Types of Vape Oil: The Advanced Guide

The advent of oil-based concentrates has been hugely beneficial for the members of the vaping community. In addition to being vastly more potent than traditional dry herbs, vape oils give you the ability to customize your experience in ways that were never possible before. You can vape full-spectrum extracts, individual cannabinoids like THC-H or customized blends – the choice is yours. 

Having such an incredible level of choice comes with a major downside, though, in that you could end up having entirely the wrong kind of experience if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Worse yet, you may find that the wrong type of vape oil won’t work in your vape pen at all, perhaps because the oil’s viscosity isn’t right for your equipment.

If you’re new to oil vaping, you’re in the right place because you’re going to find the answers you need in this guide. You’re going to learn about the different types of vape oils along with their properties and what types of hardware work best with them. More importantly, you’re also going to learn some very important tips about buying and using vape oil safely.

Types of Vape Oils

There are likely hundreds of different vape oils on the market today, but you can understand the wide range of products a bit more easily by grouping those oils into four broad categories.

Full-Spectrum Vape Oils

A full-spectrum vape oil is an undiluted extract of cannabis made from nothing but the essential oils of the original plant. These types of extracts are extremely thick and are only appropriate for use in vape pens or 510-thread batteries with ceramic cartridge such as CCELL® cartridges. Extracts that are solid at room temperature require dab pens

This is the type of vape oil that you should use if you want to experience the full effects of cannabis, although it’s important to note that full-spectrum vape oils produced from traditional cannabis are not legal in all states.

Isolated-Cannabinoid Vape Oils

Isolated-cannabinoid vape oils include products containing cannabinoids such as Delta-8 and Delta-10, which aren’t obtained from direct full-spectrum extracts but are instead produced by converting isolated CBD into other cannabinoids. Other popular cannabinoids produced through conversion from CBD include HHC-P, THC-P and HHC-O. Like full-spectrum vape oils, these oils are very thick and require vape cartridges with ceramic cores. 

Isolated-cannabinoid oils can produce effects very similar to what you’d experience with full-spectrum vape oils. Because they’re made from CBD, though, they’re legal in some places where full-spectrum vape oils aren’t.

CBD-Only Vape Oils

CBD-only vape oils are produced from industrial hemp. Cannabis meeting the definition of industrial hemp contains no more than 0.3 percent Delta-9 THC and is thus federally legal. Although CBD-only vape oil doesn’t produce the overt effects that one would associate with traditional cannabis, many people believe that CBD has other wellness benefits and use it for that reason.

CBD vape oils can be very thick like traditional extracts and may require vape cartridges with ceramic cores. However, the CBD can also be diluted with propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerin. In this case, the oil will work in a traditional vape tank.

CBD vape oils come in three categories. They are:

  • Full-Spectrum CBD: This type of vape oil contains all of the cannabinoids that were present in the original hemp flower used for extraction. It may, therefore, contain trace Delta-9 THC up to a maximum of 0.3 percent.
  • Broad-Spectrum CBD: In this type of vape oil, the THC has been selectively removed through fractional distillation. The oil should therefore contain no detectable THC, although it could still contain other beneficial cannabinoids.
  • CBD Isolate: This type of vape oil is made from pure powdered CBD and should contain no other cannabinoids.

It’s important to note that CBD vape oil and oral CBD oil are not the same. Oral CBD tinctures contain culinary oils that aren’t safe to inhale. You should never vape any CBD product – or any other cannabis-derived product – that’s intended for oral use.

Flavored Vape Oils

Some vape oils are flavored with natural terpenes. The terpenes may be selected to mimic the scents and flavor profiles of popular cannabis strains, and they add interest and variety to the experience. 

In addition to enhancing the flavor, added terpenes may thin a vape oil slightly. The fact that terpene-infused vape oils are less viscous than full-spectrum extracts can potentially make them easier to use in cool conditions and in vape pens that lack automatic preheating functions. Terpene-infused vape oils, however, do still require vape cartridges with ceramic cores.

Key Features of Vape Oils

Once you’ve settled on the type of vape oil that’s appropriate for your situation, you’ll need to consider the features of the different oils that fall into that category. These are the key features of any vape oil.

Cannabinoid Content

Before buying any vape oil, you need to know what cannabinoids it contains. A vape oil made from industrial hemp will produce very different effects compared to a full-spectrum extract made from traditional cannabis. The effects of CBD-derived isolated cannabinoids like Delta-8 likewise have subtle differences from one another. Although evaluating the effects of the various cannabinoids may require personal experience, it’s important to know exactly what you’re getting before buying any vape oil.

Potency and Purity

In addition to knowing what cannabinoids are in a vape oil, you also need to know the oil’s strength. The cannabinoid content is usually measured in milligrams – this is typically the case with pre-filled cartridges – or as an overall percentage of the extract. 

Vape oil companies usually send their products to third-party laboratories to test their potency. That’s important because it ensures that you know what you’re buying, and it’s also important because labs typically also test vape oils for impurities. You should know that the oil is free of pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals, residual solvents and microbial contaminants. A good vape oil company will always make its lab tests available for customers to view.

Viscosity

Before buying a vape oil, you should know its viscosity because extremely viscous oils may not perform reliably with all cartridges and vape pens. Viscosity is less of a concern with pre-filled cartridges as it’s usually safe to assume that the manufacturer will select a cartridge that’s appropriate for the oil. Still, it’s always wise to look for customer feedback before trying a new brand for the first time.

