What Are Vape Pens?
They’re the best way to enjoy your flower or your oils and waxes! Some vape pens are designed specifically to work with dry herb. Others (also known as dab pens) are meant to work with your thick oils and waxy concentrates. Some are hybrids, meaning that they work with either one. At Mig Vapor, we mostly cater to the concentrate crowd, but we’re looking forward to expanding our product line in the future!
These devices offer a great alternative to smoking in the traditional way. They look very similar to e-cigarettes, but they are used with loose leaf herbs or concentrates instead of with e-liquids/vape juice.
How Does a Dab Pen Work?
Dab pens have a heating element (usually conduction, though a few dab pens use convection) that is powered by a small battery at the bottom. Users dab a bit of concentrate on the hot coil, which produces vapor as it warms up. Users can then press a button to draw the vapor through a mouthpiece at the top of the vape pen. Dab pens are usually very similar in appearance and function to e-cigs, with the only difference being that they use concentrate instead of e-juice.
How Does a Dry Herb Vaporizer Work?
Dry herb vapes, much like dab pens and e-cigs, have a heating element, a lithium ion battery, and a compartment for the herb. Dry herb vapes also have a fine mesh screen. Users pack the compartment with finely-ground, loose-leaf flower or flower blends. The heating element warms up the herb enough to vaporize the chemicals in the herb without causing it to combust. It’s similar to the regular smoking experience, but we find that we enjoy vaping much more than traditional methods of smoking!
Why Use Vape Pens?
- Health Reasons
Wax vape pens allow you to reap the benefits of your favorite concentrates without having to ingest the toxins that come along with smoking. Since the material doesn’t combust, it is able to release the chemicals that give you a high without releasing ash or other irritants. This makes it easier on your respiratory system, especially in people who are sensitive.
- Portability
When you’re traveling, it’s pretty difficult to bring your dab rig along. That’s where your vape pen comes in handy! Just as the name suggests, vape pens are slim little devices that are easy to carry around in your pocket, purse, or backpack. They’re similar in size to a regular writing pen, or an e-cig.
- Safety
Instead of using a fragile glass rig, nail, and super-hot torch, you have a durable little device that is very safe to use and difficult to break. As long as you don’t stick your finger inside, you’re totally safe from being burned. Considering the small size of the chambers of most vape pens, that’s impossible to do anyway.
- No Waste / Money Savings
Vape pens may seem like an investment upfront, though they are available at many different price points. But the real savings comes in the form of your herb or concentrates. You probably invest quite a bit of money into your flower or concentrates, so you should be conscious of how efficiently you’re using them. Since you are vaporizing instead of combusting your cannabis/cannabis extracts, you save some cash in the long run. This is especially true if you use concentrates because they’re highly potent and dab pens allow you to get the absolute most out of every last drop.
- Quick to Use
Dab pens are quicker to heat up than dab rigs. They can reach the correct temperature in just a matter of seconds, with no special skill needed... just the press of a button! If you’re using loose leaf it may take a bit longer, but concentrates are ready to smoke almost instantly.
- Easy to Use
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to learn how to use a vape pen. Just make sure the batteries are charged, then fill the chamber with herb or put the concentrate on the heating element and push the button (if there even is a button). You’re ready to go! We offer some more detailed instructions below, so check those out if you’re a beginner.
- Low Odor
You probably wouldn’t roll up a blunt while walking down the street, but you can take a vape pen just about anywhere without attracting attention. Vaping doesn’t actually combust the material, so you don’t get that burned/smoke smell. There’s still a weed smell, but it’s generally not strong. You should still take caution if you don’t want those around you to know you have weed (whether you’re inside or outside), but the odor definitely isn’t as noticeable as if you’re smoking.
- Use Your Favorite Herb or Concentrates
You probably already have a favorite variety of loose herb, wax, oil, or shatter. Or maybe you’re the type who likes to try new ones all the time. With vape pens, you can still use your favorites. If you’re like many people, you’re looking to get a vape pen for when you’re on the go, and you’ll probably continue to use other methods while at home. Vape pens are great because they can use the exact same flower or concentrates that you use at home.
- Choose from Cool Styles
Vape pens can have a lot of personality. You can pick out different colors and styles to suit your preferences. Our Super Power Canna-Blast Batteries come in 5 colors, including rainbow!
Why Mig Vapor Vape Pens?
Mig Vapor is a different type of vape pen company. We’re an independent American e-cig and vape pen brand. We started out trying to provide smokers an alternative to Big Tobacco by providing high-tech e-cigs that may be better for people’s concerns. We soon began providing excellent vape pens for the social herb crowd. We find new ways to make technology work for you, not the other way around.
According to many of our customers, Mig Vapor has changed people’s lives all over the US. Our cutting-edge products check all the boxes: they’re better than the traditional ways of smoking in terms of portability, and attractiveness. Our designs are both functional and sleek at the same time. We’re proud of our vape pens and all of our other products. We get compliments from our vape pen reviewers on a daily basis.
We’ve worked hard to provide you with the best vape pens. We want to stand out from all the cheap products out there. Too many companies offer cheap products that don’t function very well, and we want you to get the most out of your vaping experience by using the best products. We’d love it if you would try them out and give us your feedback!
In addition to designing top-notch products, Mig Vapor also provides free shipping with every order over $75 in the US, and we offer a 30-day money-back guarantee for every purchase. If you’re not satisfied with your new vape pen, let us know within the first month. We’ll do what we can to make it right.
