How to Use a Vape Pen
How Vape Pens Work
Popular amongst those who use cannabis, vaping is the “in” thing, whether for recreational or medicinal use.
Used to vaporize oil – concentrated cannabis oil; dry herbs; or wax, how do vape pens work is a common question. While they come in various shapes, sizes, and colors, along with an array of accessories, vape pens are simple devices. All are relatively the same and consists of only a few parts.
Vape Pen Anatomy
Mouthpiece: where the vapor is drawn from
Chamber/Tank: where the cartridge/cannabis extract is housed
Atomizer/Heating Source: where a tiny heating element is housed, which converts concentrates, oil, and wax into vapor
Button/Sensor: used to control/activate the atomizer
Battery: rechargeable lithium ion battery, which powers the atomizer
Charger: typically comes with the device, although car chargers, various USB chargers, and wall chargers are sold separately
How To Use A Vape Pen For The First Time
How to use vape pens, you may ask. Simple to use, making sure it’s fully charged is most important. Next, you’ll want to load the chamber with concentrates or screw on a prefilled cartridge, and assemble the remaining pieces. That’s it; now you’re ready to “vape”.
Using Cartridges and Concentrates
Now that you know how to use a vape pen and how it works, you should have an idea of the type of vape pen you want to purchase. If you still have questions, it may be wise to consult your vape pen instructions.
Otherwise, the next step in your purchasing journey is to consider whether you’ll be consuming cannabis via oil vapes or wax pens. This coincides with how to use a vaporizer pen.
Both are easy to use, discreet, portable, and use lithium-ion batteries, but they differ in the way users consume their cannabis product. The main difference is oil vapes are designed to vaporize oil, whereas wax pens are designed to vaporize wax concentrates.
The best option comes down to the type of vape being used and personal preference, but (pre-filled) oil cartridges tend to be less messy and more convenient. Once completely consumed, simply replace the empty cartridge with a new one (or refill a refillable cartridge).
Wax concentrates require a bit more attention to prepare and maintain. In order to consume cannabis concentrates, you have to purchase them separately and you must physically pack the pen’s chamber properly – each and every time.
Loading the Vape Pen Correctly
This goes back to how to use a vape pen for weed, loading the pen properly is a must.
Looking at oil vapes and considering the anatomy a vape pen, prefilled and refillable oil cartridges are, by far, the easiest option. Most cartridges on the market are equipped with what is called a “510 thread” connection, allowing it to be screwed into the mouthpiece and battery.
As mentioned, once a cartridge is completely consumed, discard it and screw on a new one.
To load wax pens, first they must be prepared and packed properly. Using a dab tool, collect a small “dab” (think a grain of rice) of the wax concentrate and carefully place it in the chamber, atop the atomizer coil. The next and final step is to screw the mouthpiece back onto the pen, and ensure a tight connection.
Be mindful when loading the chamber, as an overload can cause leakage, dripping along the thread, a bad connection, or a malfunction.
Both oil and wax vape pens require attention to temperature. Some models have pre-selected temperatures; others allow the user to choose the temperature. For new users, it’s advisable to start with the lowest temperature and adjust from there, if settings are variable.
Charging and Storage
When considering how to use a vape, you have to mention proper care. For the best user experience, it’s critical to take care of your device – ensuring it is properly charged and stored when not in use.
How To Charge A Vape Pen: Battery Life
All vape pens come with a battery and a charger, which are two of the most important components. Depending on the brand and model, the charger may be included in the vape unit, charged by a USB connection, or a separate external charger may be included.
Charging times differ, but the key is to allow the vape to fully charge and be careful not to overcharge the battery, which can affect the battery’s long-term capacity.
Lastly, most models have a light indicating whether or not the vape is charged. Consult your manual for further information.
How To Use a Vape Pen: Storage
While protective cases can be purchased, the goal is to keep your vape pen in something dry and stored at room temperature, when not in use. Additionally, the parts of the vape should be separated, cleaned, and stored in a secure location to avoid damage from movement. Further, the pieces should be stored upright to limit leakage.