Anyone who works in a vape shop hears questions about desktop and portable vaporizers all the time. In particular, people want to know if there’s a significant difference in functionality between the two or if the differences are mainly cosmetic. In this post, we’re going to compare how each type of unit performs similar functions, whether one is objectively better than the other and what are the pros and cons of each type of device.
Desktop Vaporizers vs. Portable Vaporizers
The differences between desktop and portable dry herb vaping units go beyond size and price. Let’s take a closer look at how the devices compare.
| Aspect | Desktop Vaporizers | Portable Vaporizers |
|---|---|---|
| Portability | Not portable, meant to stay in one place | Highly portable, can be carried anywhere |
| Power Source | Typically plugged into a wall outlet | Battery-powered, often rechargeable |
| Battery Life | Not reliant on batteries (if plugged in) or longer battery life due to size | Limited by battery capacity, generally shorter life |
| Discretion | Large and conspicuous, not discreet | Small and discreet, easy to carry without drawing attention |
| Group Use | Ideal for group use with larger bowls and extended sessions | Less ideal for groups due to smaller bowls and frequent reloading |
| Vapor Quality | Generally better with more control over flavor, density, and temperature | Consistent but limited control over vapor quality |
| Heat-up Time | Varies, often longer due to larger heating chambers | Typically faster, designed for quick use |
| Durability | Generally more durable due to fewer portable parts | Portable and may be less durable due to smaller, more intricate parts |
| Cost | Often more expensive due to larger size and advanced features | Generally less expensive, though high-end models can be pricey |
| Ease of Use | More complex with various settings and controls | Simpler to use with fewer settings |
| Choice | Offers more options for customization and advanced features | Limited options, generally pre-programmed settings |
It’s well known that vaping your weed is healthier than smoking your weed. Which type of vaporizer should you choose: a conduction vaporizer or a convection vaporizer? Both types of vapes are wildly popular and both have their advantages and disadvantages. In this guide, the team at your favorite vape shop in Denver are going to take a close look at both vaporizers, explain the differences between them and hopefully provide you with enough useful information to make an informed choice.
Conduction, Convection and Hybrid Vaporizers
What Is A Conduction Vaporizer?
With a conduction vaporizer, your herb comes into direct contact with a heated surface where it is literally cooked. In many ways it’s like frying eggs in a pan, with the difference being that you don’t eat the fried herb, instead, you inhale the vapors produced by the “frying” process.
Conduction Vaporizers: Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Faster Heating: Conduction vaporizers typically heat up more quickly than convection vaporizers. | Combustion Risk: There is a higher risk of combustion, which can result in burnt herb and less smooth vapor. |
| Efficiency: They often provide a consistent and even heating of the herb, making them more efficient for quick sessions. | Uneven Heating: Herb might need to be stirred to ensure even heating and avoid hotspots. |
| Cost: Generally, conduction vaporizers are less expensive than convection models. |
What Is A Convection Vaporizer?
If a conduction vaporizer is the rough equivalent to a frying pan, a convection vaporizer can be best compared to an oven. With a convection vaporizer, your herb is “cooked” using heated air, just like a roast or a chicken in the oven. The herb never comes into direct contact with the heat source like it does with a conduction vaporizer.
Convection Vaporizers: Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Smooth Vapor: Convection vaporizers typically produce smoother and more flavorful vapor because the herb is not directly in contact with the heat source. | Longer Heat-up Time: They generally take longer to heat up compared to conduction vaporizers. |
| Even Heating: Provides more even heating of the herb, reducing the need for stirring. | Cost: Convection vaporizers are often more expensive due to their advanced heating technology. |
| Efficiency: More efficient in extracting cannabinoids and terpenes from the herb. |
What Is A Hybrid Vaporizer?
A hybrid vaporizer combines the best aspects of both conduction and convection heating methods. In a hybrid vaporizer, your herb is heated through direct contact with a heated surface (conduction) and by hot air passing through the herb (convection).
Hybrid Vaporizers: Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Balanced Heating: Provides a more balanced and thorough heating of the herb by utilizing both conduction and convection methods. | Complexity: The combination of two heating methods can make these devices more complex and potentially more prone to technical issues. |
| Versatility: Often offers more versatility in terms of temperature control and heating methods, allowing users to customize their vaping experience. | Cost: Hybrid vaporizers tend to be more expensive due to the dual heating technology. |
| Smooth Vapor with Quick Heat-up: Combines the smooth vapor production of convection with the quick heat-up time of conduction. |
By understanding the differences between conduction, convection, and hybrid vaporizers, you can choose the one that best suits your vaping preferences and needs.
Dry Herb Vaporizer Cleaning
Dry herb vaporizers are pieces of equipment. And like all pieces of equipment, they need to be properly maintained in order to do their job the way they were designed to. If you’ve had one for a while, or just brought one home from the vape shop and are wondering about how you keep vaporizer devices clean, fear not. We put our heads together and came up with the following guide that will remove all the mystery and trepidation from cleaning your dry herb vaporizer.
What’s the Point of Cleaning Vaporizers?
What’s the point of changing the oil in your car? You want your ride to perform up to its abilities and retain its value, so you do what you have to do and that includes regular maintenance like changing the oil.
