Best Temperature for Vaping Weed

One of the major advantages to vaping weed or hemp flower is having control over the temperature. When you smoke, there is nothing stopping that bud from reaching temperatures as high as 4000° F (or 2200° C)! You also lose most of the flavor and the subtleties of each strain. The only problem is, what’s the best temperature for weed? In this guide, we detail three main temperature ranges, highlighting their differences and advantages. Each range provides a different experience, so it also depends on what you want to get out of it.

Keep in mind that everyone’s experience can vary based on a few key factors. For example, two weed vaporizers set to the same temperature can sometimes produce a different type of vapor. Additionally, each strain contains different levels of terpenes and cannabinoids, which contribute to their smell, taste and effects. These organic compounds volatilize at various temperatures and will alter the experience.

Don’t worry, you won’t need to graduate weed college for this. Just use this guide and play around with different settings. See how they make you feel. Eventually, you will find the best temperature for you.

Lightly toasted (325-350°F / 163-177°C)

THC, the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis has a boiling point of 315° F (157° C). You don’t want to go much lower than 325° F (163° C), especially if you want to really feel something. Low temps might appeal to you if you want the best flavor from your bud. It produces a fresh taste, with citrusy and/or piney undertones.

The vapor will also be much cooler, and less harsh on the throat, so you probably won’t cough as much. The possible side effects like paranoia, red eyes and cotton mouth will be less severe. If you’re a wake and baker, low temp vaping can give you the feeling you want, without burning you out for the day. This is also the ideal setting for newcomers and lightweights who don’t want to get too intoxicated.

Light euphoria, calming, invigorating
Intense terpene flavor, fresh, citrusy, piney
Cooler vapor, less coughing
Decreased side effects (lethargy, anxiety, red eyes, dry mouth etc.)
Best suited for newcomers, lightweights or flavor chasers
Better suited for getting chores done

Terpenes: A-pinene, β-caryophyllene, β-myrcene, d-limonene, citronellol
Cannabinoids: Δ8THC, Δ9THC, CBD, CBG, CBC, THCa, CBDa

Half baked (350-400°F / 177-204°C)

This is a safe place to start while you’re still experimenting with marijuana or legal CBD strains of cannabis. In this range, you still get plenty of terpenes, but now with more access to cannabinoids. The vapor is thicker and warmer. You’ll also taste more of the cannabinoids, which can give it a richer flavor. The warm vapor is satisfying for transitioning smokers.

The psychoactive effects will be noticeably stronger at these temperatures mostly because more THC is being volatilized. It can be relaxing, euphoric and put you in a meditative state without feeling drowsy. This temp range is an excellent middle ground for the best of both worlds between effects and flavor.

Relaxing, euphoric, meditative but not sleepy
Flavorful and rich, terpenes plus cannabinoids
Warmer vapor, can be satisfying for smokers
More THC gets volatilized
Can experience minor side effects
Increased cannabinoid availability

Terpenes: d-limonene, terpinolene, linalool, humulene
Cannabinoids: Δ8THC, Δ9THC, CBD, CBN, CBG, CBC, THCa, CBDa

Fully baked (400-430°F / 204-221°C)

For maximum cannabinoid extraction (THC, CBG, or CBD extraction), this is the range to be in. The vapor will be hotter and less flavorful, but you will feel the strongest psychotropic effects. This range is best suited for night time sessions because of its ability to induce lethargy, also called the dreaded “couch-lock”. The activation of compounds THCv and humulene can actually suppress appetite and prolong the inevitable munchies.

At these temperatures, many terpenes will be depleted fast. If you’re a real terp connoisseur, then you might want to reserve this range for the end of your sessions, for when you really want to blast off. This is the closest you can get to combustion without actually smoking, though it can still induce coughing.

Intense effects, strong euphoria, lethargy, “couch-lock”
Maximum THC volatilization
Hotter vapor, may cause coughing
Less terpenes, higher cannabinoid extraction
Activates THCv and humulene, appetite suppressants that can prolong “the munchies”
Closest experience to smoke/combustion

Terpenes: humulene, phytol, caryophyllene oxide
Cannabinoids: Δ8 THC, Δ9THC, CBD, CBN, CBG, CBC, THCa, CBDa, THCv

Vaping temperature chart

Here are the average boiling points for THC, CBD and the most common terpenes and cannabinoids found in cannabis. Each organic compound has its own unique function, so you can check the profile of your strain and decide the perfect temperature is for exactly what you’re trying to achieve with it.

Finding the right temp for vaping weed

Still not sure what temperature to set your vaporizer at? It can be difficult to find the setting that works best for you. The best way to experiment is to start in the 350-400° F (177-204° C) range and then work your way up or down by 5-10° (or 1° C) at a time. Play around a bit and eventually you will find the temp that is just right for you.

If your herb is too moist, most of the heat will be wasted on drying out your buds. Vaporizers tend to work much better and produce more vapor with dryer herb. You can always let your weed air out for a few hours or even overnight, grinding it first will speed up that process.
Modern vaporizers are now capable of vaporizing concentrates these days. The best temps for dabs and CBD concentrates will typically be higher than for dry herb. The same general principle applies: less heat = better taste. However, if it’s too hot, you’ll be losing valuable terpenes and flavor.
Lower temps are better suited for morning and daytime use, higher temps are more appropriate for evening and late-night sessions.
Generally speaking, lower temps are more conducive to flavor whereas higher temps will give you the strongest psychoactive effects. The boiling point of THC is around 315° F (157° C), so anything lower will produce minimal psychoactive effects.
CBD tends to boil at a slightly higher temperature than THC, so keep that in mind if you are using cannabis for medicinal purposes with hemp or cannabidiol-rich strains.
You’ll typically want to vape 10° F (or 1° C) hotter than the average boiling point of the desired terpenes and/or cannabinoids, but be aware that it can slightly vary with different devices or strains.
If you’re vaping in the lower temperature range, don’t throw out your already vaped bud. If it’s greenish, or even light brown, it probably still contains valuable cannabinoids. It’s also now decarboxylated, which simply means that it’s now primed and ready for making edibles or tea.