Analog Vaporizers: Old but still swinging

A lot of people haven't heard of analog vaporizers, but it’s actually the oldest kind of herb vaporizer there is. The first herb vaporizer was called the Shake and Vape, and it didn't have a battery.

Most vaporizers that we talk about are electronic, but there are several vaporizers that aren't. They're more practical than you’d think, and they actually have a few advantages over electronic herb vaporizers.

How Do Analog Herb Vaporizers Work? 

For any herb-consuming device to be considered a vaporizer, it has to be able to produce vapor. It seems obvious, but even some electronic devices advertised as vaporizers will combust your herb. These are not true vaporizers.

It can vary, but typically combustion happens around 390 degrees Fahrenheit. In order to produce vapor instead of smoke, a vaporizer must maintain high temperatures without exceeding the combustion temperature.

Electronic vaporizers do this by supplying heat to the outside of the herb chamber which then acts like an oven. They're easier to use than analog vaporizers because there's usually temperature regulation that prevents combustion.

Analog vaporizers typically require the user to heat it manually with a butane torch. There’s usually either a glass, metal, or ceramic piece near the herb chamber that you'll heat, and that heat produces your vapor. As long as heat isn't applied to the herb directly, there's potential for vapor. There needs to be a heat-conducting material between the source of heat and the herb.

Reasons to Go Analog 

Analog vaporizers can produce a vapor that competes with the best electronic vaporizers on the market, but there's a learning curve involved. It isn't as easy, but with practice, anyone can do it.

They're typically less expensive because they don't have wiring, batteries, or displays. For someone that's never vaped, an analog vaporizer could potentially be a great entry-level unit.

You never have to charge an analog vaporizer, which for many is the biggest selling point. Even if you already have an electronic vaporizer, an analog vaporizer makes a great backup. It’s good to know that even when your main unit is charging, there's still a nearby alternative to smoking.

Electric vaporizers are cool, but analog vaporizers are cool in a way that others aren't. They're more rustic and rugged, resembling a classic piece in a way that an electronic device can’t. Electronic vaporizers are awesome too. In fact, most would say they're better, but analog devices provide a unique experience.

The Drawbacks

As previously mentioned, analog vaporizers have a learning curve, and before mastering your new device, you might have to scorch a bowl or two. Without temperature regulation, it's a lot easier to mess up

However, this isn't always the case. The Dynavap series stands out because it comes with a cap that sits at the end of the herb chamber. Once it heats up to the right temperature, you'll hear a click, and if you stop heating the cap when prompted by this click, you shouldn't have to worry about combustion.

Conclusion 

They're not replacing electronic units, but analog vaporizers are a cool and underutilized idea that should be popularized. It makes vaping even more accessible, and it gives vapers even more cool toys to play with.