WHAT IS THE BEST TEMPERATURE TO VAPE WEED?

Dec 10, 2022

By Jonathan Tang

WHAT IS THE BEST TEMPERATURE TO VAPE WEED?

Let’s Talk about Dry Herb and Vape Temperature

Determining the best temp to vape weed is a debate in the dry herb vaping scene.

You may hear a lot of claims from different people about the temp they select.

So who is right?

All of them!

Yeah, there really isn’t one perfect temperature for the best results.

In fact, there is quite a spectrum of effects that can be achieved over a range of temps.

Let’s take a look at what temperature is best to get the experience you desire.

Popular Temps for Vaping Flower

For a quick reference about the best vape temperature, check out these popular temp ranges:

320°F(160°C) – 355°F(179°C): Very mild effects with excellent flavor, ideal if you want to enjoy cannabis while still going about your day. You’ll also notice that the vapor is much cooler and not as harsh on your throat.

Red-eye, cottonmouth, anxiety, and coughing are severely reduced as well. This is what makes these lower vape temperature ranges so attractive to newbies and lightweights.

356°F(180°C) – 391°F(199°C): This is where the herb takes on a toastier flavor as your herbs turn to a walnut brown color. You’re still able to enjoy those terpenes, just with more access to cannabinoids. The quality of vapor is much thicker and warmer at this temperature range.

You’ll also notice the psychoactive effects becoming stronger since more THC is being vaporized. This temp range is ideal for enjoying the flavor and the effects they produce.

392°F(200°C) – 446°F(230°C): The herb, by this point, has taken on more of a cooked flavor, almost bringing it to the point of combustion. The vapor at this range will be much hotter with less flavor, but it will also provide you with the strongest psychotropic effects.

This range is usually conducive to evening sessions since it can bring on couch lock (when you’re so high, you can barely move). And if you love your terpenes, you may want to stay away from this range until the end of your session, given that most of the terpenes will deplete quite fast.

Vaping Temperature and Different Weed Effects

So, how are there so many different effects that you can get from cannabis?

It’s the wide range of compounds that exist within the plant.

These active ingredients are known as cannabinoids and terpenes, and understanding them will help you achieve a consistent experience.

Cannabinoids and Their Effects

Alright, what are cannabinoids actually capable of? How much can they differ?

Quite a bit, as you can see:

THCA – 105°C: Potentially an anti-inflammatory that could help treat arthritis and lupus.
THC – 157°C: This is the one most people are familiar with. The psychoactive properties contained provide users with a feeling of euphoria, as well as relaxation of the mind and body.
CBD 160°C – 180°C: The popular choice for medicinal purposes for its pain-fighting properties.
CBN – 185° C: Early research shows it may be a powerful antibacterial agent that may one day be used to fight bacterial infections.
CBC – 220° C: Delivers antidepressant properties along with CBD and THC.

Terpenes and Their Effects

Terpenes amplify the effects of specific cannabinoids while also creating their own effects, which enhance your high.

Let’s look at what effects they have to offer:

Beta-caryophyllene – (246°F)119°C: Boasts the distinctive ability to bind with CB2 receptors, which results in antimicrobial, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.
Nerolidol – (252°F)122°C: Enhances the effectiveness of antibiotics by working synergistically with them, killing more bacterial pathogens than antibiotics on their own.
Alpha-pinene – (313°F)156°C: Has been shown to have antioxidant properties, manage pain, and combat infection and bacteria.
Beta-myrcene – (320°F)166°C: It’s been recognized for its antioxidant properties as well as its calming and sedating effects.
D-limonene – (351°F)177°C: Promotes digestive health, cholesterol, and blood sugar reduction in addition to reducing your appetite.
Linalool – (388°F)198°C: A minor terpene with a plethora of benefits. It can help with anxiety, insomnia, and depression, as well as help with cancer treatment.
Phytol – (399°F)204°C: Delivers antidepressant properties along with CBD and THC.

Boiling points of cannabinoids and terpenes

Choosing the Best Temperature to Vape Weed

There are two trains of thought on what you can fully control about your vaping experience:

Flavor
Effect

Flavor is more of a personal preference. If you want a smokier experience, a higher temp can achieve that. Whereas a lower temperature will provide a brighter more floral taste. Enjoy a range of flavors by starting low and increasing the vape temperature over time.

Effects are achieved through scientifically proven temperatures. As noted earlier, the various cannabinoids and terpenes activate at different levels of heat. Determine what effect you want from the vape session and use our reference guides above. Set your temp and begin vaping once the vaporizer is at temp.

There Isn’t One Specific Vape Temperature

Every type of herb you get is going to be different. Even the same strain can vary slightly from batch to batch. From the curing process to when it actually gets in your vaporizer, even a minor change in moisture content makes a difference.

Since there isn’t one best temperature to vape weed at, it’s going to be a matter of finding YOUR favorite temp or range.

The best method is to start at the low end of the dry herb vaping temp spectrum. Slowly increase the temperature during your session. By experiencing all the flavors and effects, you’ll know exactly what you like.

Choosing a Weed Vaporizer for Optimal Flavor and Effects

The invention of vaporizers created a whole new level of control over cannabis.

Does using a vape make you a cannaisseur?

Probably because you’re getting a spectrum of flavors and effects that can’t be achieved with smoking.

Think about it, when you put flame to your herb, it burns up and turns to ash. Gone.

That’s not the case with a vaporizer. As the cannabis is heated, the active ingredients are released, and it begins to brown. The final result is a dark-colored, very crispy material. You can even bake with it if you want!

But not all weed vaporizers are the same. You’ll want a unit with either preset (if accurate) or precise (preferred style) temperature control.

Preset temp vapes generally have 3 to 6 options already programmed. Be sure to confirm what those settings are since you don’t want to buy something that falls outside the range of your desired effects.

Vaporizers with precise temperatures can be set to a specific degree. This makes them the best option for controlling the flavor and effects of your cannabis. You can easily dial things in to achieve your preferred results.