How to Tell When the Dry Herb Is Done in Your Vaporizer

Vaporization became even more accessible with the introduction of ultra-compact dry herb pens. Portable models offer less power, but they’ve turned vaporization into an on-the-go activity.

Vape carts make it clear when you’ve used up your oil; if there’s little to no content left, it’s time to swap out your THC or CBD cart for a new one. Weed vaporizers aren’t as visually direct, but it’s still easy to know when it's time to reload your vaporizer.

How to tell when vaped weed is done

• Faint or burnt flavor
• Less vapor or changes in the vapor’s appearance
• Reduced potency
• Brittle, dried-out consistency

Flavor and aroma

Used-up herb will lose its initial richness. The taste may become more muted, bitter, or even charred. If you notice the taste becoming unpleasant, consider reloading your vaporizer with freshly ground bud.

Terpenes are also responsible for the smell of your vapor. Changes in flavor go hand-in-hand with a shifting aroma, so be sure to keep your senses engaged.

Vapor appearance and quantity

Take note of your device’s settings before using vapor output as an indicator. Vaping at low temperatures (below 350° F) won’t produce large amounts of vapor, regardless of the bud’s age. Focus on how the vapor has changed from earlier in your session rather than the overall density or size.

Lower potency

If you need to take longer draws or spend more time vaping to reach a desired outcome, try reloading your vaporizer’s chamber.

Dry herb consistency

Test the herb’s consistency by powering down your vaporizer and allowing it to cool. Open the chamber and stir up the herb. Used dry herb will crumble easily or, in extreme cases, may turn to powder. When your bud no longer contains enough moisture to hold itself together, it’ll be a challenge to extract any leftover compounds.

What does weed look like after vaping?

Fresh bud will appear green and somewhat moist. Its color will change gradually, browning or darkening as it’s cooked.

The appearance of dark bud doesn’t always mean that it’s time to begin fresh. Conduction vaporizers rely on direct contact to cook flower, and the herb needs to be stirred to keep heat distribution even. If you notice spots of green mixed into the brown, give the contents of your chamber a stir and continue vaporizing.

Can you save vaped dry herb?

Yes, it’s possible to save AVB for a later time. We’d encourage it over letting it go to waste.

Remember that black or dark brown bud has already been zapped of the majority of its active compounds, so it’s not ideal to repurpose. Herb that’s been lightly toasted is perfect to save as AVB, however.

How to store vaped bud

After cooling your vaporizer and removing the weed, place it in an airtight container. Mason jars are an excellent option. Store this container somewhere cool, dry, and dark. Heat or sunlight will damage your AVB and cause it to lose active compounds.

Time for a fresh bowl!