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While individual herbs can be vaped alone in a vaporizer, you’re not limited to vaping one herb at a time. One can find many recipes specifically blended to induce certain effects, or offer an interesting flavor profile. 

If you're trying to figure out how to choose a vape for the first time (especially a dry herb vape), we understand if you feel overwhelmed. There are literally hundreds of choices to choose from, and the range of features and prices is enormous.  We understand that you don't want to buy several vapes only to be disappointed with several, so we've made a guide to help make your first purchase a homerun. Inside, we'll talk about qualities in a vape that you need to consider, as well as kinds of vapes that are good for veterans, beginners, and everything in between!  How To Choose A Vape For Beginners If you're a beginner at using dry herb vaporizers, there will be characteristics that you want to look for and avoid. Whether you plan on vaping weed or hemp, you should take a look at some of the things you should be looking for in a beginner vape: Easy to Use Beginners need a vape that isn't going to overwhelm them when they first use it. This means avoiding complicated, feature-rich devices that are geared towards experienced vapers who know the exact kind of customization they want. This is why beginners should start with a dedicated dry herb vape, as opposed to a box mod with a dry herb attachment.  Dedicated dry herb vapes (like the Firefly 2+), are designed specifically to vape weed and hemp. You may see some crossover in features (for example, the Firefly 2+ and the Pax 3 are designed for weed but can also handle concentrates), but your focus should be a device that was designed primarily for dry herbs.  Heating Variability Beginners will need to take time to discover what temperatures they enjoy using weed vaporizers, which means it's important for beginners to get a device that can heat at a wide range of temperatures. Some devices support precision heating options, allowing users to adjust the heat by degree, while others have a handful of preset heating choices programmed into the device.  Many devices have both features available since beginners tend to enjoy cycling through the preset heating options while they discover their ideal vapor temperature.  A High-Quality Device at a Comfortable Price Beginners face the temptations of buying budget dry herb vapes when they first start. While this makes sense, especially if you're vaping weed for the first time, it won't do much good if it provides a terrible vaping experience. You won't know what you like and what you don't if your experience with a low-quality device is poor regardless of settings.    The best option is to choose a high-quality device that is comfortably in your price range. Beginners shouldn't be prepared to drop $500 on a vape but being comfortable with spending around $100-$250 is a nice range to balance quality and price.  What To Look Out For When Buying A Vape When you are deciding how to choose a vape, it's helpful to know what kinds of vapes you could come across. Here are the most common devices you'll see when you start shopping for a vape: Vaporizer A vaporizer is a device that can produce vapor, and the term is a bit of a catch-all for a large swathe of devices. This term is often used for dry herb vaporizers, since most weed vapes aren't true "vape pens" but they aren't really box mods or pod mods, either. The Firefly 2+ is a vaporizer, as are the majority of high-quality weed vapes. Vape Pen A vape pen is a cylindrical device, close to the shape and size of a ballpoint pen, that is capable of creating vapor. True vape pens are usually travel-friendly and discreet, but they often lack the power and features that bulkier vape devices may have. There are dry herb and wax vapes that are true vape pens, though you'll need to consider the lack of power or features when shopping.  If you're curious how to use a vape pen, you'll be happy to hear that they are very beginner-friendly.  Box Mods Box mods are powerful vape batteries that are loaded with extra features. They are also compatible with a wide range of attachments, which makes them ideal choices for vapers who want to regularly change between weed, wax, or oil vaping. Box mods are usually expensive and not beginner-friendly, though veterans may appreciate the features offered.    Pod Mods Pod mods are vapes that have proprietary, pre-filled pods that fit into specific devices. Unlike most vape pens and box mods, which are usually designed with universal 510 threading, pod mods lock you into a specific kind of vape, substance, and overall vaping experience. These are a great choice if you are nervous about learning how to vape.   Pod mods are almost always THC oil exclusive, so they won't be a good choice if you want to vape dry herbs or wax concentrates.  What Is the Best Vape Pen For Me? You have to take the time to consider what you want out of a vape to find the best device for your needs. Thinking about the following points can help you narrow down on how to choose a vape: Vape Substance Compatibility  Do you plan on exclusively vaping weed, or do you want some flexibility to branch out into concentrates? As we mentioned, many devices are capable of handling both, while others are designed exclusively for one substance or the other. For example, the Ares Honey Straw is made exclusively for concentrates, while the Firefly 2+ can handle both weed and wax.  Portability Not all vaporizers are travel-friendly. If you want to easily vape on the go, you may want a device that is discreet and can easily be packed. If you plan to vape at home, you could consider a desktop vape that is featured-filled and powerful but not at all portable.   Portability doesn't just mean a slender design, either. You'll need to think about how easy it is to load the vape with your preferred substance. Pod mods that use prefilled THC pods will be much easier to load and use than standard vape pens or vapes, but you'll trade that portability for power, features, and options in what you can vape.  Features Features are key to creating a customized vaping experience, though you'll need to take time to find the vape that has the features you're looking for. If you want precision heating, where you can change the heat degree by degree, then most high-end dry herb vapes (including the Firefly 2+), will be a great choice.    However, you may not want extra features and would prefer a simplified vaping experience. If that's the case, a pen like the Yocan Evolve Plus, a powerful wax pen that does not offer heating options, may be a possible choice for your vaping needs.  How To Find The Safest Vape Device We really believe that the Firefly 2+ is one of the safest weed vapes available on the market. The vapor path is completely glass, so you don't have to worry about chemicals leaching into your vapor. It also uses dynamic convection heating, so you'll always get vapor, and you'll never get smoke.    That dynamic convection heating is also on-demand, which means you won't need to let the device warm up in order to produce vapor. It'll take around 5 seconds and you can start taking puffs, and that fast heat-up time eliminates the danger of leaving a heated device unattended.    The Firefly 2+ is extremely safe to use, not to mention it also creates great-tasting vapor in seconds. Vape For a Heavy Smoker, How Do I Choose? If you're used to large, heavy bong hits when you smoke weed, transitioning to a vape can be challenging. Small vape pens just don't deliver the punch that large smoking pipes do, so heavy smokers need to make sure to choose a vape that can create a large amount of vapor in a short amount of time.    For heavy smokers, the best option is a desktop vape. These devices are stationary, but they have enormous dry herb capacity and can create huge amounts of vapor. Since most desktop vapes plug into an outlet instead of running off of a battery, heavy vapers won't have to worry about the battery dying in the middle of an extended vaping session.    The Stors and Bickel Volcano desktop vape is a classic example of a high-end, high-quality device for heavy vapers. It can plug into a wall outlet, has a large capacity for dry herbs or concentrates, and can create enormous plumes of vapor quickly.  Conclusion How to choose a vape will be impacted by a number of personal factors that need to be considered. Take the time to consider your vaping needs and match that with potential devices on the market. It's the best way to choose a vape you love on the first purchase. SHOP NOW

A new year has come and gone, and all kinds of dry herb vaporizers continue to emerge in the cannabis industry. There are devices aiming to be the best vaporizer for travel, flavor, and even vapor quantity. With such a crowded market, it can be hard to determine what the best dry herb vaporizer is, in this article we’ll look to evaluate a variety of options and what the best dry herb vaporizer of 2022 is.   We've researched our favorite devices that we think will make a big splash in 2022. Whether you're looking for a great portable device, vapes with amazing battery life, or even cool options that deserve your attention, you'll find the best of the best here.  Choosing the Best Vape: Know Your Needs First! Even though we love the devices that are ranked in this article, that doesn't necessarily mean that you will love them. Choosing the best vape actually means choosing the best vape for you. To make the best choice, you'll want to know how to vape with devices that offer varying features. Consider some of the points below to jumpstart your brainstorming. Portable and Travel-Friendly Do you want a petite vape with battery life that can last through the day, or are you planning on vaping at home with a more power-hungry device? This is important to consider, and dry herb vapes will rarely offer both.  Heating Options Not all vapes offer degree-by-degree heating. You’ll need to consider what kind of heating you want your device to have. Multi-Purpose Vape Are you dedicated to dry herb vaping, or do you think you might want to branch into concentrates? Many dry herb vapes are designed to handle more than just bud, so you may want to brush up on how to use a vape pen before you start seriously shopping. Best Dry Herb Vaporizer: Portable & Desktop Dry Herbs Vaporizers (2022 Picks) Without further ado, let's take a look at our picks for the best dry herb vaporizer. Let's look at the different types of vapes that made our list. Best Overall Vape: Firefly 2+ You can call us biased, but we genuinely believe that we offer the best overall vape on the market. The Firefly 2+ uses dynamic convection heating to provide delicious vapor, it sports a modern, aluminum design that travels well and is easy to hold, and it offers precision heating with a range of 200 - 500F (93 - 260C).  