What’s The Best THC Vape Pen For Me?

Comparing Vape Systems

You have a few choices when it comes to vape systems. Check out these options:

Disposable Vaporizers

On the go? On vacation? Like to keep it simple? Well, disposable vaporizers are the ultimate convenience. They come pre-filled, and the device is ready to go out of the box. Just hit it, and quit it when it’s done.

Reusable Vapes

With reusable vapes, you keep the same battery but replace the cart or pod when it’s empty. These offer some advantages over disposables worth considering:

1. Less Expensive: The upfront cost of reusable vapes may be higher than disposables, but once you own the rechargeable battery, it saves you money in the long run.

2. Environmentally Friendly: Batteries are not good for Mother Earth. Buying a reusable vape means less batteries in landfills. This is a good thing. Also, be advised that some dispensaries recycle old vapes, and recycling is always a better idea than trashing them.

3. Adjustability: Reusable vaporizers (especially our pod systems) often provide more options to adjust the device's temperature and airflow settings.

4. Better Performance: Reusable vapes may have more powerful batteries and better heating systems, so you’ll puff bigger clouds. We love bigger clouds.

5. More Choices: Reusable vaporizers offer more choices of strains, flavors, and types of oil than disposables. This versatility allows users to change it up. It’s always good to have options.

Reusable vape systems also come in different configurations. Some utilize the classic 510 thread, while others are proprietary pod systems. There are some advantages and disadvantages to both systems.

510 Thread Vapes

The 510 thread is the most common vaporizer system. Its main advantage is its “universal” capability. Many vape companies make cartridges in a 510 thread. This allows users to easily mix and match carts in different flavors, strains, and oils.

Pod Systems

Pod systems are vaporizers with a proprietary battery and pod that can’t be used with other systems. While this may mean less variety, pod systems typically offer increased battery life, less oil leakage, and more power to blow bigger clouds than the 510 thread.

Extraction Methods

Solventless, hydrocarbon, and CO2 extraction are the most popular techniques used to extract cannabinoids and terpenes from cannabis to make oil for vaporizers. Each method has its advantages and drawbacks. Let's break them down:

• Solventless Extraction: This method uses heat and pressure or agitation in ice water to extract the desired compounds.

• Advantages: The biggest advantage is the purity of the end product. There's no risk of residual solvents, and it’s also more environmentally friendly.

• Disadvantages: Solventless methods are labor-intensive, time-consuming, and yield lower than solvent-based methods.

• Hydrocarbon Extraction: This method uses hydrocarbon solvents like butane and propane to extract the desired compounds.

• Advantages: Hydrocarbon extraction is efficient, effective and produces high-yield and high-quality extracts. It also allows for selective extraction that targets specific compounds.

• Disadvantages: Safety is a concern. Hydrocarbons are highly flammable. There's also a risk of residual solvent being left in the final product, although careful purging should mitigate this risk.

• CO2 Extraction: When CO2 is subjected to high pressure and temperature, it has the properties of both a gas and a liquid. This “supercritical”  CO2 can dissolve compounds like a liquid but can be easily removed like a gas.

• Advantages: It's safe and clean. The risk of residual solvents is minimal, and CO2 is non-toxic and non-flammable. You can also target specific compounds by adjusting heat and temperature.

• Disadvantages: The main drawback is cost. CO2 extraction requires expensive, specialized equipment. The process can also be more time-consuming and may not be as effective at extracting certain compounds as hydrocarbon extraction.

Generally speaking, hydrocarbon extraction is preferred over Co2 because it's more efficient, cost-effective and extracts a broader range of compounds. That said, there is no risk of harmful residual solvents with Co2 extraction. 

Solventless extractions are preferred by the true connoisseur because they’re natural, clean, high quality, and the most flavorful.

Types of Vaporizer Oil

Several different types of oil can be used in cannabis vaporizers:

1. Distillate: This is a highly refined cannabis oil that isolates specific cannabinoids such as THC. THC distillate is potent, often testing above 90%. It’s also odorless and flavorless because all the terpenes have been removed. Typically, botanical or cannabis-derived terpenes are added to distillate for flavor.

2. Full Spectrum: This oil contains the full range of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other beneficial compounds in the cannabis plant. Some users prefer full-spectrum oils due to the "entourage effect," in which all the compounds in cannabis work together synergistically.

3. Live Resin: Live resin is made from cannabis plants that are flash-frozen at harvest to preserve the cannabinoids and terpenes at their peak. The oil is typically made with hydrocarbon extraction to retain a more complete profile of cannabinoids and terpenes.

