Vaporizer Buyers Guide – An Introduction to Dry Herb Vaporizers
What is vapourizing?
Vapourizing is an alternative method to smoking. When you smoke you are combusting (burning) your herbs to release its chemical components. However when you combust you are also inhaling other dangerous toxins in the smoke.
Vapourizing uses a controlled heat source to cook your herbs and extract the essential oils. Because the temperature is controlled your herbs cook rather than burn and only the essential properties are released leaving the rest of your herb cooked and intact. This result is fewer toxins being released.
Vapourizing is also more efficient than smoking. Because you are not burning your herbs you are able to extract more of the essential oils out of your herbs.
Advantages of switching to vapourizing:
- Less throat and lung irritation
- Cleaner feeling after vaping
- Low odour
- Improved flavour
- Improved extraction
- Cost effective
Now that you have an idea of what vapourizing is and you have decided you want to make the switch, you need to consider if you want a unit that is portable or desktop. Both come with their pros and cons.
Portable
- Smaller size
- Smaller chambers
- Usually runs on batteries
- More discreet
- Simple
- Intended for on the go
Portable vapourizers are designed to be used on-the-go, most of them are small enough to fit in a pocket and run off of rechargeable batteries. Because the units are smaller, the chambers are also smaller and suitable for individual users. You can find all the portables offered through TVape here.
Desktop
- Larger size
- Larger Chamber
- Multiple intake methods
- Less discreet
- More complex
- Intended for home use
Desktop units are larger and intended for home use. Because the units are larger the chambers of desktop units tend to be larger as well, allowing you to use more herb if you want a more potent session or if you want to vape with friends. You can find all the desktops offered through TVape here.
Whip |
Balloon |
Desktop units like the Extreme Q also offer different methods for inhaling your vapour. The most common method is with a whip which is usually a piece of tubing that attaches to the unit to deliver the vapour, similar to a hookah. Balloons are the other most common delivery method; the vapour fills a balloon to be inhaled from once it is full.
Features
There are several features to consider when looking for a vapourizer. Each company offers something different so it is good to know what to look for when choosing a vapourizer.
Temperature Control
Being able to control your temperature is important because different herbs vapourize at different temperatures. We recommend vaping between 180 to 215 degrees Celsius for most herbs. Lower temperatures produce thinner more flavourful vapour while hotter temps produce thicker clouds but harsher vapour. When it comes to vapourizers there are several methods for temperature settings that companies offer.
- Fixed temperature only 1 temperature setting, no flexibility.
- Pre-Set Temperatures offers a range of pre-set temperatures.
- Precise Temperature Control allows users to set temperature down to the degree.
Pre-Set Temperatures |
Precise Temperature Control |
Units that offer precise temperature control usually features an LCD display where you can set the temperature down to the individual degree such as the Focusvape Pro. This gives users full control over their session and vapour quality.
While units with fixed and pre-set temperatures use LED lights to display the temperature range and offer less control over your session and vapour quality like the Zeus Arc GTS Hub.
Heating Method
Currently there are 2 main heating methods used in all vapourizers; conduction and convection.
Conduction is the most common heating method found in vapourizers. The method involves your herbs coming into direct contact with the heating source and is similar to cooking on a skillet.
- flavourful vapour to start, but flavour declines throughout session.
- Herbs can cook unevenly due to hot spots
- Vapour becomes harsh at higher temperatures
Convection vapourizing is when your herbs are cooked with the hot air that is pulled from the heating element either through your inhale or by an internal fan. It is similar to cooking in an oven, the hot air is what cooks your herbs, not direct contact with a heating element. It is generally found in higher end units like the Utillian 722.
- Great flavour during entire session
- Herbs cook more evenly
- Vapour stays smooth at higher temperatures
- Found in higher end units
Induction is an up and coming heating method and is sure to be popular with connoisseurs. It uses magnetic fields to heat internal coils to a controlled temperature. This creates an even cook and great vapour quality.