Figure 1 Black Firefly 2+ Vape. The Firefly 2+ heats to your set temperature in as few as three seconds, which is easily the fastest of the devices on this list. The on-demand vaping makes it easy to take a small puff and quickly put the device away, which is a great feature if you are trying to stealth vape.  The battery life is good for around four to five vaping sessions (depending on how hot you vape), but the Firefly 2+ uses removable batteries to easily double vaping sessions without needing to charge. It comes standard with a rechargeable battery, which is great news for vapers looking to vape while they're away from an outlet. Cleanup with the Firefly 2+ is as simple as popping off the aluminum facing and wiping down the interior heating chamber.  The all-glass vapor path is also easy to clear and clean, all you need is a few strong puffs to clear out any clogs that may have snuck in (which are rare).  The cleaning process for convection vapes is different from making sure you have clean coils like on a box mod or conduction vape. The Firefly 2+ excels in easy cleaning, while other models are more difficult and labor-intensive.  Overall, between the quality of the vapor taste, the speed of vapor production, and the sleek look and feel of the device, the Firefly 2+ is our pick for the best dry herb vaporizer in 2022. DaVinci IQ2 - Best Vapor Quality The Firefly 2+ isn't the only device on the market that can make vapor with amazing flavor. It uses conduction heating to make vapor, which means your dry herb will need to make contact with a hot plate as opposed to being heated only by air. While other conduction vapes are notorious for poor-tasting vapor, the DaVinci IQ2 is a notable exception.  Figure 2 Davinci IQ 2 When the dry herb is brought to your desired temperature, the vapor will travel along an all-zirconia ceramic vapor path (including the mouthpiece), which helps to keep the flavor crisp and authentic to your dry herb. Temperature can be controlled with a companion smartphone app, but different Smart Paths can be changed on the device to target different temperature ranges.  Heat up time on the DaVinci IQ2 is around 30 seconds, and the 18650 batteries will last around six to eight sessions, depending on how hot you vape your dry herbs. The battery is removable, and since it uses a common vape battery, it's easy to make sure you have uninterrupted vaping time.  The DaVinci IQ2 is a solid device, especially for vapers who like a discrete design and function that focuses on overall vapor quality.  Arizer Solo 2 - Best Battery Life One of the worst pain points of any dry herb vape is how fast they use up a battery. Whether a device uses a convection heating chamber or a conduction heating plate, it takes a lot of power to get these components to temperature and to stay heated. If you're number one concern in a dry herb vape is how long it can last on a single charge, then take a look at the Arizer Solo 2. It has an absolutely monstrous vape time. You can vape dry herbs for up to three hours on a single charge, which is double to triple what many other dry herbs vapes offer. The Arizer Solo 2 also uses pass-through charging, so you can continue vaping while the device is plugged into a wall outlet.  Figure 3 Arizer Solo 2 The Arizer Solo 2 is more than just long battery life, too. It has a glass vapor path, a long glass stem to help vapor cool down before you inhale it, and a stainless-steel body that feels great in your hand. Temperature settings can be set degree by degree at a range between 122 - 428F (50 - 220C), helping the device to create a solid vaping experience.  This device is perfect for a vaper who wants a long, reliable vaping time without needing to exchange batteries.  Hydrology 9 Vaporizer - Best Pocket Vape The Hydrology 9 is less a pocket vape and more a pocket electric bong, which is why we love it so much. It's the only vape on this list that has built-in water filtration to help smooth out hot hits of vapor into cool, delicious puffs. Unlike an actual bong, which makes smoke, the Hydrology 9 uses conduction heating to create authentic vapor.  Figure 4 Hydrology 9 Vape The draw of the Hydrology 9 is its water filtration and unique design. However, it is a bit lacking in some other features. The battery life is 90 minutes, and with a three-hour charge time, that can make it easy to unexpectedly run out of juice. The heating range is more limited, too, offering heating options between 392 - 464F (200 - 220C).  For vapers looking for a vape that includes the smooth hits that water filtration provides and an eye-catch, stylish design, then the Hydrology 9 might be a great pocket vape fit for you! Dr. Dabber Switch Vaporizer - Best Powerful Vape Our least favorite dry herb vapes were ones that seemed to struggle to create vapor at any temperature setting. The Dr. Dabber Switch is anything but a weak vape, and it is our favorite powerful vape. It has a fantastic stand-alone body, a modern, appealing design, and plenty of heating options and features.  Figure 5 Dr. Dabber Switch The Dr. Dabber Switch will heat up in around 30 seconds within a range between 300 - 800F (149 - 427C). You'll have to be careful not to burn your dry herbs, but the enormous temperature range makes the Dr. Dabber Switch true to its name. It handles not only dry herbs, but a wide variety of concentrates, and you just have to flick a switch to change between modes.  You’ll need to be careful not to burn your dry herbs with the conduction heating, but the Dr. Dabber offers an enticing and powerful option for at-home vaping.  Plenty Vaporizer - Best Home Vape Not everyone needs a travel-friendly vape. Devices designed for at-home use have their own unique perks, and the Plenty Vaporizer is one of our favorites. It uses a mix of conduction and convection heating to create vapor that tastes absolutely amazing. If you're a patient vaper and want a dedicated device for your home, then the Plenty has a lot to offer.  Figure 6 Plenty Vaporizer While the Plenty offers a unique, comfortable design that's perfect for leisurely vaping, there are some other features that were a bit lacking. It takes around three minutes to reach temperature, which is a bit long, and it only has a temperature range of 266 to 395F (130-202C).  As long as you're not looking for a lot of extra features and can wait for the device to reach your temperature setting, you'll have an incredibly flavor-filled experience using the Plenty. Boundless Tera - Impressive Vape The Boundless Tera didn't get a spot in any of our best of categories, but we still felt it deserved an honorable mention. It has a comfortable price range, a solid 30 second heat-up time, and features all-manual controls. Our favorite feature was the temperature range, which starts as low as 140F and as high as 500F (60 - 260C).  Figure 7 Boundless Tera That range is perfect if you are trying to target specific cannabinoids since different cannabinoids have different boiling points where they'll turn to vapor. However, with a stainless-steel vapor path, we weren't sold on the overall vapor flavor, and the 45-minute vape time with the two-hour charge time can make vape sessions short and irritating.  However, for what it is, the Boundless Tera is a solid dry herb vape, especially for vapers who may want a budget device or a device with a broad heating range.  G Pen Roam - Best Portable Vape Vaping concentrates on the go can be challenging, but we found that the G Pen Roam made is as easy as it was fun! It uses an all-glass vapor path and a built-in water filtration system to make smooth, cool-tasting vapor. The G Pen Roam has a spill-proof design to prevent messes, a fast heat-up time, and a design that comes apart easily for convenient cleaning. Figure 8 G Pen Roam If you're looking for a dedicated device for concentrates, the G Pen Roam is our favorite option. You won't be able to enjoy dry herbs in this device, but you'll have a world-class experience with your favorite waxes.  Pax 3 - Best For Micro-Dosing Pax is a brand that produces solid dry herb vapes, but the Pax 3 gets a special shout-out for vapers wanting to micro-dose. For the uninitiated, micro-dosing involves vaping a tiny amount of bud in order to get some of the potential health benefits of the cannabinoids and terpenes while avoiding the intoxicating effects of THC.  Figure 9 Pax 3 in-hand while being reloaded. Dry herb vapes can make it difficult to micro-dose since most models are designed to have the heating chamber nice and packed. The Pax 3 has a unique "half-pack lid" feature, which allows vapers to make a tightly packed bowl with as little as .18 grams of dry herbs. That's about as micro as you can get with a dry herb vape! Airvape X Vaporizer - A Cool Vape Finally, we have another honorable mention to end our list of the best dry herb vaporizer. The Airvape X didn't quite make it into a "best" category, but it's cool enough that we felt it deserved a mention! It has a stainless-steel body that feels great in your hand, easy-to-use manual heating controls, and a large LED screen to show all of your heating settings.  Figure 10 Airvape X Vaporizer The heating chamber is ceramic, and the vapor path is completely separate from the stainless-steel body, allowing the Airvape X to create solid tasting vapor. Offering all of this at a budget-friendly price makes it a worthwhile grab for beginners or casual vapers.  The limited battery life, bulky design, and long charge time might be a deal-breaker for some. However, for casual vapers looking for a less expensive device that still creates great-tasting vapor, the Airvape X may end up being a compelling option. How to Choose the Best Dry Herb Vaporizer For 2022? Even if you only look at the "best of" list, you still have quite a few options for a dry herb vape. We mentioned this earlier, but it's worth repeating: to choose the best dry herb vape for 2022, you need to make sure that you have a solid grasp of what you want and don't want out of a device.  You should ask yourself questions like: What's my budget? Do I want a travel-friendly device or an at-home device? Do I want to only vape dry herbs, or do I want to dabble with dabs, too? Making sure you know what you want before you buy will help you make the best choice for you! Save Money By Vaping Vaping dry herbs are more cost-effective than smoking (which is why many switch to dry herb vapes, to begin with). However, there are a few more tips you can follow to help you get the best price on devices. Sign-Up for Email Deals Many vape brands offer new customers a discount on devices when they sign up for e-mail marketing or when they make their first purchase. Make sure you look to see if these kinds of discounts are offered before you buy! Buy During the Holidays It's common for vape brands to offer discounts on their premium devices around the holidays. This is especially true closer to Black Friday and through December, though certain brands may offer discounts for specific holidays throughout the year.  Should You Buy a Dry Herb Vaporizer? Dry herb vaping offers a cost-effective way to enjoy your favorite dry herbs without the extra irritation that smoking can provide. Even though the research is still out about potential harms of vaping, early findings suggest that “vaporization is an improvement over smoking.”  We definitely believe you should buy a dry herb vape, but only you can decide if dry herb vaping fits your lifestyle. We think that, once you try it, you'll never go back. SHOP NOW

