Conduction vs Convection

When most people make the switch to vaporizing their cannabis, it’s as a healthier alternative to smoking. The goal of vaporizing is to avoid burning the cannabis, instead, heating it to the point where you are able to melt the terpenes and cannabinoids into vapor, leaving behind the plant material that would become smoke. This means that ash, tar, and other harmful toxins are eliminated and you can truly feel the effects and great taste of your flower.

Though vaporizing, in general, is better for your lungs and wallet, the type of heating that your vaporizer uses can affect the overall experience, as well as the medical purposes of cannabis. The two most popular heating types are Conduction and Convection.

These two appear very similar at first glance, but they have some key differences that will affect your decision. Let's get into what the difference is- and what vape is right for you.

Difference Between The Two

Conduction and Convection may have been something we all learned in school…but let's be honest, nobody remembers that. So here is the simple stoner-friendly version. 

When using a conduction vaporizer the flower is in direct contact with the heating element and this heat will begin to burn and melt away the terpenes and cannabinoids.

While using a convection vaporizer hot air is circulated through when you start to hit the device, this means that the heating element is isolated and will not have any direct contact with your flower. This hot air will pass through the flower and circulate evenly through it, vaporizing everything and never burning it. 

Conduction

Conduction vaporizers have very quick heating up times due to the element directly heating your flower, this can cause an uneven burn- as the flower touching the heating element will have more heat compared to the top of your chamber. It's recommended that while using a conduction vaporizer you stir the flower in the chamber to ensure it is vaporized evenly. Doing this will allow for the flower to evenly burn while giving you less burning taste.

Ideally, with a vaporizer, your flower should not reach the point of combustion, but due to the direct contact with the heating element, you do have the risk of combusting your flower, which could result in burning away your terpenes and some not-so-great tasting hits. This style of vaporizing will give you some large clouds, and intense hot vapor, though it is not the most effective method of true vaporizing. 

Convection

Convection vaporizers are the way to go if you want to feel the full effect of your terpenes and cannabinoids, as well as avoid combustion.

Convection vaporizers are the superior choice if you are looking to get the most out of your flower- a little goes a long way with this method. You can even reuse your flower (AVB) to make edibles once you are done vaporizing it. 

While using a convection vaporizer you want to take slow, steady draws - as your airflow will be circulating the hot air through your flower- evenly vaporizing your flower, and extracting all the terpenes at the correct temperature. 

Convection heating is known for producing flavorful vapor, as terpenes provide cannabis with its amazing variety of tastes and smells. This may also result in smaller clouds, as this method is extracting the good stuff in the form of vapor- but leaving behind the plant material that would become smoke, with little to no risk of combustion.

Conclusion

In the end, only you can decide which will be a better fit for your wants and needs. Conduction heating may produce bigger clouds but at the cost of flavor and the overall effect of terpenes and cannabinoids. 

If you are looking for great flavor, health-conscious vaping, or to preserve your flower and get the most out of each bowl? Then Convection heating could be your new best friend. 

Check out some of our recommendations for convection dry herb vaporizers, designed to give you great flavor, clean vapor and portability that can pack a punch. 

The Linx Eden is a great dry herb vaporizer, with true Convection heating, and premium toxin-free materials. The Linx Eden was named the “Best Dry Herb Vaporizer Under $100” by Medium. With four preset temperature settings and a sleek, low-key design the Linx Eden is the perfect vaporizer for those interested in trying out convection without breaking the bank.

The Linx Gaia was the first dry herb vaporizer released by Linx Vapor. The Gaia is a true convection vaporizer. Featuring a quartz chamber, and full temperature control, ranging from 220F to 428F- the Linx Gaia was crafted with every vaporizer lover in mind. Named the “Best Portable Vaporizer” by High Times, You’ll be sure to get clean, flavorful vapor with no burning.