Vape Pens
Vape pens are no longer the purview of budget, beginner brands. Now, this type of vaporizer has grown into an established design. Now there are a huge array of devices that allow you to enjoy waxes, oils, and even liquids.
The compact design of pen vapes makes them ideal for everyday carry and casual use. They can slip easily into any pocket or bag. In addition, most vape pens make use of atomizers or other rapid-heating systems that activate at the push of a button. This makes them perfect for quick hits that don't force you to wait around for the device to reach vaping temperatures like many dry herb vaporizers do.
Finally, vape pens are by far the best and most convenient way to enjoy oil and wax concentrate. Their easy operation, efficient heating, and simple maintenance make them perfect for beginners, and their potent heating systems provide incredible vapor hits that will keep even the most exacting of connoisseurs happy.
Vape Pens FAQ 's
Q1: What is the difference between vape pens and dab pens?
There are a lot of niche terms in the vape scene that can seem baffling for beginners. The worst thing is that several different terms can refer to the same thing. Vape pens are an umbrella term for all pen-style vaporizers. Dab pens are a subset of these that work specifically with dry herb concentrates, often waxes or oils.
Q2: What is the difference between Vape Pens vs Dry herb Vaporizers?
It can be very easy to confuse vape pens with dry herb vaporizers, especially those with more compact, portable builds. Size and design aside, the main differences between vape pens and vaporizers are the materials they work with, and the heating systems they use. Dry herb vaporizers work with dried botanicals, and they heat these with electronic heating systems that act on the surface area of said botanicals. Vape pens, on the other hand, work with concentrates, oils, and liquids. They also often use atomizers, specially designed coil elements that rapidly heat when activated.
Q3: What is the difference between Vape Pen quartz and ceramic atomizers?
Atomizers use a variety of different materials. These all have subtle differences that can directly impact the quality of your vape experience. Quartz-based atomizers are non-reactive, so they won't affect the taste of your hits. On top of this, they also have a very brief heat-up time.
Ceramic takes a little longer to reach vaping temperature, but it is renowned for producing the smoothest, and best-tasting vapor.
Q4: Do Vape pens use liquid?
Different vape pens work with different materials. Most of these are distinct from the e-liquids used by the more common e-cigarette-style vapes. However, there are several types of vaporizers that use some form of liquid. Oil vapes, for example, work with oil-style concentrates, and there are other types of vape pens that work with THC or CBD rich e-liquids, either through a pod or tank system.
Q5: Do Vape Pens have temperature control?
Generally, vape pens work around a single temperature setting. Some dab pens have several heat settings designed to provide different types of vape experience, the Lynx Hypnos, for example. However, for the most part, vapes are calibrated to a specific temperature that is designed to work with their intended material.
Different Types Of Vape Pens
1. Oil Vape Pen
Oil vape pens are specially calibrated and designed to work with oil-type concentrates. These concentrates are created through a purification process that uses solvents and vacuum ovens to force the active ingredients out of the herb and distill them into a more compact form. This means that a drop of oil has the potency of many times its own weight in the herb.
Oil vape pens use specialized heating systems to instantly evaporate oil for each hit.
2. Wax Vape Pen
Wax Vape pens are a lot like oil pens. However, they are designed to work with a less viscous and more potent form of concentrates. After being processed, concentrates can take several forms. These forms influence their potency. Oil concentrates are the mildest form, while waxes are more potent. Generally, these pens have a small chamber that can be loaded with vape material much like a miniature version of a dab rig's nail.
3. Pod Vape Pen
These pens are rapidly growing in popularity. They take cues from popular e-cigarettes like Juuls. They use proprietary, pre-filled pods filled with specialized liquids. These are easily snapped onto the device, and then snapped off when they're used up.
4. Tank Vape Pen
Some liquid vape pens eschew the cartridge system for a built-in tank. Some people prefer this as it allows them to top up and refill their tank on the go. While this is an added layer of complexity to the design, it certainly has its fans.
5. Honey Straws
This type of vape pen has no onboard material storage. Instead, they are closer to a hollow tube with a heating system on one end, and a mouthpiece on the other. They are designed to work with oil-type concentrates (which are sometimes referred to as honey due to their color and consistency). To use them, you simply dip them into the material and activate the device. They are incredibly straightforward, but they do require an exterior concentrate dish to use properly.
6. Dual-Use Vaporizers
These are generally dry herb vaporizers that rely on special inserts to allow them to vaporize concentrates. These work differently from normal vape pens, as they gradually evaporate the concentrate rather than instantly vaporizing it into a hit.
These generally aren't classified as vape pens and aren't capable of producing the same quality of vapor.
Why Are Vape Pens Still Popular?
Vape pens have gone through a transformation during their time on the market. The original vape pens were little more than compact dry herb vapes. However, over time the design was adapted to focus on dabbing concentrates. Now, the dab pen name is more associated with high-quality dab experiences. These devices allow concentrate fans to enjoy the potency of concentrates without having to contend with a bulky dabbing rig. It also makes them far more portable, convenient, and user-friendly.
Concentrates are slowly growing in popularity, with many dispensaries stocking huge varieties of potent oils, waxes, and shatter. Vape pens allow users to easily enjoy these materials wherever they want.
Though dual-use vaporizers are becoming more common, they don't have a patch on the quality of vapor produced by dedicated dab pens. Dab rigs can match the quality, but the bulky nature of a full nail, bubbler, and torch set up means that they are only for the most dedicated of dab fans.
