If you're interested in smoking dry herbs such as cannabis, you have several different tools that you can use. While many people swear by a device known as a portable dry herbal vaporizer or dry herb vape pen, others prefer using pipes or water bongs, and some people even choose to smoke concentrates and oils instead of herbs.
Before you decide which of these options is right for you, it's a good idea to take a closer look at dry herb vapes. Here are a few facts to help you learn the differences between dry herbal vaporizers versus other smoking methods so that you can enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy or smoking cannabis.
Know What A Dry Herb Vaporizer Pen Does
Before we can compare dry herb vaporizers to other smoking methods, we need to discuss what a dry herb vaporizer is, a vape pen or a premium vaporizer, either way, you need to know how it works, and some of the benefits of using one of these devices.
Basically, as its name suggests, a dry herbal vape is a device that's used to smoke dry flowers or herbs. This makes them different than vaporizers most people are familiar with, which employ liquid cartridges.
Convenience is the biggest benefit of dry herb vaporizers. These devices are relatively compact, meaning that you can easily carry them in your pocket, and they are also extremely easy to use.
Generally, dry herb vaporizers operate using only one button, so all you need to do is load up your vaporizer and press a button to enjoy smoking cannabis or aromatherapy.
Another big reason to use a dry herbal vaporizer pen is that you'll be able to eliminate your exposure to potentially harmful toxins. Unlike most other smoking devices, which rely on combustion, dry herb vapes heat up your dry herb until terpenes and cannabinoids turn into a gas, which you can then inhale.
Not only does this eliminate the toxins that can be created through combustion, but it also reduces the throat irritation that can be caused by other forms of smoking.
Finally, dry herb vaporizers offer much richer flavor than you'd get with other devices. While this may not be important to everyone, it can be a big benefit for people who want to fully experience the flavor of whatever dry herb they've decided to use.
Dry Herb Vaporizer vs. Oil
Now that you know some of the basics of dry herb vaporizer pens, we can start comparing them to different smoking methods. Let's start by taking a look at some of the differences between vaping dry herbs and vaping oil.
While dry herb and oil pens may seem similar at first glance, they are actually very different in some extremely important ways. One of the primary differences between vaping dry herbs and oil is the temperature at which the pen must operate. Oil must be heated to a much higher temperature than dry herbs before vaping is possible. This can mean it will take longer for oil to heat up, forcing you to wait a little while before you can vape.
Dry herb vaporizer pens also require considerably less maintenance than pens used for vaping oil. You can clean a dry herb vaporizer very quickly, whereas oil may take extra time because you'll want to be sure there is no residue left in the chamber. For instance, with dry herb, you can wash out your device using simple tap water, which wouldn't work when vaping with oil.
Dry herb vaporizer pens are generally more flexible than vape oil pens. With your dry herb vaporizer, you should be able to use virtually any type of herb you want, which means you can switch between using your pen for aromatherapy to using it for smoking cannabis. With oil vaping, you will likely be limited in terms of what types of oil you can use with your pen. This may not be a problem if you're only interested in using a specific type of oil, but for those who value variety, it can be a big issue.
Dry Herb Vaporizer vs. Atomizer
Atomizers are some of the most popular vaporizing devices on the market today, particularly for ex-smokers. An atomizer contains a heating element that is used to create vapor using something known as e-liquid. Most e-liquids contain some amount of nicotine so that they can be used to help people quit cigarettes, but this isn't always the case. Some people choose to vape e-liquid just for their flavor, not in an effort to give up tobacco products.
Dry herb vaporizer pens and atomizers share some things in common. For instance, both of these devices are highly portable and typically operate using a single button. There are, however, some distinct differences between these two devices that you should keep in mind.
As mentioned, atomizers are used primarily for people who want to quit smoking. While they can be extremely useful in this regard, it also means that some people may have no use for their device after they've given up cigarettes. Dry herb vaporizers, on the other hand, have a wide variety of uses. Sure, you can use them to smoke cannabis and even tobacco, but they can also be used to vape almost any herb you can think of, including lavender, peppermint, green tea, and sage.
