The Ultimate Guide To Vaping Temperatures

If there’s one form of cannabis consumption that’s particularly hot at the moment (so to speak), it’s vaping. Beloved for its health benefits and smooth experience, it’s fast becoming a favourite way to consume raw flower and concentrates alike.

There’s one factor in particular that shapes the vaping experience, but is rarely given its due: temperature. We’ll dive into the various facets of how temperature affects vaping, so you can figure out how to set the dial on your own vaping experience.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE RIGHT TEMPERATURE

Few vapers know this, but the temperature you vape at in large part determines what you’re even inhaling. The effects, flavour, and quality of cannabis are determined by the varieties and quantities of cannabinoids and terpenes. These molecules all have different evaporation points, and the temperature at which you vape determines which combination of cannabinoids and terpenes you end up with, and thus your weed’s properties and flavour.

WHAT IS THE BEST TEMPERATURE FOR VAPING DIFFERENT FORMS OF CANNABIS?

You can customise your vaping temperature depending on what you’re looking for from the experience. There are risks at both extremes: if you vape at too low a temperature, the cannabinoids and terpenes will remain “locked in”, and you’ll waste product and get a less-satisfying experience. If you blaze too high, you’ll blast away many of the more sensitive cannabinoids and terpenes; and if you exceed 482°C (900°F), perhaps even THC itself.

At temperatures below 180°C (356°F), you’ll harness a rich cannabinoid and terpene profile, resulting in flavourful, more well-rounded hits. Vaping tends to be most beneficial when bolstered by the “entourage effect”—a phenomenon where weed is more effective when it contains a variety of active molecules, rather than just one. Check out this guide for more details on which temperatures different cannabinoids and terpenes vaporize at.

If you’re vaping at temperatures above 233°C (451°F), you’ve passed the combustion point and you’ll be losing a lot of product. You’re also risking inhaling carcinogenic chemical byproducts. That being said, these temperatures have been shown to be effective at maximising THC levels. If you’re looking for an intense hit you may want to let these temperatures take you for a ride.

Temperatures between 180°C (356°F) and 200°C (392°F) provide a kind of middleground: you’ll get a good blast of THC, while still preserving some of the other cannabinoids and terpenes.

DRY HERB

With both dry herb and concentrates, ideal temperatures at lower and medium levels are similar. A light dose is considered to be 160–180°C (356–320°F), while a medium dose is 180–200°C (356–392°F), and a high dose is 200°C (392°F) and up. In general, vaping dry herb doesn’t tend to get much hotter than this. As discussed above, lower temperatures tend to provide a more varied cannabinoid profile, and as the temperature rises, this variety narrows in favour of a more targeted blast of THC.

CANNABIS CONCENTRATES

If you have a modern vaporizer or vape pen, then it is likely that you can also vape cannabis concentrates with your device. Concentrates come in all shapes and consistencies, which is largely due to the extraction method used to produce them. Vaping concentrates is a different experience than vaping cannabis flowers.

Some connoisseurs even argue that concentrates should only be dabbed because most vaporizers don't get the job done well enough. The problem is, concentrates are often vaped at higher temperatures than flowers, and most vaporizers can't even reach the required temperatures for the more intense “dab-like” experience. With that said, there are some incredible vapes on the market that can handle various types of concentrate, offering the high temperature required to produce the oft-desired potency of vapes.

The reason concentrates call for higher temps is because you have to turn the whole material into vapor and melt it, at least with “full melt” concentrates. Some extracts can have a very solid structure, so in order to fully vaporize it, you will have to use the highest settings. Otherwise, you will only vaporize the outside of the substance. Unlike with flowers, there is nothing left once you have vaped your concentrate.

A favourite way to vaporize concentrates is, of course, with dabs. Dabs allow you to reach the high, THC-blasting temperatures that many concentrate users crave. Dabs above 315°C (600°F) are considered to be high-temperature dabs. These can be a lot of fun, but at these temperatures, you’re essentially getting a massive blast of THC along with some carcinogens. Dab users should take care not to exceed 482°C (900°F), as here, you’re wasting a lot of your THC and inhaling some serious chemicals.

