Different Types of Vape Cartridges

According to new research conducted, total e-cigarette monthly unit sales climbed by 46.6%, rising from 15.5 million units in January 2020 to 22.7 million units in December 2022. With such a rapid rise in recent years, you may have heard the term "cartridge" thrown around a lot and may be wondering what it is and what it entails in the context of a vape. You are in luck because today we will look at what vape cartridges are and the various types of vape cartridges available on the market.

What is a vape cartridge?

So let us break it down for you. Vape cartridges are a device that holds cannabis oil and, when combined with a powerful battery, can help vaporize the oil. Vape cartridges, pods, and tanks can all be used interchangeably, which means they are nearly identical. These cartridges are frequently made of glass, plastic, or ceramic, and they come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and styles depending on the type of oil and the brand; additionally, they are portable, discrete, simple to use, and come in a variety of flavors and effects.

What are the components of vape cartridges and how do they work?

Vape cartridges are made up of four major parts: the cartridge body, the mouthpiece, the atomizer, and the wick. The cartridge body contains cannabis oil as well as a variety of chemicals. The mouthpiece, which appears simple enough, is where you inhale the juice. Then there is the atomizer, whose job it is to heat the oil and convert it to vapor. It incorporates a heating coil with variable resistance and temperature. The wick's filament is the final component, and it is responsible for absorbing and transporting the oil to the atomizer.

What are the different types of vape cartridges?

So, one question you may have is whether all vapes use the same cartridge. The answer is no, they do not. There are many different types of vape cartridges available, each with a different level of performance and compatibility. This article will go over 510 Vape, Pod Style, Refillable Vape, Disposable Vape, and Glass and Full Ceramic Cartridges. It is also worth noting that some of these can be used with a wide range of batteries and devices. Some cartridges are universal and can be used with any 510-threaded battery, whereas others are device-specific and can only be used with specific brands or models.

1. 510 Vape Cartridges

Starting with 510 vape cartridges, this is a type of cartridge used to vape a variety of cannabis extracts, including delta 8 THC, delta 9 THC, CBD, and others. The 510 part of the name refers to the standard threading used to connect the cartridge to the battery or vape pen. As previously stated, a 510 cartridge consists of a mouthpiece, a tank, and a heating element. The cannabis oil is contained in the tank, which is heated by the heating element and converted into vapor. The vapor is then breathed through the mouthpiece.

The 510 cartridges are convenient, unobtrusive, and easy to use. However, they have significant drawbacks such as leakage, clogging, and burning. Keep the cartridges carefully, use the proper voltage and temperature settings, and clean the cartridges regularly to avoid these issues.

2. Pod Style Cartridges

Moving on, the Pod Style is a type of cartridge used to vape cannabis extracts such as delta 8 THC, delta 9 THC, CBD, and others. The term pod refers to the shape and size of the cartridge, which is often more boxy and smaller than cylindrical 510 cartridges. Rather than being screwed on, a pod cartridge is typically magnetically held in place and inserted directly into a connection point on one end of a battery.

The Pod Style cartridges are powered by a rechargeable vape battery. The battery powers the heating element within the pod cartridge, allowing the cannabis oil to be vaporized. Vapors are inhaled through the mouthpiece. A common issue is that they are difficult to find, making them inadvertently more expensive, but their ease of use and high compatibility make them worthwhile.

3. Refillable Vape Cartridges

Refillable vape cartridges allow you to fill your vape cartridges with cannabis oil. You can inject the oil directly into the cartridge, which contains a tank and a heating element, using a syringe. Most 510-thread batteries or pens, the most common connection type for vape devices, are compatible with refillable vape cartridges. Because refillable vape cartridges can be reused multiple times, they are less expensive and more environmentally friendly than disposable ones.

As a bonus, we will provide you with instructions on how to clean your refillable vape cartridge. Remove it from your battery and wipe the inside of the cartridge with a cotton swab, preferably soaked in rubbing alcohol. The goal is to remove any residue or oil buildup. Then screw it back up and reattach the cartridge with the battery, and you are good to go.

4. Disposable Vape Cartridges

Disposable cartridges, unlike refillable cartridges, cannot be reused and must be discarded. Disposable vape cartridges are vaping devices that do not require maintenance, refilling, or charging. They are made up of a pre-filled pod filled with e-liquid or oil, which is heated by an atomizer or coil to produce vapor. Disposable vape cartridges are convenient, unobtrusive, and inexpensive, but they are not without flaws. They are inefficient, environmentally harmful, uncustomizable, and untrustworthy.

Disposable vape cartridges are available in a variety of flavors and strengths, and some of them contain THC, cannabis' psychoactive ingredient. If you are wondering how to tell when your cartridge needs to be replaced, there are usually a few indicators. First, if you have an indicator, it will begin to bleep; if you don't, the dull and tasteless flavor should suffice.

5. Glass and Full Ceramic Cartridges

To begin with, the glass cartridges use a ceramic core but the tank, center post, and mouthpiece are all made of glass. This ensures that the oil never comes into contact with any metal pieces, which could taint the flavor and purity of the vapor. Glass cartridges also have a transparent glass on the outside or a bottom opening to show the e-liquid level, making it easy to decide whether to refill or replace them.

The heating element, central post, and mouthpiece of whole ceramic cartridges, on the other hand, are made of porous ceramic material. The ceramic heating element contains hundreds of small holes that collect and evenly heat the oil, producing consistent and efficient vapor. Additionally, the ceramic middle post and mouthpiece eliminate metal contamination and provide a clean, comfortable draw. Full ceramic cartridges work with 510 thread batteries and can withstand high temperatures without melting the oil or the wick.

Are Vape Cartridges Safe?

While reading this article, you may have had the following thought: Are vape cartridges safe to use? So, we will be delving into the details and meticulously curating an answer to this. Vape cartridges are portable devices that contain a heated and inhaled liquid solution containing cannabis extract, flavorings, and other ingredients. A variety of factors influence the safety of vape cartridges, including chemical quality, device design, and product source. It is critical to understand that these vape cartridges increase the risk of lung injury or illnesses like EVALI, which can cause severe respiratory problems.

So to reduce risk, purchase vape cartridges from legal dispensaries or reputable manufacturers whose products have been tested for purity and strength. Do not modify or add ingredients to your vape device that the manufacturer did not intend, and always disinfect your vape device and replace the cartridge when it is dry or nearly empty.

Vape cartridges are an effective and enjoyable way to consume cannabis, but they are not without risk and uncertainty. It is your responsibility to determine whether the benefits outweigh the risks and to use them cautiously and wisely. Remember that, while vaping is not completely risk-free, it may be safer than smoking.

In a Nutshell

To summarize, we hope that the information we have provided you with about vape cartridges allows you to select and purchase one that best meets your needs and that we were able to successfully answer the question of what the different types of vape cartridges are and how they work. We covered a total of 5 different vape cartridges, each of which was unique in its own way, ranging from reusability to increased compatibility, and so on. Finally, we hope that we were able to dispel any concerns you had about the safety of these vape cartridges.