Does vaping cannabis smell?

Last updated November 29, 2022

First, let’s explain how vaporizers work. Vaporizers use high heat to transform cannabis to its aerosolized state. This means that all the THC, CBD, and other compounds in your cannabis get heated until they become airborne. The end result is a vapor that you can inhale. Since all the compounds in your cannabis get turned into a breathable vapor, there is a noticeable scent. If you plan to vape weed, you may want to be aware of what kind of scents it may have.

Why does vaping cannabis smell?

So what does weed vapor smell like? The exact type of scent you get will vary depending on the sort of vaporizer and cannabis you use. Some vaporizers may smell just like cannabis. Others may add compounds to create a fruity, floral, or herbal smell. Furthermore, the strain you use affects the smell. For example, some cannabis in PAX Era™ pods have a strong, piney scent while other cannabis strains smell mild or berry-like.

Does vaping smell different if you use dried flowers or concentrated oils? Usually, dried herbs have a strong scent while oils or other extracts smell milder. Each different compound and cannabis strain has its own unique smell, so you can experiment to find scents you enjoy.

Do PAX vapes smell?

Various vaporizers aerosolize compounds at slightly different rates and produce different amounts of vapor. Ultimately, the same cannabis strain might smell different depending on what vaporizer you use. So, does the PAX vape smell? Just like any other vaporizer, PAX vaporizers do have at least a bit of a mild smell. However, as long as you're in a well-ventilated area, the smell will usually disappear as soon as you quit actively producing vapor.

The exact level of smell depends on what you are doing with your PAX vape. Our vaporizers work a little differently than most other options on the market. Unlike some others, PAX vaporizers always let you customize your temperature and your vaping cartridge. This means that every user's PAX device will smell slightly differently.

Concerns Around Weed Vaporizer Smells

There are all sorts of reasons for people to seek discretion when vaping weed. Some potential reasons include:

• Respect for others: If you want to use a vaporizer in an area with other people, it is a good idea to stop and consider the smell. No matter how much you appreciate the complex aroma, other people around you might be sensitive to strong smells.

• Discretion: Any vaporizing scent can alert people to the fact that you are using cannabis.

• Protecting your property: If you use your vaporizer inside, you might worry about strong smells seeping into your flooring, walls, or furniture. Some people may want to use cannabis without having to open their windows and ventilate their homes frequently.

• Personal preference: Smells are very personal, so the same smells will not appeal to everyone. Some people don't find the distinct smell of cannabis attractive, so vaporizers that produce milder scents can make the experience more enjoyable for these people.

What's the difference between vapor and smoke?

When comparing the smell of weed vaping vs weed smoking, it's important to realize vaporizers are very different from pipes or joints. Unlike traditional methods of cannabis consumption, vaporizers don't make smoke. What's the difference between vapor and smoke? Smoke has a very different chemical makeup compared to vapor.

Without getting into the scientific details, smoke is essentially made up of dense, sticky particles called volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These cling to whatever they come into contact with, and you can't remove them without intensive cleaning. So, if you smoke cannabis, all the VOCs from the cannabis stick to your clothes, hands, ceiling, or furniture. In addition, smoke gets produced even while you’re not drawing on a joint whereas vaporizers only produce vapor while you’re actively puffing on them.

Meanwhile, vapor (technically an aerosol) is just the THC and other cannabis compounds. Without the sticky VOCs, vapor clears away quickly once fresh air circulates through the area. It gets easily diluted by the fresh air, so any ventilation will quickly draw the vapor away.

How do vaporizers minimize smell?

In most cases, odors from vaporizers go away once the product quits producing vapor, so smell control is all about reducing the amount of vapor in a room. Vaporizers that run at a lower temperature will produce less excess vapor. Some vaporizers, like PAX 3, are specifically designed to reduce vapor production. Depending on the temperature, they still make vapor when you inhale, but they don't keep heating the product and producing vapor between your inhalations. In addition to reducing smell, this also has the perk of being cost-efficient and preserving your material.

How can you reduce smell when vaping cannabis?

So if you'd rather have a lighter smell, what can you do? Follow these tips to reduce the amount of smell from your vaporizer.

• Pick a vaporizer that lets you customize temperature control, so you can select the lowest possible setting.

• Choose a vaporizer with oil since vaping oils smell slightly milder than vaping cannabis flowers.

• Use your vaporizer near a window or outdoors where any vapor should be quickly diluted by the fresh air.

• Clean your vaporizer regularly so built-up residue doesn't cause any smell.

• Store your extra concentrates or dry herbs in a scent-proof container.

• Select a cannabis strain known for its mild flavor and scent.

• Look for vaporizers with efficiency modes or stealth mode settings.

Ultimately, the right vaporizer makes it easy to reduce strong scents. Though you'll still get an enjoyable smell when using the product, the scent will quickly disappear.