Dry herb vaporizers are designed to allow you to use dry herb products in place of concentrates or e-liquids. Currently, there are a handful of high performers on the market, but every day new devices are being introduced like the excellent VaporFi Orbit Dry Herb Vaporizer.
Let's take a look at how these vapes work and what you need to know before you buy your very first dry herb vaporizer.
How Dry Herb Vaporizers Work
If you've used other personal vaporizers in the past, you're probably familiar with the tank and atomizer set-ups typical of liquid-based systems. Dry herb vaporizers are similar in nature in that they also include a heating element or coil and a cavity for you to place your herbs.
The major difference is that liquid-based vaporizers actually wick the juice up and heat it with the coil. By contrast, an herbal vaporizer generally has a small mesh screen that holds your herbs just above the heating coil. If your herbs were to come in direct contact with the heating element they would simply burn and the result would be a bad rendition of just smoking. Instead, the mesh screen allows airflow in and around your packed herbs and draws the heat up through them, causing them to emit the flavor and chemicals that you are looking for.
In general, the hotter you vape, the higher concentration you will get.
Choosing a Quality Herbal Vaporizer
There are three main factors that will determine the quality of your herb vaporizer. The materials used in your vape can have a big impact on the flavor and fullness of your vape experience. In addition, the airflow is also an important part of the design. Lastly, the mouthpiece you are using will influence your ability to draw smoothly.
While many vaporizers today are made of plastics and stainless steel, the very best herbal vaporizers are actually made of glass. Plastic vaporizers tend to get too hot during use and can be damaged during the vaping process. Metal vaporizers tend to give off a tinny flavor that distorts the taste of your herbs. Glass is a good insulator that can stand up to high heats, but also doesn't absorb or give off flavors so you will get the purest possible vape.
Airflow in dry herb vaporizers starts with your ability to control airflow from the bottom but also has to do with the mesh screens and filters used in your device. You should never choose a vaporizer that does not have a suitable screen system, lest your herbs come in direct contact with the heating element and simply burn up.
Your mouthpiece is technically another part of the airflow control. A mouthpiece that is too tight will not allow you to draw enough air across your coils and up into your herbs. On the other hand, a mouthpiece that is too wide will dissipate heat too fast and not allow your herbs to get hot enough.
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Packing for Performance
In order to achieve the very best results with your new dry herb vape pen, you need to know how to use it properly. First of all, you need to learn how to pack your pen correctly to avoid clogging up your screens and filters. Since your entire experience relies on your ability to draw air through the system, if you pack your herbs too tightly you will not be able to achieve adequate airflow. Take a less is more approach and loosely pack your pen, adding a little at a time until you find the sweet spot.
Secondly, taking a dry herb hit on your vaporizer is a different experience than traditional smoking. Start slow and take shallow draws on your pen. As you get into a rhythm with your device, you will learn how to get a perfect hit every single time.
VaporFi
Dry herb vaping is still a growing trend, and the technology for it is not quite as advanced as it is with liquid vaping… yet. VaporFi has increased our efforts in this department to bring you a wider selection of vape pen options and more flexibility in your experience.
These devices are designed to be discreet and easy to carry just like e-cigarettes, but they use a slightly different methodology to achieve results. Take some time to research or get help from an experienced friend who can show you how to properly pack and maintain your dry herb vaporizer for the best possible results.