Dry Herb Vaporizers

What is Dry Herb Vaporizing?

While most vapers use e-liquids to help create the signature vapour, did you know you can also use dry herbs or loose-leaf tobacco to create those brilliant clouds of vapour and a smooth, rich taste, without having to invest in flavoured e-liquids? For those looking for a truly authentic taste without sacrificing on vapour production, nothing compares to dry herb vaporizers.

Dry herb vaporizing heats the herb to below combustion point, which allows users to inhale the beneficial substances and natural oils from their herb of choice, without burning them. That means no smoke and none of the toxins and carcinogens associated with inhaling combusted herbs and tobacco! While vaping e-liquids or other herbs is much safer than inhaling tobacco in any form, vaporizing loose leaf tobacco is actually considered to be less damaging than traditional cigarette smoking for this reason - less smoke means you’re only inhaling the natural oils, moisture and nicotine in the leaves.

In certain regions, such as the Netherlands and certain US states, dry herb vaping is a popular alternative to smoking. However, there are actually a wide variety of different herbs and plant formulas that can be used in dry herb vaping, with plenty of different benefits. Different herbs and flowers will vaporise, and burn, at a variety of different temperatures, so when choosing a dry herb vape device, it’s important to look for one with solid temperature controls if you’re going to be using it with several different herbs. Many of these herbs are the same as those used in aromatherapy, and for similar reasons.

Some popular dry herbs include:

• Chamomile - Known for its relaxing properties and very popular in a tea, chamomile is a delicate herb that should be vaped at a low temperature to prevent burning.
• Cloves - Clove cigarettes were incredibly popular in the mid 20th century, though have declined in popularity significantly since then, to be replaced with traditional tobacco and menthol cigarettes. When vaped, cloves have a strong, sweet and warm flavour which can help ease congestion and indigestion.
• Ginseng - Ginseng is famed for its energising properties and is popular in energy drinks. When vaped, it has these same invigorating and boosting effects!
• Green Tea - Anecdotal evidence claims that green tea can help with headaches when vaped. It is also a great pick-me-up due to its high caffeine content, which is released more efficiently when vaped, than when steeped in a tea.
• Hops - Yes, the same hops you get in beer! Obviously there’s no alcohol here, but when vaped, hops can reportedly provide a euphoric rush!
• Kola Nut - Kola Nut (yes, the same kola nut in Coca-Cola!), is a caffeine-containing herb which can give you a boost and help improve focus and mental clarity when vaped.
• Lavender - This herb is well-renowned for helping you to relax and improve sleep, and vaping is no different! The distinctive lavender scent works very well when vaped for relaxation and calm.
• Lemon Balm - Another great option for improving sleep, lemon balm can also be a good mood lifter and can help reduce tension.

These, along with literally hundreds of other herbs and plant blends, can be vaped legally all over the world using dry herb vaporizers.

How Does It Work?

Now you know what you can vape, how do you do it? Dry herb vaporizers work by gently heating the herb or plant in the chamber of your vape device. The key is that they heat the herbs to below the point of burning, or combustion, which means you don’t get any smoke or “burnt” taste like you do when smoking cigarettes. This method of heating also means that none of the beneficial oils or compounds are burned off either, so you’re getting the greatest possible benefits from your dry herb.

In every dry herb vape device, there are a few main components that drastically affect the experience you’ll have. First is the battery. As dry herb vaporizers generally need to reach higher temperatures to create vapour than traditional e-liquid devices, a powerful battery for your dry herb vape is a must. Most devices will come with a rechargeable battery - some devices will have removable batteries that you can switch out, while others will have the battery built into the device for a simpler and more straightforward vape experience. As the temperatures needed are much higher for dry herbs than for e-liquids, most dry herb vaporizers will take a little longer to heat up than traditional vapes. Generally, you should wait around 60 seconds before inhaling to give the device time to heat up, but this wait time is decreasing every day with the development of new technologies and devices.

The mouthpiece of your vaporizing device can also make a big difference to your vape experience. Mouthpieces can come in all kinds of materials shapes and sizes, and can be used to improve airflow and the condition of the vapour when it comes to inhaling. Glass mouthpieces are often a favourite among vapers as they are a neutral material, and so have no impact on the rich flavour of the vape, however, for obvious reasons, they aren’t as portable or durable as metal or plastic mouthpieces, so aren’t ideal for those carrying their vape with them every day. The shape of your mouthpiece is also important, with longer mouthpieces being generally considered preferable, as it allows the vapour to slightly cool before you inhale. However, a longer mouthpiece means you’ll have to put more effort into inhaling, due to the longer distance from the chamber. The mouthpiece shape, size and material you choose will primarily come down to personal preference!

