In short: A vaporizer heats dry herbs to a temperature between about 160 and 210°C. This is enough to evaporate the plant's aromatic oils and active ingredients, but it stays below the threshold (around 230°C) where the plant material begins to decompose and burn. The result is vapor instead of smoke: no embers, no ash, and much less exposure to combustion products.
In this guide, we explain what really happens inside the chamber, the differences between heating technologies, how to use a vaporizer step by step, and what scientific studies say, including their limitations.
Our shop has been selling vaporizers directly since 2022, with over a thousand satisfied customers in Italy alone. That's why we decided to write this article to introduce newcomers to the world of vaping and clarify common doubts (but you can always contact us via WhatsApp).
As usual, we try to be transparent and provide information only based on the most authoritative and recent sources.
Vaporizing is not burning: what happens in the chamber
When grass burns, the embers reach several hundred degrees Celsius, and the plant material decomposes. Hundreds of new substances are formed in the smoke: in a landmark study (Gieringer et al., 2004), researchers identified 111, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, a family of carcinogenic compounds typical of all smoke.
The vaporizer operates much lower. Plant fibers begin to degrade around 220°C (hemicellulose is the first to break down, according to biomass studies), and actual combustion occurs around 230°C. Below this temperature, the plant doesn't burn: instead, it releases its volatile compounds, which are vaporized and inhaled.
Evaporating does not mean “boiling”
Many online guides list very low "boiling points." However, these values are often measured under vacuum, in a laboratory, and are not valid under normal pressure. As a study published in 2023 in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research (Eyal et al.) clarified, compounds in a vaporizer shouldn't boil: they evaporate gradually, like water in a puddle that dries out well before reaching 100°C.
Lighter compounds evaporate first and much faster than others. This is why the first few puffs of a session are the most aromatic, while as the temperature rises, the vapor becomes denser and the flavor more roasted. The table shows some common aromatic compounds and their boiling points at atmospheric pressure:
Compound
Where is it located?
Boiling (approx.)
α-pinene
pine, rosemary
156 °C
Myrcene
hops, thyme
167 °C
Limonene
citrus peel
176°C
Eucalyptol
eucalyptus, rosemary
176°C
Linalool
lavender
198°C
Menthol
mint
215 °C
Thymol
thyme
232 °C
β-caryophyllene
black pepper, cloves
263 °C
Even compounds with a boiling point higher than the set temperature evaporate somewhat, just more slowly. Therefore, going beyond 210-220°C is unnecessary (and counterproductive).
How a vaporizer is made
Portable or desktop, every vaporizer has the same main components:
Power supply: Rechargeable battery (increasingly with USB-C charging) or AC power for tabletop models. Flame-powered models have no electronics: they are heated with a lighter.
Heating element: heats the chamber directly, the air passing through it, or both.
Filling chamber: In laptops, this typically contains between 0.2 and 0.5 g of material.
Vapor path: the path from the chamber to the mouthpiece. For flavor and safety, it's important that it's made of inert, heat-resistant materials, such as glass, ceramic, zirconia, or medical-grade polymers (PEEK).
Mouthpiece and cooling: Some models have a cooling unit or a longer path that lowers the temperature of the vapor before it reaches your mouth.
Temperature control: from a few preset levels to precise adjustment, via display or app.
Temperature not electronically controlled: it takes a little practice to avoid overheating
A fair clarification: convection is often described as "healthier," but there are no scientific studies directly comparing the substances produced by the two technologies. Efficiency also depends more on the individual model than the technology. In a 2016 study (Lanz et al., PLoS One), the percentage of active ingredients recovered in the vapor ranged from 55 to 83% depending on the device. For flame-based devices, a 2024 review (MacCallum et al.) notes that there is no system that prevents exceeding the combustion temperature: they must be used according to the manufacturer's instructions.
There's also another practical difference. Some vaporizers work "session-based": they heat up and stay hot for a few minutes, ideal for continuous use. Others work "on demand": they heat only while you inhale, allowing you to take a few hits at a time.
Grind the herbs. Use a grinderto a medium consistency (like dried oregano). Grind finer for conduction models, coarser for convection models: too fine will clog the grates.
Fill the chamber. For conduction, fill well and pack lightly, so the herbs stay in contact with the walls. For convection, fill loosely, as air must be able to pass through.
Set the temperature. Start low, around 175-180°C, and gradually increase throughout the session (see the table below).
Inhale slowly. A long, steady draw (5-10 seconds) extracts better than several short, sharp draws. Holding your breath for a long time is unnecessary.
Stir halfway through the session if the vapor drops, especially with conduction.
Recognize spent material. When the herbs have a uniform brown color, the flavor becomes toasted, and the vapor becomes thin, the chamber is exhausted: empty it.
Clean. Brush after each use; periodically soak removable parts in isopropyl alcohol (follow the manufacturer's instructions). A clean vaporizer tastes better and lasts longer.
