Vapes are arguably one of the most impactful innovations to have hit the world of cannabis. Before, if we wanted to treat ourselves to some weed wellness we only had traditional inhalation instruments such as blunts, pipes and bongs at our disposal.
But thanks to the advent of commercial e-cigarettes and vaporizers back in the early 2000s, access and perception about THC and cannabis products have improved. Vapes are smoke and residue-free, contain higher tetrahydrocannabinol content, produce significantly less of the telltale odor of weed and are easier to conceal thanks to its compact size.
Speaking of size, engineering advancements have made vaping more accessible to a wider audience. We’re blessed with so many options, from discreet electronic marvels such as cigalikes and vape pens, to high-capacity, high performance contraptions like vape mods.
But if this is all new to you and starting to feel a bit overwhelmed, don’t sweat it. Garden Remedies has the perfect guide for beginners. By the end of this read you’ll be able to tell the difference between a pod and a cart and how to choose the right vape which suits your needs.
Cigalikes
Also known as e-cigarettes, cigalikes are designed to simulate the sensation of holding a tobacco cigarette between your fingers. Some cigalikes are even slim enough to dangle them from your mouth.
As a first-generation vape, cigalikes are quite basic, consisting of a cartridge of e-liquid, an atomizer to heat it up, and a battery to power it. Due to its compact size the refill carts run out pretty fast and don’t produce as much vapor as its larger cousins.
This is for you if you:
- Are new and want to see what’s it like taking weed through a vape
- Are used to the look and feel of tobacco cigarettes or blunts
- Are a light user
Vape Pens
Vape pens are a step up from cigalikes and cater to regular users who prefer a longer battery life and refillable cartridges or tanks, although some brands do carry pre-filled cartridges as well. They have an elegant design with a variety of colors and look like memory sticks, which makes it convenient to charge in any USB outlet.
As one of the more popular vape device choices, you don’t have to go far to find a variety of quality cannabis cartridges. Take for instance Willie’s Reserve Last Leaf pre-filled cartridges which contain pure CO2 cannabis distillate with cannabis derived terpenes.
It should also be mentioned that although it’s more economical to refill the cartridge yourself it does require a bit of cleaning and maintenance to get optimal performance. But if you don’t mind paying a premium price, Treeworks has a disposable Live Rosin Wand with an all-glass reservoir, disposable cart and rechargeable hardware.
Vape pens are for you if you:
- Like bigger clouds out of each puff
- Prefer adjustable airflows to fit your inhaling style
- Don’t mind a bit of cleaning of the tank and coils occasionally if you go with refillable vape cartridges
Vape Mods
While vape pens are elegant and compact, vape mods sit on the opposite end of the spectrum. Heavy, bulky but top of the game when it comes to performance and battery life.
Vape mods look a bit like microphones or walkie-talkies. The chunky part which looks almost as big as a hand is made out of the battery and other electrical components. The top part houses a tank or cartridge and can be removed and replaced. Some vape mod users like to purchase multiple cartridges and switch flavors at a whim.
Vape mods also offer a lot more customization options, allowing you to adjust battery levels to produce bigger puffs, track the number of puffs and even remove and modify your battery.
You should get a vape mod if:
- You enjoy tinkering with devices
- You like endless customization options at your fingertips
- You don’t mind splurging on extra parts and cartridges
Vape Pods
Vape pods offer the same portability and high capacity battery life of vape pens, but with the added benefits of low upkeep and a variety of flavors.
As the name implies, these types of vapes use pods with an in-built coil which requires no upkeep and technical know-how. It’s as easy as purchasing a starter kit and using it immediately with the preloaded pod.
Eureka’s Very Berry Starter Kit Vape comes with 1g preloaded pod but if you’re a regular user there’s also the Mimosa Classic Hybrid Reload Vape which supports 2g pods. This particular model comes in several flavors such as Hawaiian Mango and Cherry Lime.
Refilling is as simple as loading the pod with any compatible e-liquid of your choice. Or you can just simply bypass this step by opting for models which use disposable pre-filled pods. Whichever system you choose, there’s no disassembling or cleaning required.
You should get a vape pod if you:
- Like the ‘plug and play’, no fuss, no frills vaping lifestyle.
- Enjoy some flavor and potency variety in your weed carts.
- Want a device that is cost-effective
Disposable Vapes
Disposable vapes are one-time use devices that are meant to be replaced after using. They come with pre-filled cartridges and pre-charged batteries, ready to go out of the box.
You can find disposable vapes in pen or pod form and they typically fall in the $20 – $50 price range. High Flavor is well known for their affordable disposable vapes which come in a range of funky flavors such as Cherry Blue Dream Slushie and Mixed Berry Lemonade. For an out-of-this world experience go for Freshly Bake’s Northern Lights disposable vape which can help ease symptoms related to depression, stress, pain and insomnia.
And if you’re worried about creating excess waste which will end up in landfills and oceans, you’ll be happy to know that most of the disposable vapes are recyclable. You can drop off your used carts at any Garden Remedies location.
You should get disposable vapes if you:
- Want zero maintenance and attachment to a device
- Like being able to try different brands and flavors at a whim
- Aren’t worried about long-term cost
Ready to get started? Click here to find the nearest Garden Remedies store near me.
