It’s no secret that oil vape pens are incredibly popular these days. It’s quite possible that oil vaping, in fact, has become the most common form of herbal consumption. The problem when any type of product reaches that level of popularity, though, is that the market ends up becoming flooded with copycat “me-too” products that aren’t very good. Needless to say, you’re not going to have a good experience if you buy the wrong vape pen.
Even if you do buy a great device, though, it’s still possible to have a bad experience if you don’t know how to use it properly – and it’s hard to find authoritative help from people who actually know what they’re talking about.
What can go wrong if you buy a low-quality vape pen or don’t know how to use it properly?
- You could buy a faulty device that ends up dying after you’ve used it a few times.
- You could buy a device that can’t vaporize the oil efficiently, leading to an unsatisfying experience.
- You could charge your device incorrectly or fail to maintain it properly, causing it to stop working prematurely.
- You could configure your device incorrectly, causing an unpleasant burnt flavor that makes it impossible for you to enjoy your experience.
With this guide, our goal is to prevent all of those things from happening and ensure that your first experience with a vape pen will be as great as it can be. We’re going to explain how to choose your first vape, and we’re also going to list some of the best oil vape pens for beginners. We’ll explain everything that you need to know about using and maintaining your vape. By the time you’re done reading, you’ll be fully equipped to have a spectacular and problem-free experience.
The Basics of Oil Vape Pens
Let’s begin by defining the topic. What is an oil vape pen, and why might this be the right type of herbal vaporizer for you?
What Is an Oil Vape Pen?
An oil vape pen is a small and highly pocketable vaping device that’s designed to vaporize oil-based concentrates. This type of device typically consists of a main battery unit and a detachable cartridge. The cartridge provides storage for the oil and also contains the heating element necessary to vaporize the oil.
Why Are Oil Vape Pens So Popular?
- They’re extremely portable and discreet. An oil vape pen can travel easily in your pocket and may be so small that you can close your entire hand around it.
- Oil-based concentrates are very potent. A vape cartridge holds enough oil for many vaping sessions.
- They’re designed for maximum ease of use. With a few helpful pointers such as the ones provided in this guide, you can be up and running in minutes.
- Because of their popularity, top manufacturers like Hamilton Devices and CCELL® focus their efforts on innovating and developing exciting new technologies within this space.
Do Oil Vape Pens Have Any Drawbacks?
- Although they’re significantly more potent than traditional flower, oil vape pens are usually a little less potent than dab pens designed for vaporizing waxy concentrates. However, dab pens are significantly more challenging to use and maintain and aren’t always appropriate for beginners.
- Oil vape pens require more maintenance than disposable vape pens, which provide a similar experience in a non-refillable package. However, disposable vapes are significantly more costly for long-term use because you need to replace the entire device when it runs out of oil.
Features to Consider When Buying an Oil Vape Pen
If you want to have a great experience with an oil vape pen, choosing the right device is the first step. We’ll recommend some specific products in the next section of this guide. For now, though, here are some general points that you should consider regardless of which device you ultimately buy.
- Size vs. Battery Capacity: A smaller vape pen will be more discreet and easier to carry in your pocket, but it’ll also have a lower battery capacity due to space limitations. You should choose a vape pen that has the right balance of battery life and portability for your needs.
- Design: Some vape pens have a narrow stick-like shape, and others resemble small boxes. One design isn’t better than the other; you should choose the one that appeals most to you.
- Cartridge Compatibility: A vape pen may have an extra-discreet design in which part of the connected cartridge is hidden inside the body of the device. This type of design may not work with every vape cartridge that exists because some cartridges may not fit.
- Preheating Function: A vape pen may have an automatic preheating function. This can be useful for fixing a clogged cartridge and providing more reliable operation in cooler environments.
- Adjustable Voltage: Some vape pens can operate at multiple power levels. This function can enable you to enjoy bigger clouds with some cartridges or reduce the power if a cartridge overheats and produces a burnt flavor.
Best Oil Vape Pens on the Market
In the previous section of this guide, we shared some general tips that can help you sift through the many vape pens that are on the market these days and find the one that’s the best fit for your needs. In case you don’t have the time to look at dozens or hundreds of devices, though, we’ll speed up the process for you by describing a few of the best oil vape pens for beginners that you can buy right now.
CCELL® M3 Plus
The CCELL® M3 Plus is one of the smallest vape pens on the market, and it has the traditional tube-shaped design that many people love. Featuring puff-activated firing for the ultimate in simplicity and offering USB-C charging for convenience, the CCELL® M3 Plus has a physical switch on the bottom that toggles the device between low-output (2.8 volts) and high-output (3.3 volts) modes.