4. Live Rosin: Live rosin is a solventless extract made by using heat and pressure to extract cannabinoids and terpenes. This method preserves a wide range of cannabinoids and terpenes and is very high quality.

5. Sauce: Cannabis sauce, AKA terp sauce, is a highly concentrated form of cannabis extract. It offers a potent and flavorful experience due to the high concentration of terpenes and cannabinoids.

To sum it up, the main differences between cannabis vape oils are their cannabinoid and terpene profiles, processing methods, and potency. 

Distillate is highly refined and potent. Full spectrum offers a range of cannabinoids and terpenes. Live resin, live rosin, and sauce preserve flavor and a broad cannabinoid/terpene profile.

Tips for Choosing the Best Vape Pen for You

Now that you know the basics, choosing the right vape pen is easy. But if you’re stuck on which way to go, here are a few tips to help you out:

1. Identify Your Priorities: Consider what matters to you most in a vape pen. Is it the flavor? The potency? The cost? The ability to control temperature? By understanding what's important to you, you can narrow down your choices.

2. Consider Your Lifestyle: Are you a casual user or a heavy user? If you're a heavy user, a reusable vape pen with a more powerful battery might be best. If you only vape occasionally, a disposable pen might be more convenient. Also, consider if you need something portable for on-the-go use or a larger device for at-home vaping.

3. Research Extraction Methods: As discussed earlier, the extraction method can affect the purity, flavor, and safety of cannabis oil. Decide whether you prefer solventless extraction for its purity and environmental friendliness, hydrocarbon extraction for its efficiency and high yield, or CO2 extraction for its safety and cleanliness.

4. Try Different Concentrates: Different cannabis oil concentrates offer different experiences. You may want to try shatter, wax, crumble, sugar wax, budder, and rosin for various potency and flavors. Once you’ve found your extract of choice, consider the best pen to handle that specific type of concentrate. Some vape pens are versatile and can handle multiple concentrates, while others are specifically designed for a particular type, like wax or oil.

5. Consider Your Strain Type: Depending on how you wanna feel, you have to consider the type of strain you will be using. Different strains can offer a range of effects, from stimulating and energizing to sedating and relaxing. The differences between a Sativa, Indica, or Hybrid weed vape can greatly impact your overall experience!

6. Choose the Right System: Decide whether you prefer the versatility and universal compatibility of 510 thread vapes, or the increased battery life, less oil leakage, and larger clouds of proprietary pod systems.

7. Check out Reviews: Reviews can give you a sense of different vape pens' quality, reliability, and performance. They can also provide insights into a brand's customer service and warranty policies.

8. Think About the Cost: Consider the initial and ongoing costs of replacement cartridges or pods. A more expensive vape pen might save you money in the long run if it's durable, reliable, and uses cost-effective cartridges.

Take your time to consider these factors, the various THC types of vape pens, and do research to ensure you make a choice you'll be happy with. At STIIIZY, we're always here to help you navigate your options (and offer the best THC vape pens) and make the best choice for your vaping needs.

Shop our STIIIZY weed, best vape pens, pods, and order online for pickup or delivery near you!

FAQs

Is vaping like smoking weed?

Vaping cannabis concentrates is much different than smoking flower because you typically don't get the same effects. For example, vaping a distillate will give you a more clear-headed high compared to smoking flower or an edible product. So depending on your desired experience, vaping may not provide the same effect as smoking cannabis.

Why should I consider switching to vaping?

Switching to vaping can offer several benefits. Firstly, vaping eliminates the harmful chemicals associated with traditional methods, making it a potentially safer alternative. Additionally, vaping is often considered more socially acceptable, as it produces fewer odors and residues. Moreover, THC oil vape pens allow for customization, with various flavors and THC/CBD levels available. However, it's important to note that the vaping experience is not entirely risk-free and may have its own set of health concerns.

What's a dry herb vaporizer?

Dry herb vaporizers are used for vaporizing dry herb without combusting it. It heats the material to a specific temperature, releasing the active compounds as smooth vapor.

What are the temperature settings for weed pens?

There is no universal temperature setting for a vape pen, as it can vary depending on the type of vaporized material and personal preference. It is recommended to start at a lower temperature and gradually increase it until you find the desired balance of flavor and vapor production. However, some disposable weed vapes operate at a fixed temperature and may not have adjustable settings.