Today, there are many different ways to consume cannabis and many kinds of vaporizers on the market, but vape pens have surged in popularity, largely due to their convenience. Plus, with an incredible array of flavors, aromas, and effects, there are seemingly endless options for you to choose from.
If you’ve never tried cannabis vape pens or you’re searching for a new one to add to your collection, learn how they function, tips for buying the right one, and where to get all types of quality pens.
What Is a Vape Pen?
A vape pen is a handheld vaporizer unit that typically approximates the size, shape, and length of a pen. They’re favored for their ease of use, portability, vapor quality, discretion, and overall convenience.
The idea behind vape pens is that if you heat cannabis flower, cannabis oil, or some other cannabis concentrate to the point at which the active cannabinoids and terpenes become volatile but not to the point at which they combust, you can inhale them with far less potential for irritation than you would with smoking cannabis.
What Are the Different Types of Vape Pens?
Though all vape pens work on the same basic principle, there’s a huge variety in terms of the different types and styles. Here are the most popular ones in dispensaries right now:
510 Carts
Comprised of a rechargeable battery that screws to a replaceable cartridge (or “cart’), 510 carts are the most common vape on the market today. For the battery to work, it must first be charged through a wall socket adaptor or a USB port. When used, the battery heats the bottom of the vape cartridge, converting the oil inside into vapor.
While 510-style vape pens generally lack the bells and whistles that distinguish more tech-forward ones, they’ve got a lot going for them in other regards: decent reliability, interchangeability—the 510 screw-on thread is fairly universal—and they’re discreet. If you’re taking a single vape pen on the go, it’s hard to go wrong with a 510.
Pods
Pod cartridges are designed to fit specific manufacturers’ devices, like those from PAX, Airo, and other brands. But what they lack in terms of interchangeability, they make up for in reliability. If 510 carts have a reputation for getting clogged, pods—since they’re made to fit a very specific design and form—are less prone to frustrating malfunctions and some models come with advanced features like temperature control and dedicated apps.
Tanks
You can think of tanks as far more capable 510 carts—they’re easily refillable and boast a far larger capacity. The downside: they require a bit more maintenance and care, such as regular cleaning. They’re also a bit bulkier than 510 carts, so they’re not as well-suited for discreet vaping.
Concentrate-Friendly Vaporizers
While similar to any other kind of vape, concentrate-friendly units have a chamber that accepts small amounts of concentrate. Those who enjoy concentrates like wax, rosin or resin have endless options to try when filling them.
Flower-Friendly Vaporizers
Like concentrate-friendly devices, these units allow you to vaporize fresh cannabis flower. For purists, this may be the ultimate cannabis experience, allowing fans to sample the true depth of flavor and aroma in each strain of cannabis. While slightly pricier and more involved than regular vape pens, we think they’re worth the investment for connoisseurs.
All-in-Ones or Disposable Vape Pens
As the simplest and easiest-to-use type of vape pen, these devices are designed to be used until the cartridge is empty and thrown away.
On the upside, you don’t have to worry about finding the right replacement cartridges or pods with this type of vape. On the downside, they contribute to the problem of non-recyclable waste. At the end of the day, disposable all-in-ones have their uses, but they do contribute to landfills in higher amounts than other pen styles.
How Do Vape Pens Work?
While there are variations between vape pen styles, they all typically make use of an electrically powered heat source to gently heat cannabis concentrate or flower to your desired temperature, producing a vapor that is then inhaled. Since different cannabinoids and aromatic terpenes volatilize at different temperatures, the simpler pen-style vapes can heat the cannabis to an “average best” temperature so that you can get the broadest range of effects.
This effect isn’t limited to vape pens—tabletop vaporizers, dab rigs, and similar devices all work on the same principle. But for several reasons, vape pens have become the most common and arguably versatile form of vaporizer.
For those willing to go the extra mile, units with exact heat controls offer a fuller experience. By setting these devices to precise temperatures, you can “tune” the vape to highlight specific cannabinoids and terpenes. It’s not mandatory, but certainly a perk for vaping connoisseurs!
How To Use a Vape Pen
Vape pens are usually activated through a push-button or automatically when you take a draw. To produce vapor, you inhale from the mouthpiece or inhale while pressing the heat-up button, depending on the vape pen model. Either way, vapor will be produced by the pen instantly, unlike conventional vaporizers, which require some heat-up time. Pods, tanks, 510 carts, and disposable vape pens typically rely on these forms of activation.
If you’re using a vaporizer specifically made for loading concentrates or flower, the device may come with exact temperature settings. In this case, you’ll load up your product, set your desired temperature, wait for haptic feedback or another signal when the chamber is heated and the product is vaporized, then take a draw.
Tips For Using Vape Pens
Though push-button and draw-activated pens are convenient, there’s so much more to discover with other vape pens. Here are our expert tips on having the best possible vape pen experience:
Concentrate-Friendly Vapes
Since they’re more capable, these devices need a bit more care. They typically require a pad or similar element inserted into the heating chamber, which prevents liquid concentrate from seeping into (and potentially damaging) the heating element. Concentrate-friendly vapes must be kept clean. We recommend cleaning them with rubbing alcohol and cotton swabs after every session.
Flower-Friendly Vapes
As with concentrate-friendly devices, these units feature a chamber to load flower. Pro tip: Finely grind the flower, and don’t pack the chamber too tight. You want to allow maximum airflow.
Some vaporizers allow both flower and concentrate to be used at once, so you can make it an extra-stoney session with added kief or hash.
Dab Pens
Another popular type of vape pen is a dab pen, sometimes called a wax pen. When using them, they are similar to using a cartridge-compatible vape unit. The main difference is that dab pens have an interior chamber that holds the concentrate or extract instead of a cartridge slot.
Dab pens can be unscrewed and opened to reveal the chamber, which you will load with a concentrate. Once sealed back up, the dab pen is ready to go, assuming the battery is charged. You can fire it up by pressing the heat-up button and inhaling—like a vape pen, a dab pen produces vapor instantly as the button is pressed.
Disposable Vapes
Like standard 510-style and other vape pens, simply inhale until you’ve drawn an adequate hit. If the unit is rechargeable, plug in the USB adapter when the battery is low. Otherwise, enjoy it until you’re out of concentrate and then dispose of it safely.
Shop Vape Pens and Cartridges at Mission Dispensaries
The world of vape pens is vast and constantly changing. As a product, it’s usually the first to undergo technological changes that innovate and may influence the rest of the industry. With options ranging from the familiar 510-threaded style to sleek disposables and flower- and concentrate-specific pens, the choices are endless.
Whichever style catches your eye, you can find it at our family of Mission dispensaries. We also offer our house vape brands specially crafted to meet our customers’ tastes and needs. Find your favorite strain or flavor in a versatile, discreet, and budget-friendly format.
Have more questions about vape pens, dab pens, or other vape-related topics? Drop us a line. Better yet, stop by any of our locations and ask our friendly budtenders for more information—we’re always here to help!