Hamilton Devices Cloak
If you want a vape pen that’s discreet, look no further than the Cloak because this puff-activated device has a sheath that covers and completely encloses the connected cartridge. With the sheath in place, the Cloak looks like any other vape – so exactly what you’re vaping remains completely private. The Cloak has a high-capacity 650 mAh battery, and it works with most 0.5- and 1.0-ml cartridges.
Looking for greater potency? Try the Tombstone V2, which has adjustable voltage and allows you inhale from up to two cartridges simultaneously.
CCELL® Palm
Tiny and stylish, the CCELL® Palm has a recessed 510 thread that keeps the vape pen’s total size as small as possible by hiding most of the connected cartridge inside the device. The windowed design makes it easy for you to see how much oil remains in your cartridge, and the CCELL® Palm also features a magnetic connection that allows you to switch quickly between cartridges when you want to enjoy different experiences or terpene blends. The Palm is also puff activated for maximum simplicity.
Looking for more features? The new CCELL® Palm Pro is slightly larger than the original Palm and features adjustable voltage and airflow along with an automatic preheating function.
How to Use an Oil Vape Pen
You can expect to receive a printed instruction manual when you buy a vape pen, but it can still be helpful to have an idea of what your first vaping experience might be like. In this section of our guide, we’ll walk you through the basic steps of using any oil vape pen.
- Charge the device by connecting it to your computer with the included charging cable. When the vape pen is fully charged, the light will change color or turn off.
- Connect the cartridge to the vape pen. Make sure that the cartridge is screwed in all the way but avoid over-tightening it. If you’re using a vape pen with a magnetic connector such as the CCELL® Palm, connect the magnet to the bottom of the cartridge and drop the cartridge into the hole at the top of the vape pen.
- Adjust the voltage to the lowest available level. After taking a few puffs, you can try increasing the power if you like – but to avoid a burnt hit, you should always start at a low voltage because not all cartridges can support higher voltages.
- Preheat the cartridge if your vape pen has an automatic preheating function. Although it isn’t strictly necessary to preheat your cartridge every time you vape, you may find that it improves your vape pen’s reliability in cold environments and with very thick oils.
- Puff on the cartridge’s mouthpiece to activate your vape pen. Use slow and steady air pressure to prevent gurgling and leaking. When your vape pen’s light turns on, that’s all the air pressure you need to use. If you’ve never used an herbal concentrate before, take just a few puffs and stop for a while; vape oils can be very potent.
- Turn your vape pen off when you’re done using it. If your vape pen has a manual fire button, you can usually turn it on and off by pressing the button five times. If your vape pen doesn’t have a fire button, it is off when the cartridge is disconnected.
How to Maintain Your Oil Vape Pen
If you want your vape pen to provide trouble-free operation for months or even years, you need to take good care of it. Keep these pointers in mind to ensure that your device will operate reliably for a long time to come.
- Charging: Always charge your vape pen with the equipment provided by the manufacturer. You should charge your vape pen with your computer unless you have a wall charger that you know the device’s manufacturer has approved. If your vape pen charges through the 510 threading, you should replace a damaged charging cable only with an identical one made by the same company. However, you can replace a standard USB cable with any cable certified for power delivery.
- Cleaning: You can clean the body of your vape pen with a soft, lint-free cloth. Don’t allow moisture to touch any part of your vape pen except the threading, which you should clean periodically using a cotton swab lightly moistened with rubbing alcohol. Always clean the threading right away if a cartridge leaks.
- Storing: When you aren’t using your vape pen, store it facing up to deter leaking. Keep your vape pen away from extreme temperatures and don’t leave it in a parked car.
Troubleshooting Common Issues with Vape Pens
It’s possible that you may encounter unexpected issues with your vape pen from time to time. In most cases, though, troubleshooting a vape pen is fairly easy if you know what you’re doing. Here’s how to fix the four most common problems that you might experience.
Blinking and/or Not Hitting
If your vape pen is flashing and not working, try these steps to get it up and running again.
- If your vape pen has a manual fire button, make sure that it’s turned on by pressing the button five times.
- Charge the battery. If the device’s light doesn’t turn on when you connect the charging cable, read the next section to troubleshoot that issue.
- Remove the cartridge and check for a leak. If the cartridge has leaked, clean the contact points on the cartridge and the vape pen. Reconnect the cartridge and try vaping again.
