How to Make Cannabis Oil Concentrates for Vape Pens
Consuming cannabis isn’t always convenient with a bong or a joint. That’s why, in the West, where legalization is well underway, electronic vaporizers have become especially popular. These devices let you consume cannabis discreetly, without the telltale smell or secondhand smoke. But what exactly do you put in these devices?
With the right skills, you can turn any cannabis extract—whether it’s an emulsion or resin—into a liquid suitable for vaporizers, one that won’t clog the heating element of your vape pen.
Benefits of Vaping Cannabis Extracts
Turning cannabis buds or extracts into oil for a vaporizer has many advantages and virtually no downsides. In liquid form, cannabis doesn’t have a strong odor that could give you away, and it’s easy to carry in any pocket. Using the extract can easily be disguised as nicotine vaping. You don’t even need a special device: a powerful enough vaporizer can decarboxylate cannabis extracts on its own.
However, making your own cannabis oil for vaping can be a challenging and time-consuming process. Filling the vape cartridge with oil also requires a few accessories. Specifically, you’ll need:
- A wide chamber for extracts
- Tweezers for applying the oil
- A small brush for cleaning the chamber after use
Despite the portability of vape pens, refilling them with oil can take time and space, which isn’t always easy to find outdoors or on the go. A fully laid-out cleaning and refilling kit can also make it obvious you’re using cannabis.
On the other hand, if you always have your favorite buds in your pocket in the form of oil that’s indistinguishable from nicotine e-liquid, you’ll never have to worry about finding a secret spot to smoke. You can also simplify the process by buying ready-made vape emulsions, like those from Vapeur Extract, which let you just add oil to a bottle, mix, and fill your vape tank.
How to Make Your Own Cannabis Extracts for Vape Pens
Using ready-made vape emulsions, you can easily prepare any cannabis extract for vaping. The main advantage of these emulsions is that they thin the oil to a consistency suitable for even the simplest vape pens. These products usually come in two basic forms:
- One with a low concentration of terpenes, allowing you to enjoy the original flavor of the oil without producing a strong cannabis aroma.
- Another with added terpenes, which gives the oil a richer, more pronounced flavor but also creates a recognizable scent that others may notice.
Step 1: Gather Ingredients and Tools
Before you start extracting oils, gather the following:
- Vape emulsion for extracts
- Glass cup
- Disposable syringe
- Lighter, matches, or butane torch
- Vape cartridge
- Cannabis oil concentrate
Step 2: Add Oil Concentrate to the Glass Cup
As shown in the example, add about 0.5 grams of extract to the cup.
Step 3: Mix the Extract with the Vape Emulsion
Adjust the oil-to-emulsion ratio to your preference. For example, adding about 1 gram of emulsion to 0.5 grams of extract gives you a 2:1 ratio.
Step 4: Heat the Cup with the Extract
Gently heat the bottom of the cup with a lighter, matches, or a butane torch. This helps the oil mix better with the emulsion. Try to heat the cup for a few minutes at around 149°F (65°C).
Step 5: Check the Consistency of the Extract
Use the syringe to transfer a small amount of oil from the cup into the vape cartridge. If the oil looks like a semi-transparent liquid, it won’t clog your device.
Step 6: Fill the Vape Cartridge and Enjoy
Once the oil is ready, fill your vape cartridge and you’re good to go!