Additives

Vape oil may have additives intended to enhance flavor or performance. Some common additives include:

  • Terpenes, which are plant-based compounds with distinctive scents and aromas. Cannabis is an extremely terpene-rich plant, and terpenes are sometimes added to vape oils to enhance their scents and flavors. Terpenes may also thin the oil slightly, allowing it to work well with a wider variety of different cartridges.
  • Food-grade flavors, which can enhance the experience by allowing vape oil to taste like something other than cannabis. These may include flavors like strawberry or vanilla.
  • Propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin, which dilute the oil and may allow compatibility with traditional vape tanks. PG and VG are commonly found in vape oils that include food-grade flavors rather than terpenes.

Note that vape oil should never contain food oils such as coconut or olive oil, and it should never contain vitamin E acetate. These additives are not safe for inhalation and should not be used in vaping products.

Why Do People Use Vape Oils?

Vape oil has become so popular in recent years that, for many people, it has replaced traditional flower as the primary mode of cannabis consumption. These are the reasons why so many people prefer vape oil over flower.

  • Potency: Vape oils are concentrated extracts of cannabis, and they are significantly more potent than traditional flower. Many people find that they can reach their desired state in just a couple of puffs.
  • Discreetness: Vape pens are very small, and a single vape cartridge holds enough oil for hours of vaping. Also, the vapor has a very mild smell that dissipates quickly.
  • Enjoyment: Vape oil provides the enjoyable experience of cannabis without the storage, preparation and cleanup requirements of flower.
  • Wellness: Many people choose CBD-based vape oils, which have no euphoric effects but may confer wellness benefits.
  • Flavor Chasing: With added terpenes and flavors, vape oil can provide an enormous variety of flavor experiences.

How to Choose the Right Vape Oil

Buying vape oil can be challenging because of the wide variety of products available. This step-by-step guide will help you get through the process with less stress.

  • Know your goal. If your primary goal is to enjoy the recreational aspect of cannabis, you might enjoy a full-spectrum or isolated-cannabinoid oil. If you’re more interested in the therapeutic aspect, you may prefer a CBD vape oil.
  • Check the oil’s viscosity. If you’re going to buy a very thick vape oil, you need to know that it’ll be compatible with the cartridge and device you want to use. Thinner oils are compatible with a wider variety of hardware.
  • Evaluate the oil’s quality. A good vape oil or pre-filled vape cartridge will always have clear labeling explaining exactly what’s in the package. Third-party lab reports should also be available, so you can confirm the quality of the product.
  • Consider the oil’s potency. You should always know a vape oil’s cannabinoid content before buying it, and that can help you compare different products. As you might expect, vape oils with higher potencies tend to cost more. 
  • Research the brand. You want to buy a high-quality product from a reliable brand, so it’s always wise to look for feedback from real users. Read product reviews with a critical eye to gauge their authenticity.

Using Vape Oil Safely

Safety is always of paramount importance when you vape, so remember these pointers to ensure that your experience with vape oil will be as enjoyable as it can be.

  • Don’t vape a product designed for oral use. Oral products contain culinary oils and other ingredients that aren’t safe for inhalation. If a product is just called “CBD oil” – or if it has “tincture” in the name – it’s not designed for vaping. Make sure that the word “vape” is actually on the package.
  • Store vape oils and cartridges properly. Keep them in a cool environment where they’re protected from heat and sunlight. Stored correctly, you can expect vape oil to last about a year.
  • Always read the label and the lab report. Before using any vape oil, you want to be certain that it’s free of unwanted contaminants or additives. 
  • Monitor your device’s settings. If you’re using a vape pen with adjustable voltage, you should always start with the device set to the lowest available power level to prevent any possible burning or harshness. If your vape pen has an automatic preheating function, it’s usually a good idea to use it before beginning your vaping session.
  • Start slowly. Vape oil is much more potent than traditional flower, and for many people, it’s sufficient to take just a few puffs. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Vape Oil

Do you have a question about vape oil that hasn’t been answered elsewhere in this guide? If so, you’ll find the information you need here. These are the questions that people most frequently ask about vape oil.

  • Can I vape CBD oil?
      • No. Unless a CBD product has “vape” in the name, it’s not safe for inhalation. You should never vape anything that’s just called “CBD oil” or that has “tincture” in the product name.
  • What’s the difference between THC and CBD vape oil?
      • THC vape oil highlights the recreational aspect of cannabis and may also include CBD if it’s a full-spectrum extract. CBD vape oil allows you to enjoy the wellness aspect of cannabis but either contains no THC or only contains THC in trace amounts that are insufficient to produce psychotropic effects.
  • Why is my cartridge clogging?
      • If your cartridge is clogged, it’s probably because you’re pulling too much air through the cartridge and are causing the cartridge’s atomizer coil assembly to flood. Puff more gently. If you’re using a puff-activated vape pen, you only need to puff as firmly as it takes to make the device’s light turn on.
  • What’s the best vape oil for a beginner?
    • It’s always a good idea to read customer reviews before buying any vape oil to get a better idea of what your experience will be like. Remember that vape oils are typically very potent, so you should start with just a few puffs and pause for a while to gauge how you feel.

Conclusion

Oil vaping is probably the most popular way to consume cannabis today, and one of the biggest reasons for that is because vape oil can provide such a wide variety of different experiences. Between the different flavors, viscosities and cannabinoid blends, you’re certain to find a vape oil tailored perfectly for your specific needs regardless of what your goals may be.

The enormous variety in the world of vape oil can be daunting for beginners, though, and it’s easy to buy an oil or vape cartridge that’s wrong for you if you don’t know what you’re looking for. In this guide, we hope that we’ve clarified the process for you by explaining what’s available and what the benefits and use cases of the various products are. You should feel much better equipped to approach vape oil with confidence, knowing that your first experience will be a great one.

You’ll always have a better experience with vape oil if you’re using the right hardware. At Hamilton Devices, we offer the best vape pens and 510-thread batteries on the market along with a wide selection of authentic CCELL® vape cartridges. Start your journey now. Click any of the links to browse our products.