Dry herb vaping continues to be a consistent favorite among vapers. It marries the potency and complex taste of flower with the smoothness and convenience of vaping. While dry herb vapers should be well aware why vaping flower is wonderful, they may be unintentionally wasting weed. Before you dump your used weed into the trash, stop! It may have more to offer.  This weed that's commonly thrown away is called already vaped bud (or AVB), and you shouldn't throw it away. Even though it isn't producing vapor anymore, you can still enjoy some residual THC through a variety of methods. In this article, we'll talk specifically about what AVB is and assorted ways you can easily enjoy it.  If you're looking to get the most out of your dry herb, keep reading! What Is AVB Weed? AVB weed is "after vaped weed," which refers specifically to weed that has been used in a dry herb vaporizer. Vaped weed doesn't turn to ash (especially in convection vapes), but your flower will eventually stop producing vapor. You know  your weed has been exhausted when it turns yellow or brown, and the flavor is somewhat popcorny.  Figure 1 Firefly 2+ vape loaded with dry herb. Vaporizers like the model shown will produce AVB after extensive vaping. Remember, if you burn your weed, you won't get AVB weed. Combustion vapes (that burn weed or produce smoke) will just leave ash. In order to get AVB weed, you'll need to use a device that provides consistent heat below 451F degrees (233C), so you don't cause the weed to combust. Many vapers just throw away AVB weed. However, for those who want the best bang for their buck, you can actually use AVB weed in a variety of ways and still get a pleasant high.   How Does AVB Weed Work? Many vapers are surprised to hear that AVB weed can still provide a pleasant high. However, if you're used to making your own edibles, then you've essentially been making AVB weed and not even realizing it! When you vape weed (or when you prep weed in an oven for edibles, your flower undergoes a process called decarboxylation, commonly referred to as decarbing). When you decarb weed, you heat the weed without burning it, and in doing so you activate the cannabinoids inside. This is required to activate the THC for your body to absorb, to get high. Figure 2 Fresh weed on the left next to AVB on the right. When weed would be categorized as AVB, it turns a brown, yellowsh color. Source: https://dutch-passion.com/en/blog/what-to-do-with-already-vaped-weed-n975) Heat activates the THC, which is why vaping, smoking, or baking weed for edibles works. If you just ate raw flower, you wouldn't feel high at all. When you vape weed, you're essentially decarbing it and inhaling the fumes. When you get to the point where you've made AVB weed, it may not produce vapor, but all of the THC that remains is activated and ready for absorption.  How Much THC Is in AVB? It can be tricky to determine exactly how much THC remains in AVB. The actual amount will be depending on a variety of factors, but AVB usually has upwards of 20% of the original THC content from your weed. The actual amount can vary, so here are some factors that can impact the actual amount of THC present: What Temperature Do You Use to Vape? The hotter you vape your weed, the less residual THC will remain in your AVB. Higher temperatures vaporize cannabinoids more effectively, which means there will be less leftover. However, if you vape at moderate or low temperatures, you'll find much higher concentrations of left-over cannabinoids, including THC.  It will take some time to find the best temperature to vape weed based on your preferences. Be patient and find the temperature levels that are the best fit for you.  How Long Do You Vape? If you tend to have lengthy vape sessions, you'll end up with less THC in your AVB. This should make sense because the longer you vape, the more THC you extract from your weed. How Much THC Was Originally Present? The more potent your weed, the more likely you'll have higher levels of THC in your AVB. Top-shelf strains that have 25-30% THC are likely to have a noticeable amount of THC present when the bud stops producing vapor. Likewise, bottom-shelf strains that have low THC levels will have an even smaller amount of THC in the AVB. Can You Smoke AVB? You can smoke AVB. However, it's not going to produce as strong a high as smoking fresh bud, and you need to brace for the flavor. It will not taste great. Remember, AVB has had the majority of the terpenes evaporated out of it, and terpenes are responsible for giving weed its aroma and complex flavors.  Without the terpenes, the resulting flavor will be extremely bitter. The vast majority of vapers have a difficult time handling the taste of AVB when it's smoked. But don't worry, there are a lot of other ways you can enjoy AVB and avoid the unpleasant flavor.  What Can You Do With AVB? There's a variety of ways you can enjoy your AVB, and most of them are surprisingly simple. Take a look and see which method might be the one that best fits you: Water Curing We mentioned that you can smoke AVB, but a major problem is the extremely bitter taste. An easy way to get rid of the bitterness is to water cure your AVB. In short, you'll wrap your AVB in cheesecloth and soak it in water for several days (up to a week, if you prefer). Then, you just need to quick dry it in an oven so it can be stored without growing mold.  Figure 3 AVB wrapped in cheesecloth and soaking in water. This is part of the water curing process. Source: https://www.vaporizerwizard.com/blog/how-to-water-cure-your-already-vaped-bud-avb/) This method is so effective because of the chemical nature of the cannabinoids in weed. THC, CBD, and others are not water-soluble. However, the chemicals that create the bitter taste in THC are, so soaking AVB in water will slowly remove the bitter-tasting chemicals without removing the residual THC.  Smoke It Again We mentioned this before, and we'll say it again! You can smoke AVB. If you're looking to smoke it, you'll want to water cure it beforehand to be able to tolerate the extremely bitter taste.  Sprinkle It on Food The great thing about AVB is that it's already decarbed, which means you don't need to do any special prep to be able to extract the THC. This means you can literally sprinkle on your food and chow down to get a nice little buzz. You'll definitely want to water cure your AVB beforehand, so you don't ruin a meal! Make AVB Capsules Since the THC in AVB is already activated, many vapers will put AVB into capsules to make their own AVB pills. This technique avoids the nasty taste, so you won't need to water cure it if you don't want to take the time to do so. To help absorption, you'll want to mix in a little oil or eat something fatty with it to help draw out the THC. AVB Weed FAQs We've found that dry herb vapers have a lot of questions about AVB. Here's a quick summary of some of the most common questions we get, and you'll find that some of these have already been answered! Can You Eat AVB? Yes! You can sprinkle it in your mouth and get a nice THC buzz. Remember, vaping the weed decarbs it, so all the cannabinoids have been activated and are ready for absorption. The taste and texture might be unpleasant, so we recommend mixing it in with food. If you're in a hurry (or can tolerate the taste), then feel free to sprinkle it right in your mouth! Can You Smoke AVB? Yes! It won't be as strong as fresh bud, but you can smoke it. Just brace for the super bitter taste! Does Smoking AVB Get You High? Yes! The high won't be as strong as when you vaped the fresh flower, but smoking AVB will definitely get you high. The more potent the original weed was, the more potent your AVB will be! Final Thoughts About What To Do With AVB If you want to get every single drop of THC out of your flower, then don't throw away your AVB! It will still pack a decent punch, and if you water cure it, you'll avoid the biggest drawback of using AVB: the bitter taste. Here are a few points to keep in mind if you're confident that you want to regularly enjoy AVB. Use a convection vape. A conduction vape unevenly heats flower, which means some of your weed will be AVB while other bits will still have plenty of vapor to give. Convection vaping evenly heats your entire bowl, so when it stops producing vapor, you'll know the entire bowl has been converted to AVB.  Water cure your AVB. This will eliminate the bitter taste and make it easier to enjoy.  Consider sprinkling it on food or making edibles instead of smoking it. After all, you chose a dry herb vape instead of smoking it, so why would you decide to start now? SHOP NOW