Vape Pen Accessories
When you pick out your vape pen, you’ll also want a few accessories to go along with it—if you don’t already own these items. First, you’ll need a grinder if you’re going to be using dry herb. You’ll also want small containers to hold your herb or your herb concentrate. If you’re using concentrate, a dab tool will come in handy. A carrying case will make it even easier to tote around your vape pen and accessories, and will block any smell that the vape pen emits. Extra batteries are also a good idea, especially if you’re going to be away from home for a long time and won’t be able to charge in between uses.
Not Just for Social Herb
Though we’ve mostly addressed social herb users throughout this article, vape pens are not just for yard weed! You can use them with other dry herbs, or just about any other herb. Try vaping green tea for a nice grassy flavor and an energy boost, or pack your vape pen with lavender for a calming effect and a flowery flavor.
How to Use Vape Pens for Beginners
If you’ve never used one of these devices before, don’t worry—it’s very easy! These tips will get you started.
How to Load a Dab Pen with Wax
- Make sure your pen is designed for concentrates and oils
Most of Mig Vapor’s vape pens are designed to be used with flower concentrates rather than the flower itself.
- Get a small amount of concentrate on your dab tool
Slice off a little sliver of wax, or dip your tool into the concentrate if it’s oilier. You can warm it between your fingers a little bit to shape it. Just a little ball of wax is enough. It should be approximately .1g, but don’t worry about weighing it—you’ll quickly learn to eyeball the correct amount, if you haven’t already.
- Carefully apply it directly to the coil
Be very gentle as you apply the wax to the coil. It’s probably very sticky and it might not come off your tool right away, but it’s important not to jab the coil with your tool because heating elements are delicate and might be damaged if you scrape them while trying to get the wax off your tool.
- Or, break up your shatter into tiny pieces and fill the chamber
If your concentrate is less pliable and more shatter-like, you won’t be able to load it onto a dab tool in the same way we described in the last two steps. In that case, just break it up into little bits and load the chamber up to halfway (the exact amount depends on the vape pen you’re using).
- That’s it!
And you’re ready to vape! The wax or shatter like wax will melt and drip down into the chamber, and you can go ahead and inhale.
How to Pack a Vape Pen with Loose Herb
- Make sure your pen is designed for loose herb
Not every vaporizer is designed for this purpose, so double-check that you are using the right type of vape pen for this.
- Grind the herb finely
When you get your vape pen, you’ll also want to get a grinder that’s specifically designed for the purpose. We prefer heavy-duty aluminum grinders like this one. Load it up with dry herb (and we mean dry—it will work best if there’s very little moisture in it). Grind it finely.
- Fill the chamber and tamp it down
Fill the chamber all the way to the top, or even overfill it a little. Then, use a loading tool or similar object and press the herb down. Don’t pack it so tightly that it restricts airflow, but it should no longer move around loosely in the compartment. If it’s too loose, it won’t get heated thoroughly and evenly causing a harsh flavor. If it’s too tight, you might block airflow which means no vapor. Different vape pens may need to be packed slightly differently. Don’t sweat it though—you’ll be a pro in no time!
- That’s it!
And that’s all… you’re ready to vape! When you get the above 2 steps just right, you’ll get a vape with big fluffy clouds of vapor, strong hits, and smooth flavor.
Shop the Best Vaporizer Pens
Looking for dry herb vaporizers, dab pens, or e-liquid vape pens? Browse our shop—you’re sure to find one that suits your style!
Interested in a super-portable dry herb vape? We’re proud to offer the world’s smallest vape pen, the Micro Dry Herb Vaporizer! Portability isn’t all it offers: the carbon fiber/metal body is cool-looking and durable, and it’s simple to use. Great for all ages! Want to upgrade to a fantastic dry herb vape? Try out the Torpedo—its advanced design is perfect for dry herb and flowers, and its battery life and chamber capacity are incredible.
If you prefer concentrates, there’s a lot to choose from. The Canna Blast Vape Pen is super-efficient at getting every single drop of oil—no waste! It’s best for thick oils and CBD, and it’s very discreet.
If e-juice or e-liquid is more your style, the Sky Pod is a great choice. It allows you to use concentrates, too—it’s a super flexible and multi-talented device!
Conduction or Convection Vapes?
If you research any kind of vaporizers, you’ll quickly realize that some are called “conduction vapes” and others are “convection vapes.” The words are just similar enough to be confusing, but they’re two different things. Here’s the difference:
Conduction just means that the material you’re vaping has direct contact with the heating element on the vape. If your vape pen requires you to put your wax right on top of the coil, it’s a conduction vaporizer. Conduction vapes are often more affordable and they heat up quickly, which is great. If you have the standard, one-button vape pen, then it probably uses conduction. It’s the most popular and widespread style of vape pen.
The drawback: if you set the temperature too high or heat your material for too long, conduction vapes can potentially combust (burn) your material. If you’re going to burn herb, you might as well smoke a joint instead of vaping—the health and flavor benefits go away as soon as the herb combusts. But don’t let that scare you away! If you’re careful not to overheat too much, then conduction vapes are fantastic.
Convection is a little different: instead of using direct contact to heat something, the heat circulates through the air, surrounding your material. That means your material has even less chance of overheating or burning than in a conduction vape. Convection vapes are great because they let you adjust the temperature more accurately and they heat material very evenly (provided that you’ve packed it just right!) Some vapers also say the flavor is cleaner or better because no part of the material gets overheated.
Convection vapes might not have much risk of overheating, but there are a few downsides: first, they’re slower to heat up, which can be annoying for impatient vapers. The devices themselves are also more complicated, which means they carry a higher price tag.
Basically, though, it just comes down to personal preference. Feel free to contact us with any questions about the heating elements in your vaporizer— we’re happy to help you out!
