Cannabis vape pens have truly changed the game when it comes to how we consume cannabis. People have switched to the more discreet way of consuming cannabis, as vaping can be done almost anywhere, and about 20% of cannabis users vape as their main way of consumption. Added bonus, no cannabis smell or smoke. Because of the popularity, we decided to break down how most vape pens work.
When it comes to vape pens, there’s four important parts, the mouthpiece, cartridge, atomizer, and battery.
Mouthpiece
The mouthpiece is where you place your lips to inhale. They’re generally composed of plastic, silicone, or glass. Mouthpieces come in different shapes and sizes, but are generally consistent within each brand of vape.
Cartridge
The cartridge is where the good stuff is. Cartridges come in half or full-gram sizes, with a little bit of space above the cannabis oil. The cartridges you find in dispensaries can be filled with distillate, live resin, full spectrum, and much more.
Atomizer
The atomizer is where the oil is heated, and is generally located in a steel or ceramic piece. The atomizer heats the oil, and turns it into vapor to inhale. There are a few different types of atomizers, which include a cotton wick, quartz, and ceramic. With ceramic there is a very smooth even heat. In our opinion, cotton wicks are very “old school” and are to be avoided as the particles of the wick can degrade into the oil. Yuck!
Battery
Vape pen batteries are generally made of lithium ion batteries, as they can heat the pen quickly and be recharged for reuse, similar to your cell phone battery. Some batteries have temperature control settings, which helps you personalize your vaping experience and ensure you don’t burn the oil or your throat. Some batteries are buttonless, and activate when you inhale, which means you won’t have to worry about forgetting to turn it off.
Batteries often come with a USB charger that you can plug into any of your charging bricks at home, or even your laptop. However, some vapes are disposable, meaning they come with the cartridge and battery attached. Disposables are designed for the batteries and the oil to last about the same time, and the battery can’t be recharged.
