You’ve been looking forward to a calm, peaceful evening. Just you, and your Delta 8 THC. Sitting on your couch, you get out your D8 vape pen, put it up to your lips, and--nothing. Your cartridge has clogged!

But don’t panic, we have a few tips for keeping your cart’s airway open and the vape flowing freely. In this article, we will explain how Delta-8 cartridges work, their parts, and what you can do to keep them from clogging.

Delta-8 Vape Cartridges

Delta 8 THC vape cartridges, or carts, are some of the most popular D8 products on the market. People especially enjoy carts because they can feel the uplifting effects immediately. The absorption rate of Delta-8 is highest when vaped and lowest when ingested, like with gummies. There is no discomfort in the lungs when vaping, as opposed to other smoking methods.

Similar to vape cartridges with CBD, Delta 9 THC, or other cannabinoids, they contain Delta-8THC suspended in natural cannabis Sativa oils. This distillate is full of beneficial terpenes, flavonoids, and other parts of the hemp plant. You can find broad-spectrum distillates, which include other cannabinoids like CBC, CBG, CBD, as well as THC if it is full-spectrum.

The best quality Delta-8 cartridges only have compounds that are found naturally within hemp. Now let's dig into how carts work.

Vaporization

Vaping Delta-8 works much the same as vaping Delta-9 or other cannabinoids. It involves heating the flower or concentrates to a temperature where cannabinoids and terpenes are turned into vapor. Vaporization devices heat the product to just below the point of combustion which is around 356 to 374 degrees Fahrenheit (180 to 190 degrees Celsius).

As compared to smoking cannabinoids, vaping allows for the activation of more compounds. This is because the process of smoking burns off many of the terpenes and cannabinoids within the flower. That’s why a vaporization device must hit just the right temperature to get the most out of your product.

Vape devices

There are three types of vaporizers to vaporize cannabis: tabletop vaporizers, portable vaporizers, and vape pens. Vape pens are the most popular and convenient method for vaporizing Delta-8. These days, D8 on the market is mostly available in the form of distillates and oils.

This is because it is found in trace amounts within the cannabis flower. Vape devices are made to vaporize distillates and oils, rather than the flower. Let’s explore the varieties and parts of vape pens.

Reusable Vape Pen

This type of pen is made up of a battery and a cartridge. Despite being called “reusable” however, they are only half-reusable. This is because you can reuse your battery, but you throw away the cartridge once all the distillate or oil has been vaporized.

Now we will break down the parts of the vape pen: the battery and the cartridge. The cartridge consists of three parts; the mouthpiece, the chamber, and the heating element. Here are all the elements of a vape pen:

• Battery: Vape batteries come in a variety of styles. Some have buttons, some don’t. Some are cylindrical and some are rectangular. You can find batteries that are limited or that have long battery life. Some have the option to recharge, which can allow you to vape to your heart’s content. Choose the battery that suits your preferences and needs, depending on how much you plan to vape.
  
  Most D8 cartridges are designed to be universally compatible with common vape batteries. The 510 thread is the most common vape pen battery. It works with many of the carts on the market, including products for most medical and recreational use.
  
  Simply attach the cartridge of your choice to a 510 compatible battery and you’re ready to vape! Do not put the cart on a huge vape mod battery. Having too much voltage can fry the cartridge. 
  
  
• Mouthpiece: Typically made from ceramic, the mouthpiece is where you put your lips to inhale D8 distillate. After you’ve pressed the activation button to heat the distillate, the vapor comes through the airway and into your mouth as you inhale through the mouthpiece.

• Chamber: The chamber of a vape cartridge holds the oil or distillate, which includes all the magical cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavors that we love to vape. Know what compounds your distillate or oil cartridges contain, whether or how it's flavored, and if there are any cutting elements. These factors will affect your experience.
  
  All vape cartridges contain cannabinoids, but not all cartridges have terpenes. Terpenes are naturally-occurring compounds that give cannabis its flavor and aroma. They are often reintroduced to distillate after the distillation process removes natural terpenes, resulting in an odorless, flavorless liquid. Getting a product including terpenes can greatly enhance your vaping experience.
  
  Common cutting agents include MCT oil, vitamin E acetate, polyethylene glycol (PEG), propylene glycol (PG), and vegetable glycerin (VG). These are similar ingredients that are used in e-cigarettes. They are added to improve vape cloud production as well as the mouthfeel.
  
  The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has declared these cutting agents safe for human ingestion, but many people are still concerned about what happens when they are heated and inhaled. It is said PG could exacerbate asthma and allergies.
  
  Also, PEG and PG may break down into carcinogens when vaporized at high temperatures. More research is needed when it comes to these cutting agents, but we think it is best to avoid them. Stick with high-quality vape cartridges that just include cannabinoids and terpenes.
  
  
• Heating element: This heating element is located in the cartridge and is activated by the battery. This causes it to heat the distillate, producing vapor. The heating element is typically made of ceramic material.
  

Disposable or All-in-One Vape Pens

The other variety of vape pens contain all the same elements. However, all the elements come together in one single-use package. In the long run, this option can be expensive, not to mention wasteful.

We highly recommend reusable vape pens as you can use them long-term, saving you money. Simply buy a battery, then pick out the variety of flavors and strains you’d like to try.

