Dry Pens 101

With new technology constantly being created and discovered, it’s no surprise that some of these inventions have made their way into the world of vaping. And although dry pens and herb vaping have been around for quite some time, even some of the most experienced vapers don’t know how their vape pens actually work. Whether you’re a self-proclaimed expert or someone brand new to vaping, not to worry. We’re here to break down all of the basics for you.

What is a Dry Pen?

Dry pens, also known as dry herb vaporizers or herbal vaporizers, are vaping devices used to inhale dry herbs or flowers. One of the biggest selling points of dry pens is the lack of combustion or the burning of the product inside. E-cigarettes, for example, burn the internal product which produces a cloud of smoke when users exhale. Dry pens, however, cook the material inside. This process vaporizes the product, bringing out the subtle flavors, and producing no smoke. This provides users with a cleaner, healthier, and more potent vaping experience.

Styles

There are two styles of dry herb vaporizers: small, portable vape pens and larger desktop versions. The vape pens are small, hand-held, and battery-operated, allowing them to be easily transported and used on-the-go. The larger versions, although not easy to move, utilize a plug-in power source allowing them to provide users with a much more powerful vaping experience. 

Conduction vs. Convection

Vaporizers generally consist of a heating chamber, a battery or electric energy component, and a filter. There are two types of heating methods used in dry pens: conduction and convection. It’s important to understand which method your vape pens utilize so that you can correctly pack your product effectively. The conduction method heats through direct contact with the product, like when you place a pan on the stove. This method can cause accidental overheating if not operated correctly. The convection method heats the product through contact with hot air, similar to how an oven operates.

Overall, convection dry pens seem to be more popular because the herbs are not combusted within the chamber. This means that the product isn’t being constantly heated, causing your herb to go to waste as it can with conduction vape pens. Conduction vaporizers are less expensive and easier to use, but convection vaporizers are more efficient and produce higher quality vapor. It really just depends on what your personal preferences are.

Important Accessories

Some vapers find themselves disappointed with the lack of flavor from their product and immediately go back to the drawing board — or shopping cart, rather.  However, it’s important to examine some of the underlying causes of lackluster flavor before giving up on your current dry pen.

First up: grinders. Although the quality of your vape pen is important, the steps you take in preparing your material is essential as well. Herbs should be evenly ground, which helps ensure that the entire product is heated thoroughly, evenly, and consistently each time.  A quality grinder will help users create a product that is the ideal size — not too coarse, and not too fine.

Second: humidity regulators. When using dry pens, it’s important to ensure that your material is thoroughly cured, meaning it’s not too fresh, but not too dry. While it’s possible to vape dry, crumbly product or super fresh product, you’re not going to have the quality vape session that you could if you had prepared your material correctly. There are tons of humidification products on the market depending on what you’re looking for.

Third: cleaning products. Making sure that the chamber of the dry pen is clean and debris-free is essential to ensuring that you’re getting the best experience possible. The best time to clean your vape pens is right after using them because everything will be warm and easy to clean.

Types of Herbs

Though many people consider cannabis to be one of the most popular herbs to smoke, there are tons of options when it comes to choosing an herb for your dry pens.

1. Basil: Good for helping people experiencing bloating or gas
2. Peppermint: Commonly used to treat asthma, nausea, and allergies
3. Hops: Not just good for beer, my friends
4. Green tea: Can be used to relieve aches and pains, as well as increasing energy levels
5. Chamomile: Just like in tea, this herb can help you relax, as well as relieve headaches, stress, anxiety, and indigestion
6. Lavender: Similar to chamomile, lavender is good for insomnia, but also has antibacterial properties

FAQs

There are a few important questions to ask when choosing the style of vaporizer that’s right for you.

1. Where will you be doing the majority of your vaping?
2. Will you be the only one using it, or will it be used by a group?
3. How long do you spend vaping each session?
4. Is discreetness important to you?

If you plan only vaping at home rather than on the go, you may opt for a desktop vaporizer. However, if you’re looking for something to carry with you, portable vape pens may be better. Next, will you be using your vape in a group setting or just by yourself? Desktop vapes are larger and can hold more product at one time. They also plug into a wall outlet and don’t require charging. The general length of your vape sessions is another thing to consider when choosing a product. If you find yourself enjoying more extended, laid back experiences, you’re better off with a desktop vaporizer. Finally, how discreet do you need to be? Dry pens don’t produce as much vapor into the air and the smell is not nearly as potent.

Which Vape Pens Are Best?

The answer to this question is entirely dependent on user preference. Dry pens come in a variety of sizes, price points, vape product preference, charge time, the length of time to heat, temperature control options, portability, chamber size, etc. When you’re ready to buy, we suggest checking out the PAX 2 bundle through LighterUSA. They’re some of the best in the business and will always ensure you’re getting a quality product.  Visit their website to learn more about the dozens of varieties of dry pens they carry, as well as lighters, wax pens, desktop vaporizers, and more.