What temperature to use
There's no "right" temperature for everyone: it depends on the herbs, the humidity of the material, and the device. These are the ranges that almost all guides and manufacturers agree on:
Band
What to expect
160-180 °C
Maximum flavour, light steam: especially the most volatile aromatic compounds are released
180-200 °C
Balance between aroma and density: the most recommended starting point
200-210 °C
Thick vapor, more roasted flavor: useful for completing the extraction at the end of the session
The most common strategy is a step-by-step approach: start at around 180°C and increase by 10-15°C as the vapor decreases. Many modern vaporizers stop at 210°C, a limit designed to stay well below the combustion threshold. We discuss this in detail in Is there an ideal vaporization temperature?.
What the research says (and what it doesn't say)
Almost all scientific studies on vaporization have been conducted in the medical field, on medical cannabis. Here are the main findings:
Fewer combustion byproducts. In the steam of a Volcano, between 155 and 218 °C, researchers did not find the naphthalene present in the smoke (Gieringer et al., 2004).
Much less carbon monoxide. In a study of 18 volunteers, exhaled CO increased “little or not at all” after vaping, compared to the sharp increase after smoking (Abrams et al., 2007).
Fewer respiratory symptoms. A large survey found fewer respiratory symptoms among vapers than among smokers (Earleywine and Barnwell, 2007). In one small study, a month-long switch from smoking to vaping improved bronchitis symptoms (Van Dam and Earleywine, 2010, summarized in Loflin and Earleywine, 2015).
Greater efficiency at the same dose. In a Johns Hopkins study, the same vaporized dose produced higher blood concentrations than smoking (Spindle et al., 2018). In practice, vaporizers require less, and those who use them for therapeutic purposes should consult their doctor about the dose.
Limitations. These are small studies, and long-term trials are not yet available. Vapor is not "100% pure": it still contains particulate matter (although in much smaller quantities than smoke), traces of ammonia, and plant material, such as pesticides or mold. Even health authorities that consider it a better alternative, such as Health Canada, define it as "less harmful to the lungs than smoking," not harmless.
Not to be confused with e-cigarettes. The cases of lung injury that exploded in the United States in 2019 (EVALI: over 2,800 hospitalizations) were linked by the CDC to cartcontaining vitamin E acetate. They do not concern dry herb vaporizers, which heat plant material without liquid or additives.
In Italy, medical cannabis is available only upon prescription. The Ministry of Health decree of November 9, 2015, also allows for inhalation "using a vaporizer specifically designed for medical use." Ministerial recommendations require a CE-marked medical device. Further information: Using vaporizers for medical treatments.
Is vaping harmful? Studies indicate much lower exposure to combustion products than smoking, and fewer respiratory symptoms. However, it's not "zero risk" inhalation, and long-term data are lacking.
Is the vapor 100% pure? No. It contains far fewer substances than smoke, but traces of particulate matter and ammonia have been detected. The quality of the plant material also matters.
How much weed do you need for a session? Portable vapes typically hold 0.2-0.5g, which is enough for a 5-10 minute session.
Do you really use all the herb? No: it's a myth. Studies measure a recovery of approximately 55 to 83% of the active ingredients in the vapor, depending on the device. Some remains in the spent material.
Does steam leave an odor? Much less than smoke and less lingering, but it does have an odor, especially at higher temperatures.
What's the difference between an e-cigarette and an e-cigarette? E-cigarettes heat liquid; vaporizers heat whole dry herbs, without liquids or additives.
Can I vaporize aromatic herbs like lavender, chamomile, or mint? Yes, as long as they're dried, clean, and untreated. Start with low temperatures (160-180°C) to appreciate their aroma.
Is it legal to use a vaporizer in Italy? Yes: purchasing and possessing a vaporizer is legal. Using it with illegal substances is still illegal. Medical cannabis can only be vaporized with a prescription.
Sources
Gieringer D., St. Laurent J., Goodrich S. Cannabis vaporizer combines efficient delivery of THC with effective suppression of pyrolytic compounds. J Cannabis Ther, 2004.
Abrams DI et al. Vaporization as a smokeless cannabis delivery system: a pilot study. Clin Pharmacol Ther, 2007.
Lanz C. et al. Medicinal cannabis: in vitro validation of vaporizers for the smoke-free inhalation of cannabis. PLoS One, 2016.
Spindle TR et al. Acute effects of smoked and vaporized cannabis in healthy adults who infrequently use cannabis. JAMA Network Open, 2018.
Eyal AM et al. Vapor pressure, vaping, and corrections to misconceptions related to medical cannabis' active pharmaceutical ingredients' physical properties and compositions. Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, 2023.
Earleywine M., Barnwell SS Decreased respiratory symptoms in cannabis users who vaporize. Harm Reduction Journal, 2007.
Loflin M., Earleywine M. No smoke, no fire: what the initial literature suggests regarding vaporized cannabis and respiratory risk. Can J Respir Ther, 2015.
MacCallum CA et al. Cannabis vaporisation: understanding products, devices and risks. Drug and Alcohol Review, 2024.
Yang H. et al. Characteristics of hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin pyrolysis. Fuel, 2007.
CDC, Outbreak of Lung Injury Associated with the Use of E-Cigarette, or Vaping, Products, final update 2020.
Health Canada, Cannabis accessories: inhalation, 2024.
Ministry of Health, Ministerial Decree of 9 November 2015 (Official Journal no. 279 of 30/11/2015) and Recommendations for the doctor prescribing the herbal substance cannabis FM2, 2017.
