One of the devices used for smoking a mixture of natural herbs and plant materials that has grown in popularity is the vaporizer. Vaporizers operate differently from blunts, bongs, and pipes in that the smoking mixture is not incinerated. The mixture is vaporized instead which helps to protect the smoker from the irritating and possibly harmful by-products that are normally encountered when the mixture is burned. Since there is no combustion, there is no smoke. Ideally, the vapour that results contains virtually no tars or other particulate matter.
Lower concentrations of carbon monoxide and other noxious gases have been documented and are key benefits whenever you are smoking your herbal mixture using a vaporizer. When you compare the use of a vaporizer to the other methods of ingestion for getting a legal high, there is a more rapid onset of the desired “pharmacological” effect. Additionally, the delivery of the vapour into the bloodstream is more direct.
From a health standpoint, smoking your herbal blends through a vaporizer is better for you than using a blunt, bong, or pipe to attain your legal high. Although a bong offers the advantage of a cooler smoke free from particulate matter, the herbal mixture is still incinerated instead of vaporized. Vaporizing provides you with the same desired effect that incineration does. However, you are only being subjected to essential natural elements and not some of the toxins that you typically would ingest when you incinerate your herbal mixture.
There are numerous types of vaporizers available on the market today, all of which have numerous applications. Where the smoking of legal herbs is concerned, the type of vaporizer is usually determined by the type of heating and delivery methods that each one employs. However, all of them vaporize the plant material so that it can be smoked and enjoyed. The following is a breakdown of the two heating and the two delivery methods that are typically used.
Direct Conductional Heating – the classic, more common glass dome type vaporizers work by placing the plant material on a small plate (usually metal) where it heats up sufficiently and starts vaporizing the material. This method is referred to as ‘direct’ because you place the plant material directly onto the heating element.
Indirect Conductional Heating – this is considered the superior technique employed for vaporizing the plant materials because it never directly touches the heating element. Hot air passes over the material causing the active ingredients to be released.
Direct Lung Delivery – inhaling from this type of vaporizer involves heated air passing through the plant material which is then inhaled directly into the lungs. Since the vapour is not stored, you inhale a larger quantity of vapour.
Stored Vapour Delivery – when using this vapour delivery method, the plant material is heated until the vapours form. It is then stored in a balloon type of chamber or glass bowl for inhalation. The difference between this method and the direct lung method is that you cannot inhale as large a quantity of smoke. In other words, it results in a smaller ‘hit.’
Vaporizers typically operate using a heating element where plant material is heated and not burned, in order to produce a vapour that can be inhaled. In addition to the heating element factor, there is usually a thermostat in order to control the temperature. Be aware that some of the higher end models of vaporizers can cost several hundred dollars in the US.
Vaporizers are typically classified by the way in which the plant material is heated. There are 3 primary ways in which the material is heated.
Convection – there is never any contact with a heating element because hot air is passed through the material which is heated rapidly, allowing the active ingredients to be released in the process.
Thermal Conduction – this type of heating involves setting the plant material on a metal plate, heating the plate to a temperature which is high enough to vaporize that material, before releasing the active ingredients.
Thermal Radiation – this type of heating method involves the use of bright light where the plant material’s temperature rises due to the fact that the material is absorbing the radiant energy of the light source.
Where the quality of the vapour is concerned, there have been very few reviews or studies which have significantly addressed this particular issue. Instead the usage focus of the device has been centred on what each vaporizer type is being used for. Be aware that vaporization with a number of plant materials occurs just prior to the material’s flash or ignition point.
As with most vaporizers, handheld versions operate by heating and vaporizing plant materials so that the user is able to inhale those vapours. Handheld vaporizers use the convection method where the heat is transferred from one source to another. Air is taken into the vaporizer, heated, and then it is transferred to plant material which begins to heat up and vaporize. Many users of legal high materials claim that the use of handheld vaporizers is more potent than actual smoking.
Since using a vaporizer is more intense and potent than the standard smoking techniques, it is recommended that you take it a little slower at first if you have never used a handheld vaporizer before. Here are some steps to take for using this type of vaporizer:
Step #1 – Grind the plant material until it has as fine a texture as possible.