Reusables are also better for the environment since you are not throwing the emptied cartridge out after just one use. And knowing how to take care of your Delta-8 cartridges will help them last longer.

Taking Care of Your Delta-8 Cartridge

Keep your cart at room temperature. If the distillate crystallizes, put the cart in a towel on top of something warm, like a radiator. Keep it there for a few hours for it to change back into liquid form.

Also, try to keep your cartridge out of sunlight. Both heat or cold conditions can cause leaking or clogging. The longest life of the product will be maintained when kept in a cool, dark place.

The product may go bad or lose some of its potency if not kept at the right temperature. A common problem that happens with carts is clogging. We will discuss how to troubleshoot this problem and what you can do about it, and how to prevent the issue.

Troubleshooting Your Clogged Cartridge

Having a clogged D8 cartridge can be inconvenient, and maybe a little frustrating. However, it is a normal occurrence and may be relatively simple to fix.

Clogged carts happen because D8 in its raw form is a thick, sticky substance. This means it can be a difficult substance to work with, especially if it isn’t at room temperature. Additionally, terpenes in D8 distillate can make it more viscous and thus more likely to clog. Delta-8 will be more viscous when the heat is applied, thinning out to create vapor.

When left unheated, it thickens and can create clogs. Clogging usually occurs due to un-inhaled vapor that remains in the airway after the pen has been used. Once it cools, the vapor turns back into oil and sticks to the inner walls of the airway. This will build up over time, eventually totally blocking the airflow and rendering it unusable.

If this happens to you, troubleshoot the problem with the following steps:

1. When you first experience a clog, first try to take a few puffs without hitting the fire button. Repeat until you hear or feel a pop, which will be the clog being broken apart.
2. If this doesn’t work, utilize your pre-heat function if you have one. Turning on the pre-heater will allow the distillate to warm up, making it viscous enough to become usable again.
3. If you don’t have a pre-heat function, press the activation button without sucking a couple of times. Repeat the process for about 1 to 3 seconds to warm up the D8.
4. If the clog happens to be within the mouthpiece of your cartridge, try the same steps as above, but be careful when sucking and hitting the fire button at the same time. If the clog comes out, some hot distillate may hit your lips, so be ready for that.
   

How to Fix a Clogged Delta-8 Cartridge

After troubleshooting and still not solving the issue, there are a few other solutions you might try.

How to fix:

1. Insert a skinny item like the unwound tip of a paperclip, a sewing needle, or a safety pin into the airway. Do not unscrew the mouthpiece. 
2. Scrape the walls to remove the excess oil.

For a temporary fix:

Preheat the vape cartridge to loosen the oil with its warmth. This will create a hole in the blockage, allowing the cart to be used. However, the blockage will probably reoccur right after you are done using it. Eventually, the oil may build up to where it works its way out of the airway, into the mouthpiece.

If your cart leaks:

• Don’t hold the activate button down too long.
• Do only short puffs.
• Increase the ohms or lower the battery voltage for a smoother experience.
• Store the cart standing up after use.
  

Prevention

Since this problem is so common, it is best to take steps to prevent it from happening. Here are some things you can do for clogging prevention:

• Clear the airway full after every use. The less remaining vapor in the airway, the slower the buildup and blockage. 
• Take smaller hits, like 3 seconds or less. Taking bigger hits, such as more than 3 seconds, usually have a thicker vapor in the airway, thus will have more vapor trapped in the airway afterward. 
• Use the warm-up feature on your battery if it has it. This can be done with 2 clicks.
• Try heating your cart by running a hairdryer over it, then flipping it upside down. 
• Blow into the mouthpiece if the clog is at the top. 
• Every time you are done using the cartridge, wipe out the inside of the mouthpiece with a q-tip or a piece of paper towel. This will keep any remaining distillate in the mouthpiece from solidifying and causing a clog.

Bay Smokes Vape Carts and Battery

Here at Bay Smokes, we offer a battery that is compatible with any 510 thread vape cartridge. It is easily chargeable using the charger that is included, or any Android charger. Take it on the go with you, storing it easily in your pocket. This makes it perfect for discreet use.

The battery is multi-voltage capable, with a high, medium, and low setting. You can easily preheat the carts with the preheat function, making it easier to prevent clogs.

Our carts include distillate from Indica, Sativa, or hybrid strains. Try the sweet Grand Daddy Purp with its tasty grape/berry flavor or OG Kush if you prefer more of a lemony, woody pine experience. There are tons to choose from. All of our products are lab tested for potency and free of heavy metals and pesticides.

Keep the D8 Vape Flowing

Before purchasing your Bay Smokes Delta-8 carts, dabs, or flower, be sure to thoroughly investigate your state laws regarding legality. Although the Farm Bill was passed to legalize hemp and hemp products, the states vary in their regulations.

If your state has legalized it and you don’t have a drug test coming up, what are you waiting for? The world of Delta-8 is beckoning. And now armed with the tips and tricks you’ve learned in this article, you can keep your D8 vape flowing.

As a disclaimer, we want to state that the information on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. All information, content, and materials available on this site are for general information purposes only. The content of this posting is “as is”. No representations are made that the content is error-free