people run into is that they forget to switch the device on. It might sound basic but it is often overlooked.

The second thing you need to look at is the batteries. The three factors you need to look at are whether the battery cover is completely closed, if or not the batteries are uneven, interrupting the power supply to the device, and finally whether the batteries have power or not.

If your device is switching on but is not dispensing smoke, it might be because there is some residue in the passage. Check for any stray oil in the mouthpiece or battery circuit.

Some devices even come with a stealth mode, in this mode you will be able to use the device but not be able to see anything on the screen, so do check if by any chance you might have switched on this setting.

If it is none of these things you might have damaged your device.

What’s the Best Way to Clean My Vape Pen?

The best way to clean your vape pen is by taking it apart carefully and then using q-tips soaked in isopropyl alcohol. Slowly dab and rub the q-tip till the time you remove all the black residue.

If you own a disposable vape pen, you just throw it out once it runs out of liquid.

Which Is a Better Option, a Dab Pen or a Vape Pen?

The better option between a dab pen and a vape pen will depend on your preferences. Generally, people prefer dab pens because they offer a lot more options in the way of concentrates, whereas a vape pen is a much more convenient option as it is easier to clean, load, and maintain.

Are Vape Pens Safe?

This is probably a very important factor in why people are often hesitant to move towards vaping. There are not enough long-term studies to conclusively report the long-term effects of vaping on the human body.

However, that does not mean they are not safe to use. For all intents and purposes, vapes are a much safer option than smoking at this time.

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