Atomizers can also be a lot messier than dry herb vaporizers. If you spill your dry herbs while loading up your vaporizer, it really isn't a problem. Just pick up the herbs and go about your day. Getting your atomizer ready can be a lot trickier. You'll need to pour your e-liquid very carefully, and if you happen to spill any of your liquid, you'll have a sticky mess on your hands and possibly on your carpet.
Dry herb vaporizers also provide some medicinal benefits, depending on the type of herbs you are using. Some of the herbs you can use with your vaporizer, such as cannabis, may be able to help you with conditions such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. With atomizers, the only real medical benefit is that you'll be able to stop smoking cigarettes, although you may still be addicted to nicotine if you don't make a point of reducing the nicotine content of your e-liquid over time.
Dry Herb Vaporizer vs. Joint
Joints have long been one of the most popular methods of smoking cannabis, but that's likely to change soon, thanks to the advent of dry herb vape pens. Let's take a look at some of the differences between these two smoking options so that you can decide which is right for you.
Simplicity is the only real advantage that joints have over a dry herb vaporizer pen. With a joint, you just need rolling papers, filters, and some cannabis. There's no need to invest in a high-tech device, and you won't need to worry about carrying a charging cord with you to make sure that you can smoke.
In almost every other regard, dry herbal vape pens are the much better choice. For starters, dry herb vaporizer pens are a lot more discreet. When you whip out a joint, pretty much everyone will know exactly what you're smoking, which isn't the case with vaporizer pens since they are compatible with several different types of herbs.
Dry herb vaporizer pens can also be a much healthier choice than joints. As we've mentioned, these vaporizer pens do not rely on combustion to work, which means you aren't exposed to toxins. On the other hand, joints do rely on combustion, since you'll use a lighter to smoke the cannabis.
For some people, using a dry herbal vaporizer pen can also be a lot easier than smoking a joint. Rolling a joint is a skill that takes a little practice, whereas anyone can load dry herbs into the chamber of a vaporizer pen without any trouble. This also means that you can use a dry herb vaporizer pen much more quickly. Instead of rolling a joint, you'll just pull your pen out of your pocket and take a puff whenever you want.
Dry Herb Vaporizer vs. Concentrate
Concentrates made from THC are a popular choice for people who are interested in using cannabinoids. You may also see concentrates referred to as wax because of their appearance, but whatever they're called, they can be a good option for many people, particularly those who care about potency. Following are a few facts to help you choose between concentrates and dry herb vaporizers.
Availability and cost are the two biggest differences between dry herbs and concentrates. THC concentrates are very difficult to make and require specialized equipment. Because of this, concentrates can be a lot more expensive than dry herbs and can also be harder to find. So, if you want to enjoy cannabis at an affordable price, using a dry herb vaporizer is generally your best option.
THC potency is the one area where concentrates are the better choice than dry herbs. With dry herbs, the potency really depends on the strain of cannabis you use, but typically, the max that you'll get is 25 percent. With concentrates, potency can be a lot higher, hence the name. Thanks to the chemicals used to create concentrates, THC potency can be as high as 90 percent.
Dry herbs are generally more convenient to use than concentrates. You just load your herbs into your vaporizer, wait a minute for it to heat up, and then vape away. Concentrates can be used in several different ways. Portable devices are available, and you can also heat up your wax using a blowtorch. Some people choose to ingest the wax, which is called dabbing.
Odor is another area where concentrates and dry herb vaporizer pens differ. Concentrates generally do not produce a strong aroma, regardless of how you choose to use them. So, in this way, concentrates are a little more discreet than dry herbs. On the other hand, concentrates do create more vapor than dry herbs, so people will probably still take notice when you use this substance.
Dry Herb Vaporizer vs. Pipe
Pipes are another type of device that you can use to enjoy dry herbs.