- Herbs are evenly cooked
- Great flavour
- Smoother vapour at high temperatures
- New heating method
Convenience
If you are new to vapourizing you will probably want to stick to unit that is simple to use, understand and maintain. Some vapourizers, especially desktops require assembly before use and feature multiple parts and adapters which may detract newer users. While other vapourizers, particularly portables like the Zeus Arc GTS Hub are geared towards a more user-friendly session.
Features that influence convenience
- Simplicity
- Upkeep
- Cleaning
Desktop with accessories |
Portable with accessories |
Parts
Each vapourizer has an array of parts that go with it. These parts come in various materials and can directly influence your overall experience with your vapourizer. You can find all sorts of parts for your vapourizer on our parts page.
Glass
Glass is a very popular component that is used in a lot of vapourizers especially Arizer units like Arizer Solo 2. Glass has an extremely high melting point around 1400C 1600C making it perfect for vapourizers, which can never reach those temperatures. Glass usually provides smoother more flavourful vapour and is easier to clean. However glass is also extremely fragile, especially when heated and may require replacement parts.
- Easier to clean
- Smoother Vapour
- Better flavour
- Fragile
Metal
Metal is another common component used in vapourizers like the Firefly 2 Plus, especially stainless steel. Like glass, metal has a very high melting point (around 1300C) which makes it safe to use for vapourizers. Metal is more resilient than other materials meaning parts are less likely to break or need replacing. But you have to be more careful with what cleaning product you are using because some cleaners have chemicals that can strip the finish on some metals.
- More resilient
- Decent flavour
- Good vapour quality
- Stricter cleaning methods
Silicone/PVC
Many companies use silicone/PVC whips or mouthpieces to deliver vapour (like the Arizer V-Tower). Silicone/PVC has a high heat resistance (around 300 Celsius) and is very robust and is not prone to breaking. However the tubing can create a slight taste especially when it is new, with time the silicone/PVC flavour will lessen. Silicone/PVC tubes are very hard to clean and usually require replacing when they become too dirty.
- Harder to clean
- Less flavour
- Very robust
Plastic
Heat resistant plastics can also be found in the build material and mouthpieces of several vapourizers including the very popular Crafty+. The 3 most commons forms of plastic used is PA6 (Nylon), Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS) and Polyetheretherketone (PEEK). All are perfectly safe to use and have melting points above 230 Celsius (and of course it must be exposed to this temperature directly for a long period of time which vapourizers do not). For the most part plastic does not influence the flavour of your vapour and is more resilient than glass. However like metal, certain cleaners can damage the plastic so you have to be diligent with your cleaning methods.
- Strict cleaning methods
- Good flavour
- Resilient
Accessories for Vapourizers
As the vapourizer culture has grown companies have started to create unique accessories to compliment your vapourizing session.
One of the first companies to start offering vapour-focused accessories was Zeus Arsenal, who now offers a full line of accessories exclusively through TVape to help improve the quality of your session.
They have created 2 excellent grinders, the zeus bolt grinder and the Zeus Bolt XL, that are made of aircraft grade aluminum and are calibrated to give you the best consistency for your herbs for vaping.
Their Zeus Temple Box is also a nifty little accessory that not only stores your herbs, but helps extract moisture from your herbs. When vaping you want your herbs to be dry as possible to ensure the unit is efficiently vaping your herbs and not wasting energy drying moist herbs.
Zeus has also just released a revolutionary cooling system called the Zeus Iceborn. The unit draws your vapour through an ice chamber cooling the vapour before it reaches your throat and lungs. This unique tool allows people to take longer, larger draws without the irritation of hot vapour, which can cause discomfort during sessions.
This accessory is great for new users who may be put off by the irritation of hotter vapour or for seasoned users who want to maximize their session.
We hope you found this article helpful in making an informed decision on your next vapourizer amidst all the vaporizer brands in the market, be sure to check out of other buyers guides for Wax Pens and Vapes as well for more useful info, tips and tricks.
TVAPE