Dry herb vaporizers are revolutionizing vaping. If you’re new to vaping, or you’re transitioning to vaping from smoking, dry herb vaporizers represent a great place to start out since they boast some unique benefits. Dry herb vaporizers can enhance your sessions by delivering exceptional flavor and quality. Plus, dry herb vaping means your flower goes further. DynaVap’s dry herb vaporizers, for example, allow you to squeeze 75% more out of your material without sacrificing results. Best of all, dry herb vaporizers are smoke-free, radically reducing the toxic load that’s associated with combustion (goodbye, smoker’s cough).
DynaVap has innovated a range of dry-herb vaporizers that are battery-free, portable, and last a lifetime. Best of all, we’ve just added the newest member to the family–the “B”. B stands for beginner-friendly, because it’s so easy to use. B also stands for baking (because vaping bakes the flower, so it releases a steady stream of cannabinoids, as opposed to burning, which happens during combustion), and finally, B stands for benefits–because this device allows you to reap all the advantages of thermal extraction easily and efficiently.
Here’s the DynaVap beginner’s guide to dry herb vaporizers and the best dry herb vaporizer for beginners. B part of the revolution!
What is a Dry Herb Vaporizer?
Dry herb vaporizers gently heat dry cannabis flower to create a vapor infused with the active compounds of the plant. Dried plant material is placed into the heating chamber, which releases flavors, aromas, terpenes and cannabinoids.
Dry herb vaping can be contrasted with combustion, where dried flower is placed in a pipe or rolled in paper and smoked. Combustion uses much higher temperatures, and in the process it produces smoke that contains unwanted by-products such as tar, in addition to destroying some of the beneficial compounds present in dried flower. Smoking also inflames the lungs.
Dry herb vaporizers are also distinct from concentrate vaporizers, which heat e-liquids to produce vapor.
How Do They Work?
Dry herb vaporizers all tend to function in a similar way. Dry herb is placed in the oven or heating chamber, then the device is turned on. In some devices, you have to manually select the temperature, but with DynaVap devices like the B, the temperature is reached automatically. A simple “click” in the cap indicates that their material is heated and ready to vape–usually as quickly as 5 or 6 seconds. Another click indicates that the device needs heating.
DynaVap vaporizers, like the B, utilize a convection/conduction heating process that efficiently brings the flower to the perfect temperature for vaporization (FYI: marijuana begins to vaporize at a temperature of about 284°F). Convection vaporizers heat the flower by flowing hot air in and around the herb in order to vaporize it, so there’s no chance of it burning. Conduction vaporizers, on the other hand, heat the flower by placing the heating element in direct contact with the herb. A mixture of conduction and convection heating means the best of both worlds– providing efficient heating, and a rich, flavorful vapor.
As the herb is heated, vapor begins passing through the stem into the mouthpiece, where it is inhaled by the user. After a set amount of time, the herb is “cashed”--which simply means it’s brown, crunchy, and used up.
Types of Vaporizers
Dry herb vaporizers can be categorized in a number of ways based on their features: convection vs. conduction vs. hybrid, session vs. on demand; or portable vs. desktop. Since we’ve already explained the difference between convection, conduction and hybrid, let’s look at session vs. demand and portable vs. desktop.
Session vs. Demand
Session vaporizers are the most common kind of dry herb vaporizers. With these vapes, you load the oven, power up the vape, wait for it to heat, and then inhale the vapor until the weed is all used up. A session cannot be turned off halfway through as the heating element takes some time to arrive at the configured temperature and then to cool down. Basically, session vapes represent how many would expect a vape pen or device to work–keep vaping until it’s all gone.
On-demand vaporizers let users take a sporadic hit whenever the desire grabs them rather than vaping all the flower in one session. Users can choose how much or how little they vape, turn the vaporizer off, and power it up again when they’re ready for more, making them ideal for microdosing. The B is microdose-friendly–perfect for those looking for a quick, subtle hit. In other words, on demand vaporizers stretch out your cannabis consumption by allowing you to smoke exactly as much as you want, rather than everything all at once.
Portable vs. Desktop
Portable vapes can fit in pockets, purses and bags, and are easily used on-the-go. These are the most popular kind of vaporizer, because let’s be real–most of us want to have the freedom to vape anywhere, anytime. The DynaVap B is one of the smallest portable dry herb vaporizers on the market, measuring just 3.5 inches long. This means not only is it portable, but it’s also super discreet.
Desktop vaporizers are large devices designed to be used at home. These vape devices are
more powerful than portable vaporizers and they boast inhalation methods that are unique. The majority of desktop vaporizers heat the herbs through convection (with a stream of hot air), improving the efficiency of the inhalation, as well as the flavor and quality of the vapor. However, their large size and high price range mean they’re not for everyone.
