If you haven’t switched to a dry herb vaporizer or some other type of handheld portable vaporizer, you may feel as though you are way behind. Thousands of people are making the switch from smoking to vaping for so many reasons. Whether it’s cost or convenience, dry herb vaporizers are a prime choice for anyone looking for a new device.
There’s no need to worry about playing catch-up. Right now is a fantastic time to get in on the vaping game and start trying different dry herb vaporizers. There are so many options available, and many devices and methods function differently and work better with certain products.
When choosing the best device for your personal use, ask yourself a couple of questions. First, what product are you using? Second, what experience am I hoping to have with this device? Once you narrow those answers down, you’ll have a much easier time choosing whether a dry herb vaporizer is right for you.
What Is a Dry Herb Vaporizer?
A dry herb vaporizer is a portable vaporizer you hold in your hand while using. They come in a wide range of sizes, but many of these devices are small enough to fit in your pocket or purse. People love handheld dry herb vaporizers because they are easy to use, easy to refill, and easy to conceal. A dry herb vaporizer is an excellent option if you often travel because you can take it anywhere you go.
Dry herb vaporizers function similarly to other vaporizers and vape pens, and the overall goal of these devices is the same. Vaporizers and vape pens use some type of heating element or system to get your product to its ideal temperature. Once the product reaches its optimal heat, vapor forms and travels through the device and out through the mouthpiece.
You aren’t stuck with just dry herb if you choose a portable dry herb vaporizer, and you may choose one of these devices for that specific purpose. But, you have quite a bit of freedom when it comes to product choice. Some handheld vaporizers include a chamber that holds all types of products, including dry herb, wax, and other concentrated liquids and oils.
The majority of vaporizers, especially dry herb vaporizers, use convection technology. Vape pens often come equipped with conduction heating elements. We’ll dive more into those later, but the overall experience between those two heating functions is quite different.
Differences Between Dry Herb Vaporizers and Vape Pens
Vaporizers and vape pens are often used interchangeably. They are not the same products, though. There are dozens of differences between vaporizers and vape pens and sorting through it all may not sound fun.
There are a few significant differences between handheld vaporizers and vape pens. You find vape pens prefilled or with removable cartridges. Oftentimes, vape pens are either disposable or rechargeable, and they typically don’t last as long as a quality hand held vaporizer.
Vape pens are usually smaller than handheld vaporizers and can easily slip into your pocket or purse. Some handheld vaporizers are bulky because of their product chamber. Those portable dry herb vaporizers are a little harder to conceal in your pocket. If you’re in the market for a dry herb vaporizer, and you want to keep it in your pocket or somewhere else snug, make sure to look for a smaller device.
Prefilled vape pens and replaceable vape pens are available just about anywhere. It’s a good idea only to buy your quality handheld vaporizers, dry herb vaporizers, and vape pens from a reputable dispensary.
Benefits of a Dry Herb Vaporizer
One benefit of vaporizing over smoking is it doesn’t burn the product. Instead, the product is heated to a specific temperature using convection heating. That helps in several ways. When the product is heated evenly, you preserve more and waste less. With smoking, you use a flame to heat the product. The flame burns the product unevenly, meaning some of it is damaged before you even have a chance to consume the product.
That leads to another benefit of a dry herb vaporizer over smoking. When you burn the product, you’re combusting it, creating smoke. When you inhale, you breathe in that smoke. With vaporizers, you’re inhaling vapor, not smoke.
Because there is no smoke involved with using a dry herb vaporizer, many people say the flavor is more enjoyable and full. The smoke can dilute and sometimes mask the natural and added flavors in many products. Vaporizing liquids can intensify flavors and aromas in certain products.
Using one of the many smoking methods means you’re using plant parts or concentrated products. If you’re using a handheld dry herb vaporizer, you’ll use finely ground dry herb or concentrated extracts, which can be more potent than other products. That’s one reason many people choose dry herb vaporizers and other handheld vaporizers over smoking.
With a handheld dry herb vaporizer and smoking, the effects kick in quickly. It’s unusual for either of these methods to take longer than 10 or at most 15 minutes to take effect after consumption. It’s always best to give it a few minutes after inhaling before taking another hit. If you’re new to smoking or using a vaporizer, you’ll want to start slowly and work your way up.
Using a Dry Herb Vaporizer Vs. Smoking a Joint
It’s an iconic image that takes us back to a particular time in history. Seeing someone rolling a joint has such an old-school vibe to it, but it’s still a widespread practice today. People will always enjoy the art of rolling up a joint or spliff and sitting back and relaxing. A spliff is just a joint that includes tobacco, which helps cut down on its potency. Although it’s still common, rolling a joint or a spliff is not the most convenient method.
