How to Use a Vape Pen

disposable electronic cigarettes
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Vapes are the most efficient way to get highly concentrated THC and CBD liquids or for sating cravings for nicotine. However, there is more to them than just making a purchase and starting vaping.

Vapes consist of different parts, and certain precautions need to be taken. If you do not know how to use a vape pen, this guide is for you. This article explains everything you need to know before making a purchase.

Table of Contents

  1. Vape Pens Defined
  2. The Different Parts of a Vape
  3. Using a Draw Activated Vape Pen
  4. THC Pens
  5. CBD Pens

Table of Contents

  1. Vape Pens Defined
  2. The Different Parts of a Vape
  3. Using a Draw Activated Vape Pen
  4. THC Pens
  5. CBD Pens

What Is a Vape Pen?

A vape pen is a device the size of a pen or pencil used to vape everything from nicotine liquid to more potent stuff like dabs and concentrates containing THC and CBD. They are also called vapes.

Similar products like box and pod mods exist that work on the same principles, but they are not entirely the same. What sets them apart is that pens are smaller, easier to use, and less expensive than box and pod mods. These features make them ideal for people who want to try something else besides cigarettes or blunts.

Vapes are not just for getting a nicotine rush or getting high. Instead, people use them as smoking cessation devices or as an alternative means of consuming THC or CBD, which help combat the symptoms of several chronic medical disorders.

A vape pen is a device the size of a pen or pencil used to vape everything from nicotine liquid to more potent stuff like dabs and concentrates containing THC and CBD. They are also called vapes.

Similar products like box and pod mods exist that work on the same principles, but they are not entirely the same. What sets them apart is that pens are smaller, easier to use, and less expensive than box and pod mods. These features make them ideal for people who want to try something else besides cigarettes or blunts.

Vapes are not just for getting a nicotine rush or getting high. Instead, people use them as smoking cessation devices or as an alternative means of consuming THC or CBD, which help combat the symptoms of several chronic medical disorders.

The Different Parts of a Vape

The Different Parts of a Vape

Vapes consist of:

  • Battery: Batteries for vape pens are built into the device and are measured in milliamp hours, or “mah.” They do not typically use 18650 batteries because they are two large. The battery heats the liquid in a cartridge via a coil that turns it into vapor, which is inhaled.
  • Firing Button: The firing button, if the device has one, turns on the vape. Some devices are buttonless and draw-activated.
  • 510 Cartridge: Unless the device is prefilled, it will come with a cartridge that holds juice. It gets the name “510” because it is 5 mm long and has five threads. The cartridge has a heating element that vaporizes the liquid and a mouthpiece.
  • USB Charging Port: At the bottom of the vape is a USB port in which a USB cord or charger is inserted for charging the vape pen. The device will come with a cord or charger.

The Different Parts of a Vape

Vapes consist of:

  • Battery: Batteries for vape pens are built into the device and are measured in milliamp hours, or “mah.” They do not typically use 18650 batteries because they are two large. The battery heats the liquid in a cartridge via a coil that turns it into vapor, which is inhaled.
  • Firing Button: The firing button, if the device has one, turns on the vape. Some devices are buttonless and draw-activated.
  • 510 Cartridge: Unless the device is prefilled, it will come with a cartridge that holds juice. It gets the name “510” because it is 5 mm long and has five threads. The cartridge has a heating element that vaporizes the liquid and a mouthpiece.
  • USB Charging Port: At the bottom of the vape is a USB port in which a USB cord or charger is inserted for charging the vape pen. The device will come with a cord or charger.

How to Use a Vape Pen: Button and Buttonless Vapes

  • Some vapes have a firing button, while others do not.
  • Button vapes are clicked five times to turn on or off. Then, click it three times after it is activated to cycle through the voltage settings.
  • Button-operated pens usually have three or four voltage settings.
  • Buttonless vapes are draw-activated, meaning they are turned on by inhaling on the mouthpiece.
  • They are easier to use than button-operated pens, but they do not use cartridges and must be thrown out when the liquid is depleted.

How to Use a Vape Pen: Button and Buttonless Vapes

  • Some vapes have a firing button, while others do not.
  • Button vapes are clicked five times to turn on or off. Then, click it three times after it is activated to cycle through the voltage settings.
  • Button-operated pens usually have three or four voltage settings.
  • Buttonless vapes are draw-activated, meaning they are turned on by inhaling on the mouthpiece.
  • They are easier to use than button-operated pens, but they do not use cartridges and must be thrown out when the liquid is depleted.