While pipes can be a lot of fun to use, they aren't necessarily the best choice when it comes to using dry herbs. Like many smoking options other than dry herb vaporizers, pipes rely on combustion. You'll load your dry herb into the pipe and then either light it with a match or lighter or activate the heating element if you have a more modern device. Because they rely on combustion, pipes are generally less healthy than dry herb vaporizer pens.
Pipes can also result in a harsher flavor than dry herb vaporizer pens, which can be concerning for some people. Think about it. With combustion, there is always a risk for your dry herb to burn, which will both result in an acrid flavor and may irritate your throat while smoking.
With dry herb vaporizer pens, there is no such concern. Combustion isn't involved in the process, and many devices have auto-off functions so that there isn't a risk of your dry herb getting too hot.
Convenience is another issue when it comes to pipes. If you're using a traditional pipe to smoke your herbs, you'll need to carry your pipe, a lighter, and your herbs with you at all times. With a dry herb vaporizer, all you'll need is herbs and your device.
The only benefit that might make you want to use a pipe is that you won't have to worry about a dead battery preventing you from smoking whenever you want.
Dry Herb Vaporizer vs. Bong
Some people enjoy using bongs to smoke cannabis and other herbs, which makes it a good idea to compare these devices to dry herb vaporizers.
One of the biggest similarities between these two devices is that they can both be used with a wide variety of herbs. So, whether you want to use cannabis, tobacco, or some other herb, both a bong and a dry herb vaporizer will suit your needs.
Like many of the other devices we've discussed, one of the drawbacks of a bong is that it can expose you to other chemicals that you may not be prepared for because of the use of combustion. For instance, with every hit you take off of your bong, you can inhale a large amount of carbon dioxide in addition to the cannabis, which is why it's common to feel lightheaded.
Portability is another issue with bongs. Generally, using a bong outside of your home just isn't possible, which means you won't be able to enjoy dry herbs on the move if you choose this device. Dry herb vaporizer pens are highly portable, making them the ideal option for those who want to use their favorite herbs while outside of the house.
If you've ever used a bong before, then you know that it's possible to experience some short-term respiratory side effects. Smoking a bong can irritate and even paralyze the small hairs in your lung called cilia, which can result in coughing fits and even more severe conditions such as bronchitis. Because dry herb vaporizers heat up your cannabis instead of burning it, you won't have to worry about these potential respiratory effects.
Dry Herb Vaporizer vs. Smoking
As you may be able to tell, what we've mostly talked about in this article are the differences between vaping and smoking. On the surface level, both practices seem the same since you are inhaling a substance into your lungs, but in reality, smoking and vaping are extremely different, particularly in regard to your health. Let's take a look in closer detail so that you have the information you need to choose the option that's right for you.
Heat is the biggest difference between smoking and vaping. Smoking uses combustion, which occurs at a much higher heat above vaporization. In general, if you heat dry cannabis herbs over 445 degrees F, they will combust. Good quality dry herb vaporizers operate at a lower temperature, typically between 330 degrees F and 337 degrees F. Heating the dry herbs at these temperatures release the cannabinoids without also releasing negative substances.
The difference between the heat used in smoking and vaporizing also impacts efficiency when you use cannabis. With smoking, you can destroy over half of the cannabinoids in your herb as soon as you light up, which reduces many of the medical benefits. Vaping doesn't destroy any of the cannabinoids, which means a dry herb vaporizer is the healthier choice for anyone interested in the medicinal advantage of cannabis.
Vaping also makes it easier to customize your cannabis experience, especially when it comes to how you'll feel the psychoactive effects of the herb. if you want only mild effects, you can vape at a lower temperature and then increase your temperature the more you want to feel the effects. With smoking, you'll always get the strongest hit because of the high temperature involved.
Now that you know about the differences between dry herb vaporizing and other smoking methods, it should be easier to see that a vaporizer is the best choice if you want to enjoy the full benefit of dry herbs. At DaVinci, we specialize in dry herb vaporizers and offer a wide range of accessories. We can help you choose a device that you'll love using every single day, regardless of the type of dry herbs you want to vaporize.