How to Vape Cannabis: A Beginner's Guide
9 min readBeginner Level
Everything you need to know about vaping cannabis — choosing a device, temperature guide, step-by-step instructions, and how to get the best flavour and effects.
This guide is for educational purposes only. Cannabis is illegal in the UK without a medical prescription. Always consult a healthcare professional before making decisions about cannabis use.
Vaping cannabis has become the preferred consumption method for both medical patients and recreational users. It offers the fastest onset of effects (seconds to minutes) while being significantly smoother on the lungs than smoking.
Unlike smoking, which burns plant material at 600-900°C and creates harmful combustion byproducts like tar and carcinogens, vaping heats cannabis to 160-220°C — hot enough to vaporise cannabinoids and terpenes without burning the plant matter.
Vaping is also more efficient. Studies suggest vaping extracts up to 50% more cannabinoids from the same amount of flower compared to smoking. That means you use less material for the same effects, saving money in the long run.
The UK's leading independent reviewer of vaping hardware is Baked & Rated, who test every major device on the market — from the Volcano Hybrid to portable options like the Mighty+ and DynaVap.
There are two main types of cannabis vaporisers: dry herb (for vaping cannabis flower) and concentrate/oil (for vape carts, wax, and dabs). For beginners, a dry herb vaporiser is the best starting point — it's the most versatile and doesn't tie you to specific cartridges.
Desktop vaporisers: These are large, plug-in units designed for home use. The Storz & Bickel Volcano Hybrid is the gold standard — it fills balloon bags with vapour or works with a whip for direct inhalation. Expect to pay £300-£500. Best if you vape primarily at home and want the highest quality vapour.
Portable vaporisers: Battery-powered handheld devices that you can take anywhere. The Mighty+ (by Storz & Bickel) is widely considered the best portable at £250-£300. The Arizer Solo 3 (£180-£220) is a strong mid-range option with excellent flavour. The PAX Plus (£150-£180) is the most discreet and pocket-friendly.
Manual/butane vaporisers: No batteries needed — you heat the device with a butane torch or induction heater. The DynaVap M7 (£70-£90) is incredibly efficient, nearly indestructible, and produces some of the best flavour of any portable. Requires a learning curve but rewards you with exceptional performance per pound spent.
For honest, hands-on reviews of all these devices — including vapour quality scores, ease of use, and value ratings — visit Baked & Rated.
Different temperatures release different cannabinoids and terpenes, which means temperature control dramatically affects your experience. Lower temperatures (160-185°C) produce thinner vapour with more flavour and a clearer-headed effect. Higher temperatures (190-220°C) produce thicker vapour with stronger effects and more body relaxation.
160-175°C (Low): Best for flavour. Terpenes like limonene (citrus) and pinene (pine) vaporise at these temperatures. Effects are mild, uplifting, and clear-headed. Ideal for daytime use and beginners.
175-190°C (Medium): The sweet spot for most users. THC vaporises at 157°C, so this range gives you full psychoactive effects with good flavour. Balanced between head and body effects. Good for any time of day.
190-210°C (High): Maximum vapour production and strongest effects. CBD and other heavier cannabinoids vaporise at these temperatures. More body-heavy, sedating effects — ideal for evening use, pain relief, and sleep. Vapour can be harsh on the throat.
Start at 170°C and gradually increase temperature during your session. As the lower-temperature compounds are exhausted, stepping up the temperature extracts the remaining cannabinoids. This technique (called 'temperature stepping') gives you the most efficient and flavourful session.
Step 1: Grind your flower. Use a quality grinder to achieve a medium-coarse consistency — not too fine (can clog the screen) and not too chunky (uneven heating). A Santa Cruz Shredder or similar quality grinder is ideal.
Step 2: Load the chamber. Fill the vaporiser's chamber loosely — don't pack it tight. Air needs to flow through the material to extract vapour evenly. Most chambers hold 0.1-0.3g.
Step 3: Set your temperature. For beginners, start at 170-175°C. Wait 30-60 seconds for the device to reach temperature (most modern portables heat up in 20-60 seconds).
Step 4: Take a slow, gentle draw. Pull vapour into your mouth first, then inhale deeply. A 5-10 second draw is typical. You should see thin vapour — thick clouds mean you're running too hot.
Step 5: Wait and assess. Wait 5-10 minutes after your first draw before taking another. Effects from vaping are nearly immediate, so you'll know quickly if you need more.
Step 6: Clean your device regularly. Residue builds up and affects flavour and performance. Clean the chamber and mouthpiece with isopropyl alcohol every 5-10 uses. A clean vape tastes noticeably better.
Vaping is widely considered safer than smoking, but it's not risk-free. Heating elements can sometimes release harmful compounds if they're made with low-quality materials. Always buy from reputable brands — Storz & Bickel, Arizer, DynaVap, and PAX are all medical-grade or widely certified.
Never use cannabis oil cartridges from unverified sources. The 'vaping crisis' of 2019-2020 was caused by black-market cartridges containing vitamin E acetate, which caused severe lung injuries. Only buy cartridges from licensed dispensaries or medical pharmacies.
Keep your device charged and clean. A poorly maintained vape can harbour bacteria in the mouthpiece and produce off-flavours from burnt residue. Replace screens and seals as recommended by the manufacturer.
Store your vaporiser in a cool, dry place. Battery life degrades in extreme temperatures, and moisture can damage the heating chamber. Most quality devices come with storage cases — use them.
Quick Questions
About the Author
DM
Dave Mak
Dave founded The Budophile to create clear, honest cannabis education for UK beginners. With a background in health research and a network of specialist contributors, he ensures every guide is accurate, evidence-based, and practical. He also runs Baked & Rated for product reviews and The Green Prescription for medical cannabis access guidance.
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