Weed vaporizers have increased in popularity the last few years as consumers look for healthier alternatives to smoking and an all-around smoother experience for consuming cannabis. You may be interested in these benefits but wondering - what exactly is a weed vaporizer, and how does it work? What is a Weed Vaporizer? A weed vaporizer is a device that is used to vaporize marijuana. THC is the main cannabinoid in marijuana that delivers a psychoactive effect or produces a ‘high’ when you consume it. Marijuana can be used recreationally or medicinally because it has many health benefits - from supporting relaxation to a myriad of wellness related concerns. Some people smoke marijuana and some people prefer to vaporize marijuana, both of these methods extract the THC and other cannabinoids present out of the weed and provide an instant effect. The cannabinoids and other compounds in the smoke are ingested through the lungs and any excess is released into the air. The experience with a weed vaporizer is different from smoking a joint or pipe because it does not burn the marijuana. A vaporizer for cannabis uses heat to vaporize the THC without burning it, meaning the temperatures in vaporizing are much lower creating a smoother experience upon inhale and reducing marijuana waste produced. So How Do Weed Vaporizers Work? A weed vaporizer uses a battery-powered heating chamber to produce heat. This heating chamber will vaporize weed at the press of a button or sometimes just a simple inhale is needed. The heating element is usually ceramic. The chamber is where the weed is placed, and it can be made out of many materials. Some of the most common materials include glass, ceramic and stainless steel.  Heat causes the THC in the weed to start vaporizing at around 100 degrees Celsius  (230 degrees Fahrenheit). This temperature is reached almost immediately because of how quickly the heating element is able to respond when turned on. Vape weed quickly and efficiently Unlike other weed vaporizers, the Firefly 2+ will have you ready to vape in as little as 3 seconds. The Firefly 2+ weed vaporizer turns off automatically when the temperature reaches 157 degrees Celsius (315 degrees Fahrenheit). This feature prevents combustion from occurring, which stops smoke from being produced. If temperatures continue to rise beyond 315 degrees Fahrenheit (157 degrees Celsius), then smoke will be produced. However, if you purchase the best weed vaporizers on the market, this should not happen. When not in use, make sure to keep your weed vaporizer clean and stored in a safe temperature-controlled spot, this will help it to last longer and keep each session with your weed vaporizer as good as the last. The Benefits of Using a Vaporizer for Weed Weed vaporizers continue to become more popular as the years go by, and more people learn about their benefits as a method of cannabis consumption. There are a number of different types of weed vaporizers that can be used for a variety of purposes - from medical to recreational and even for the use of marijuana in religious ceremonies.  Using vaporizer devices can be helpful to people who use marijuana for medicinal purposes because they can deliver the medicine more effectively to the person using it. This reason ‘why’ is simple - vaporizers heat up weed efficiently, which increases the amount of THC you get out of the weed. Smoking weed does not allow the THC time to dissolve into the plant material, this means that smokers are not able to get as much THC out of their weed as they would from a vaporizer. This is one main driver behind why many prefer weed vaporizers as an alternative to smoking. The vapor produced by a weed vaporizer is also free from many of the toxins found in smoke. This makes it safer & healthier than most methods used for smoking weed, because fewer toxins enter the body when someone inhales vapor instead of smoke. Not all weed vaporizers are the same, however, some are better than others at extracting all the THC from the marijuana. You will learn more about this as you read about different weed vaporizers and their unique features. How To Use A Weed Vaporizer Follow these simple steps to get started using your weed vaporizer: Grind up your weed: Grinding up your weed makes it easier to heat and thus vaporize, helping you get the most out of your weed.  Load the weed into the vaporizer: Put the ground up weed into a vaporizer and power it on.  Attach your mouthpiece & inhale: If your device has a mouthpiece, put it on. Then, place your lips on the mouthpiece, inhale and enjoy the delicious vapor that emerges. Types of Weed Vaporizers There are three different types of weed vaporizers that can be used depending on your purpose. 1. Portable Dry Herb Vaporizers  A portable dry herb vaporizer is a device that is used to vaporize marijuana flowers or other dried herbs, see our article the best dry herbs to vaporizer. Some products can vaporize both marijuana or concentrate. This type of weed vaporizer is very popular among medical marijuana patients because it is discreet and easy to use. It can also be used in more public settings discreetly. The Best Weed Vaporizer The Firefly 2+ is a weed vaporizer that works for both dried herb and wax/concentrate. Designed with love and respect for the plant, Firefly thoughtfully designed its vaporizer to allow for the best experience possible. It’s proprietary heating technology lets you capture every essence of the herb inside and only heats while you’re inhaling. It’s sleek and discreet design, coupled with the fastest heat up time of any portable vaporizer makes it a contender for what we think is one of the best weed vaporizers on the market. 2. Portable Wax Vaporizers  A portable wax vaporizer is a device used to vaporize hash oil. Hash oil is a sticky substance that is extracted from marijuana plants. This cannabis extract has high concentrations of THC, which makes it easier to produce a high when consumed. Portable wax vaporizers can be used with any type of hash oil, including shatter, budder, and wax. This type of weed vaporizer is popular among people who use marijuana recreationally because it allows for quick, easy and portable smoke sessions. The Firefly 2+ is able to vaporize both dry herb and marijuana concentrates with ease. The Best Concentrate Vaporizer If you are looking for the best wax vaporizer you should take a look at The Firefly 2+. This vaporizer will change your perception on what weed vaporizers are capable of. One of the best all-purpose vaporizers available on the market today, this vaporizer pen has an advanced temperature control system that enables you to adjust the temperature to your exact specifications. It’s easy to load and clean with its glass surface and magnetic lid. The best part is that there is no need to wait. This wax vaporizer will be ready for use in 3 seconds. The Firefly 2+ is compatible with wax, cannabis oils, and cannabis flower. If you are interested in smoking cannabis oils, you should consider the Firefly 2+. It is compatible with any type of oil and heats it up to a perfect temperature.  3. 510-Thread Vape Pens Another popular method for vaping is using pre-filled THC oil cartridges that are often compatible with 510-thread batteries, like the O.pen 2.0 vape pen. This method of vaping is great for those who have convenience at the top of their priority list. Small and compact and often at a more affordable price point 510-thread vapes are a great addition to your weed vaporizer collection for those on-the-go moments. SHOP NOW

While vapers love to enjoy their favorite vape products in the privacy of their own home, it's not always an option for vapers on the go. Sometimes, discreetly vaping in public is the only option, but that's often easier said than done. Since this is a common problem, stealth vaping techniques have popped up among the vaping community. For beginners, stealth vaping is likely a confusing term. Below, we'll talk about what stealth vaping specifically is, how to successfully do it, and when you should and should not try it at all. If you're interested in more comfortably vaping in public without drawing unwanted attention, then keep reading. What Is Stealth Vaping?  Stealth vaping just means "vaping without anyone else noticing." Generally, stealth vaping requires a small, discreet vaping device (like a disposable vape), and it requires using vaping techniques that produce little to no visible vapor. If you're hoping to stealth vape with a box mod or a high-powered dry herb vape, you won't have much success.  Figure 1 Woman putting Firefly 2+ in jacket pocket. Stealth vaping requires a vaporizer that can be easily concealed and traveled with. Ideally, you'll stealth vape where vaping is allowed but where you don't want to draw attention to yourself. You may also want to stealth vape if other THC options aren't available. For example, if you don't like edibles or tinctures, then stealth vaping may be your only option for daily dosing.  How to Stealth Vape  Stealth vaping isn't necessarily hard, but you'll want to make sure that you have the appropriate equipment and techniques to successfully stealth vape. Stealth vaping is different from how to vape normally, so take a look at the following steps! Step 1: Get a Discreet Vaporizer  You'll need a vaporizer that you can easily conceal or that won't otherwise draw unwanted attention. This might be a pod vape or a small, draw-fire disposable vape. You can consider larger options if you think you can use it without being too obvious about it.  Step 2: Cover Any Visible Lights  Most vaporizers have some kind of LED light that indicates the device is powered on. These lights need to be completely covered during stealth vaping or it might catch someone's eye, especially if you're vaping in low-light conditions. If you're looking for a stealth vape to buy, consider a device that doesn't light up (or has easily covered lights) during vaping.  Step 3: Take Small Puffs  Finally, stealth vaping requires you to take smaller puffs than what you might be used to. Even if you have the perfect little device with no lights, it won't matter if you're ripping huge vapor clouds from your device. Be patient, take small puffs, and blow vapor down and away from you.  If you're stealth vaping with a dry herb vape, you'll want to be sure to grab a device that focuses on performance and flavor rather than raw vapor production (like the Firefly 2+).  Stealth Vaping at Work  Stealth vaping is a popular technique used for those that want to vape at work. However, no kind of vaping is worth risking your job over. If vaping is not allowed inside your work building, wait until you have a chance to move outside or to an approved vaping area.  Figure 2 Woman in yellow sweater in kitchen holding Firefly 2+. While it may be appropriate to stealth vape at work, if vaping is not allowed, you should stick to enjoying it at home. Even if you're appropriately vaping, you might not want your co-workers to know that you vape at all. Using stealth vaping techniques in an appropriate area can make sure you're getting the THC or CBD you need to comfortably work without drawing the prying eyes of your coworkers.  When Is Stealth Vaping Acceptable?  Generally, if you're in an area that allows traditional smoking, you can also vape. This depends on what you're vaping, though. For example, even if you can vape nicotine-infused e-liquids or CBD-infused oils, local or state ordinances may prohibit vaping any kind of THC in public at all.  