How to Avoid Burning Your Hemp Flower When Vaping

Nowadays, there are all kinds of ways to enjoy hemp, with the industry becoming more high-tech with each passing year. But, there remain many traditionalists out there who would prefer to go with straight hemp flower, and for good reason. Of all of the different ways to enjoy flower, one that’s become extremely popular is vaping, which is a great alternative to smoking. But, if you’re going to start vaping hemp flower, it is important to make sure that you don’t burn the flower, which is the most common rookie mistake.

What is Hemp Flower?

Hemp flower refers to the raw buds of the hemp plant, which are where we find the hundreds of cannabinoids and terpenes responsible for the effects associated with the plant. Hemp flower is completely raw, and that’s a big part of its appeal. Its raw state means that the desirable compounds have not been interfered with in any way, which may increase their bioavailability and chemical stability to yield stronger and more diverse effects.

Hemp flower comes in a wide array of strains, so that the user can choose which types of effects they’d like to experience, whether they be of the indica, sativa, or hybrid variety.

What Does Vaping Hemp Flower Entail and Why Has It Become So Popular Among Flower Enthusiasts?

Traditionally, hemp flower has been smoked. This practice dates back thousands of years, but now, we have an alternative: vaping. Vaping is a combustion-free alternative that involves heating the flower in a way that yields vapor rather than smoke, which many say is smoother to inhale while being more discreet in terms of both smell and appearance. Vaping flower requires the use of a special type of vaping device designed for raw hemp flower buds, which are placed into a chamber before heat is applied through the power of a battery. The flower is heated through one of two methods, depending on the vaporizer model:

• Convection: Heat is produced by the circulation of air or liquids
• Conduction: Heat is produced by direct contact with a heat source

Whether you choose a conduction or convection-based vaporizer is up to you. There is a reason why both are popular – each vape style is capable of delivering a satisfying vaping experience using its own heating method.

Can You Burn Hemp Flower When Vaping It?

Once you have committed to a vaporizer device for your flower, time to get your vape on. What’s very important is that you know how to avoid burning it. It’s a common misconception that because there is no combustion involved as there is with smoking, that flower won’t burn. The reality is that any time heat is applied to hemp buds, burning is a possibility. Burning your flower won’t just ruin its taste, but its ability to deliver effects, as all of the active compounds in hemp have a burning point that causes them to become unstable and lose their potency.

How to Avoid Burning Your Hemp Flower when Using a Portable Device

A portable vaping device is a handheld device that is meant to be taken with you as it can fit easily in a pocket or bag. A lot of them now have features such as temperature control, proprietary chipset technology, and even large chambers with increased airflow. Now, even with all these additions, there is still a chance an herbal vaper can still burn their flower it’s the following is not done properly.

#1: Make Sure the Portable Vaporizer is Intended for Flower

Portable vaporizers aren’t just made for flower. Some are strictly for oils, and others are strictly for concentrates. Before you buy a new vaporizer for your hemp flower, make sure that the manufacturer intended for it to be used with dry herb.

#2: Make Sure the Portable Vaporizer is a High-Quality Device

Yes, the quality of the device can have a major role in how likely you are to burn your flower. Cheap models generally don’t offer design features and settings that do a good job at preventing the burning of your flower. This can include low-quality coil materials or a chamber that overheats due to the material used.

#3: Start with the Lowest Output Setting and Work Your Way Up

Always go with the lowest output setting at first and take a few puffs before moving up to the next setting. A lot of people make the mistake of setting their device at too high of a voltage or wattage level, which is more than the flower can handle. By gradually increasing your output, you’re far less likely to burn your flower.

#4: Avoid Chain-Vaping

Chain-vaping is the act of taking puff after puff with basically no space between. This prevents your heating element from properly cooling down between each puff, which can cause it to overheat and burn your flower.

#5: Clean Your Device

A dirty vaporizer chamber can have trace amounts of old flower in there that causes a burnt taste. And, old residue can clog the airflow which can also cause burning to occur. Always clean your chamber after each use.

How to Avoid Burning Your Hemp Flower When Using a Desktop Device

A desktop vaporizer is a larger vaporizer device that’s meant to sit on a surface. It’s not portable, but it almost always offers many more customizable options and output levels as a payoff for its bulky size and weight. A desktop vaporizer can also burn your flower if you’re not being cautious.

#1: Do Not Go for the Cheapest Model

Again, avoid the cheapest desktop vaporizer you can find. We know these devices can get particularly expensive due to their size and construction. But, you’ll want to pay a little extra for a quality design that protects your flower as best as possible.

#2: Be Extra Mindful of Your Settings

Desktop vaporizers tend to achieve higher output levels than portable ones, which is why you need to be extra careful when selecting a voltage or wattage. Again, start with a low setting and work your way up gradually until you find your sweet spot.

#3: Resist the Urge to Chain-Vape

Like we said earlier, chain-vaping can lead to burning your flower. Desktop vaporizers produce a lot more vapor per puff, so chain-vaping is less common among those who use these devices, but that doesn’t mean that it never happens.

#4: Follow Proper Maintenance

Always follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer to maintain your vaporizer device. Failure to clean it properly and regularly can cause burning of your flower due to the development of residue within the chamber.

For Both Types of Vaporizers, the Flower Matters as Well

Once herbal vapers get the hang of the process of vaporizing, they will be far less likely to burn their herb, and more likely to savor every last puff. So, as a final note, sometimes the issue causing the burning is your flower rather than the device you’re using. Flower tends to last for about 6 months before it begins to go stale and dehydrate. Dehydrated flower is far more likely to burn since there are no water molecules to protect it. If your flower feels unusually dry and crumbly, it’s probably best to just throw it out.