Vaping is becoming increasingly popular among cannabis enthusiasts, especially as people are looking for less-harmful alternatives to smoking. Not only is vaping better on the lungs and smoother than smoking, there are also vapes out there that allow you to customize and control the vaping temperature and, therefore, the vaping experience. Taking that into account, most of you reading this might now be wondering: “What’s the best temp to vape weed?”
We’ve put together this short yet informative guide to answer that very question. By the end, you’ll know why your weed vaping temperature matters, which vaporizers to use, the difference between vaping concentrates and dried flower, and more!
Why Does Temperature Matter?
Temperature plays a vital role in vaping because it can significantly alter the effects you feel.
The main reason for this is that the cannabinoids and terpenes in cannabis have their own respective boiling points, which means that the number and diversity that get vaporized depend on the level of heat during vaporizing.
THC has a relatively low boiling temperature of 315°F (157°C), while CBD has a boiling point between 320°F and 350°F (160 – 177°C).
By altering the vaping temperature, you can control the cannabinoids that are vaporized and customize the experience and effects to your liking.
Those who enjoy a smoother, mellower vaping experience that’s easier on the lungs and preserves most of the flavours and terpenes usually go for lower vaping temperatures. Those seeking more therapeutic effects of cannabis (or a stronger high) tend to go for higher vaping temperatures.
There’s no one right temperature for vaping, and most people go through phases while seeking the ideal temperature, or use different temperatures to match the occasion or mood.
How to pick the right vaporizer
There are so many different vaporizers on the market that finding the right one may seem intimidating, but don’t worry; it’s a lot simpler than you think. Basically, the vaporizer you choose depends on what you’re going to be smoking with it.
The first question you need to ask yourself when choosing your vape is whether you’ll be smoking cannabis flower or a concentrate- your answer will determine the type of vaporizer you get.
If you can’t choose, there are also hybrid vaporizers that are compatible with both, but make sure to do your research to find the right one for what you need.
But regardless of whether you’ll be vaping flower or concentrates, vaporizers can be broadly categorized into three categories:
- tabletop vaporizers
- portable vaporizers
- vape pens
As you go down that list, the vaporizers usually increase in portability, ease of use, and affordability, but there’s a trade-off, especially when it comes to vaporizing dried flower. Some vape pens lack the temperature regulator, which means you won’t be able to control the temp, so make sure to read the product specs to make sure you know what you’re getting.
What’s the Best Temp to Vape Dried Flower?
When it comes to the best temp to vape weed flower, it’s impossible to give a single answer without leaving out the options and differences that come with varying temperatures.
As a general rule, dried weed flower requires lower vape temperatures to vaporize and release different cannabinoids compared with vape concentrates and oils.
With that in mind, these are the temp ranges you should consider:
Low Temp
- 325°F – 350°F
- 163°C – 177°C
This is the best beginner vape temp range. It produces a smooth and colder vapour that’s very easy on the lungs, releases moderate amounts of THC and CBD, and preserves the majority of flavours found in the cannabis strain. The vapour at this temperature is very light- so much so that you might struggle to see it.
Mid Temp
- 350°F – 375°F
- 177°C – 191°C
This range is the middle ground for those who would like to avoid the so-called couch-lock effect but still experience a stronger vaping experience by vaporizing higher amounts of THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids and terpenes. Think of this temperature range as the “sweet spot” or optimal temperature.
The psychoactive effects at these temperatures will be more substantial and the vapour will be thicker than lower temperatures.
High Temp
- 375°F – 430°F
- 191°C – 221°C
At these higher temperatures, you can expect a heavier body high, thicker smoke, and thus, a stronger couch-lock effect as well. You can also expect the vapour to have less flavour.
This range is best suited for those seeking medical and therapeutic relief from vaping weed- or if you just want to get really, really high. When you’re trying to relax and are best when vaping weed for sleep, dial up the temp a few notches.
- Keep in mind: cannabis will begin to combust (burn) at around 450°F or 233°C, so you’ll want to avoid going that as it would defeat the purpose of vaping.
Vaping vs. smoking weed
One of the best comparisons between vaping and smoking cannabis when it comes to health is what’s left after consuming it. After smoking, you’re left with ash, and regardless of how white or black it burns, the fact is we’re still breathing in smoke, which is a health risk for our lungs.
After vaping, however, you won’t find ash. It should look the same, except with the colour changed from green to brown.
It can help to think of smoking as more of a sledgehammer approach to cannabinoids and terpenes where everything is burned (and a lot of the more delicate compounds can be lost), versus the precision of vaping, which allows you to target the boiling points of particular cannabinoids and terpenes.
- Did you know: the standard Bic lighter burns at around 800 – 900°C during regular use, but it can reach up to 1977°C in controlled settings!
What’s the Best Temperature to Vape Concentrates?
We already mentioned that vaping concentrates will require slightly higher temperatures than cannabis flower buds. This doesn’t mean that the temperatures will drastically differ, but you should allow for a somewhat higher temperature for more consistent vaporization. This is most apparent at the low temp range.
Most of the wax in concentrates won’t melt before reaching the 315°F mark, which is the temperature at which THC boils. This means that vaping at lower temperatures will hardly activate any cannabinoids in the concentrate and that you’ll never achieve the effects you desire.
Where vaping temperature significantly changes is in the high temp range for concentrates. Compared to flower buds, wax will burn at much lower temperatures, which is bad for vaping.
You want the wax to vaporize, not burn, to avoid the smoke from combustion and also because consuming burnt wax concentrate can be bitter.
Ideally, you should keep the wax concentrate vaping temperature at around 360°F to 370°F. At this range, most of the cannabinoids and terpenes will vaporize, the strong effects of THC and CBD will be present, and the concentrate will vaporize safely without burning.
How to Control Temperature When Vaping
Many modern vape machines have a regulator that will allow you to customize the vaping temperature. To find the ideal vaping temperature, you should experiment with different temp ranges and find the one that suits you best.
Additionally, if you would like to have a more specific approach, the best way is to use a weed vape temp chart, which lists the cannabinoids, terpenes, and boiling points. By choosing cannabinoids that are important to you and trying to reach the desired custom effect, you’ll be able to find the right temperatures.
Vaping Temperature FAQ
What Do I Do with Leftover Buds from Vaping?
Even if the buds look brown and dry, they can still be useful and get you high. They might not be useful for vaping again but are ideal for making edibles or mixing tinctures, as some cannabinoids are usually left, even after vaping.
Should I Aim for the Exact Temperatures Listed in the Weed Temp Vape Chart?
As a rule, you should always aim for temperatures slightly higher than the boiling points listed in the temp chart for each ingredient.
A solid 10°F higher than the listed boiling point temp should do the trick and ensure that the desired compound vaporizes.
As a Beginner, which Temperature Range is Ideal for Me?
If you’re still new to weed vaping, it’s best to start in the low temp range. Temperatures up to 350°F should produce a lighter vapor that will be easier on your lungs with subdued effects of THC and CBD. As you gain more experience and develop tolerance, you can start increasing vaping temperatures.
Resources
Weedmaps: Products and How-to Consume: Vape.
Leafly: How to Customize Your Cannabis High With Temperature.