How to Choose the Right Vaporizer
If you’re new to the world of vaping, starting out with the right vaporizer can ensure your vaping experience is easy and enjoyable. Here’s our list of five fundamental factors to evaluate in your decision:
● Build quality
Invest in a vaporizer that’s been constructed using high-end materials and is designed to last. Quality dry herb vaporizers are typically fitted with materials such as medical-grade stainless steel, or food-grade aluminum–such as the B. Cheaper products produced with plastic lend themselves to an inferior vaping experience, and a device that is more prone to breakage.
● Ease of use
Vaping newbies usually appreciate vapes that are straightforward and free from a steep learning curve. In other words, it’s best for a beginner to opt for a device that's intuitively designed and doesn’t require you to master difficult temperature settings or to decipher complex displays. With its simple automatic function, the B makes lighting up super easy–simply heat the cap with a butane torch lighter, gently rotate, and listen for the ‘click’ which indicates the vape is ready to go. Plus, the B doesn’t need to be charged so you’ll never have to worry about battery life.
● Size
As the saying goes, size isn’t everything. Many beginner vapers who are transitioning from smoking cigarettes or joints appreciate a device that feels similar–discreet, and relatively easy to handle. A smaller device, like the B, can feel less intimidating to use than larger, more ostentatious vape devices.
● Efficiency
Getting a hit on demand is important to a lot of beginner vapers. Waiting while a device takes its time heating can be a deterrent from embracing vaping. Opting for a device that heats super quickly means you can vape on the go, when and where you want. The B heats in as little as six seconds–way less than the time it takes to roll a joint and light it.
● Design
There’s a wild world of vape devices out there with a device to suit even the pickiest of tastes. Your vape should feel and look good–after all, it is a statement of sorts about yourself, in much the way clothes are. Choose a design that vibes with you. If you’re looking for something sleek and timeless, the B is your go-to.
Benefits of Dry Herb Vaporizers
As has probably become apparent, dry herb vaping boasts a wide range of different effects. Here’s a list of some of the most beneficial ones.
● Better taste
Cannabis tastes better when it’s vaped rather than combusted. Vaping bakes the flower instead of burning it, which contributes to a smoother, richer, and more flavorful experience.
● Reduced smell
The scent associated with weed is less noticeable when it’s vaped rather than smoked, perfect for those who want to be discreet.
● Portability
Portable dry herb vapes are super easy to carry with you and load on the go, so you can get a hit whenever and wherever you want. You can even pack the oven before you head out, so you don’t need to carry flower with you.
● No smoke
The smoke produced by combustion methods of smoking contains toxic carcinogens that can harm the lungs. Dry herb vaping heats the plant material at a lower temperature and produces no smoke, making it a much healthier option.
● Stretch your stash
Dry herb vaping uses considerably less cannabis flower than smoking. If you’re a fan of stretching your stash, dry herb vaporizers will see your weed last a lot longer.
● Environmentally friendly
If you’re already a vaping convert but not a fan of e-liquid cartridges, dry herb vaping represents a friendlier environmental option compared to other weed vaporizers. With dry herb vaping, you're only discarding the used plant material, which is biodegradable.
How to Use a Dry Herb Vaporizer
Dry herb vaporizers are super straightforward to use. Most function according to the following basic steps:
- Grind your herbs to the desired coarseness.
- Pack your vape oven.
- Heat the vape.
- Wait for the click.
Between models, however, there will be some nuance. For example, the B doesn’t require a pre-set temperature, but heats automatically when the cap is torched and rotated, indicating its readiness with a click. Unlike other dry herb vaporizers, the B doesn’t require a fine grind–grinding your flower too finely can see plant material fall into the unit. Find out more about how to use the B here. Less time spent grinding means more time spent vaping.
How to Clean Your Vaporizer
Cleaning a dry herb vaporizer properly on a regular basis will help optimize your vaping experience and lengthen the longevity of your device. In general, it’s a good idea for regular users to carry out a thorough clean, like the one detailed below, once a week.
Here are some cleaning tips for dry herb devices in general:
- Allow your dry herb vaporizer to cool completely after using it. Avoid cleaning it until all the heating elements have cooled or you could burn your fingers.
- Gently clean the dry herb chamber by rubbing it with a soft bristle brush. This will loosen any particles that have collected there. Dip a cotton swab into some isopropyl alcohol and wipe down the dry herb chamber to disinfect it.
- Carefully poke the filter screen with a pin or toothpick to shift any debris without damaging your screen. Use a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol to lightly disinfect the screen once it's unclogged.
- Wipe the mouthpiece thoroughly. Again, a cotton swab dabbed with isopropyl alcohol can help to clean it hygienically.
- Allow all the pieces of your vaporizer to dry before reassembling the device.
Here are some specific pointers for cleaning DynaVap devices, like the B:
- Remove used plant material from the chamber by using the built-in extractor to empty the chamber. You can also blow on the mouthpiece.
- Clean the body of the device with hot water.
- Wash your VapCap by filling the carrying case with a cleaning solution then shake or soak–but avoid cleaning with alcohol or other flammable liquids.
