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August 15, 2024 08:00 am ETEstimated Read Time: 6 Minutes
For some, interchanging between cannabis consumption methods is a great way to switch things up, while others have certain consumption methods they strongly prefer. This is often the case for those with a strong preference for smoking flower.
Although flower is a classic and beloved option, smoking flower can pose problems like a strong smell, trouble with traveling, issues with apartment living, or needing to smoke in certain situations where it isn’t very feasible.
Typically, vapes are a great way to get around many of these problems. However, regular cannabis oil vape smoking is a very different experience than smoking cannabis flower. Some flower smokers will even avoid vaping altogether because of this difference.
Fortunately, some vape options closely resemble flower smoking. These options embody the heart and soul of the cannabis flower and what flower smokers enjoy about the experience. And, as a bonus, vaporizing can give you the same effect as smoking flower while using less of your product.
Here are the top vapes that most closely resemble smoking flower when smoking flower isn’t an option.
Dry Herb Concentrate Vapes
Dry herb vaporizers use actual dried cannabis flower, making them the closest method to smoking flower with traditional methods like paper or a pipe.
The heat of the dry herb vaporizer is applied to the ground flower without burning it, which unlocks many of the same flavors and tastes you get when smoking flower with more traditional methods.
Dry herb vapes are also packed with terpenes and cannabinoids because they are using real ground flower. Hemp can also be used in these vaporizers as well, if preferred.
Unlike traditional vapes, or other traditional smoking methods for that matter, dry herb vapes give users control over the temperature. While a good place to start is around 350 degrees, these vapers can increase the temperature to 400 degrees or dip as low as 190 degrease, depending on your preference.
This temperature change lends to a change in the density of the vapor along with a change in flavor. If you prefer more flavor with a less dense vapor, choose a lower temperature. For those who like fuller cloud production but prefer a less strong taste, a higher temperature can be used. Either way, this is a combustion-free method, meaning what comes out of the dry herb vaporizer isn’t smoke but rather a true vapor.
Dry herb vaporizers have two heating methods: conductive or convection; sometimes, they use a hybrid combination of both.
Conduction is a more powerful and direct method of heating and is the most common version of portable dry herb vaporizers. This is a great one for a harder hit and a quicker high. Just note that this type of vaporizer continues to heat for some time even after you might be done smoking, so it’s great when you plan to use most or all of the bud in your vaporizer all at once. However, it may not be so great for one-hit-and-quit type smokers.
Convection versions, on the other hand, stop heating when the airflow stops, so it’s great for smoking now and then.
Overall, either type of dry herb vaporizer is easy to get the hang of quickly.
One of the great things about the dry herb vaporizers is you can use any medium-finely ground herb of choice and switch it up as needed.
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Some tips for use include:
don’t pack the vape too full or too tightly
take slow inhales until you figure out how hard your vape hits
start with lower temperatures (or give that 350-degree temp a try)
play around with it until you figure out the best temperature for you
Fortunately, dry herb vaporizers also come in a number of sizes, such as desktop or pen-sized, depending on how discreet you need them to be or your overall personal preference.
Like any cannabis product, you get what you pay for. How well the dry herb vapor will work will depend on its overall quality.
Live Resin Vapes
While it doesn’t involve smoking ground flower like dry herb vapes, live resin vapes have an upper hand when it comes to vapes and are worth a try. For those who tend to not like the normal cannabis oil vape experience, live resin is a step up from those and might just be the vape game changer you never knew existed.
Since you don’t need to pack and tote around ground herb like with a dry herb vape, this is also a slightly more convenient option for on-the-go smokers.
Live resin vapes, unlike the dry herb vapes, are already pre-filled with live resin oil. As such, they do a much better job of capturing the true flower flavor and aroma versus regular cannabis oil or THC distillate-based vapes.
Distillate oil vapes remove terpenes and isolate cannabinoids during high-heat and pressure extraction because the ultimate goal is to produce the highest levels of THC possible while not prioritizing the other qualities of the cannabis plant.
Live resin, on the other hand, is abundant in trichomes, terpenes, and cannabinoid content. This is because it is derived from fresh, flash-frozen cannabis plants, and then refined to create the liquid that goes into the vape.
The process of creating live resin skips the curing and drying process, so the freshness and natural compounds of the plant materials are preserved in these live resin extracts. In addition, the highly sought-after “entourage effect” is another benefit of live resin. This is because of the compounds in the plant material, like the cannabinoids and terpenes working together, and the way they are extracted to make the live resin.
It’s important to note there are two live resin vape formulas, so be sure to check the label at your local dispensary when shopping. Pure live resin will always contain 100% live resin, whereas live resin blends do contain things like diluents and additives.
Like flower, there are a variety of strains to choose from when purchasing live resin vapes.
Final Thoughts
While the experience of smoking cannabis flower is hard to replicate, there are vape options that come remarkably close. For those who enjoy the ritual and taste of flower smoking but face troubles like strong odors, travel concerns, or living situations, dry herb vaporizers and live resin vapes offer excellent alternatives.
Dry herb vaporizers provide the closest experience to smoking flower by preserving the flavors and effects while allowing for customization in vapor density and flavor intensity.
On the other hand, live resin vapes bring the true essence of cannabis to a more portable format by capturing the rich terpene profile and entourage effect that many flower enthusiasts seek.
Both options offer unique advantages and allow you to enjoy the benefits of cannabis in situations where traditional smoking isn’t possible. Whether you’re looking to replicate the full-bodied experience of smoking flower or simply seeking a more portable and discreet option, these vapes provide excellent solutions.
Sarah Welk Baynum is a Columbus, Ohio based published fiction author and experienced freelance writer specializing in long-form content. When she isn't working on her next novel or writing for her clients, she enjoys spending time riding and competing in showjumping or eventing with her two horses, Tilly and Letty.
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