3 Reasons You Should Avoid Buying A Cheap Vape

As the popularity of cannabis vaporizers continues to rise, more and more products in the category are hitting the market. Unfortunately, many of these products are low-quality, sold by manufacturers who cut corners and market these inexpensive products to consumers unaware of the dangers that cheap, lousy vapes can pose. 

My time in the cannabis vaporizer hardware industry has shown me how essential high-quality hardware is to the consumer experience. Today, I want to share three reasons why consumers and manufacturers should avoid low-quality, cheap vapes. 

Cheap Vapes Expose Consumers To Metal Toxicity 

Low-quality vaporizers are typically made from metal; a glass and metal casing usually encloses a metal coil that vaporizes the oil inside. The metal comes into extended direct contact with the vape juice or oil. This direct contact, paired with the heat from regular use, can cause chemicals in the metal to leach into the vape oil. 

When the oil is vaporized, so are metals such as nickel, lead, chromium, and aluminum leached into the vape juice. Inhalation of vaporized metals can harm health and cause lasting lung damage. 

Ceramic Vaporizers Provide a Safer Alternative to Metal Vapes 

The best way to avoid exposure to toxic metals is simply not to use these metals to produce vape cartridges. Ceramic cartridges provide an ideal alternative. Using ceramic in vaporizers avoids the need for metal; ceramic is durable, long-lasting, and conducts heat well. It also does not leach toxic compounds into the vape oil, even with extended direct contact or heat. 

Low-Quality Vapes Have Inaccurate Heating Control 

Cheap vaporizers are also prone to inaccurate heating controls; either the heat settings are unreliable, or they lack these settings altogether. Heating vape oil to an improper temperature affects the experience and comes with potential health risks, too.

Danger Of Underheating Vape Liquid 

Many cannabis concentrates, especially those used in cheaper and lower-quality vapes, contain residual solvents and waxes from the manufacturing process. Vaporizing the oil at the correct temperature burns off any remaining compounds. Vapes that fail to heat the oil to a sufficient temperature, however, can also fail to burn off that residue. Inhaling these residual chemicals can also be harmful to consumer health. 

Underheated vape liquid is especially problematic in cheap vapes; these use lower-quality extracts and hardware, compounding the issue. 

Reliable Temperature Control is a Hallmark of Quality 

Controlling the temperature of a cannabis vaporizer is essential to the overall experience. Different temperatures can produce differing effects, and heating a vape to the correct temperature ensures consumers aren’t inhaling potentially harmful chemicals. High-quality vapes must be made out of materials that conduct heat well and must be equipped with robust and reliable temperature control settings. 

Toxic UV Glue Present In Cheap Vapes 

UV glue is toxic. In cheap vapes with poor quality control, it can come into direct contact with the vape oil. Over time and exposure to heat, the toxic chemicals in UV glue can also leach into the vape oil, just like the metals in cheap vape cartridges. Inhalation of UV glue or the chemicals in the compound can be dangerous and harmful to health. 

Avoid Toxic Glues By Using A Locking Mechanism 

Much like dangerous metals, the best way to avoid consumer exposure to UV glue is to avoid using these chemicals in vapes altogether. Other assembly and sealing methods, such as secure locking mechanisms, prevent the need for UV glue. Locking mechanisms require more precisely machined parts, which is, in and of itself, a hallmark of high-quality vapes. 

High-Quality Vapes Ensure Consumer Safety And Experience 

Both cannabis consumers and manufacturers need to be informed about what makes a high-quality vape and the dangers of opting for cheaper alternatives. High-quality hardware that features ceramic hardware and is free from toxins is the basis for safe, high-quality cannabis experiences; I hope that as the cannabis industry matures, high-quality vapes made with precisely machined ceramic parts and reliable temperature control will become the default.