Same with a vaporizer. Keeping it clean helps ensure that it’s A) there for you when you want it and B) that you get the most out of the herb you place in it. Considering what quality weed costs in Denver these days, anything that helps you optimize your experience is worth doing.
But maybe you’re still not convinced. If that’s the case here are a few things that could go wrong if you fail to clean your vaporizer on a regular basis.
- Foul vapes – If you let debris and residue accumulate in the oven it’s going to have a detrimental effect on the quality of the vapor being produced. Not only is it likely to take on foul air, but you’ll also lose touch with the flavor of your buds because you’ll likely be mixing detritus from different strains.
- Diminished oven capacity – Allowing debris to accumulate in the oven is not only going to produce foul-tasting clouds of vapor, but those clouds will also be smaller because you won’t be able to fit as much in the oven due to all the gunk that’s built up inside.
- Inefficient performance – All the gunk and junk in the oven can cause inefficient performance where your weed does not get completely or evenly vaporized. That’s the result of residue getting stuck to the walls of the oven where it interferes with heat distribution.
- A compromised experience – The sum total of all the side effects of a dirty vaporizer is a less than optimal experience. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Below we’ll get into how to keep your dry herb vaporizer a lean, clean vaping machine.
How to Clean a Dry Herb Vaporizer
Cleaning your dry herb vaporizer is easier than you think. Start with…
- The Mouthpiece — Residue from herbs can coat the mouthpiece, affecting taste. Soak it in isopropyl alcohol for an hour, then use a Q-tip dipped in alcohol or white vinegar to clean inside.
- The Chamber — Residue in the herb chamber can reduce vaporization efficiency. After each use, remove debris to ensure a clean chamber for better vapor quality.
- The Battery Chamber — Vapor residue in the battery chamber can affect performance. Remove and wipe down the battery and chamber after each session to prevent buildup.
The Importance of the Dry Burn
After you clean the vaporizer, make sure you do a dry burn before you use it again. This just means turning it on while the oven is empty and allowing it to get hot. This will help burn off any residue you might have missed during the cleaning. You should do a dry burn after each vaping session as well. If there is any weed debris in the oven the dry burn will help burn most of it off. As a result, it won’t get junked up as fast, and cleaning it will be easier when the time comes.
FAQs and Solutions for Common Dry Herb Vaporizer Problems
Solution: Check if the battery is charged, as a low battery can prevent the vaporizer from heating properly. Ensure the herb is finely ground and the chamber isn’t overpacked, which can restrict airflow and prevent vapor production. Set the temperature to an appropriate level for vaporization, usually between 350°F and 400°F.
Solution: Lower the temperature setting on your vaporizer to avoid burning the herb, which can produce a harsh, burnt taste. Ensure the herb isn’t too dry, as overly dry material can burn more easily. Regularly clean the device to remove residue buildup that can contribute to a burnt flavor.
Solution: Loosen the herb in the chamber to allow better airflow; tightly packed herb can increase draw resistance. Clean the screen and other parts of the vapor path to remove any blockages. Ensure airflow holes are not blocked by residue or herb particles.
Solution: Use lower temperature settings to reduce the risk of overheating. Avoid long continuous sessions; take breaks to allow the device to cool down. Allow the vaporizer to cool between uses to prevent overheating and prolong its lifespan.
Solution: Fully charge the battery before each use to ensure maximum usage time. Replace old or degraded batteries, as their capacity diminishes over time. Using lower temperature settings can also help extend the battery life by reducing power consumption.
Solution: Check the battery charge and ensure it is sufficiently charged to power the heating element. Make sure the device is properly assembled and all connections are secure. If the problem persists, the heating element may need replacement or professional repair.
Solution: Lower the temperature to produce a smoother vapor that is less likely to irritate the throat and lungs. Use fresh, high-quality herbs, as stale or poor-quality herbs can produce a harsh vapor. Regular cleaning of the device can prevent residue buildup, which can affect vapor quality.
Solution: Stir the herb in the chamber during sessions to ensure even exposure to the heat source. Avoid overpacking the chamber, as this can lead to uneven heating and poor vaporization. Consider using a convection vaporizer, which tends to provide more even heating compared to conduction models.
Solution: Check for blockages in the mouthpiece and air paths, which can restrict airflow. Clean the screen and other parts of the vapor path to remove any debris or residue. Ensure the herb is not packed too tightly, as this can impede airflow.
Solution: Use a finer screen or filter to prevent small herb particles from escaping into the vapor path. Ensure the chamber is properly sealed to avoid leaks. Avoid over-grinding the herb, as excessively fine particles are more likely to pass through the screen.
Browse Dry Herb Vaporizer Models in Our Online Smoke Shop
You may have thought that cleaning your dry herb vaporizer was going to be a huge ordeal. Now you know that’s not the case. That’s the good news. The bad news is this: now that you know how easy it is to clean a vaporizer there’s no longer any viable excuse for putting it off. Doh!
Dry herb vaporizers are a great way to enjoy your favorite herb strains without having to inhale smoke all the time. If you live in Denver and you search for a “vape shop near me” or “vape shop in Denver” you’ll see 710Pipes in the search results. We actually have two locations: one on Evans Ave, the other on 104th Ave in Northglenn. So stop by and have a look at our full line of vaping products.