Vaporizer FAQ

What is Vaporizing and how does it work?

Vaporizing involves heating plant material, commonly cannabis (we will use cannabis as a basis for this article) or tobacco, to boil off active ingredients into a vapor which is inhaled.

See also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaporizer

Taste

Taste can vary depending on many factors such as the strain being vaporized and method used. Generally the taste is similar to the aroma given off by the herb itself, some describe it as sweet and hashy. By most accounts the most flavorful vapor is produced during the initial inhalations, and diminishes the more the herb is cooked, eventually producing a taste similar to popcorn.

• easier to distinguish without smoke
  • true taste of the herb
• most people prefer the taste of vapor to smoke

Smell

• no plant matter being burned
  • most people associate marijuana with the combustion smell
• dissipates much faster than smoke
• not offensive to bystanders

Appearance

• similar to a light smoke
• lighting conditions greatly affect visibility
• low temperature/initial hit vapor may not be visible
• lower temp vapor has a blueish hue, whiter as temp increases

Effect

As with any substance, perceived effects vary from person to person. The 'buzz' is similar to that of smoked cannabis, most people report it as being more cerebral and energetic. This is likely due to the lack of combustion byproducts such as carbon monoxide and benzene as well as a higher abundance of lower temperature cannabinoids.

Health Concerns

• inhaling any foreign substance probably not 'good'
  • smoked marijuana is not shown to cause cancer
• no combustion byproducts in vapor
  • can depend on temp used
    • particulate matter
  • likely less harmful than breathing polluted city air
• link studies
  • some outdated/used poor vaporizers/temps/etc

What vaporizer should I buy?

• the first thing you should do is disregard everything you've heard, especially from vape sellers or people with limited experience
  • if the sales hype was true then EVERY vape would be the best, most efficient vape ever made
• everyone has different needs and opinions
• try to find something that fits your style
• often it's 'which vaporizerS should I buy'
• http://www.fuckcombustion.com/viewtopic.php?id=530
• what vaporizers to avoid

Not an exhaustive list, but these are some of the mainstays which have been widely tested.

Vaporgenie

• flame powered
• recreates the pipe smoking sensation
• drawbacks include difficult temp control, use in windy environments
• good starter vape
• provide links
• see also: vaporstar

Whip style vapes

• ssv/dbv
• vaporwarez/cannon
• vaporbros

GonG style vapes

• vhw
• herborizer
• good for glassheads

PD

• The Purple-Days is a soda-can sized convection vaporizer
• essential oil diffuser
• hand made in Port Orford, Oregon

Where to buy

http://www.fuckcombustion.com/viewtopic.php?id=334

How to prepare your herbs for vaporizing

• moisture impedes vaporizing
  • how to dry damp herb
    • on top of a brown paper bag overnight
    • ambient heat source: top of tv, fridge, etc
• grinders

Can I vaporize concentrates?

• trichomes
• kief is ideal because of high exposed surface area
  • pressed hash needs to be exposed
    • shaved/crumbled etc
• oil
• budder
• bed of herb
  • can depend on vape/air flow direction

How to clean glass parts and reclaim 'honey'

• isopropyl alcohol = resin solvent
  • rock salt/scrubbers
• tubing

• evap techniques for reclaiming
  • straining

What can I do with herb that has already been vaporized

• ABV
• cannabutter/cannaoil
• narcotic/sedative
  • higher concentration of higher temp cannabinoids

Misc

• How is it different from smoking
• Is it safer than smoking
• How much should I spend for a good vaporizer
• How do I know that the company is legitimate
• What materials are safe in a vaporizer
• What temperature(s)should I vape at
• How do I know when the herb is done
• Do I need to grind my herb before vaping
• How do I know which vaporizer to get
• Do they come with warranties
• What method is best for purchasing

Essential Tools

• grinder
• stir tool (SS wire/bamboo stick/etc.)
• isopropyl alcohol