What is a vaporizer?

It's simply unacceptable that we sell vaporizers but don't even explain what a vaporizer actually is . So that you're not just fashionable but also informed (it's much more stylish that way), we're dedicating a post today specifically to explaining what a vaporizer is, how it works, what you can and can't do with it, what you need to pay attention to when using one, and much, much more... And we'll start with the word vaporizer itself. It comes from English and means "to evaporate." From chemistry class, we know that there are three different states of matter: solid, liquid, and gaseous. You're already familiar with the process of evaporation from cooking pasta: when the water is hot enough, steam is produced. "Hot enough" means that the boiling point of the material to be vaporized must be reached so that the molecules can change from the liquid (or solid) to the gaseous state. For water, the boiling point is exactly 100°C.

And that's exactly what a vaporizer does, only instead of using water on a stovetop, it uses herbs in a herb chamber. The vaporizer, or vaporizer , heats the herb to a very specific temperature so that certain active ingredients can transition into a gaseous state – because that's the only way you can absorb them through your lungs. Firstly, this is the only way they can enter the bloodstream, and secondly, we all know from experience that inhaling bits of something is simply unpleasant. Now we at least know what a vaporizer is in theory – let's take a look at how this piece of modern technology works in practice.

What does a vaporizer do – but exactly?

In order to look at how vaporizers work and answer the question "What is a vaporizer?", it is important to mention that there are different heating systems. Depending on this, the structure and functionality of the vaporizer also vary. You can distinguish between...

Not quite. There are definitely significant differences between the two methods, reflected both in the price and the vaping experience itself. If you'd like to read more about this, check out our article on convection vs. conduction – we've provided more than just the essentials to help you make your purchase decision. Here, we'll just briefly touch on the main differences:

Basically, you can assume that with a vaporizer with conduction technology everything is a little faster, hotter, more bitter, etc. What sets a vaporizer with a convection system apart, however, is the better quality of the vapor: regardless of whether you like the slight scratchiness in your throat or not, the active ingredients are simply extracted from the herbal material more gently using convection technology and with even heat distribution. This plays a role, especially if you want to find out what a good vaporizer is for you for medical reasons.

Convectum, Nanu or Stilus vaporizer: What is that?

Whether in our shop or on the street: there are now countless different types of vaporizers. Long, slim ones, like our Stilus vaporizers ; small, compact ones, like the Nanu ; or sturdy, powerful ones like our Convectum . Sometimes they produce a lot of vapor, sometimes just a little; sometimes they're used for e-liquids, other times for oils or fresh herbs. Keeping track of it all isn't always easy. And even though all devices basically do the same thing, there are subtle differences – even in the terminology: When discussing what a vaporizer is, people usually refer to vaporizers designed to vaporize fresh herbs. When people talk about "vapes," they usually mean vape pens, which are filled with e-liquid.

Often, however, the terms are confused or seem to have the same meaning for different people. It's therefore always important to carefully review the product description to ensure you're buying the right product. The vaporizers in our shop are designed exclusively for dried herbs. Please do not fill the heating chamber with liquid or oil – doing so will render your vaporizer unusable. However, we do offer a range of vaporizer accessories , including various dosing capsules, which allow you to vaporize waxes or oils in our vaporizers as well.

How different temperatures of a vaporizer work

So now we know what a vaporizer is – but how does it work? With most vaporizers, you can set the heating temperature individually or at least in stages. The reason for this is that not always the same material is vaporized with the same end goal. If we take the example of the pot of water: water has a boiling point of 100 °C. This does not change and every time you want to bring water to the boil, you have to heat it to 100 °C. But suppose you don't want to boil water today, but salt water – because you want pasta for dinner. The boiling point of salt water is 108 °C; suddenly you need more energy or heat. Incidentally, this is the reason why you bring the water to the boil first and then add the salt – it goes faster that way.

It's the same with a vaporizer: depending on what you're vaporizing, the boiling points change. The boiling point of THC, for example, is 157°C . So, if you're filling the herb chamber with your potent, homegrown GSC, you need about 160°C to extract the THC from the herb material and allow it to be inhaled into your bloodstream for that after-work high. It's different with CBD flowers : CBD only changes its state of matter at temperatures of around 180°C – so if you vaporize at lower temperatures, you won't get much of it. However, if you set the temperature too high, unwanted and often harmful substances like benzene or tar can also be vaporized. To avoid having to buy a new vaporizer each time you vaporize different herbs or active ingredients, (good) vaporizers allow you to adjust the temperature. Easy, right?