Step #2 – Disassemble the vaporizer by unscrewing the mouthpiece from the glass bulb. Place the ground up plant material into the bulb and then screw it back into the device’s mouthpiece. Be careful that you do not spill any of the contents.
Step #3 – Using a lighter, hold the flame under the vaporizer’s bowl or bulb. Begin rotating the bulb while holding the flame beneath it. Continue doing this until vapour begins forming in the bulb.
Step #4 – Use the mouthpiece for inhaling the vapours after they have formed in the bulb. Repeat these steps until you have had your fill.
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Vaporizers at July 6th, 2010.
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Keeping your vaporizer clean is important, especially if you plan on sharing it with others. For this reason, it is a good idea to clean the device after each round of use. Fortunately, the cleaning process is relatively simple, since a vaporizer produces vapour and not smoke.
While it is possible to clean a vaporizer without breaking down the components, it’s not the best approach. Residue can collect at the points where the pieces join together, something you want to avoid. In addition, if you are using a vaporizer that comes with an electronic base, you will want to be careful about using any type of cleanser on that particular part of the device.
For the bowl, stem, and mouthpiece, using a mixture of water and rubbing alcohol will normally remove any residue left from the plant mixture, and also disinfect the mouthpiece. One approach that works well for many people is to apply the mixture, then rub with a clean cloth. To make sure there is no alcohol left behind, use a second round of plain water, then dry thoroughly.
If the idea of using rubbing alcohol puts you off, you can use white vinegar instead. Vinegar does not have the disinfectant properties of the alcohol, but does do a decent job of removing residue.
Depending on what the pieces are made from, you may also be able to use other cleaning agents. Before experimenting too much, consider contacting the manufacturer and find out what they recommend in the way of cleaners. This will help minimise the chances of using something that damages the pieces, and renders the vaporizer inoperable.
Many users of herbal and natural plant materials for getting high legally tend to prefer the use of vaporizers versus rolling and smoking the material, due primarily to the benefits of using this type of device compared to the traditional method of smoking. Over the past several decades, the hazards of smoking have been well documented and more individuals are aware of health risks than ever before. As a result, the popularity of using vaporizers to smoke herbals and naturals has grown considerably.
The process of releasing the active ingredients of an herbal or natural material by applying heat rather than combustion is known as vaporization. Since combustion is never used, molecular changes to the material do not occur and harmful toxins are not inhaled to the lungs. The fact that the plant material is never burned is the key benefit to using vaporization instead of the traditional method of smoking.
Additional benefits include the following:
- No carbon monoxide, tar, or other combustion by-products results when using vaporization, so there is less damage to the lungs.
- Vaporization results in cooler smoke temperatures which is less damaging to the lung’s tissues. Additionally, there are no carcinogenic elements produced.
- You receive a more concentrated dose (larger hit) so less of the substance is required by the body, yet the same effect is achieved.
- The vapours are not contaminated by the body’s digestive acids before they enter the circulatory system so the effects are faster than regular smoking methods.
- Digital precision is another benefit of vaporization as you can control the amount of vapours that you ingest.
The technical term ‘vaporizer’ (or vaporiser) refers to a device or a modular assembled system of vaporization tools that is used to extract and then deliver a plant’s active ingredients via inhalation. The most common materials smoked in this way include herbal high-producing plants (a.k.a. legal highs such as golden root), herbal blends, and tobacco. They are often used in aromatherapy. Vaporization is also considered a viable alternative to actual smoking.
Vaporizers function by heating the plant material in a semi-vacuum so that the active ingredients are boiled off and become a vapour. There is no combustion, and therefore, there is no smoke or the taste of smoke whenever you are using this device. It has become extremely popular to use vaporizers for smoking the aforementioned plant materials. Burning the material in traditional fashion produces carcinogenic, irritating, and toxic by-products that cause physical harm. Using vaporizers is obviously a healthier alternative to smoking in the traditional manner.
