Updated: February 20 , 2020 What’s the best temperature to vape cannabis? That question might be one of your first if you’re new to the world of dry herb or cannabis vaporizers. In this blog post we will provide some advanced insight into the temperature setting that can play a role in the vapor quality. Understanding Vaporization & Temperature For a little background information, the goal of vaporization is to convert the compounds and essential oils in your botanicals into vapor, or gas form. This is done by heating them to a certain temperature range, to vaporize efficiently and avoid combustion. Some botanicals have several different compounds you may wish to vaporize, and by understanding how different temperatures affect and release the active components in your botanicals you can control your vaporization experience.

Each vaporizer is different

Most devices allow you to set your own exact temperature, or at least choose from different available presets. If you’re particularly new to the world of vaping weed, you might not know where to start at all! We’re here to give you a deep and comprehensive overview on setting the best temperature for your vaporizer! Devices that provide pre-set temperature like the Zeus Arc GT will give you a decent range to vape with allowing you to target more terpenes at once. While precise temperature control units like the Arizer Solo 2 will give you the ability to target individual compounds with the temperature dial.

We mentioned that vaporization is a heating process that avoids combustion, by heating your botanicals at a low enough temperature. Whereas vaporization can release your botanicals compounds in a controlled manner, based on temperature control, combustion releases all components instantaneously, as soon as they are heated at this high temperature. Every botanical’s combustion point is slightly different due to moisture content, but in general, combustion occurs at 235 degrees Celsius. Combustion burns and releases, along with the essential oils, harmful by products such as tar and carbon monoxide through smoke. Avoiding these harmful by-products by vaporization is just one of the reasons many people find vaporization to be a healthier alternative to combustion-based smoking and therefore note the benefits of vaporizing.

Choosing a Vaporizer There is also the decision of whether you want a convection vaporizer or conduction vaporizer. Conduction & convection devices produce different results with even different flavors, our vaporizer buyers guide goes into this in more depth, but we will go over the principles quickly. Conduction Vaporizers Conduction vaporizers like the Davinci IQ2 , heat the herbs with direct contact to the heating source. In the case of the IQ2 and a lot of vaporizers, the chamber is made of ceramic, however other materials are also used, like stainless steel, aluminum, even gold.

Conduction vaporizers tend to produce much less vapor at lower temperatures, especially below 200°C or 392°F. They produce more vapor as you increase the temperature. Stirring is also important with these types of vaporizers.

Convection Vaporizers Convection vaporizers like the Utillian 722, use hot air to generate the vapor. This air is pre-heating before it hits the chamber as you draw. Convection vaporizers can produce better vapor at lower temperatures and a more even cook in general.

The Right Vape Temperature Vaporization temperatures greatly effect the quality of your vapor by releasing different amounts, and types, of compounds released at different temperatures. For example, at a lower temperature, approximately 190-210 degrees Celsius, you will receive thin & wispy, yet very flavorful vapor. This is very evident in vaporizers like the Arizer Air 2 which has a glass mouthpiece to help preserve flavor. In most botanicals, the first compound to vaporize, as it’s boiling point is the lowest, is terpenoids. Terpenoids are the ‘flavor and aroma’ compounds. Terpenoids, although most noticeable due to its properties, are not the only compound that can be start vaporizing at a lower temperature. If you feel that vaporization is not occurring because you cannot actually see visible vapor, by using senses other than sight, such as smell and taste you can determine that vaporization can be occurring even on an invisible level. However, many people find visible vapor more satisfying as it allows them a sense of vapor inhalation control. Those who prefer thicker, denser or more visible vapor should consider vaporizing at temperatures between 210 – 235 degrees Celsius on the ideal vaporization spectrum. A unit like the Utillian 620 has a digital display that will allow you to dial the vaporizer right into this range. How do I set temperature on my vaporizer to get the best vapor quality? We can split the temperature range into 3 different setting to make it simple. Check out our vaping temperature chart below. Each strain will have notably different effects, flavors and odors emitted from them, so it’s a good idea to do a bit of research on the strain you’re about to use.

Low Temperature Vaporization

160°C – 180°C/320°F to 356°F Great Flavor, Little Visible Vapor, Low Extraction Chemical Compounds: THC, Delta-8-THC, CBD, CBG Terpenes Extracted: Beta-Caryophyllene, Alpha-Pinene, Beta-Pinene, Beta-Myrcene, Delta-3-Carene. Time of Day: The lower end of the temperature spectrum is great for those looking to consume there herbs during the day as it produces the lightest effects.

Medium Temperature Vaporization

180°C – 200°C/356°F – 392°F Good Flavor, Slight Visible Vapor, Medium Extraction Chemical Compounds: THC, Delta-8-THC, CBD, CBG, CBN, CBE Terpenes Extracted: Cineole, P-Cymene, D-Limonene, Linalool Time of Day: The middle of the temperature spectrum is best suited for afternoon use with the effects of your herbs being more pronounced at this temperature.

High Temperature Vaporization

200°C – 220°C/392°F

Okay Flavor, Very Visible Vapor, Full Extraction

Chemical Compounds: CBC, THC-V, THC, Delta-8-THC, CBD, CBG, CBN, CBE

Terpenes Extracted: Terpineol-4-ol, Borneol, Alpha-Terpineol

Time of Day: The high end of the temperature spectrum is best suited for nighttime use with the effects of your herbs being the most pronounced at this temperature and will engage terpenes that some use to promote relaxation and sleep.

Vaping Techniques