If you’re rolling a joint or a spliff, you’ll need rolling papers and a lighter. If you’re using a vaporizer, all of the necessary parts and pieces you need are already attached. You don’t need a lighter to heat the dry herb vaporizer, and the product is already inside the device. Joints are also messy, and you need to find a flat surface for rolling. Something else to keep in mind is how tricky it is to roll a joint. If you don’t have experience doing it, you may find it difficult.
There are some benefits of smoking a joint instead of a dry herb vaporizer. You may notice handheld vaporizers can be pretty pricey, depending on the device you choose. If you’re willing to shell out a good chunk of change, a quality dry herb vaporizer is a good investment. There are plenty of handheld vaporizers on the market between $30 and $300, but they can get much more expensive. The items you need to roll a joint are much cheaper. Rolling papers and lighters only cost a few dollars. Smoking a joint is one of the least expensive methods compared to the other options.
Using a Dry Herb Vaporizer Vs. a Pipe or One-hitter
Almost anywhere you go these days, smoking is prohibited. There are very few places left that allow smoking indoors, although there’s been quite a bit of discussion over whether to allow vaping indoors. Even if you run into restrictions about vaping and using handheld vaporizers in certain public places, these devices are still much more convenient and accepted than smoking.
When it comes to portability, pipes and one-hitter pipes are equally as convenient as a handheld vaporizer. You keep your one-hitter pipes inside a dugout or box, which includes a compartment for holding the product until you’re ready to smoke. You just pull out the pipe or hitter, dig out the product from the box, and it’s ready to go.
Even though pipes and one-hitters are easy to carry with you, many people don’t like that you can still smell the dry herb. Even when you aren’t smoking the product, dugouts and boxes still allow some aroma to escape. If you’re hoping to remain discreet and you don’t want to smell like smoke, a dry herb vaporizer is a better choice than a pipe or one-hitter.
Using a Dry Herb Vaporizer Vs. a Bong
There is a pretty significant divide between using a handheld vaporizer and using a bong. These two methods are almost as far apart on the spectrum as possible. A vaporizer is self-contained, whereas bongs and water pipes have several external and removable, changeable parts.
Dry herb vaporizers and handheld devices are portable, easy to use, and convenient. If you plan to use a bong, you need to stay in one place and have all the necessary equipment with you. You can travel with a bong, but you’ll have to take it apart first. You may find it difficult to be discreet when using a bong. With a handheld portable vaporizer, you can take it and use it just about anywhere.
Bongs require heavy-duty cleaning, typically after each use. You need to clean your vaporizer often, as well, but the parts don’t get resin buildup on them after one use. You can use dry herb with both handheld vaporizers and bongs, and both devices leave a bit of room for branching out to other products.
The bottom line is a bong is a much bigger hassle than a portable vaporizer. A bong is a great choice if you’re planning to sit around with friends and enjoy a night of chatting. It’s even better if the bong belongs to someone else, and you don’t have to clean it afterward.
Using a Dry Herb Vaporizer Vs. a Dab Rig
If you avoid using a bong or a water pipe because of its size, lack of portability, and high number of parts, a dab rig is probably not for you. If you’re even more terrified by a dab rig, I don’t blame you. Luckily, portable dry herb vaporizers are much more convenient, meaning you may never even have to come near a dab rig if you aren’t interested.
You may notice dab rigs and bongs function in the same way, but these two devices use different parts. Each dab rig includes a base, tube or stem, a dab tool, and a mouthpiece, just like a bong. Instead of using a lighter to fire up your dry herb like with a bong, you use a nail or banger to heat the dab rig element. That’s where a world of opportunity opens up, if you’re into concentrated oils and waxy products. Dab rigs also require a handheld torch to heat the nail or banger because a standard gas station lighter just won’t do the trick. Waxy concentrates only work if the heat reaches 350 degrees Fahrenheit, so extra powerful heating equipment is necessary.
Not all dab rigs come with all of their parts, either. Some dab rigs come with a nail, a dab tool, and a torch. Unfortunately for dabbing fans, not all devices are created equally, and you may find yourself stocking up on accessories just to make it work.
Dab rigs and bongs are both known for getting resin buildup on some of their accessories. Dab rigs are notorious for becoming quite messy after just one use. If you plan to use a bong or dab rig, make sure you have a good cleaning regimen down. Otherwise, you’ll wind up with a pretty big mess on your hands.
Closing Thoughts
If you’re still on the fence about whether it’s time to switch to a dry herb vaporizer, there are a few things to consider. If the smell of smoking bothers you, switching might be best. If you don’t mind the smell, but you’re looking for convenience, a handheld vaporizer may be an excellent option for you. If you’re worried about cost, try something smaller and more compact. The device may not last as long as a more expensive one, but it will give you a chance to try a dry herb vaporizer and decide if it’s for you.