We encourage THC and dry herb vapers to stealth vape to avoid nosey co-workers or passing strangers in areas where they can legally do so. Even if it's legal, many vapers want their habit kept private, which is the perfect time to stealth vape!  Here are some common situations where you may want to consider stealth vaping: When visiting family or friends who are not vape or cannabis-friendly While in an approved vaping/smoking area but you want to keep your vaping habit private When you're in a casual but unfamiliar setting. The Dangers of Stealth Vaping  Stealth vaping starts to present dangers when it's performed in areas where vaping is strictly prohibited. While this isn't an exhaustive list, these are common areas that vaping is legally prohibited. You should not risk stealth vaping in these areas: Airports and airplanes Bus stops and busses Train stations and trains Hospitals Most enclosed, public areas If you get caught vaping in a store, you may just get kicked out. However, if you get caught vaping on an airplane, there are serious consequences. It can be a fine of up to $4,000, and you can be arrested and removed from the flight.  Figure 3 Travelers at an airport. You should never vape on a plane and should only vape in airports with legal, dedicated vaping spaces. It is not worth trying to stealth vape in areas where it's not allowed. If you're unsure, be sure to check state laws or country-wide laws about how vaping is regulated.  Stealth Vaping Techniques  There are some specific techniques you can follow for expert stealth vaping besides taking small hits from a small vape. These techniques are good for all vaping types, including dry herb vaping.  Hold in the Vapor  Try holding in a small puff of vapor longer the next time you want to stealth vape. Holding the vapor in gives it a chance to condensate more inside you, which means you'll exhale less vapor. An added bonus is that you'll absorb more cannabinoids and terpenes this way, too! Exhale Through the Nose  You can also try exhaling through the nose to eliminate some vapor. Your sinus cavities will help the vapor condensate more, and then the vapor will be forced downward. Both of these factors help the vapor to be thinner and less noticeable when exhaled.  Pucker Your Lips  Puckering or pursing your lips is an easy strategy to eliminate vapor. When you exhale, instead of just blowing, pucker your lips to bottleneck the exiting vapor. This will limit how quickly the vapor can leave your mouth, so a lot of it will dissipate very quickly once it's out in the open. Some vapor will end up condensing in your mouth, which means you'll blow out less, too. Blow into a Shirt or Napkin  If you can discreetly blow into a shirt or a napkin, then do it! Both materials filter and trap vapor in their fibers, which means little to no vapor is visible to onlookers. This is a very easy and extremely effective technique, just as long as you don't draw attention to yourself by blowing into your shirt or napkin. Make Sure Your Vape Is Clean  Since this style of vaping will be flavor-focused, making sure that your vape is clean is extremely important. You'll want to think about how to clean vape coils if you're using an e-liquid or concentrate vape, and you'll want to consider how to clean the heating chamber of a dry herb vape.  What Is Zero Vaping?  Zero vaping is a variety of stealth vaping that has recently begun to gain steam. Zero vaping means that zero vapor is produced, so when you exhale, no visible puffs or clouds are seen at all. This is the pinnacle of stealth vaping, and as long as you hide your vaporizer, you won't draw any unneeded attention from the vapor! It can be difficult to get used to zero vaping at first. Most vapers are used to thicker vapor clouds or seeing visible vapor as a sign that their device is working properly. It can be challenging to get e-liquid or oil vapes to a zero-vaping state, and most of these devices require significant tweaking to deliver decent hits with no vapor.  Dry herb vapes are an ideal choice for zero vaping (especially convection vapes). It's a lot easier to tell that you're getting a hit because you'll be able to taste it, and most dry herb vapes are already lighter on the vapor production side.  How to Zero Vape  Stealth vaping is usually pretty easy to pick up on, and most vapers will be comfortably stealth vaping within a few hits. Zero vaping, on the other hand, takes time to get the technique down. Remember, you aren't just trying to conceal your vapor. You want to produce no vapor at all. Here are some common strategies to zero vape: Take Tiny, Repeated Hits  The purpose of this technique is to dilute your draw with as much air as possible to eliminate visible vapor. This will take some practice to do comfortably, but almost any vaper will get the hang of it after some practice! Take a look at the following steps: Take a tiny pull from your vape. Inhale air slightly (do not exhale). Take another tiny pull from your vape. Inhale air slightly again (you still should not have exhaled yet) Repeat this process until your lungs feel full and hold your breath in, giving vapor time to mix with the oxygen in your lungs and dissipate.  Pucker or purse your lips and exhale slowly. If successful, you shouldn't see any vapor. If you do see vapor, take smaller hits and try to inhale more air before exhaling. Puff and Hold One Small Hit  This technique is similar to the stealth vaping technique we discussed earlier in this article. However, the difference will be to take a smaller hit and hold the hit in for five seconds or longer. When you exhale, be sure to purse or pucker your lips and breathe out slowly. If you still see vapor, take a smaller hit and try to hold it longer.  Why Vape Like This?   Whether you're stealth or zero vaping, there's a lot of reasons vapors would want to be more discreet. Aside from trying to avoid unwanted attention, there's a lot of other reasons someone would want to try to stealth vape or zero vape: Reduce Vapor Output  You may be in an area where you can comfortably vape at will, but you don't necessarily want to fill a room up with your vapor. Stealth or zero vaping is a considerate way to enjoy your favorite substances without forcing those around you to endure giant, puffy clouds.  Flavor Chasers  Many vapers prefer to enjoy the flavor of what they're vaping instead of just focusing on gigantic clouds of vapor. Flavor chasers is the term used to describe vaping enthusiasts who enjoy picking out different tasting notes of their favorite oils or dry herbs. If you want the best flavor, it actually serves you better to avoid creating large plumes of vapor. It's the same idea as to why you would want to sip on a glass of wine instead of chugging the whole bottle at once. Sipping wine means you take your time, enjoy the flavor, and can easily stop if you get comfortably inebriated. Chugging the bottle means you barely enjoy it, you might get too drunk, and you end up wasting wine that pours down the sides of your mouth. Giant plumes of vapor means that there are cannabinoids and terpenes that are getting exhaled without you absorbing them. This is especially true with dry herb vaping, where big vapor clouds mean you're missing out on everything you're exhaling. Think of the giant vapor clouds as the wine that you're spilling without getting a chance to drink it.  A More Controlled High  As we just mentioned, stealth and zero vaping is an extremely controlled process. This means it's very easy to control how high you're getting, which is important if you can't afford to get really stoned. You'll need to be more patient, but it's a great way to make sure you don't vape too much. The Firefly 2+, Stealth Vaping, and Zero Vaping  Both stealth and zero vaping are best achieved with dry herb vaporizers that have a focus on quality flavor instead of vapor production. If this sounds like the kind of vaping you're interested in, then the Firefly 2+ should be on your shopping list. It uses dual convection technology to provide on-demand, flavorful vapor that is naturally low in vapor production already. Vapers interested in trying to stealth vaping or zero vaping will have an easy time with the techniques when using the Firefly 2+.  SHOP NOW

If you already know how to vape, then you likely have already used PG and VG, even if you don't know it! However, it's always best to know what you're putting inside your body, and the ingredients to your favorite vape juices are no different. Regardless of the brand of e-juice you enjoy, you'll come across PG, VG, or a mixture of the two in essentially all nicotine vape juices.  What exactly are those ingredients, and is it safe to vape PG and VG? In this article, we'll take an in-depth look at what these two ingredients are, how they compare, why vapers would prefer one over the other, and if these ingredients are safe for frequent vapers.  PG vs. VG  PG and VG are both abbreviations for common vaping ingredients, with PG standing for propylene glycol and VG standing for vegetable glycerin. We'll get into what makes each of these components different in a few sections, but let's start with how they're similar: Both are odorless and commonly infused with nicotine and other flavors in vape juices. Both are considered "sugar alcohols" and used in all kinds of consumable products, not just vape juices. They each are easily vaporized (which is why they are popular vape components). Neither are known to cause any health issues when vaped or consumed, although studies on these ingredients are limited. PG and VG can be mixed in varying ratios to produce different vaporizing effects. Now, let's dive into each specific component, starting with PG! What Is Propylene Glycol (PG)?   Propylene glycol is a sugar alcohol with a thin viscosity. PG doesn't have an odor or a taste, and since it is also seen as safe and nontoxic, PG is found in all kinds of different products. PG has a unique characteristic of being a "humectant," which means it can be used to keep certain products moist.  How Is It Used?  All of these characteristics together make it an ideal choice to help preserve certain kinds of human and pet food, a medium for food flavorings, and even as a delivery component in inhalers (like we said, it vaporizes easily). It's the main component in fog machines and, of course, vape juices! You'll also find PG in different oral hygiene products (like toothpaste), a variety of beauty products, and certain medical components.  Is It Safe?   The FDA has categorized PG as "generally recognized as safe" when used as an ingredient in consumable products. If you see PG as an ingredient in food or a topical beauty product, the evidence seems to be clear that PG will not cause any negative side effects.  