Whether you’re new to the smoking game or a seasoned aficionado, understanding the differences between vaping vs. smoking can be ideal for unlocking the full potential of the herb you secure from Eaze Delivery.
Vaping vs. Smoking: Temperature
Vaping and smoking share a common process of applying high temperatures to a substance, transforming it from solid or liquid, into an inhalant. However, the distinction between the two lies in the temperature level utilized.
Vaping operates at a lower temperature, causing molecules to vaporize. On the other hand, smoking involves higher temperatures that lead to combustion. As a result, the molecules not only vaporize but also undergo transformations, like THCA converting into THC. When marijuana is smoked, the inhalation includes a mixture of desired components like vaporized cannabinoids and terpenes.
The temperature required for vaporization is contingent on the specific molecule and the physical substrate involved. For example, the vape temperature of THC differs between flower and concentrated oil, and it may even vary among various types of concentrates. Typically, the temperature needed to vaporize THC and other cannabinoids in flower is relatively lower, approximately 200 Celsius (392 Fahrenheit). On the other hand, vape devices often utilize temperatures ranging from approximately 220 Celsius on the lower end up to 400 Celsius or even higher (752 Fahrenheit).
Flavor:
The flavor between vaping vs. smoking cannabis also differs. Terpenes, which are small aromatic compounds found in cannabis, play a significant role. Terpenes vaporize at lower temperatures than cannabinoids, causing the terpene-to-cannabinoid ratio to fluctuate across a range of vaporization temperatures. Lower temperatures result in a higher terpene-to-cannabinoid ratio, leading to more pronounced “terp flavor.”
Vaping vs. Smoking: Additives & Diluents
In comparison to nicotine products, cannabis oil possesses a highly beneficial property: it can be inhaled without the need for diluents or synthetic flavor additives. Most nicotine vape products contain approximately 1-5% nicotine, with the bulk of the product comprising a diluent used to reduce the nicotine concentration to these levels. This dilution is necessary to prevent nicotine vapor from becoming highly irritating and producing undesirable effects when the nicotine concentration is too high.
On the other hand, cannabis concentrates often contain very high THC levels, frequently surpassing 75% and even reaching 95-99% THC (e.g., distillate). Unlike nicotine, cannabis oil does not require the same kind of dilution to avoid intense physical irritation, adverse effects, or to achieve the desired psychoactive effects. Occasionally, diluents are used in cannabis oil, but their purpose is typically to maintain consistent THC levels across product batches. These cannabis diluents are employed in much smaller concentrations compared to nicotine vape products and often consist of substances like botanical terpenes, which naturally occur in raw cannabis oil.
Hardware Considerations:
Hardware considerations for vaping cannabis also play a crucial role. An essential design feature is the airpath of the cannabis vapor, which should never intersect with the internal electronic components of the device. These electronic components might contain heavy metals or residual solvents utilized in the manufacturing process. If the cannabis vapor comes into contact with these internal components, it can pick up these undesirable substances.
Thankfully, most reusable cannabis vape brands available at Eaze Delivery are engineered to prevent the airpath from passing over the internal device components. However, it is essential to carefully examine the design specifications to ensure this protection.