HASH

For vaping hash, you’ll generally want to use the same instrument you would to vaporize the raw flower. The issue with vaping hash is that it can coat the inside of your vaping device, leaving it gummed up and hard to clean.

The way to get around this is through degummed hemp fibre. Line the inside of your vape bowl with the stuff, sprinkle in some crumbled hash, and you should be good to go! You should vape hash at the same temperature you would raw flower.

PURE THC OIL

Pure THC oil is also a concentrate, but in a liquid consistency. As the name suggests, it's an oil. Because it is not considered full melt, you can aim for slightly lower temps than you would with solid extracts. For pure THC oil, you can vape using a temperature range of 200–250°C (392–482°F). This should get the job done properly, and most vaporizers hit their temperature peak in this range. So, if you want to use concentrates with your vaporizer, pure THC oil would be the best solution for you.

Disclaimer: Concentrates that use heavy oils as a base, like olive oil, should never be vaporized. These are designed for oral ingestion and can be dangerous to vape.

WHAT IS THE BEST TEMPERATURE FOR VAPING HERBS?

Cannabis isn’t the only plant you can use in your vaping device. Many other herbs produce a range of effects, from promoting natural sleep to soothing the muscles and stimulating the mind. Furthermore, each herb has an ideal temperature it vaporizes best at. If you collect these herbs and learn these values, you could have your own personal vaping apothecary.

Some herbs that function best at lower temperatures (sub-150°C / 302°F) include the relaxing catnip, aromatic lavender, and soothing lemon balm.

Medium-temperature herbs (between 150–190°C / 302–374°F) include invigorating peppermint, stimulating green tea, and energising yerba mate.

Herbs that require a higher temperature (above 190°C / 374°F) include natural sleep-promoting valerian, natural aphrodisiac damiana, and refreshing chamomile.

WHAT IS THE BEST TEMPERATURE FOR VAPING E-LIQUIDS?

E-Liquids are another popular option for vaping your favourite herbs. Each bottle contains a natural concentrate derived from a herbal product. Further, they contain no additives or harmful stuff—just the pure, herbal experience. As they come in a fluid or oil-like consistency, you can vape them at a temperature range of 200–250°C (392–482°F).

THE PERFECT TEMPERATURE FOR THE ENTOURAGE EFFECT

The ideal temperature for those looking to make the most of their cannabis will vary. One practical approach is to identify the cannabinoids and terpenes in the strain, as well as their associated boiling points. For those attempting to use cannabis for its soothing properties and holistic benefits, it is always best to begin vaping at the lower end of the boiling point spectrum. This will preserve and capitalise on the entourage effect. Then, you can vape again at a higher temperature to max-out potency.

A good way to go about it is to start with the lowest setting, then increase in increments of 10–15 degrees. It won't take long to find a temperature that allows you to get the most out of your herb.

DIFFERENT VAPE TEMPERATURES PER SETTING

Recreational users should also take care to choose the right temperature. Those looking to optimise for temperature should vape at a lower temperature around the vaporization point of most terpenes. Those looking for a generally healthy vape should do the same (and should most definitely not exceed the combustion point of 233°C (451°F)!

In a social setting, the temperature might depend on what kind of mood you’re trying to build. If you’re looking to get as ripped as possible, a high-temperature vape is the way to go—but don’t exceed 482°C (900°F), or you might blast away your THC! Medium temperature vaping gives a more well-rounded experienced, and would probably be ideal for a calmer social group, or to enhance your personal creative time.

Vaping is not rocket science. But if you know the subtle differences, you can get the most out of your vaping experience. In the end, these temperature guidelines are just that—guidelines. Whether you choose to vape at slightly higher or lower temperatures, it’s up to you to discover what works best. Happy vaping!

Adam Parsons

Professional cannabis journalist, copywriter, and author Adam Parsons is a long-time staff member of Zamnesia. Tasked with covering a wide range of topics from CBD to psychedelics and everything in between, Adam creates blog posts, guides, and explores an ever-growing range of products.

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