3 Things to Look for when Choosing a Cannabis Oil Vaporizer
Whether you’re thinking of switching from smoking cannabis to vaporizing, or your 510 thread just isn’t cutting it anymore, finding the right vaporizer can be a daunting task. With the overwhelming selection of oil vapes on the market, it’s important to make educated decisions that will help you get the most out of the cannabis plant. Here are 3 questions you should ask your budtender before choosing a vaporizer:
1. What type of heating element does it use?
Most vaporizers use a wick and coil heating system. Given that the steel coil has a very small surface area, it needs to generate a very high temperature in order to heat the entire wick and the oil that’s in indirect contact with the oil. This creates hot spots that significantly exceed the boiling temperature of the oil causing some of it to overheat and combust rather than vaporize. The result is impure vapor with a rough or harsh taste. If you’ve ever experienced a metallic or burnt taste to your vapor, then that vaporizer was most likely using a wick & coil heating element.
Unlike the common wick and coil systems, ceramic heating elements deliver diffused heat over a wider surface area for gentler and more controlled vaporization that eliminates burn and unwanted by-products. The result is clean, great-tasting vapor.
2. How does the device heat the oil?
Most devices operate with a simple “on/off” switch: you draw and it heats to its factory-set temperature. . However, each oil is made up of a unique blend of terpenes & cannabinoids, that all vaporize at different temperatures. Many brands fail to take that into account and give their devices arbitrary temperature settings that are oftentimes inaccurate.
So rather than choosing a one-size-fits-all 510 thread with a pre-set temperature or a vaporizer where you have to guess the temperature yourself, look for vaporizers that automatically change their temperature based on the cart you’re using.
3. What type of oil can I use with this vaporizer?
The cheapest and most common oil on the market is “distillate”. It’s made by stripping the THC off discarded cannabis materials, like stems and leaves. That isolate then needs to be supplemented with synthetic or botanical terpenes and cannabinoids. The result is usually a high THC % oil that will get you high, but the effect typically isn’t euphoric or well-rounded.
Live resins or rosins, the highest quality cannabis oils, exist at the other end of the spectrum. They’re typically the closest thing to fresh flowers and are made without distillate, fillers, or cutting agents. Live resin extracts are known for a well-rounded, clean experience because they contain a true “full-spectrum” of cannabinoids and terpenes that contribute to the “entourage” effect – all active compounds working together in natural harmony. Live resins typically preserve more of the natural terpenes from the plant, so you get great flavour and aftertaste with every draw.
In light of the recent vaping crisis, it’s more important than ever to find brands that you can trust. Premium brands like Airgraft and A Golden State are teaming up to create an unrivaled vaporization experience that delivers the full taste & benefits of the cannabis plant. Using a ceramic element and tailored heating algorithms for each oil, Airgraft takes AGS’ terpene-rich, high potency live resin to create pure, potent cannabis vapor that stays true to the flower. And with a myriad of app features to customize your experience, Airgraft is the clear choice for anyone looking to elevate their vaporizer game.