Arguably the most important thing to consider when choosing your dry herb vaporizer is the herb chamber. Sometimes called the “oven”, it’s where your herb sits and where the heat travels through to release the vapour. Herb chambers can be made of stainless steel, but the most common option today is ceramic, as it doesn’t impact on the flavour of your vape at all, heats up faster than stainless steel models, and retains heat more effectively over time. The best vape devices will also have variable temperature options, so you can choose your heat based on the substance you’re vaping.

There are also two main ways that your dry herb vape chamber will be heated, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.

Conduction Heating

This is the most popular method for heating dry herb products, and uses direct heat on the vape chamber. In a conduction device, you pack your herb tightly into the chamber, and when activated, the heating coil will come into direct contact with the chamber, effectively heating the herb within. Conduction vapes are small, portable and generally less expensive than convection models, making them far more accessible for most vapers. However, some conduction vapes won’t heat your dry herb evenly, with the part closest to the heating coil being used up first, and the part furthest away not releasing vapour. When using conduction heated models, you’ll probably have to open up the chamber during your session to stir and move the herb a little.

Convection Heating

Convection heated models are often large, bulky desktop vaporisers, which use hot air to evenly and intensely heat the herb, without the need to stir or turn your herb during your session - the hot air travels through the chamber to do it for you! However, it does take a little longer for vapour to be produced using convection heating than conduction vapes. Convection-based models are generally very expensive, though are starting to become more accessible as new developments are made.

Some devices also use a combination of conduction and convection heating for the best of both worlds, but these are usually pretty large devices and can be very expensive.

How is Dry Herb Vaping Different to Smoking?

The most important distinction to make when it comes to smoking vs. dry herb vaping is that when you’re smoking, the herb combusts - it’s literally heated to the point of fire! This is what creates the smoke in cigarettes, and why you need a lighter to get started. Dry herb vaping, on the other hand, heats the herb to just below the point of combustion. This causes it to release moisture, oils, terpenes and other compounds, allowing you to inhale them, without inhaling smoke and the toxins that come along with it. The lack of smoke also makes dry herb vaping a “cleaner” alternative to traditional smoking, as you’re only inhaling the substances you want, rather than additional chemicals in the smoke.

Dry herb vaporizers also offer a richer, smoother and more authentic flavour from your herb of choice, when compared to the artificially composed flavours of e-liquids. While authentic tobacco flavours and vape juice flavours, in general, have come a long way in recent years, sometimes the real thing is what you need to get your fix, and no imitation will do!

As dry herb vapes don’t create smoke, only vapour, the passive smell is also reduced when dry herb vaping, which can be a great benefit, particularly for those smoking tobacco. This means no staining, lingering smell or residue, while still getting an authentic tobacco smoking experience.

A Beginner’s Guide to Dry Herb Vaping

Dry herb vaping, while often only used by advanced vapers, is actually pretty easy, and follows many of the same principles as vaping e-liquids. With that said, when vaping dry herbs there are a few things you should look out for in addition to your regular vape.

The type, quality, freshness and consistency of the herb you use is a very important thing to get right. When you’re vaping regularly, you won’t get the most out of your vape if you have a low-quality e-liquid, and the same thing applies to dry herbs. If possible, use a high-quality dry herb that is as fresh as possible. Fresher herb will likely have higher moisture levels within the leaves or flowers, meaning that you’ll get more vapour when the liquids reach their boiling point and combine with oils and other compounds in your vapour. You should also use a herb grinder to get the right consistency for your herb. An even grind means you wi&nll get a smoother, thicker vapour as the herb has an increased surface area and that heat can penetrate the chamber more effectively, giving you a smoother and more even experience. You should never grind more than you need to fill your chamber, as grinding too early will cause it to dry out much more quickly. You should also consider how tightly you pack your herb into the chamber - too little in the space and you won’t get enough vapour, but if there’s too much squashed too tightly in there, it can restrict airflow, prevent effective heat conduction and take longer to heat up, resulting in a less than optimum experience!

Once you have your herb set up in the chamber and ready to go, you’ll need to set the temperature of your vape. The temperature you vape at is important for lots of different vape styles, such as sub ohming and low resistance vaping, as well as dry herb vaporizing. You need to strike a balance between a temperature high enough to effectively create vapour, but not too high that you’ll burn whatever herb it is you are vaping, as this will create smoke and give you a burnt flavour to the vapour, not to mention the fact that burning dry herb in your vape can actually damage the machinery. The temperature you should use will vary massively between different substances, and your own personal preference, as well as the performance of different devices, which can make it difficult to decide on the temperature you need. However, there are hundreds of guides out there that can advise you on the best temperature settings, as well as the team at V2, who can help you choose the right devices and help you work out the best starting point for your herb of choice.