Storing and Charging Vapes Properly

The device should be stored in a cool place and out of the sunlight. Leaving it exposed to the sun could overheat the battery and cause an accident. This rule applies to any electronic device, vape or otherwise.

  • To charge a vape, stick the USB cord it came with into the USB port until it is charged.
  • Pens have a small LED light to indicate the battery’s status.
  • The colors are typically green, blue, and red.
  • Green means it is fully charged, blue means it is halfway charged, and red means it needs to be recharged.

Only use the charging cable the product came with. Using another cable could cause a problem with the battery. Also, do not leave a device charging all night because this could lead to the battery being overcharged.

Storing and Charging Vapes Properly

The device should be stored in a cool place and out of the sunlight. Leaving it exposed to the sun could overheat the battery and cause an accident. This rule applies to any electronic device, vape or otherwise.

  • To charge a vape, stick the USB cord it came with into the USB port until it is charged.
  • Pens have a small LED light to indicate the battery’s status.
  • The colors are typically green, blue, and red.
  • Green means it is fully charged, blue means it is halfway charged, and red means it needs to be recharged.

Only use the charging cable the product came with. Using another cable could cause a problem with the battery. Also, do not leave a device charging all night because this could lead to the battery being overcharged.

How to Use a Disposable Vape Pen

Set of colorful disposable electronic cigarettes
Yarrrrrbright/Shutterstock

Disposables are all-in-one devices that have a battery and a built-in cartridge with a coil. They cannot be refilled or recharged and have to be thrown out when finished. They automatically produce vapor after you draw on the mouthpiece, and they usually contain salt nicotine liquid.

The primary advantage of using them is that they are cheap and easy to use, making them ideal for people using them to quit smoking. However, newer versions can last over a thousand puffs, and the flavor can get old after a while, but the user is stuck with it anyway. Even so, these new disposables are advantageous to those who want something that will last for the foreseeable future.

Set of colorful disposable electronic cigarettes
Yarrrrrbright/Shutterstock

Disposables are all-in-one devices that have a battery and a built-in cartridge with a coil. They cannot be refilled or recharged and have to be thrown out when finished. They automatically produce vapor after you draw on the mouthpiece, and they usually contain salt nicotine liquid.

The primary advantage of using them is that they are cheap and easy to use, making them ideal for people using them to quit smoking. However, newer versions can last over a thousand puffs, and the flavor can get old after a while, but the user is stuck with it anyway. Even so, these new disposables are advantageous to those who want something that will last for the foreseeable future.

How to Use a Vape Pen for THC

cannabis oil in cartridge of vape pen
KG Design/Shutterstock

These devices, also known as weed pens, mostly use refillable 510 threaded cannabis oil and Delta 8 THC carts. They are button operated and use the same clicking combinations mentioned above.

One thing to be aware of is that there are counterfeit cartridges out there that contain dangerous ingredients like Vitamin E acetate. This ingredient is one of the primary causes of vape-related lung injuries. So before buying, read the ingredients on the label and do not buy anything that does not contain a list of ingredients. Also, do not buy any THC liquids made outside the United States.

Liquids produced outside the United States, particularly in China, often use substandard harvesting, processing, and manufacturing techniques to cut costs. The result is that contaminants such as chemical fertilizers, heavy metals, and other filth get into the finished products.

cannabis oil in cartridge of vape pen
KG Design/Shutterstock

These devices, also known as weed pens, mostly use refillable 510 threaded cannabis oil and Delta 8 THC carts. They are button operated and use the same clicking combinations mentioned above.

One thing to be aware of is that there are counterfeit cartridges out there that contain dangerous ingredients like Vitamin E acetate. This ingredient is one of the primary causes of vape-related lung injuries. So before buying, read the ingredients on the label and do not buy anything that does not contain a list of ingredients. Also, do not buy any THC liquids made outside the United States.

Liquids produced outside the United States, particularly in China, often use substandard harvesting, processing, and manufacturing techniques to cut costs. The result is that contaminants such as chemical fertilizers, heavy metals, and other filth get into the finished products.