However, vaping is another story. Long-term research hasn't been done yet (because PG hasn't been vaped and studied long enough for concrete conclusions). Early research indicates that PG might be associated with some "cytotoxic properties," which means PG caused cell death.  That same study states that researchers suspect that the cell-killing properties are more likely associated with "the production process and materials used in flavorings" as opposed to the PG itself. Vapers should use caution while vaping (especially when vaping flavored e-liquids with nicotine), but research hasn't yet shown us that vaping PG is particularly harmful.  What Is Vegetable Glycerin (VG)?  Vegetable glycerin is a viscous sugar alcohol. Just like PG, VG doesn't have a color or odor, but it does have a taste. It's sweet and is often used in vape juices to help bring out sugary or candy-like flavors. You may see VG simply referred to as "glycerin," so just remember that both of those terms refer to the same substance! How Is It Used?  Similar to PG, VG is used in a lot of different applications. It's a humectant, just like PG, so you'll find it in topical beauty products, and it's used as a common baking ingredient to help keep food moist. Its sweet flavor makes it a great candidate for certain food flavorings as well as certain medicines (like cough syrups).  Is It Safe?  When VG is used in foods or other consumable products, it gets the same FDA rating of "generally recognized as safe" that PG gets. VG is used in a lot of food products, and there isn't any evidence to suggest that eating it will cause a health risk.  Again, you get a bit of a different story when you consider vaping VG. The study we mentioned earlier that stated that PG might have cytotoxic properties came to the same conclusion with VG, with the disclaimer that it might be the additives besides VG and PG causing harm.  Another study specifically looking at VG inhalation in rats showed that there appears to be only a small chance of risk when VG is inhaled. (In that study, VG is referred to as glycerol, which is the same substance).  Early research into vaping VG shows that it's probably safe, but a lot more research is needed to make any concrete claims one way or the other. This ambiguity of risk (along with PG and VG usually being infused with nicotine) is a reason why vaping laws have been quickly changing and why readers commonly ask how old do you have to be to vape? What's with the VG and PG Ratio in E-liquid?  When you buy vape juice, you'll usually see a "vg:pg" ratio listed as part of the ingredients. That ratio can vary (for example, while a 50/50 ratio is common, it's also common to see more pg than vg, more vg than pg, or exclusively one ingredient instead of the other).  Changing the VG and PG ratio changes how the vapor feels in your throat, how quickly vapor can be made, and the overall flavor of the vape juice in question. Let's take a look at how each of these ingredients can impact your vaping experience.  Differences Between PG and VG for Vapers   Different juices use different ratios of PG and VG to create a specific experience for customers. Here are some of the most notable differences between vaping each ingredient: PG Mimics Smoke Better (Throat-Hit)  PG provides a more authentic "throat-hit" (or how the vapor feels when it's inhaled) when compared to VG. That usually means the vapor is a bit hotter and harsher, which helps it mimic the feel of inhaling actual smoke. This characteristic may not appeal to everyone, but it is fantastic for tobacco smokers looking to transition away from smoking.  The authentic throat-hit feels more like tobacco smoke, which helps smokers enjoy the experience more. The closer the vaping experience is to smoking, the more likely they are to stick with vaping and kick smoking for good. There isn't a guarantee that PG will help customers stop using tobacco, but the authentic "throat-hit" definitely helps! VG Is Smoother and More Tolerable than PG   That authentic "throat-hit" is a turn-off for a lot of vapers. For some, PG irritates their throat and lungs too much to really enjoy smoking PG vape juices at all, which is where VG juices come in! VG e-liquids tend to provide a smoother, more pleasant vaping experience. While you don't get the same "throat-hit," many vapers prefer the smoother experience. VG Produces More Vapor  Earlier, we mentioned that VG was thicker (or more viscous) than PG and that quality allows VG to create more vapor. That vapor tends to be really thick and dense, and expert vapers who are "cloud chasers" (or vapers that value making enormous clouds over all else) gravitate towards e-liquids with high VG ratios.  Beginner vapers usually don't care about making an enormous amount of vapor when they first start, which is why vape juices with high VG ratios are usually pursued by more experienced users.  PG Produces More Authentic Flavor  PG is very thin and completely tasteless, which makes it an excellent vehicle for delivering authentic, fresh flavors. Remember, VG is just a bit sweet, which will hurt vape recipes that aim to have a savory taste (like tobacco flavors or exotic flavors like popcorn).  This doesn't mean that if you want an authentic flavor, you should only go after high PG e-liquids. Most vapers won't be able to tell the difference (especially beginners), but more experienced vapers looking for a specific taste usually gravitate towards high PG vape juices.  PG Is Better for Vape Tanks with Wicks  If your vape tank uses a wick to soak up e-liquids and bring them in contact with a heating element, then you'll have a better vaping experience with PG recipes. PG is very thin, which means a wick will be able to soak it a lot easier. VG takes longer to soak into wicks, and if you aren't patient enough, you could end up accidentally scorching your wick.  If your tank doesn't use a wick or is a more modern tank that uses a clearomizer, then you can usually vape any kind of e-liquid without much worry. If you're using an older, more basic style of tank, you'll want to be careful not to use high VG e-liquids.  Is PG or VG Safer to Inhale?  Early research indicates that there isn't a significant safety difference between vaping PG or VG (in fact, one of the earlier cases we discussed used PG and VG in the experiment). However, it's important to keep track of new research as it's released to make sure you're vaping as safely as possible! Which is the Best PG VG Ratio for Me?  There isn't a blanket answer for the specific PG and VG ratio that you'll like the best. It'll depend on your particular taste and what types of vapes you plan to use. However, there are a few factors to keep in mind when you are deciding which kind of e-liquid you want to use on a regular basis. You Should Use Higher PG Ratios If…  You want a more authentic flavor from the ingredients in your vape juice You're looking for a "throat hit" that mimics real smoke You're using an older style vape tank or have a vape tank that uses a wick You Should Use Higher VG Ratios If…  You want maximum vapor production. You want a smoother vaping experience, or if you don't tolerate PG well. The vast majority of available vape juices use varying ratios of PG and VG. You'll need to experiment with different ratios and flavors to determine which specific ratio is ideal for your tastes and for your device! SHOP NOW

Without a doubt, the most cost-effective way to vape is to get a reusable vaporizer or vape tank. Buying your own bottles of vape juice, dry herb, or wax gives you so much more bang for your buck than buying disposable cartridges or disposable vapes. However, you only get to enjoy the savings if you properly maintain your devices.  One of the most important pieces of maintenance for vape tanks or heating chambers is to make sure that your vape coils are kept clean. While it isn't necessarily hard to clean vape coils, it's very easy to ruin coils (or even entire tanks) if you don't clean them the proper way.  Curious about the best way to keep your vape pen, tank, and coils clean? In this article, we’ll teach you how (and more) below!   Why Is Cleaning Your Vape Important? There are several reasons why it's important to clean your vape on a regular basis. Let's take a look at some of the most important reasons below: Maintenance Check When you take apart your vape to clean it, it gives you an opportunity to visually inspect the internal components of your device. For vape juice pens, it's a great chance to see if the heating coil needs replacing, if you need to replace the wick material, or if there are any other parts or components that don't look quite right.  For dry herb and wax vapes, it's a chance to prevent vapor path clogs before they start. If you're using a conduction vape pen, it's also a good chance to see if the heating coils just need to be cleaned or need to be replaced entirely.  Maintain Quality Flavor A clean vape makes for clean tasting vapor, and dirty vapes are a common cause for burnt tasting flavors. Your heating coils will eventually need to be replaced, and towards the end of their life, they will create nasty, harsh vapor that can ruin a quality vaping session. Regular cleaning will avoid this issue almost entirely, which is why it should be part of your vaping habit. Improved Overall Vaping Experience A well-maintained, clean vape just makes for a better overall experience. Not only will your flavor be consistently delicious, but you'll avoid making your vape a nasty, sticky experience. You may find it difficult to use a touchscreen on a vape covered in residue, while devices with physical buttons may stop working entirely if they get gunked up.  What Are the Components to Clean in a Vape Device? The specific components that you'll want to focus on will vary depending on what the vape is designed to do. You'll also see some variation based on specific brands and models, though the following information will give you a good idea of what to expect with most general devices: What Are the Components to Clean in an E-Liquid Vape? E-liquid vapes have the most parts to consider when thinking about regular cleaning. This is because more advanced vape tanks (like those with rebuildable atomizers) have several intricate parts that need to be removed for cleaning. First, you'll see the drip tip (or the mouthpiece). Originally called drip tips because you would literally drip vape juice into this piece onto coils, these pieces now are basically mouthpieces. You will want to be sure to keep this part clean since vapor will always make contact here on its way to your lungs.  