Then, it’s simply a case of turning on your vaporizer! Wait a minute or so for it to heat up, depending on your device, and then leave it at temperature for about 30 seconds, to ensure the device is properly primed and the herb is effectively heated. Then, take a few small, quick puffs to get everything moving and make sure your device isn’t far too hot or cool, then inhale away! Vaporising is quite a different sensation to traditional smoking, and requires a gentler, more passive inhale due to the larger size of the mouthpiece and the way the vapour behaves when compared to tobacco smoke. Most dry herb vapes are what are known as “session vapes”, which means they’ll cut off at some point, much like a cigarette would. However, with vapes, you can simply give your herb a little mix and keep going until it is spent! You’ll know when you need to change your herb as you’ll start to taste a bitter, burnt flavour and the vapour will become weaker and thinner.

Finally, you should make sure to regularly clean your vaporizer after each session, as leaving it too long between cleans will create a residue on the herb tank that becomes difficult to remove and will decrease the performance of your vape. You can use a damp cotton bud or q-tip, as well as a brush and pipe cleaner for great results. Firstly, remove any excess herb and brush out any extra residue from the chamber with a small brush. Then use a cotton bud and alcohol to clean and sanitise the chamber, removing any residue. You can also clean the mouthpiece and vapour path with a pipe cleaner and alcohol. Doing this regularly (every two or three sessions), will help keep your vaporizer performing at its best for years to come!

Our Dry Herb Vaporizers

We offer a highly curated selection of dry herb vaporizers and accessories to give you the best possible experience from your vape.

The Vapour2 PRO Series 7 was one of the most advanced models on the market. It was discontinued in 2020.

Now one of our most popular and high-performing dry herb vaporizers is the Khan Dry Herb Vaporizer by Mig Vapour. Widely renowned as one of the most advanced and effective choices, particularly for a device as small, sleek and portable as the Khan, this device offers brilliant performance, excellent customisation options, and an impressive battery. It also boasts one of the largest ceramic tanks on the market, meaning you can get more time and vapour out of every session. The Khan is a specialised dry herb vaporizer, meaning it shouldn’t be used with e-liquids as this will damage the equipment and parts within the vape. The Khan can provide intense heat, anywhere from 150-240 degrees celsius, making it perfect for vaping all kinds of different dry herbs without burning, and giving you the power to customise your vape to your personal preferred style easily, with the help of the compact LED screen. One particularly special feature of the Khan Dry Herb Vaporizer, is the PYREX Glass vape bubbler, which allows you to cool your vape, for additional customisation options. Available in three stylish colours (red, black and gold), the Khan Dry Herb Vaporizer is the ultimate in polish and performance for dedicated dry herb vapers.

For a more budget-friendly dry herb vaporizer, the Vie Vaporizer is a brilliant entry-level model which offers a much higher quality performance than you might expect from a vape of this price. This device utilises an innovative and easy-to-use pod system to vape both dry herbs and wax, making it ideal for new users and those just getting into the world of dry herb vaping. With a fast heating time and four temperature modes, this is an easy-to-use and accessible device perfectly suited for new users and more experienced dry herb vapers alike! Ergonomic, discreet and stylishly designed, the Vie Vaporizer provides highly portable and innovative vaping technology in a highly affordable package!

You’ll also get a full cleaning kit included with your Vie Vaporizer, containing a microfibre cleaning cloth, two brushes of varying thicknesses to help clean those nooks and crannies effectively and make sure you have all your herb removed each time you vape. This kit contains a large pick and portable pick tool, an auto-packing spring to make sure you get ideal heating and airflow and four replaceable steel mesh screens to ensure your Vie device lasts for as long as possible. Alongside this, you’ll get two easily interchangeable dry herb capsules, one wax/concentrate capsule and a fast USB charging cable so you always have your vape ready to go when you need it.

Dry Herb Accessories

As well as your new dry herb vape device, we offer some accessories and tools you might need to really make the most out of your vape! An effective grinder can really set you up for success when it comes to dry herb vaping, as the consistency of the herb is very important. If your herb is too big, there won’t be enough surface area available to heat, and not only will you fail to get good vapour production, you’re also far more likely to burn and waste herb. However, too small a grind and you’ll be left with a drier, dusty herb, and in some cases, the herb will actually travel along the vape path and end up in your mouth! We stock replacement meshes to ensure peak performance all of the time. Meshes help to prevent any herb from getting into your mouth, and stops residue from clogging up the mouthpiece.

No matter what you’re looking for when it comes to your dry herb vape, at V2 Cigs we have a curated selection of devices and accessories to make sure you always get the best possible product for you! If you have any questions or don’t know what to choose, you can also get in touch with our experienced team who will be able to advise you on the best products for you!