What's The KandyPens Rubi Vaporizer (And Why People Are Digging It)

By WeedMaps' Lindsay MaHarry, provided exclusively to Benzinga Cannabis.

California vape brand KandyPens is known for creating well-made, affordable alternatives to some of the hottest vaporizers on the market. With an attention to detail informing their designs, KandyPens maintain their reputation as a leading vape brand by consistently producing devices that are simple, sleek, and tech-forward. Their recently released oil and e-liquid vape, the Rubi vaporizer, is no exception. 

Standing at a mere 4 inches tall, and coming in at just under $50, this chic little vape offers an alternative to the expensive pod systems utilized by similar brands. Whereas Pax offers expensive pods that come prefilled with oil from big canna-brands, KandyPens' Rubi vaporizer is an open system, meaning the pods come empty, ready to be filled with whatever oil or liquid you want. 

In the e-cig world, the practice of breaking open pods to refill with your own oil is called “Juul Hacking,” and is common among the techie vapers that frequent online message boards. By formalizing this kind of anarchist approach to hacking the pod system in a cannabis vape, KandyPens carved out an untouched niche in the pod system matrix. And when it comes to cost-effectiveness, it's a DIY system that can't be beaten.

Whether you're in the market for a new vape pen or are just curious as to what all the buzz is about, here's our take on the KandyPens' Rubi vaporizer. 

What is the Rubi? 

The open system design of the Rubi vape riffs on pod vaping platforms like Pax pods. By allowing users to fill an empty cartridge with the oil or e-liquid of their choosing, instead of being forced to purchase expensive pre-filled pods, they've created a much more affordable way to enjoy the convenience of pod vape products. 

Complete with OCELL Ceramic Coil Technology and a 280mAh battery, one of the strongest e-cig batteries on the market, the Rubi is good for about 50 draws per charge. Strong and simple, the Rubi vaporizer is also temperature regulated and air-powered (no power button), meaning all you need to do is load the refillable 1ML capacity pod, and inhale. KandyPens even offers a lifetime warranty on the device.

How do you use the Rubi vaporizer?

Now that we've been over what the Rubi vaporizer is, why it's cool, and what it can do, here's how it works. 

How to charge the Rubi vaporizer

To charge the Rubi, simply use the micro-USB port with any USB cable, no proprietary charger necessary. The LED indicator light will turn from red to green when the device has charged completely. While the battery lasts a while, it also charges extremely fast, about 30 minutes for a full charge. 

Loading the Rubi Pod

This is far and away the most complicated step to using the Rubi, but it's still pretty simple. For this device, you're going to want to think thin when it comes to oils, like distillates sold in syringes at the dispensary. Each pod holds about a half gram of liquid, and you're going to want the liquid to be at least body temperature to make dispensing it into the cartridge as seamless as possible. 

Steps to load the Rubi vaporizer:

1. Remove the mouthpiece from the Rubi.
2. Remove pod.
3. Open the pod and press the syringe into the opening, filling the pod with oil. Start by filling the tank halfway, as not to overfill it. Replace rubber pod stopper.
4. “Prime” the Rubi pod by inhaling from the mouthpiece 3—5 times (only needed upon first use of Rubi pod).
5. Replace mouthpiece into the Rubi.
6. Take a draw and enjoy.

How to clean the Rubi 

Because there are so few pieces to disassemble, cleaning the Rubi itself is easy. Just remove the pod, and use toothpicks or q-tips to clean in and around the mouthpiece. 

Due to the Japanese cotton around the ceramic coil, the pods can't be soaked and are thus kind of difficult to clean. According to message board research, some users use white vinegar to clean the pods. While most seem to agree that each pod can last for weeks to months, and three pods only set you back $20, it makes more sense to toss an old one if it's gross or starts acting funky.

What's the appeal?

The appeal of KandyPens' Rubi vaporizer comes down to three factors: discretion, affordability, and versatility. This device could easily pass as a flash drive or Juul and is small enough to hide in a pocket undetected. Its affordability is two-fold: The device only costs $50 and comes with a lifetime warranty. Because of the open pod system, users will save countless dollars on expensive prefilled cartridges over the years. The vape can become whatever you want based on what oil you put on it, even an e-cig.

Bottom line: If you're into filling your own cartridges to save money, this is the pen for you. If you're a more casual user, someone new to cannabis, or someone with access to expendable income, I would go with the pre-filled set up as it's an overall more streamlined product. You can find the KandyPens Rubi vaporizer on their website.