Ideally, the vapour contains negligible amounts of harmful particulate matter and tars. It has also been surmised that smoking with the use of a vaporizer significantly reduces the concentration of carbon monoxide and other noxious gases. The vapours can be extracted in various forms, through what are called extraction chambers. These include:
- sequential venturi
- straight bore
- venturi
They can be constructed from different materials such as glass or metal. Once the vapour has filled the extraction chamber, it is then inhaled using either a hose or a pipe to ingest the vapours.
Handheld vaporizers are a quick and easy way to enjoy legal highs without a lot of muss and fuss. In fact, the only way to simplify the process any more is to roll a blunt. But, if you prefer to enjoy the vapours without the smoke, here’s how to get the most from your handheld vaporizer.
Your first task is to put your mixture of herbs into the bowl of the device, then screw the stem into place. Make sure the fit is snug, so there is no chance of the vapours seeping through a crack at the joint.
Using your stash lighter, gently warm the herbs in the bowl. This is accomplished by holding the flame under the bowl and slowly moving the bowl in circles over the flame. You’ll notice that as the herbs begin to heat up, vapour forms in the bowl and begins to work its way up the stem.
Once the bowl and the lower portion of the stem are loaded with vapour, place your lips over the mouthpiece and inhale. You’ll notice the sensation is not the jarring sensation that you get from smoking, but rather a gentle high that comes on as you inhale. Some people find the gradual build-up to be ultimately more intense than smoking burning herbs.
After finishing, always allow the bowl to cool to room temperature before attempting to unscrew the stem and remove the herbs. Cleanup is very simple, requiring nothing more than a little warm water and possibly some mild detergent. Depending on whether the herbs leave any type of residue in the bowl, something like rubbing alcohol may be needed. If so, be sure to wash with warm water after the using the alcohol, so there is no residue left to spoil your next round of use.
Volcano vaporizers are larger vaporizers that make use of a heating base to warm herbs, capturing the resulting vapours in a large heatproof bag, and then using a set of controls to incrementally release the vapours. Ideal for use by individuals as well as groups, this approach to obtaining a legal high has several things going for it.
First, the volcano vaporizer is considered to be a healthy alternative to smoking blunts or using bongs. This is because the high is obtained from the vapours and is not mixed in with the smoke that is created when the herbs are burned. Concerns about the carcinogens in smoke are of no consequence when using the vaporizer, since there is no smoke at all.
Another advantage has to do with the relatively easy cleanup afterward. With a volcano vaporizer, there are no ashes to deal with. Often, a little warm water and some type of mild detergent is all that it takes to restore the equipment to pristine condition.
Finally, there is the storage aspect. Volcano vaporizers can be dismantled with ease, and stored in a very small space. The heatproof bag can be folded, and the control valves and heating base placed on top, and the entire set stored away in a receptacle no larger than a shoebox. This makes the vaporizer portable, while still allowing it to be used by several people at one time.
While a volcano vaporizer may cost a little more than other options for enjoying your herbs, a little proper care and maintenance will allow the device to provide many years of reliable service. This means you don’t have to buy new equipment every so often, a fact that saves a lot of money in the long run. All in all, this type of vaporizer is well worth consideration.
Although there are several makes of cheap vaporizer available, many good vaporizers tend to be a bit costly. Irrespective of the cost, make or model you will need to carry out regular maintenance of the device, in order to use it effectively and enjoy the benefits for years to come. The following are seven steps that you should take in order to properly enjoy and maintain your vaporizer.
Step #1 – Always chop up the herb or plant material as finely as possible. This enables better vaporization as well as performance.
Step #2 – For the obvious reason, you should never touch the vaporizer heating coil or element so that you don’t burn your hands.
Step #3 – Always spread out the herbal or plant material evenly as this will enhance the mixing of the vapours and heat uniformly.
Step #4 – Be sure to evenly mix your ingredients and stir the water regularly between inhalation. This ensures proper heat transference.
Step #5 – Never inhale too rapidly as this may cause you to become nauseous. Also, make sure to start slowing down as ingredients burn off.
Step #6 – If using a vaporizer, please ensure you choose your herbs or plant materials carefully as some may result in allergic reactions.
Step #7 – Most importantly, you should always clean your vaporizer regularly, in order to always achieve the maximum benefit when you use it. Regular cleaning of your vaporizer will enhance and extend the life of it.