The following table shows the most important active ingredients in cannabis and their boiling points - so you always know exactly what the perfect temperature is for a vaporizer:

How do you draw on a vaporizer?

A question we often get asked, but it depends on the design of the individual vaporizer. For example, some vaporizers require you to press a button simultaneously to inhale. Many others require you to take two quick inhalations to activate them. HIZEN vaporizers are different: you simply turn them on, set your preferred temperature and session duration, and you're good to go. No need to press anything extra to inhale. How long you inhale —or how forcefully—depends somewhat on how hot the vaporizer already is. Generally speaking, if you're deliberately taking too many inhalations, you can negatively affect the temperature in the heating chamber. So, if you notice that the vapor coming from your vaporizer no longer feels very warm, it's best to ease off. Otherwise, there are no limitations—and extra-deep inhalations are extra-relaxing, after all…

What is a refrigeration evaporator?

If you're looking for a vaporizer that's particularly gentle on your throat and lungs, then a vaporizer with cooling technology might be just what you need. With this type of vaporizer, the material in the herb chamber is first gently heated, and when you inhale, it's not directed straight into your airways. Instead, it passes through an intermediate stage within the vaporizer: Here, the vapor, which has already absorbed the active ingredients, is cooled down again. The result: an extra-gentle vaping experience. While we don't offer vaporizers with cooling technology in our shop, we do have something even better: our bubbler mouthpiece . It's compatible with all our Stilus models and is easy to attach to the vaporizer. Similar to the cooling technology in other vaporizers, the vapor is drawn through the additional mouthpiece, which is filled with water. This filters out even the finest herb particles, cools the vapor, and as a result, you inhale ultra-smooth, clean vapor that produces large clouds of vapor when you exhale. And what's better than a vaporizer session where you're enveloped in thick, white clouds?

And what is a desktop vaporizer?

Well, now you know what a vaporizer is and how it works. Besides the conventional models we offer in the HIZEN shop, there are also so-called desktop vaporizers. Compared to "normal" vaporizers, these are what a hookah is to vape pens. They are larger and heavier, sit on a table, and naturally offer more space for a bit more technology. They are therefore extremely powerful, and the temperature can be perfectly adjusted – for every single breath. Many are also equipped with a cooling system , similar to vaporizers with refrigeration technology . In addition, the heating chambers are larger, allowing you to vaporize significantly more material at once. While they have their advantages and are certainly the right choice for some – or perfect for evenings with friends – they simply don't offer the flexibility and portability of "portable" vaporizers. And especially nowadays, when everything has to be quick: What's the point of a vaporizer if you only have time for it once a week? We think a small pocket vaporizer that does exactly the same thing for less money makes more sense.

Practical example: the Stilus Pro Max

Our flagship Stilus Pro Max demonstrates just how sophisticated a vaporizer can be today: It operates using pure convection – hot air flows through the herb chamber instead of the material resting on a hot surface. This ensures even heating, clean, clear vapor, and very precise control over heat and flavor. Even a few degrees difference affect which flavors are released and how dense the vapor becomes – this is where the stepless temperature control truly shines.

The Stilus Pro Max also sets standards in terms of durability: robust materials, an extra-large stainless steel heating chamber, and a replaceable battery that allows you to easily recharge on the go. Instead of a disposable product, you get a device that you can use for years. And maintenance? Simple: A quick cleaning in just a few minutes is all it takes – and you'll immediately notice how clear the vapor remains.

Conclusion: What is a vaporizer and how do you use it?

Using a vaporizer couldn't be easier - really. Even if they always work a little differently. What makes a good vaporizer is that it allows you to have a high-quality vaping experience at home, on the go, or at a friend's house. Unless you've opted for a desktop vaporizer, most vaporizers fit easily in your pocket, especially if you choose models like our Stilus Mini or the Nanu. They offer you the best of all worlds: clean, perfectly heated vapor, intuitive operation, and all small enough for on the go.

Together with various dosing capsules and mouthpieces, you can configure your HIZEN vaporizer to perfectly suit all your needs. You can even pre-fill dosing capsules and take them with you – so you don't have to grind new weed on the go, only to have it blown away by the first gust of wind. We know the feeling – and we (don't) love it. Luckily, HIZEN has thought of everything! Still have questions about what a vaporizer is , how it works, and what you can do with it? Just get in touch ! We're happy to help via email, phone, WhatsApp, or our contact form. Alternatively, you can use our chat support on the website – you'll usually get help within minutes.