You’re already very aware that vaping and smoking are extremely different from one another. The fact that vaping allows you to enjoy your favorite herb without inhaling smoke, though, is only one difference. Another major difference is how you actually go about it. Hitting a vape is fairly different from smoking because the substance that you’re inhaling is a vaporized liquid rather than a burning plant. That means it feels different to inhale the material, and it also means that you need to use the proper inhaling technique if you want to avoid problems like leaking, clogging and harshness.
Learning how to hit a vape properly is the first step on the road to vaping expertise – and in this guide, we’ll walk you through it.
How to Hit a Vape Pen, 510-Thread Battery or Disposable Vape Properly
We’ll begin this guide with instructions on how to hit a vape pen properly. These vapes include disposable vape pens and 510-thread batteries with vape cartridges, and they’re the most popular types of herbal vapes today because they’re so easy to use. If you’re using a 510-thread battery, make sure that the device is charged, and a cartridge is connected to the threading. If you’re using a disposable vape pen, it’s ready to go out of the box.
To hit a vape pen, all that you need to do is puff on the mouthpiece unless the device has a manual fire button, in which case, you’ll need to hold the button while puffing. With a vape pen, using the correct amount of air pressure is crucial. Here’s how to know whether you’re puffing as firmly as you should.
- If your vape pen has automatic puff-based activation, inhale only as firmly as necessary to make the device’s light turn on.
- If your vape pen has a manual fire button, inhale only as firmly as necessary to make the vapor go into your mouth.
The important thing to remember is that when you vape, the correct amount of air pressure is much less than the air pressure that you would use when smoking a cigarette or joint.
Some vape pens have dual activation and offer both button-based and puff-based firing. If you have a dual-mode vape pen, we suggest using the automatic puff-based activation until you get used to using the correct amount of air pressure.
How to Hit a Dab Pen Properly
Hitting a dab pen properly is a little more complicated than using an oil-based vape pen, but dabbing has two benefits compared to using an oil-based concentrate. The first benefit is that wax-based concentrates tend to be a little more potent, and the second benefit is that you can often use a little more air pressure when hitting a dab pen without experiencing problems.
We’ll walk you through how to hit a dab pen. These instructions assume that you’re using a portable electronic dab pen with a wax coil. Desktop dab rigs are a bit more complicated and are usually best reserved for experienced vapers.
After the wax is melted, you can begin vaping. Inhale through your dab pen’s mouthpiece or inhale through the mouthpiece while holding the fire button.
Your dab pen probably has a removable mouthpiece. Remove the mouthpiece to access the coil.
Use a metal dab tool to place a small piece of wax on the coil. In most cases, the ideal size for a dab is about the same as a grain of rice. Replace the mouthpiece.
If you have a puff-activated dab pen, puff gently on the mouthpiece a few times without inhaling. If you have a button-activated device, press the button briefly a few times. Your goal is to melt the wax, so it covers the surface of the coil. This ensures that the coil won’t overheat when you hit your dab pen.
Remove the mouthpiece and check the wax. If it still looks like a solid glob in the center of the coil, you’ll need to soften it a bit more. Once you’re completely used to dabbing, you can skip this step in the future.
How to Learn the Different Inhaling Techniques for Vaping
There are three different inhaling techniques that you can use for vaping, and it’s worthwhile to know all of them because each technique has its own uses.
- You can draw the vapor into your mouth before inhaling all of it into your lungs at once. This is the mouth-to-lung technique, and it’s the same inhaling technique that you use when you smoke a cigarette.
- You can inhale the vapor directly into your lungs. Some people find that this inhaling technique occasionally results in a little harshness, but it also promotes the formation of larger clouds.
- You can “sip” the vapor as if you were sipping a drink through a straw. You’ll get smaller vapor clouds this way and may need to hit your vape more times in order to reach your desired state. You may find it helpful to use this technique, though, if you experience coughing or harshness.
How to Avoid Common Problems When Hitting Your Vape
Many of the most common vaping problems have to do with incorrect inhaling technique. In fact, the reason why you searched for this article could be that you’re experiencing an issue with your vape pen and are worried that it’s because you aren’t hitting it properly. As we bring this guide to a close, we’ll describe some of the common issues with hitting a vape and explain how to fix them.
- Leaking:
- This issue usually happens because you’re using too much air pressure when hitting your vape. Puff more gently. When a vape cartridge leaks, clean it and your device’s threading promptly with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. Don’t use your device again until the alcohol is completely evaporated.
- Clogging/No Airflow:
- This issue also commonly happens because you’re using too much air pressure when puffing on your device. The air pressure causes excess oil to flood your cartridge’s atomizer coil. The oil either ends up in the airflow system – which leads to leaking – or it’s drawn up into the cartridge’s chimney, which causes clogging. If your vape pen has no airflow, try taking a short, firm puff to dislodge the clog. You can also remove the clog manually with a thin tool like a toothpick.
- Burnt Flavor/Harshness/Coughing:
- If you’re using a dab pen, make sure that the wax has fully melted and spread over the coil before inhaling deeply. If you’re using an oil vape pen, always wait a few seconds after each puff to allow more oil to absorb into the cartridge’s wick. If your vape pen has adjustable power, try lowering the voltage. If nothing else works, try the “sipping” inhaling technique described above.