Conduction vaporizers:

Conduction vaporizers use a heating technique where the heated surface comes into direct contact with the material to be heated. This is usually achieved by heating the side of the heating chamber. This heating chamber is usually made of steel or ceramic and is therefore highly resistant to heat and can effectively transfer the charge which will vaporise as a result of the heat.

This technology works well for smaller, compact devices.

Conduction vaporisers are generally cheaper and less efficient than their convection counterparts and, on the downside, this heating technique can also cause increased flavour loss of the charge.
There are some very advanced conduction models in the market that can compete with convection models.

It is also important to note that most of the conduction vaporizers are "session devices" which means that the load is completely dried/vaporized in one session (usually 5 minutes) so once the session starts you have to wait until it is over. Generally speaking, session devices have a relatively large battery so they allow for multiple, large inhalations per session on a single charge.

Advantages of conduction devices:

• It is a simple technology that requires few components so the device itself takes up less space and requires less power to operate.
• Because of its simplicity, the price is also more affordable than convection models
• Once the device has reached the specified temperature, you can start inhaling, which will give the best taste and aroma in the first few inhalations. This can be a big advantage over convection models where the first few inhalations produce very little or no vapour/vapour.
• The biggest advantage is the quick warm-up phase and ease of use.
• These advantages make a conduction device perfect for someone who is just starting to gain experience in the world of vaporizers

Disadvantages of conduction devices:

• Filling a session or the entire chamber with vaporization takes much more time with this technology than with a convection heating chamber device.
• The energy efficiency of conduction devices is lower and, generally speaking, evaporation is less palatable.
• Also, a common problem is uneven heating which leads to burnt fill pieces at the end of a session.

How do you grind the flower for a vaporizer with a conduction heating chamber?

Since during conduction the charge comes into contact with the directly heated chamber, it is important that the grind you pour in is finely ground to ensure the charge is fully heated to obtain the highest quality vapour possible.

If the flower is not finely ground you will not be able to take full advantage of the flower.

The chamber should be filled completely with flower and then a slight pressure should be applied to the flower to compress it a little - but not too much. If the filling is compressed too much, inhalation will be difficult because the airflow will not be unobstructed.

If the amount of filling in the chamber is too small, there is a risk that not all of the filling will be heated through. In order to find out the ideal amount for you, you can try some experiments. First we grind a few inflorescences, fill the chamber, squeeze it slightly, inhale a few and we will know from the quality of the inhalation whether the amount of charge has become too much, too little or just right.

Convection vaporizers:

Convection vaporizers use a hot air stream to heat the charge placed in the chamber quickly and evenly. The air is first heated and then the heated air passes through the chamber where the charge of your choice is placed and is indirectly heated by the air, unlike conduction technology.

Convection vaporizers are technologically more advanced and complex devices and therefore the price is higher than conduction devices. Due to this technology advantage, convection devices are more efficient, can provide a more pleasant taste and allow for a higher overall quality of vaporization.
It is important to note that since the convection process requires more energy, the convection model may have a shorter operating time for the same type of vaporizer.

Advantages of convection vaporizers:

• Nearly perfectly uniform heating in the chamber is undoubtedly the biggest advantage of these devices over conduction models. This super even heating guarantees that the charge placed in the chamber is used to the maximum.
  • An important advantage is that the vapour you inhale remains very clean.
• Another characteristic of convection technology is that it vaporises the charge placed in the chamber much more efficiently, which means that you can inhale it much more effectively, i.e. generally speaking, less charge is enough to achieve the same effect.

Disadvantages of convection devices:

• One disadvantage of these devices is that they heat up more slowly than their conduction counterparts.
• Often, the first few inhalations do not release vapour from the device until after a few suctions have sufficiently heated the charge with hot air.
• For heating to be effective, the length of inhalations can be key. For many devices, this time can be as long as 10 seconds for an inhalation.
• And then there is the price. Convection vaporizers are typically more expensive devices because of the more complex technology they incorporate, but their higher efficiency makes them an investment.

How to prepare plants for a convection vaporizer:

Vac devices can provide outstanding inhalation quality in terms of flavour if the preparation process has been carefully followed.

In this case, the herb should not be ground very finely as the hot air stream may pick up some particles of it and expel it through the device via the suction tube, which may be unpleasant. To avoid this, the plant should be ground slightly coarser, which will also result in a more pleasant taste during heating.

For convection devices, the chamber should be filled completely without compressing the charge very tightly. To mix the filling, you can help by tapping it a little. If you do not pack the chamber tightly enough, the evaporation effect will not be satisfactory because the hot air will be able to pass through the charge without heating it sufficiently. Otherwise, if the chamber is too tightly packed, the hot air will not be able to flow freely enough, the charge may become too hot and even catch fire.

In general, after filling the chamber, level the charge with a few small taps and after a few suctions you will feel whether you have overfilled the device, not filled it enough or just put in the right amount for you.

Final Summary:

The decision whether conduction or convection technology will be right for you depends largely on your individual preferences and expectations. Both technologies have their advantages and disadvantages.
Conduction devices offer quick and easy use while convection devices offer more even heating and a more pleasant taste.