How to Use a Vape Pen for Wax, Dabs, and Cannabis

Start by removing the rubber seal from the oil cartridge and screw it onto the battery. Turn the device on by clicking the firing button five times in succession and holding it down when taking a drag.

Do not hold the button down too long because doing so could burn the lips. Take a small drag at first and wait several minutes to feel the effects. If the effects of the cannabis are not intense, take another puff.

Weed pens have different voltage settings. Start at the lowest setting and gradually increase it until the most comfortable voltage level is found. People who like vaping at high voltage levels should buy pens with ceramic coils because they can handle higher temperatures without burning out.

How to Use a Vape Pen for Wax, Dabs, and Cannabis

Start by removing the rubber seal from the oil cartridge and screw it onto the battery. Turn the device on by clicking the firing button five times in succession and holding it down when taking a drag.

Do not hold the button down too long because doing so could burn the lips. Take a small drag at first and wait several minutes to feel the effects. If the effects of the cannabis are not intense, take another puff.

Weed pens have different voltage settings. Start at the lowest setting and gradually increase it until the most comfortable voltage level is found. People who like vaping at high voltage levels should buy pens with ceramic coils because they can handle higher temperatures without burning out.

How to Use a CBD Vape Pen

Similar to a THC vape, there are prefilled and refillable CBD oil cartridges that can be used on a device. CBD’s chief advantage is that it shares many of the same medicinal benefits as THC, but it does not have mind-altering properties.

These benefits include pain-relieving properties that can help people with arthritis. It can also reduce anxiety. Secondly, it is legal in most American jurisdictions, although there are exceptions. Before purchasing these products, know what the laws in your state say about cannabis.

Similar to a THC vape, there are prefilled and refillable CBD oil cartridges that can be used on a device. CBD’s chief advantage is that it shares many of the same medicinal benefits as THC, but it does not have mind-altering properties.

These benefits include pain-relieving properties that can help people with arthritis. It can also reduce anxiety. Secondly, it is legal in most American jurisdictions, although there are exceptions. Before purchasing these products, know what the laws in your state say about cannabis.

How to Use a Vape Pen for Concentrate and Oil Cartridges

Oil cartridges with CBD liquid are used the same way as THC cartridges.

  1. First, they are screwed onto the device, and then the pen is activated by clicking the firing button.
  2. As with THC cartridges, start by taking a small puff and waiting five minutes to see what the effects are.
  3. If there are no ill effects, take another puff.

Do not vape too much liquid. CBD has side effects that can be unpleasant but are not life-threatening. Side effects are typically nausea, tiredness, fatigue, dry mouth, and weight changes.

How to Use a Vape Pen for Concentrate and Oil Cartridges

Oil cartridges with CBD liquid are used the same way as THC cartridges.

  1. First, they are screwed onto the device, and then the pen is activated by clicking the firing button.
  2. As with THC cartridges, start by taking a small puff and waiting five minutes to see what the effects are.
  3. If there are no ill effects, take another puff.

Do not vape too much liquid. CBD has side effects that can be unpleasant but are not life-threatening. Side effects are typically nausea, tiredness, fatigue, dry mouth, and weight changes.

How to Store Dab Pens

Dab pens are stored the same way as any other electronic device. Keep it out of the sun and hot rooms, and leave it in a cool, dry place when it is not in use. As stated earlier, leaving it in the sun could cause damage to the battery, making the pen unsafe for use.

Dab pens are stored the same way as any other electronic device. Keep it out of the sun and hot rooms, and leave it in a cool, dry place when it is not in use. As stated earlier, leaving it in the sun could cause damage to the battery, making the pen unsafe for use.

Concluding Thoughts on How to Use a Vape Pen

Vape pens are great tools for getting a nicotine fix or consuming CBD and THC concentrates and oils. There are many products from which to choose.

Because there are so many, it is best to buy the first one from a brick-and-mortar store instead of online. A sales associate can help find the best pen and show you how to operate it.

If you have any thoughts you would like to share with fellow readers, please leave a comment below.

Vape pens are great tools for getting a nicotine fix or consuming CBD and THC concentrates and oils. There are many products from which to choose.

Because there are so many, it is best to buy the first one from a brick-and-mortar store instead of online. A sales associate can help find the best pen and show you how to operate it.

If you have any thoughts you would like to share with fellow readers, please leave a comment below.

Published: October 13, 2021


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