Concentrates like resin, wax and shatter are the ultimate way to experience THC at its highest potency, but there’s one major sticking point to using these products: They’re super messy. Even dedicated dabbers often complain about how annoying it is to handle their cannabis concentrates and clean up after a session.
Instead of breaking out a dab rig, lighting torches and nails, and dealing with sap-stained equipment, some cannabis fans prefer a cleaner and easier way to enjoy concentrates. Luckily, with the advent of weed cartridges, it’s now possible to get an intense blast of THC without the hassle.
However, not all THC vape carts are created equal, and there are significant distinctions in the vaporizer space. To fully take advantage of a truly flavorful vape hit, you must first learn the basics of carts and the critical distinctions that separate product lines.
The Foundations of THC Cartridges
A THC vape cart is typically made of glass or metal and pre-filled with cannabis concentrate. Before consumption, it is attached to a vape battery, turning it into a vape pen. The standard design of a vape battery is called 510-threaded, which refers to the specific type of threading connecting the cartridge to the battery when you screw it on.
When you get one of these units, you’ll notice there’s one end that’s threaded, almost like a screw, which is where the cartridges fit snugly and sits against the heating coil. Over the past few decades, 510 threading has become the industry standard for vape carts, making it easy to mix and match THC carts from different brands with a 510-thread pen battery.
How Do Vape Cartridges Work?
To oversimplify, when in use, the vape pen’s heating element gets so hot that it causes the THC concentrate in the cartridge to vaporize. You then inhale the resultant vapor through a mouthpiece attached to the container.
Some vaporizer pens have button activation, meaning the user has to click a button to turn the heating element on. However, many vaporizer pens use draw or automatic activation, meaning users breathe in through the mouthpiece to activate the battery immediately. Although many THC vape carts are designed for single use, there are reusable or re-fillable cartridges on the market.
Why Choose Cartridges Over Other Consumption Methods?
As for why people use THC carts, these products offer a smoke-free way to feel the immediate effects of cannabinoids without the mess associated with many other concentrate-related delivery methods. Many cannasseurs appreciate the clean taste and smooth vapor they get with THC carts versus smoking cannabis flower, especially if they’re prone to coughing fits.
There are also no issues setting up, using, or cleaning THC vape carts, and some offer a comparable experience to dabbing. Lastly, since THC vape carts have concentrated levels of cannabinoids, they’re far easier to get a precise dosing estimate versus flowers, and they can have relatively high levels of THC.
What Is a Cannabis Vape Pen?
A “cannabis vape pen” is another term you may hear around cartridges and vaporizers. It describes 510-threaded vaporizer units equipped to handle THC vape carts. If you want to get technical, these vape pens are just the battery you attach to the THC cartridge and use to heat the concentrated cannabinoids. Because of their slim, pen-like appearance they are commonly called vape pens.
Although there are vape pens that don’t fit the 510-thread mold, this design has become so standard nowadays that it’s getting harder to find devices that aren’t in this category. Manufacturers who choose to make their vape pens in something other than a 510-thread risk losing a huge customer base since their approved THC carts won’t be as compatible.
Vape Carts vs Dab Pens
It’s understandable why people often lump THC vape carts (and, by extension, vape pens) into the same category as dab pens, but these items are very different beasts. Cannabis vape pens heat THC carts using similar temperature settings and methods to nicotine-related vape pens. In contrast, dab pens are built to withstand higher heat and provide an experience more akin to a dabbing rig.
With a THC vape cart, you’ll click in a preloaded cartridge to the pen’s battery, but dab pens often let you add the cannabis concentrate directly into the pen’s heating chamber.
Experienced dabbers may find that assembling and cleaning a dab pen is easier than using a standard dab rig, but it’s still more of a nuisance compared with simpler THC vape carts. On the other hand, dab pens offer tokers a more authentic dabbing experience, so the tradeoff may be worth it for the increased potency and distinctive impact.
Weed Carts vs Disposable Vapes
Another big distinction in the vaporizer world is between disposable and non-disposable vape pens. As mentioned above, 510-thread vape pens let users screw in compatible THC vape carts, remove them when they’re finished, and a fresh, new cartridge whenever they choose. However, many manufacturers make disposable vape pens that can be tossed when they’re finished.
Unlike 510-threaded pens with vape cart compartments, a disposable vape pen, also called “all-in–one devices” already has its total cannabis concentrate inside a chamber ready for heating. After all the concentrate evaporates, there’s no way to reload the unit and you simply toss it out.
Pros and Cons of Disposable Vape Pens
The obvious downside of disposable vape pens is that they can be a burden on your wallet and the environment. Although some companies are investing in eco-friendly models, it will never be as green—both environmentally and cost-wise—to keep throwing away entire disposable pens instead of replacing units with vape carts. Disposable vape pens also don’t offer the same degree of flexibility and customization as vape carts. While you could easily change your flavors or potencies with different vape cart concentrates, you cannot swap out the strains pre-built into a disposable pen.
However, this doesn’t mean disposable vape pens are all negative. One of the biggest benefits of these products is that they tend to be more affordable upfront and more accessible for beginners to operate than 510-threaded units. While it costs more to replace disposable vape pens, they don’t have the higher initial cost of a 510-thread unit, giving beginners a great way to try out cannabis vaping before fully committing. Disposable vape pens also offer a more travel-friendly option since there’s far less risk of the concentrate slipping out of the device and making a sticky mess or a THC cart snapping out of place.
So, even though disposable vape pens don’t offer the same customization as 510-threaded units, they do offer convenience and portability among other benefits.
Shop Quality Weed Cartridges at Exclusive
Whether you’re looking for a fire 510-thread THC vape cart or a curated concentrate, we have everything you could possibly need when it comes to carts, pens, and more. Start by checking out the Exclusive dispensary closest to you or find the latest vape-friendly products on our online menus. Search under our “Vapes” tabs and enjoy the convenience of shopping for your favorite flavors from the comforts of home.
And for all you dry vaping fans out there, we also offer a massive selection of artisan-grade flowers from some of the finest cannabis cultivators in Michigan.
Have more questions about THC vape carts or searching for other cannabis information? Ask any of our friendly budtenders or drop us a line. We’re always here to help.
