Vaping dried cannabis flower isn’t exactly a new form of consuming cannabis, but there are still some people who are fuzzy on the details. While 2.0 cannabis vapes don’t require anything but a cartridge and a battery, vaping dried cannabis flower requires a few more accessories. We’ve put together everything you’ll need to vape dried cannabis flower, as well as how it differs from other forms of cannabis consumption.
Ready? Let’s go.
What is a dried flower vape?
A dried flower vape is a cannabis accessory that heats up your cannabis to release the active compounds, but doesn’t burn it. It turns the compounds into a vapour (hence the name), which is what you inhale. Lots of people prefer vaping to smoking because it reduces the exposure to harmful combustion byproducts, but still gives you the same onset time for the effects.
You can get handheld vapes, like the PAX3 or DaVinci IQ which are smaller in size and can be taken with you for on-the-go use. Portable vapourizers include a chamber to hold your cannabis, a heating element, an on/off switch, a mouthpiece to draw from, and use a battery as a power source.
You can also find desktop vapourizers are much larger and will need to be plugged into a wall outlet. These vapourizers, like the Volcano by Storz 7 Bickle, are typically more powerful and precise than handheld vapourizers. They can be a bit cumbersome, though.
Why vape dried cannabis?
Limited exposure to combustion byproducts: vaping dried cannabis doesn’t actually burn the flower, so you aren’t exposed to those same combustion byproducts
Convenience: vapes are available as portable options, so cannabis can be consumed on-the-go
Discretion: the vapour produced has a much milder smell compared to smoking and dissipates quickly so you can enjoy cannabis without disturbing others
How do you vape dried cannabis?
In theory using a vapourizer is a simple process. But in reality, there are a few steps that need to be followed before you can start vaping dried cannabis.
What you’ll need:
- Dried cannabis
- Grinder or grinder card
- Packing tool
- Dried cannabis vapourizer like the PAX 3 or DaVinci IQ
What to do:
Step 1
Choose the dried cannabis you want to vape.
Step 2
Use your grinder or grinder card and grind your bud into a medium-to-fine consistency. This process may be trial and error over your first few vaping experiences. Some vapes work better if the cannabis is ground either a bit finer or coarser. Don’t grind your flower to dust, because too fine a grind will not stay in the bowl properly. It could end up in the device’s vapour path or in your mouth. If you’ve purchased pre-milled flower, you can bypass this step.
Step 3
Fill the bowl or heating chamber of your vape. Generally, filling to the top of the bowl is best, but don’t overfill. For most vapes, somewhere around 0.25 – 0.5 grams should be good. Each vape will have recommendations on how best to pack the chamber. Try not to pack your cannabis too tightly. The heated air needs to be able to flow through the cannabis to release the cannabinoids and terpenes. The tighter you pack, the harder you’ll have to inhale to get air to circulate.
Step 4
Turn on the vapourizer and allow it to heat up. Read the owners manual to figure out how to turn your device on and if a preheat time is required. For example, some vapourizers need about a minute to heat up to vaping temperature while some take only about 15-20 seconds. Some vapes also have adjustable heat settings, so experiment with which temperature works best for you. Generally, a temperature range of 360 – 380°F will be best.
Step 5
Once your device is activated and heated to temperature, inhale through the mouthpiece. Be sure to inhale slowly and deeply. The longer your inhale, the more heated air can flow through the dry flower, releasing the cannabinoids. When you exhale, you should be able to see the vapour and taste it on your tongue. This ensures the device is working correctly and that you’re unlocking the cannabis inside the chamber. Remember to start low and go slow when consuming cannabis.
Step 6
Once you’ve finished your session, it’s a good idea to clean your vapourizer. If nothing else, you should empty the flower chamber. If the chamber and vapour path are sticky and clogged, use a q-tip with some isopropyl alcohol and wipe the surfaces clean. Every vapourizer is different, so look up the specific cleaning directions in the owner’s manual to be sure you’re taking care of the device properly.
Vapourizing cannabis is a good option when you want fast-acting effects but don’t want to smoke. As with any method of consuming cannabis, it’s always important to start low and go slow. Everyone reacts to cannabis differently and you never know how it will affect you.