How to Use a Vape Pen for THC, CBD and More

What is a vape pen?

A vape pen is a power source that heats up a vape tank or cartridge to produce vapor. They’re rechargeable battery-powered devices that are pocket-sized and cylindrical – hence, the name “pen.” Vape pens first hit the e-cigarette scene around 2010 from a company called Janty, then shortly after were popularized by Joyetech.

This device revolutionized the vaporizer market by offering larger battery capacity and longer running times, as well as providing the user with the ability to swap atomizers or cartridges. Prior to vape pens, e-cigarettes were small self-contained units in the shape and size of a cigarette.

Parts of a vape pen

Rechargeable and disposable vape pens

Vape pens come in two main categories: rechargeable and disposable. A rechargeable vape pen generally refers to a battery-powered device used for vaping with a variety of atomizers and cartridges.

A disposable vape pen is an all-in-one unit comprised of an internal battery, a pre-filled tank and a coil. They are neither rechargeable or refillable, and can be disposed when depleted. Disposable and rechargeable vape pens come in into two main varieties: push-button and draw-activated.

Push-button vs. draw-activated vape pens

Why is my vape pen not working?

Here are some of the most common answers to why our vape pen might not be working.

How to use a vape pen for THC

Weed oil and distillate carts

Disclaimer: THC oil cartridges are suitable for vaping and are not the same thing as tinctures, which are for oral use only.

Today, the most common use for vape pens is for re-fillable cannabis oil cartridges and delta 8 THC carts. Also known as weed pens, these devices are typically compatible with 510-threaded oil carts. To start, remove the rubber seal from the bottom of your oil cartridge and connect it to the battery. Make sure the device is charged and turned on, if it is a push-button vape pen. Also don’t press the button until you start inhaling or it might burn your lips.

Dabs and wax

The best way to vape wax is to use a vape pen specifically designed for dabs. There are cartridges that work with your standard vape pens, but most dab pens provide a bit more airflow and generally have atomizers with ceramic or quartz quicks that can handle the higher temperatures required for dabs. Unlike oil cartridges, you can press the button before inhaling to preheat your dabs.

Weed

How to use a vape pen for CBD

CBD oil cartridges

Disclaimer: CBD oil cartridges are suitable for vaping. CBD oil tinctures are oil-based and are not suitable for inhalation.

Pre-filled CBD cartridges are a convenient way to vape full spectrum CBD oil and CBD distillate. Similar to weed oil cartridges, all you have to do is remove the rubber seal and screw the cartridge on to your device. If you have a disposable vape pen, just open it up and start puffing away.

CBD vape juice

CBD vape juice is very similar to nicotine e-liquid. That means you can use a standard e-liquid vape pen for CBD vape juice. You can fill up any empty oil tank with your own CBD vape juice, but for better flavor and vapor production, you’ll want a modern e-liquid vape pen that can handle most of the e-liquids on the market today.

The two main styles of e-liquid vape pens are going to be either mouth to lung (MTL) or direct lung (DL). MTL vape pens are similar to cartridges, in that they provide a tighter cigarette style draw and don’t require a lot of power to heat up. Direct lung vape pens provide a looser draw, more airflow, cloud production and require more power than MTL tanks because they have lower-resistance coils. Some devices are capable of both styles of vaping depending on which type of coil you are using with it.

How to use a vape pen for nicotine

Vape pens for nicotine e-liquid have evolved quite a bit over the years. Today’s devices offer better flavor and overall performance than the vape carts from the early days of vaping. Some of them also have extra features like a larger battery capacity and a variety of different coil options. The newer varieties of e-liquid vape pens tend to be a bit wider and heftier than your typical vape pen for oil, but there are many sizes and styles to pick from.

Nicotine vape pens all fall into at least one of these categories: direct lung (DL) or mouth to lung (MTL). Some of them are capable of both MTL and DL vaping, depending on the coil you install. Direct lung vape pens provide bigger clouds and are ideal for regular low strength nicotine e-liquid (3-6 mg). Mouth to lung vape pens are used more for higher strength e-liquids generally containing 6 mg and above. Learn more about the different styles of inhaling and how to vape properly.

Finding the right vape pen for you