Next, you have the vape tank (the device that holds your vape juice). They will usually have a lid that connects directly to the drip tip, and that lid needs to be kept clean, as it is part of the vapor path. Inside the tank, you'll find heating coils (or a heating element that heats your juice) and possibly a wick that soaks up vape juice to be placed into contact with the coils.  What Are the Components to Clean in a Dry Herb or Wax Vape? Dry herb and wax vapes are usually simpler than e-liquid vapes. Wax vapes will have a heating chamber with coils, which connects to the mouthpiece. Dry herb vapes might have heating coils (if they are conduction vapes), which will lead to a mesh filter before opening into the vapor path.    If you're using a convection vape, you may or may not have exposed heating elements. Many convection vapes use built-in heating chambers or walls that require little cleaning or maintenance, but they also can't be replaced. They will usually have a mesh screen (like conduction vapes), and the mesh screen in both styles will need to be replaced on a regular basis.  When to Clean Your Vape Device Usually, you'll want to do a minor clean on your vaping device once every 1-2 weeks, with a deeper clean every month, but it’s dependent on how often you are using your vape device. This will help avoid experiencing unexpected burnt flavors and will help keep your internal components in working order.  There are also other specific instances that you may need to make an unscheduled clean. Common reasons include:  A Burnt or Unpleasant Flavor We've mentioned this several times, but a bad vapor taste almost always means you need to clean out your device. It can also help diagnose other problems if the nasty flavors persist after cleaning.  Low Vapor Output If your vapor path is clogged or your heating coils are caked with residue (a common problem with wax vapes), you'll notice a significant decrease in vapor production. A clean may be needed to clear out clogs so you can get bigger, more satisfying hits.  Changing Vape Juice Flavors If you're using a vape juice device, you'll usually want to clean the tank out if switching between flavors. This is because the residue of the previous oil will remain (and will still be saturated into the wick). If you want crisp, authentic flavors from your juice, you'll need to clean the tank when you change out flavors.  What Are the Common Cleaning Techniques? Whether you're looking for a quick clean or a more thorough, deep clean, there are several techniques you can rely on to get solid results.  Standard Liquid Cleaners The most common cleaning techniques involve a liquid cleaner, like rubbing alcohol or warm water. A quick warm water rinse is great for basic cleanings, while more in-depth cleanings benefit from rubbing alcohol or other dedicated cleaning agents. While household agents (like vinegar) are often used, we encourage you to follow your manufacturer's recommendations. If you are cleaning inside of a vape juice tank, you should not use rubbing alcohol (also called isopropyl alcohol). It ignites easily and is extremely dangerous if vaporized and inhaled. Dry Cleaning (or Burn-Off Cleaning) This is a great technique if using a dry herb or wax vape with coils that have caked-on residue. You'll remove any vaping substance from inside the heating chamber and crank up the heat to the coils. When the coils have cooled, you can use a cotton swab with a cleaning solution to brush away any lingering gunk that may still be on the coils.  This technique is similar to how some ovens self-clean, and it's a great strategy for cleaning off newer coils. Older coils may not be able to use this strategy well since coils lose their ability to reach peak temperatures over time. Ultrasonic Cleaning If you have ever gone to a jewelry store and watched them clean jewelry in a small bath of water, you've seen ultrasonic cleaning in action. The water acts as a medium for ultrasonic vibrations to travel, which effectively knocks off the dirt and grime that may have built up inside your device.  You'll get an excellent clean from these devices, though you'll want to consider the upfront cost of this kind of cleaner, as well as any maintenance it may need for long-term use.  How to Clean a Vape Tank Depending on how dirty your vape tank is, there are several different methods you can use to get it comfortably clean. You may be able to get away with just a warm water rinse, or you may need a heftier cleaning agent (like baking soda) to get the job done.  Water Rinse If your vape tank just needs a quick clean, then a water rinse is ideal. All that a water rinse involves is: Disassemble your vape tank. Allow warm water to run over each individual component. Place each component on a towel to air dry.  For bigger parts of the vape tank, you can use a paper towel or microfiber cloth to gently dry it, but air drying is the best way to safely and thoroughly dry the internal components. Deep-Clean Soak If your vape tank needs a more thorough clean, soaking is the best way to tackle stubborn residue. There are several cleaning agents for soaking to consider, including:   Grain alcohol (do not use rubbing alcohol) Vodka Vinegar Baking Soda Lemon juice Dish soap and warm water With each of these cleaning agents, you'll let your vape tank soak for 1-2 hours. Afterward, thoroughly rinse components under running water and allow them to air dry.  Ultrasonic Cleaner Finally, if you opt to invest in an ultrasonic cleaner, simply take your vape tank apart, fill your ultrasonic cleaner with water, and allow the device to go through a cleaning cycle (usually around 10 minutes). You'll want to follow included device instructions for more specific instructions, but the process is very simple regardless of which cleaner you end up with.  When to Replace Your Vape Tank While vape tanks with proper maintenance can last for a long time, there will come a time that you need to replace the tank. Common signs include dwindling vapor production (even when primary components are replaced and clogs are removed), a stubborn, unpleasant flavor, or persistent leaks.  How to Clean Your Vape Coils If you just want to clean your vape coils, the process is easy! The most important step in cleaning vape coils is to make sure you are only cleaning your vape coils, which means the other components need to be removed. For most vape tanks, this includes removing the drip tip, top cap, the bottom base, and the quartz or plastic tank cover.  Once the vape coil is isolated, you'll soak it, as we discussed earlier. You can use warm water and dish soap, vinegar, baking soda, or grain alcohol, and you'll soak for as long as you think you need to (usually 1-2 hours, but a longer soaking session won't damage the coils).    After soaking, rinse the coil in running, warm water for 20-30 seconds, and allow it to completely air dry before reassembling your vape tank.  How Long Do Vape Coils Last? The life of a vape coil will depend largely on how often you use it, how well you take care of it, and what you are vaping. For example, coils used for wax vaping have a very short lifespan compared to coils in vape tanks, but a heavy vape juice vaper may need to replace their coils more often than a casual wax vaper.    In general, heating coils can last up to a month, though this will depend on the factors we mentioned before.  How to Clean a Vape Pen? Vape pens usually require much less cleaning than a vape tank will (especially if using prefilled, disposable cartridges). However, you'll still want to keep residue from building up on the outside of the device (which will naturally happen as vapor comes into contact with the outside of the pen).    To clean a vape pen, take a dry cloth and wipe down the outside. This is usually all you'll need to do to keep a vape pen from getting sticky, gross, and hard to use. If you need a more thorough clean, wipe the device down with a damp rag. You'll never soak a vape pen or use harsher cleaning agents (like the ones we mentioned before). Conclusion Keeping your vape coils and vape tanks clean is pivotal to keep your device long-lasting and your vapor tasting great. Luckily, most cleaning for any style of vape is relatively simple and straightforward. Just be sure to put in the occasional time to keep the device clean and to keep watch of any signs that you need a deeper clean or a component replaced.  Looking for a long-lasting, easy-to-clean dry herb vape? Then take a look at the Firefly 2+. It's simple design makes it easy to maintain, but its high-quality components consistently provide some of the best-tasting vapor cannabis vapes have to offer!   SHOP NOW

Intro  With vaping continuing to grow in popularity, it can be hard to keep track of all the different kinds of vaping devices that are available. While veterans may be able to easily navigate the differences, beginners can easily be overwhelmed with choices, especially if terms are used seemingly interchangeably (like "vape pen").  If you've ever been confused about what specifically a vape pen is, then this article is for you! We'll deep dive into what those devices are, what features they usually offer, and how to best take care of vape pens for long-term use.  What is a Vape Pen?  A vape pen is a small, cylindrical device that is able to produce vapor. It includes a battery that powers a heating element within an atomizer. That atomizer is in contact with your vaping substance, and when heat is applied, that substance vaporizes and is inhaled by the user.  True to their name, vape pens typically look somewhat like ball-point pens. This makes vape pens an ideal choice for discreet, public use and usually makes for easy travel. Vape pens can be used to vape a variety of substances, including nicotine-infused vape juice, dry herbs, concentrates, and cannabis oils.  What Are the Different Types of Vape Pens?  Vape pens were one of the first styles of vaporizers available on the market, which means you'll find a huge variety of devices today. Take a look below to see some of the different kinds of vape pens available today. Disposable Vape Pens  Disposable vape pens are complete vaping systems ready to go out of the box. They are not designed to be refilled, so once the vape juice inside is used up (or the battery dies), the pen is thrown away. Disposable vape pens can come filled with e-liquids (often infused with nicotine) or cannabis oils, like THC.  