Concentrates are far more powerful than dried botanicals, and they allow users to enjoy the power of their active ingredient but in a far shorter space of time, with a far smaller quantity of material.
How to Select the Perfect Vape Pens For You?
The vape pen market is defined by subtle differences that add up to divergent results. This can be a bit confusing and off-putting for beginners. However, the main differences can be broken up into smaller, more approachable categories.
1. What Material Do You Want To Use?
The type of concentrate the vaporizer uses by far has the biggest impact on the design of the vaporizer. Wax vapes, for instance, often have a small built-in chamber that is designed to be loaded with a small amount of wax concentrate. This chamber connects to the heating system that evaporates the wax for hits. Oil vapes have a similar design but their heating system is calibrated for oils.
Both of these materials are well suited for portable vapes that can be taken out, used, and put away in a single short session. Their design and the ability to pre-load them means that they are great for using on the go.
Some oil vapes, like honey straws, require an external dish to hold the concentrate. This is far easier to use but is suited for more elaborate sessions. Finally, cartridges or pod vapes are perfect for people who are more familiar with traditional e-cigarettes.
2. What Size Suits You
This part's easy, if you want a vape pen, then you want a compact device. Nearly universally, vape pens are compact and portable. They are nearly universally a little bigger than an actual pen. While there is some variation among their sizes, if you want something portable, nearly any unit will suit you.
3. What About Internal Construction?
This is where the real variation lies, and it's a topic for only the pickiest of connoisseurs. The main construction of the average vape pen concerns a few components: The battery, the atomizer, the airpath, and the chamber.
The subtle differences between these can have a big impact on your vape experience. For example, the rapid heat-up times of a quartz atomizer can be exchanged for the smoother flavor of a ceramic one.
How To Use Vape Pens?
A major advantage of a vaporizer pen is how easy they are to use. Unlike portable vaporizers, vape pens tend to have a straightforward control scheme that varies very little from unit to unit. So, here is a quick primer that should familiarize you with most of the vape pens on the market.
1. How Does A Vape Pen Work?
Many vape pens make use of an atomizer heating system. When you activate a vape pen, the battery sends a charge through the internal heating coil. These coils are incredibly fine, so a small battery can effectively power them. These quickly reach the super-hot temperatures needed to vaporize concentrate. This vapor then travels up the air path to the mouthpiece, allowing you to take a hit.
2. How To Operate a Vape Pen?
The first thing you need to concern yourself with is loading the vape pen. This often necessitates the use of a dab tool to carefully lift the concentrate from its container and into the chamber.
The next step is much simpler, all you need to do is press the power button and take a hit. Most vapes rely on a single button control scheme that is quick and intuitive to learn.
3. How To Clean a Vape Pen?
Vape pens are incredibly easy to clean. The most you'll have to worry about is a mild build-up of grime around the chamber. This is easily dissolved with a little isopropyl alcohol and a soft brush. Make sure you put the vape through a test heating cycle afterward so you can be sure that any residual alcohol is evaporated away.
Vape Pens Parts & Accessories Guide
Vape pens are designed to be as simple as possible, and many of them are complete devices out of the box. However, there is a small range of aftermarket products that can be used to augment and improve your vape experience.
1. Dab Tools
If you are using wax or oil concentrates, then a dab tool is a must. These specially designed tools allow you to safely handle your dabs. Without it, the sticky and fragile materials can easily be dropped or simply stick to things they shouldn't.
2. Vape Pen Battery
The majority of a vape pen bulk is taken up by its battery. While many of these batteries are incorporated into the body of the device, some are removable. These can be replaced by a fresh battery to extend its range, or to replace a one that has slowly lost capacity over time.
3. Charging Lead
Many vape pens use micro USB leads to recharge their batteries. This means that you can recharge your device practically anywhere with this commonly used format.
Pros and Cons of Vape Pens
1. Compact
Without a doubt, one of the best vape pen features is its compact and sleek design. These are the ultimate portable solution for concentrate consumption. Your vape pen can slide into any pocket or bag for easy transport. If you want to store it then you can expect it to disappear into nearly any nook or cranny you can think of!
These are the ultimate micro vape devices.
2. Lack of Features
Of course, the simplicity of this design does lead to some sacrifices. Vape pens generally don't have many options, alternate vape experiences, and rarely have adjustable temperatures. This means the default heating scheme of your vape is the only one you'll be able to enjoy.
3. Ideal for Concentrates
There are few devices out there that are much better suited for concentrate vaping than a vape pen. Dual-use dry herb vapes are ok, but they simply don't deliver an authentic concentrate experience. Short of breaking out a full traditional dab rig, you won't find a finer vape experience with concentrates.
4. Single-Use
A vape pen is fantastic, but it is also a one-trick pony. A vape pen will only be good for its intended material. While it may deliver a fantastic vape experience, that's all you can expect from it.
5. Efficient
Vape pens are incredibly efficient, allowing you to enjoy every last drop of your concentrate. Atomizers evenly vaporize and thoroughly vaporize your concentrate, allowing you to enjoy it with minimal waste.
Who Are Vape Pens For?
Vape pens are for anyone who wants a potent and smooth vape experience, in a compact and easy-to-carry package. If you want something that does its job in as straightforward a manner as possible then you want a vape pen.
Of course, don't be fooled into thinking that these are totally utilitarian products. Well, a quick glance at the market will let you know that these are often the most stylish and futuristic-looking vaporizers out there.
Finally, these devices are a great way to enjoy the most potent and compact vape materials that are currently available.