- If your vape pen still isn’t hitting, try connecting a different cartridge.
Not Charging
When you connect the charging cable to your vape pen, the device’s light should illuminate. If your vape isn’t charging, try these steps to fix it.
- If your vape pen uses a USB cable for charging, try replacing the cable.
- Connect your vape pen to a different computer or a different USB port on the same computer. Avoid charging a vape pen with a “fast charger” for a smartphone, computer or tablet.
- If your vape pen charges through a USB port, clean the port with a toothpick.
- If your vape pen charges through the 510 threading, make sure that the threading is free of leaked oil or other debris.
No Airflow/Clogged Cartridge
If you’re having trouble drawing air through your vape pen, the cartridge may be clogged. These steps can help you unclog it.
- Try puffing on your device more firmly to force air through the clog.
- If you can’t break the clog with air pressure alone, run a toothpick or paperclip through your vape pen’s mouthpiece to dislodge the clog manually.
After clearing the clog, remove the cartridge from your vape pen and check for a leak because clogs and leaks often go hand in hand. If you find oil under the cartridge, clean the connections thoroughly. The most likely reason why your cartridge clogged is because you puffed on it too firmly. To prevent clogging in the future, try to take slower, gentler puffs.
Harsh/Burnt Taste
Although an oil vape pen can certainly give you a very intense experience, the vapor should never taste extremely harsh or burnt. If you experience extreme harshness when vaping, these steps may fix it.
- Warm the cartridge. It’s possible that you’re experiencing harshness because the oil is too cold and viscous to absorb into the cartridge’s ceramic core. Use your vape pen’s automatic preheating function if it has one. If not, remove the cartridge and hold it between your hands or place it in front of a heater vent for a minute or two.
- Reduce your vape pen’s voltage if you’re using a device with adjustable power. The coil in your cartridge can overheat if your device’s voltage is too high.
- Take shorter puffs. If you take extremely long puffs when using your vape pen, the coil in your cartridge can dry out and overheat.
- Wait several seconds after each puff before vaping again. It takes time for the cartridge’s ceramic core to absorb more oil.
Frequently Asked Questions About Oil Vape Pens
Do you have a question that we haven’t answered elsewhere in this guide? Here are some of the questions that people most frequently ask about vape pens.
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- How long does an oil vape pen battery usually last?
- You can usually get several good vaping sessions out of a single battery charge. In total, a lithium-ion battery usually lasts about 300-500 charge cycles, which means that you can expect your device to deliver excellent performance for anywhere from several months to more than a year. We offer a six-month limited warranty on all devices. Register your vape pen here.
- How long does an oil vape pen battery usually last?
- Can I use any cartridge with my oil vape pen?
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- A vape pen typically works with almost any vape cartridge, although some very small vape pens may not work with certain cartridges due to size limitations. For example, the CCELL® Palm may not work with cartridges that are unusually wide. The Hamilton Devices Cloak may not work with cartridges that have extra-long mouthpieces. We recommend using CCELL® vape cartridges for the best possible compatibility with a wide variety of devices.
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- How do I know if my vape pen is fully charged?
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- When your vape pen is fully charged, the indicator light will either change color – from red to green, for instance – or turn off. Charging a vape pen usually takes a little under an hour.
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- What should I do if my oil vape pen leaks?
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- You can use a cotton swab moistened with a little rubbing alcohol to clean leaked oil from your vape pen’s threading and from the bottom of the cartridge. You should do this right away because it’s easiest to remove the oil when it’s still warm. Leaks are usually caused by puffing too firmly, which floods the cartridge’s coil and causes oil to enter the airflow path.
Conclusion
After reading this guide, we hope that you feel better prepared to buy an oil vape pen and enjoy your first vaping experience to the fullest. As you’ve learned, buying the right vape pen for your needs is crucial if you want to have an experience that’s satisfying, enjoyable and trouble free – but even the best vape pen on the market can give you problems if you don’t use or maintain it properly.
In this guide, we’ve explained the most crucial aspects of using a vape pen and fixing any problems that may arise. In many cases, we’ve also linked to more detailed guides that you can use if more extensive troubleshooting is necessary. There’s a lot of information to remember here, so we suggest bookmarking this page and returning to it in the future if you need a refresher.
Are you ready to choose your first vape pen? We think you’ll be very happy with any of the devices that we’ve recommended in this article. If you want to see even more options, view our full selection of vape pens or CCELL® vape batteries.