Reusable Vape Pen Batteries  Reusable vape pen batteries are the most common vape pen style available. The battery is built inside a pen-like chamber, and most are designed to connect to a 510 threaded cartridge. This kind of vape pen can use disposable, prefilled cartridges or can use refillable, reusable cartridges or tanks. This style of a vape pen usually has nicotine-infused vape juices or cannabis oils in mind for use. Dry Herb Vape Pens  You may associate dry herb vapes with larger, box-like designs, but genuine dry herb "pens" are available. They maintain a smaller, pen-like design (though it will still be thicker than a vape pen for e-liquids), with a chamber to heat dry herbs. You typically sacrifice chamber and battery capacity for the discreet pen design, so keep that in mind when choosing a device. Concentrate Vape Pens  Since concentrates don't need a wide surface area to heat, most concentrate vaporizers will sport a pen-like design. The heating chamber just needs to be wide enough to house a heating coil, though there are several genuine vape pens that are made specifically for concentrate vaping.  Pod Mods  Finally, pod mods are hefty vape pens that are geared towards heavier vapors. Unlike box mods, which are larger and bulky, pod mods offer a slimmer design while still offering plenty of power. Pod mods are much thicker than a standard, reusable vape pen, but their comfortable, cylindrical form factor is still far less conspicuous than a standard box mod.  Pod mods are generally used for e-liquids with nicotine, though pod mods can also handle a variety of accessories and attachments. Depending on the specific brand, you can find pod mods that can handle dry herb or concentrate attachments, too.  What Parts Make Up a Vape Pen?  Depending on the specific brand of pen, you'll find small variations in the design or offered features. However, you can count on finding the same core components across devices that allow the vape to work. There are three major designs that you'll experience; e-liquid vape pens, dry herb vape pens, and concentrate vape pens.  E-Liquid Vape Pens E-liquid vape pens will typically have a battery at the base of the device. As you move along the device, the battery will connect to some kind of atomizer. Unless you're using a disposable vape pen, the atomizer can be disconnected from the battery, which allows for cartridge replacements or easier refills.  The atomizer connects to the vapor path, which is how vapor can flow from its container where it is heated. Finally, the vapor will flow through a mouthpiece, where users can take puffs of tasty clouds! Dry Herb Vape Pens  Most dry herb vape pens do not have a removable heating compartment. Usually, the battery (which is still usually located at the bottom of the device) is wired directly to the heating chamber. This is because the heating chamber of a dry herb vape requires a lot more power than an atomizer does, and a built-in heating chamber allows power to more safely and easily flow. The heating chamber is where you will load dry herbs into the device. How much dry herb you can load will depend on the brand or model choice, though it's usually much less than a standard dry herb vape.  Once loaded, the heating chamber heats the dry herb (using either convection or conduction heating), which creates vapor. From there, vapor will pass through a mesh filter (usually connected directly to the heating chamber), where it will follow a vapor path to the mouthpiece.  Concentrate Vape Pens  Concentrate vape pens have some of the simplest designs you'll find in a device. The battery serves as the base and connects to the heating chamber. Depending on the device, you may be able to remove the battery base from the heating chamber, which is helpful when performing routine maintenance.  Inside the heating chamber are the heating coils. The concentrate is placed directly onto the heating coils, which will later heat up to super-high temperatures. Heating coils in a concentrate vape pen will eventually need to be replaced, and most devices allow for easy coil exchange for easy overall maintenance.  When the vape is turned on, the heating coils create vapor from the concentrate, which will travel through a vapor path through a mouthpiece. Concentrate vape pens can be made to be slimmer than dry herb vapes since less space is needed for concentrate than for dry herbs.   How Do Vape Pens Work? Regardless of the style you use, vape pens work in similar ways. A battery provides power to a heating element (which can be a heating chamber, heating coils, or an atomizer) that heats a provided substance enough to produce vapor. The vapor is then inhaled through a mouthpiece by the user.  While that process can vary greatly depending on the specific features a vape pen may offer, or what the pen is designed to use, the basic process typically remains the same for most vapes with a pen design.  Benefits of Vape Pens Vape pens offer a lot of benefits that other designs struggle to match. If you're thinking about purchasing a vape pen, consider some of the following benefits: Discreet Public Use The vast majority of vape pens (including many pod mods) can be concealed in a closed fist. This makes vape pens ideal for inconspicuous public use. If you need a device for vaping while out and about, a pen design may be a good fit.  Easy Portability Most vape pens can be disassembled and easily transported. Even if you don't plan on vaping publicly, if you want to have a device that travels easily, vape pens easily fit the bill. Even if your device can't be taken apart (like most dry herb vape pens), their overall design still lends themselves to be convenient travel companions.  Ease of Use Vape pens are really, really easy to use, which is why beginners flock to them. Connecting a cartridge or loading a heating chamber is very straightforward, and most vape pens aren't loaded with a full set of complicated features. If you want a quick, easy vaping experience, vape pens offer an enticing solution.  Tips for Choosing the Best Vape Pen If you're interested in a vape pen, you'll be faced with a huge variety of choices. In order to help narrow those options down, ask yourself some of the following questions to help guide yourself to an ideal product: What Do I Want to Vape? First, decide what you want to vape! Do you want to vape e-liquids or dry herbs? Do you want to be able to vape a variety of different choices? Determine what you want your vape pen to be able to handle, and you'll narrow down your choices quickly.  How Much Do You Want to Spend? While vape pens tend to be budget-friendly, you'll still face a pretty broad price range. Basic pens can be as little as $10-15, while pod mods can be upwards of $100 or more. Landing on a price ceiling before shopping will help to make a faster decision. What Features Do You Want? Are you ok with a basic vaping experience, or do you want precision heat control, an extra-large heating chamber, or compatibility across a broad range of attachments? Determining what features you want and which you can live without is a great way to narrow the field of choices.  How to Clean a Vape Pen? Vape pens are pretty easy to keep clean, though how you do so will depend on whether you have a vape pen for e-liquids, dry herbs, or concentrates: Cleaning an E-Liquid Vape Pen There's not much mess to clean up with this kind of vape pen since the entire vaping process is usually completely enclosed. Should light residue buildup on the outside, just use a dry cloth to wipe it down. If you spill vape juice when refilling a cartridge, wipe down the outside thoroughly.  Cleaning a Dry Herb Vape Pen After every vaping session, you'll need to dump out the heating chamber and clear any remaining spent herb. You should never store dry herb in a heating chamber (that can lead to stick residue buildup and clogs). Occasionally, you'll need to change the mesh filter once it becomes clogged, and most dry herbs vape pens come with spare filters.  Cleaning a Concentrate Vape Pen Cleaning a concentrate vape pen can be a little trickier since you're dealing with extra sticky wax concentrate. When you're done vaping, allow the heating coils to completely cool and rub-down the interior with a cotton swab and rubbing alcohol. You want to use a very small amount of rubbing alcohol, just enough to give the coils a good scrub.  You should never store concentrate in the heating chamber of your vape pen since it can potentially clog the vapor path or slowly seep into the sensitive electronics underneath. Remember, you'll need to occasionally replace the heating coil regardless, and it is often a reason that your vape tastes burnt.  How to Fill a Vape Pen? If you're using a dry herb or consecrate pen, just open the heating chamber and place your cannabis or wax inside. If you're using an e-liquid vape tank, the process can be a little more complicated, and there are general steps you can try (which will vary depending on the specific brand of vape you have): First, power the device off and detach the vape tank from the vape battery. If using a top-fill tank, unscrew or move the top of the tank to reveal the tiny refill hole. If using a bottom fill tank, flip the tank over and unscrew the covering to reveal the refill hole. Use a syringe (or a bottle with a syringe tip) to refill your tank to the desired level. With top-fill tanks, replace the tank cap and reconnect the tank to the battery. With bottom-fill tanks, replace the bottom of the tank, ensuring it is completely fastened. Then, flip the tank over. Check for any drips or leaks. If there are, flip the tank over and more securely fasten the tank cap. If there are no leaks, reattach the tank to the vape battery. Again, these steps will vary, though they should serve as a good general guide of what to expect when refilling an e-liquid tank.  How to Charge a Vape Pen Regardless of type or model, the vast majority of vape pens have internal batteries (or batteries that cannot be removed). This means they'll have a charging port (usually Micro-USB) and an included USB charging cable. Many vapes do not come with a power adapter (or the part that plugs into the wall), but you can use any you have available, like those for most mobile phones.  Conclusion Vape pens are an excellent choice for beginners, but their versatile and travel-friendly design has continued to draw veteran vapers who may be looking for a secondary travel device. Regardless of what you want to vape, there is a pen-like device for it, which means they are a great, low-cost way to try all kinds of vaping substances.  If you are interested in vaping dry herbs and are interested in moving to a high-performing device that moves beyond what a vape pen will offer, consider the Firefly 2+. It uses special convection heating to provide a world-class taste of your favorite dry herbs!   SHOP NOW