Oil Vaporizer
Definition: An oil vaporizer is any device that heats liquid cannabis oil to a temperature that turns it into vapor without burning it. The most common types are cartridge vape pens, all-in-one disposables, and pod systems. They’re popular because they’re discreet, easy to dose, and produce little smell compared with smoking flower.
How Does an Oil Vaporizer Work?
The device’s battery powers an atomizer, usually a porous ceramic element or a wicked coil, that sits in contact with the oil. As it heats, the oil vaporizes and you inhale through the mouthpiece. Some devices are draw-activated, while others use a button and adjustable voltage.
What Are the Types of Oil Vaporizers?
- 510 cartridge pens: a reusable battery with screw-on cartridges using the 510 thread standard
- Disposables: pre-filled, pre-charged, single-use devices
- Pod systems: proprietary pods that click into a matching battery
What Kind of Oil Goes in an Oil Vaporizer?
Most cannabis oil for vaping is distillate with added terpenes, live resin, rosin, or full-spectrum oil. Hemp-derived CBD oil is also common. Never add cooking oils or thickeners. Thickening agents like vitamin E acetate were strongly linked by the CDC to the 2019 EVALI lung injury outbreak.
How Do You Choose a Safe Oil Vaporizer?
Buy from licensed retailers, check for batch lab results, and avoid suspiciously cheap or unbranded carts. Quality hardware with ceramic heating elements and stable voltage tends to taste better and run cooler.
Related terms: Vape Pen, Vape Cartridge, Atomizer, Distillate
Sources: CDC: Outbreak of Lung Injury Associated with the Use of E-Cigarette, or Vaping, Products; DEA Drug Fact Sheet: Vaping and Marijuana Concentrates.
