Wax Vaporizers
First off, the term ‘wax vaporizer’ is a bit of a misnomer, though a widely used one. Wax is just one type of concentrate, so the more accurate term for these devices would be ‘concentrate vapes.’ Concentrates, like the name suggests, are concentrated forms of herbs that have been distilled from plant material and purified into highly potent (and often highly sticky) materials.
Concentrates have been around for years, but it’s only recently that the tools needed to use them–i.e. concentrate vaporizers—have become affordable and commonplace. Today, you don’t need to own a large, bulky set of equipment to take advantage of all the benefits concentrates have to offer. All you need is a pocket-friendly concentrate vape, and that’s cause for celebration.
There’s just one big question—which concentrate vape is right for you? Here at the Herbalize Store, we’re proud to carry the top selection of high-quality concentrate vapes, but we also know that it’s hard to pick between so many excellent options. With that in mind, we’ve put together this guide to help you find the concentrate vape that best fits your needs and lifestyle.
Concentrate Vapes FAQ
Our team at the Herbalize Store could talk about vapes all day, but we know that you (probably) don’t have time for that. So to keep things simple, here are some of the most common questions people ask us about concentrate vapes:
1. Are concentrate vapes legal?
As long as you’re over 18 years of age (and you’re using legal material), concentrate vaporizers are perfectly legal to buy and use. The Herbalize Store would like to make it very clear that we only sell concentrate vapes to people of legal age, and those devices are intended to be used with only legal materials.
2. What can you vape with concentrate vapes?
Generally speaking, concentrate vapes can be used with any solid concentrated form of plant material—such as wax, shatter, budder, or resin. Technically speaking, it’s also possible for concentrates to come in the form of oil or e-liquid, but when people use the term ‘concentrate vape’ they’re generally talking about solid varieties only.
3. How do concentrate vapes work?
As with all vaporizers, concentrate vapes use a mechanism called an atomiser to heat the material to very high temperatures without burning it. Some vapes’ atomisers directly heat the material by being in contact with it (known as conduction heating). Others work by blasting the material with superhot air (known as convection heating). Some concentrate vapes use a combination of both heating methods.
4. How can you clean concentrate vapes?
Whilst concentrates have a reputation for leaving behind residue that’s hard to clean, many concentrate vapes feature special ‘pods’ or ‘inserts’ that can be removed for easy cleaning. These can be soaked in isopropyl alcohol and scrubbed with a pipe cleaner or cotton swab. You can use the same materials to clean concentrate vapes that don’t feature removable pods or inserts.
5. Where can you buy concentrate vapes?
Concentrate vapes are no longer a novelty item, and you can find them at many vape shops and online retailers. However, a number of marketplaces are known for stocking low-quality, counterfeit products. Buying your concentrate vape from a reputable, well-established outfit like the Herbalize Store is the best way to ensure you’re getting a device that’s worth the money.
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s look at some tips for picking your ideal concentrate vape.
How to Choose the Perfect Concentrate Vaporizer For You?
When buying a concentrate vape, the first question you should ask yourself is whether you’d prefer a concentrates-only device vs. one that’s also compatible with dry herb. The former tend to be a bit easier to use with concentrates, since they’re custom-built for that purpose. And if that’s what you’re looking for, you can narrow down your options even further by asking yourself:
1. Are you looking for a vape pen or a bigger (but still portable) vaporizer?
Vape pens have an obvious appeal for people who do a lot of surreptitious vaping. Their tiny size and inconspicuous design make them ideal for those who like to vape in public. On the other hand, larger units tend to produce more voluminous clouds of vapor, and they can also be more durable and long-lasting.
2. Do you want to be able to customise the temperature?
Like all vaporizers, concentrate vapes work by superheating the material instead of combusting it. The effects of that material can vary widely depending on the precise temperature used—at lower heat, your concentrates will produce a more ‘mellow’ feeling, while higher temperatures tend to intensify your experience. Some concentrate vapes have only a single temperature setting, while others come with a range of preset options. In some devices, you can even choose your desired temperature down to the exact degree.
3. What kind of battery life and charging options does your concentrate vape have?
Bigger vapes tend to have bigger batteries, which tend to last for longer as well (though this isn’t always the case). If you’re the kind of vaper who doesn’t have the luxury of recharging your device on a whim, you might want to opt for a device with removable batteries, so you can swap them out on the fly. Conversely, if your main issue with charging is that it prevents you from vaping for 2-3 hours at a time, you might want to choose a small device that recharges more quickly (or one that has pass-through-charging, which lets you vape even when the device is plugged into a power source).
Concentrate Vape Product Recommendations
Here are some of the Herbalize Store team’s favourite concentrate vaporizers for vapers of all backgrounds:
- Beginners: The SMONO DAB is a highly affordable concentrate vape pen with a simple and intuitive design.
- Casual Vapers: The eye-catching Shatterizer Vaporizer was designed specifically to be used with shatter, one of the most popular concentrates.
- Advanced Users: The Dr. Dabber Stella is the latest in concentrate vape tech, with custom temperature controls and exceptional vapor quality.
Pros and Cons of Concentrate Vaporizers
Concentrate vapes have become increasingly popular in recent years, as concentrates become more prevalent (and potent). They tend to be much more affordable than a full-blown dab rig, not to mention easier to use. At the same time, there are a number of potential drawbacks to keep in mind if you’re considering buying one:
Pros of Concentrate Vapes
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Cons of Concentrate Vapes
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More intense effects
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Material is more expensive
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Less odour
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Can be annoying to clean
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Greater efficiency in use of materials
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Sometimes harder to find
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Purer flavour
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For beginners, sometimes too intense
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Can be used with multiple substances
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Sourcing material can be a challenge
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Who Are Concentrate Vapes For?
In general, concentrate vapes tend to be favoured by seasoned vape pros—people who like using more potent materials and experiencing the heightened effects that come with them. If you’re the type of connoisseur who likes experimenting with the latest trends, concentrate vapes can be more versatile than their dry herb counterparts. Concentrate vapes can also be a good choice for infrequent vapers, since they require relatively little material to produce the desired sensations (whether that’s the mellowness of a microdose or the knock-your-socks-off intensity of an extended session). If you’re new to the world of vaping, these devices can be a little tricky to use, since it’s easy to ‘over do’ things by turning the heat too high or taking too big of a hit—but if you’re willing to do a bit of trial and error, the learning curve for concentrate vapes isn’t too steep.