The traditional image of a bong and a group of friends enjoying weed is one that appears in many a film. There’s something of a ritual to taking a draw from a bong, and it’s one that will remain part of cannabis folklore. There’s also a lot of effort involved, yet for many it is still the preferred method of enjoying marijuana. However, the legalization of cannabis in many states of the USA – in California, for example, you can have a small amount on your person and are also able to cultivate a set number of plants in the home – has changed the market.
That’s not the only factor that has altered the way people approach and use marijuana. Smoking was once the chosen method, whether via a joint or using a bong as mentioned. We all know that smoking is dangerous. While smoking cannabis may not be as problematic as smoking tobacco it still holds the inherent dangers presented by the smoke, and this is where the desktop vape comes into the picture.
A desktop vape is just one of the many types of vape devices available. Before we talk more about these, let’s have a reminder of why the beloved bong may not be the source of choice for many cannabis smokers.
About the Bong
Consider the traditional bong, with its large glass form and that reservoir for water. Now, to get a hit from the bong you need to burn your weed. That means actually burn it, as in set it on fire. Here we come to the first problem. As mentioned briefly above the smoke is the problem. Smoke, by its very nature, involves some serious carcinogens. This is not just mere conjecture, it’s proven fact. Inhaling smoke – whether cannabis or tobacco – means inhaling substances that you really don’t want in your body.
However, the bong goes some way to helping with this. What’s the water for? It’s a filter: when you inhale your smoke through water it takes out some of the larger and nastier particles that may irritate your lungs. It gives you, in effect, a smoother smoking experience. Yet, it’s still not filtering out those nasty substances.
Furthermore, a bong is a quite complex and bulky device that you wouldn’t think of carrying with you. This is where we need to talk about the weed vaporizer and its different types, to give you an idea of why vaping is becoming the preferred method of using cannabis for many people.
Why Choose Vaping?
There are many reasons why vaping is so popular and is catching on with older smokers as well as those of the younger generations. One is the simple fact that vaping does not involve smoke. How does it work? Let’s talk about the desktop vape device mentioned in the title, and how it differs from a bong.
All vape devices involve an outer casing in which are housed a cavity into which the cannabis is inserted (or, in the case of some other devices, liquid or wax) plus a battery, a coil or atomizer, and a mouthpiece. A desktop model is simply one that is larger and more robust than the smaller pocket examples such as the vape pen.
How does it work? You place your dry cannabis in the compartment and place your mouth on the mouthpiece ready to take a drag. Press the button and the battery heats the coil to a temperature at which the cannabis atomizes. It does not catch fire; it is simply vaporized into a cloud of cannabis vapor that you inhale.
As there is no smoke, there are no dangerous by-products. Furthermore, as it has been vaporized the cloud is a smoother hit than that from a bong. Note that it may not be as strong, but it will be a mellow and pure hit. That’s a desktop device, and there are many more vape devices that are portable, efficient and even those you can use a few times with cannabis oil and then simply replace the cartridge with a new full one.
Let’s have a recap as to why vaping is the new smoking where cannabis is concerned.
Final Word
It should be noted that vaping is a relatively new market and improvements in vaping technology come thick and fast. It pays to establish a relationship with a reputable and respected retailer so that you can keep up to date with the latest equipment and developments as they come to market.
So, bong or desktop vape: which is best? Neither is better than the other as both have their advantages. The bong gives you a faster, harder hit, but the vape device is safer and features no smoke. Try one, and see what you think, as we believe you’ll join the millions who are switching from smoking to vaping.
