How to Use a Vape Pen for the First Time

Thinking about using vape pens, and wondering how they work? Are you holding a vape pen right now trying to figure out what to do next? Don’t, worry, we’re here to tell you how to use a vape pen for the first time.

Vape pens are affordable, simple, and attractive for newcomers. Some make the whole process easier by allowing you to quickly change your cartridge and then turn the pen on with one button.

Here’s how vape pens work, how to use them, and a few pro-tips from us to you.

How do vape pens work?

Vape pens are fairly simple in their design. They usually have the following pieces:

  • Mouthpiece
  • Battery
  • Chamber
  • Heating element
  • On button

When the button is pressed, or the vape pen is activated, the heating element will turn on, vaporizing your oil, concentrate, or wax into a vapor that exits through the mouthpiece. 

Since vape pens are so small, you may need to exchange batteries for longer vaping sessions.

How to Use a Vape Pen, Step by Step

Here’s how to use a vape pen for the first time.

Step 1: Charge the vape pen’s battery

Although most vape pens come with enough battery to start, you may want to charge them to their full capacity. This will give you a better idea of how long the battery lasts and will give you ample room to play around with it.

Most vape pens can easily be charged through a USB port, and many will have a light or display letting you know when the battery is fully charged.

Step 2: Load your material

Regardless of what kind of vape pen you have (wax, cartridge, and/or dry herb), you need to load it up.

Some vape pens will have a chamber to load, while others make it even easier with disposable cartridges. These are usually found right behind the mouthpiece, so you’ll likely have to unscrew it to access the chamber.

If you need to place your materials inside the vape pen, use your manufacturer’s indications to know how much to put, and never overfill the chamber.

If you have wax pens, use the dab tool to get a dab worth of wax the size of a grain of rice, and place it carefully inside the wax chamber. You can pinch herbs to fill up a dry herb vape, or place a few drops worth of oil inside a concentrate vape pen.

Then, place your mouthpiece back into place, making sure there is no leakage and that the mouthpiece is being screwed back properly.

Step 3: Choose your temperature

Some more advanced vape pens offer you multiple settings for temperature. If that’s the case of your pen, you can manually choose your favorite one.

Temperatures vary according to the type of vape pen and personal preferences, but, if you’re in doubt, you can usually skip this step. Your vape pen will almost certainly be set at an adequate temperature setting to get you started.

Step 4: Smoke up

Most models will have a button to get the vape pen started, while others automatically turn on as soon as you start to draw, just like de KandyPens Rubi Vaporizer.

Activate your vape pen as you start inhaling from it. Most vape pens are better for fast and short draws, instead of long, slow ones. There’s no need to hold in your breath. When you’re done inhaling, consciously exhale to expel all vapor from your lungs. Then take a breath of fresh air.

There are two main inhalation methods:

Mouth to Lung (MTL)

Right before using the vape pen, place the tip of your tongue against your lips. Then, pull your tongue to the back of your mouth to extract a puff of smoke. You can hold the vapor for a few seconds before inhaling it into your lungs to taste it and cool it off if necessary. 

Smaller and less expensive vape pens work better when used like this.

Direct to Lung (DTL)

Inhale directly to your lungs as if you were using a straw. This method takes the vapor directly to your lungs, and allows you to inhale a larger amount of it. 

You can find larger and more expensive vape pens that are optimized for this method.

If this is your first time using a vape pen, give yourself a break before taking another draw. Wait for about 10 minutes to see how you’re feeling and evaluate if you want to continue.

Step 5: Store your vape pen properly

Knowing how to properly store away your vape pen is essential once your smoke session is over.

Instead of placing the vape pen anywhere, some vape pens can be stored on a charger to be ready for next time. However, be careful not to overcharge the vape pen by leaving it charging for too long, as this can damage the battery just like any other electronic device.

Remember to disassemble and clean your vaporizer up periodically to keep it working in perfect condition. Check out our cleaning accessories to see what is suitable for your vaporizer. 

Vape Pen Pro-Tips

When using a vape pen, remember:

  • Vape pens don’t like humidity, so store your vape pen in a dry and clean environment. 
  • If you’re not going to use the vape pen for a long while, empty the chamber and clean the vape pen before storing it.
  • If someone is handing you a vape pen, ask what’s in it. Herbs are usually less concentrated and powerful than oils and wax.
  • Don’t use the vape pen if it feels too hot. Wait for it to cool off to a normal temperature before taking a puff.

Final Thoughts

Ready to start vaping? Check out our extensive collection of vaporizers, we’re sure you’ll now be able to find the perfect one for you and your needs.

About the Author

Mert Gokceimam - IT/Project Manager - LinkedIn

Mert joined Grasscity in late 1999 and has been managing the IT department for Grasscity.com and other company websites. Mert's Cannabis knowledge comes due to his 30 years of usage. Mert has been introduced to Cannabis by his doctor suggesting consuming Marijuana instead of regular medication. Mert has been consuming cannabis products for the past 29 years and has been an advocate of Cannabis legalization around the world. Mert is an expert on Cannabis growing, grow materials, and cannabis consuming accessories