Introduction
Concentrates/Extracts are a material that can be consumed in a myriad of ways and these ways can either be quite complex or quite simple. A Honey Straw represents the latter -it’s a straight, tube/pen-like device used for vaporizing wax, dabs, and other solid concentrates/extracts and works almost exactly like sipping through a straw.
Dab Pen VS Honey Straw
These devices go by many names, sometimes called a vertical vaporizer, nectar straws, honey straws – but whatever they are called, they all work the same way. They’re quickly becoming a user favorite due to their overall ease of use, small form factor – and most importantly, their efficiency.
When using a Honey Straw, all there is to do is turn it on, dip the hot coil into the material, and draw. There’s no more need for loading and it is this simple process that keeps users from wasting any wax. (This is especially important since dabs/ solid concentrates are relatively costly.)
Though they are somewhat similar in form and function to dab pens – the difference is that instead of putting the wax into the device, you dip the device into the wax.
The heating element is located opposite (or at the “bottom”) of the mouthpiece – which sits up top. The heating element/coils are dipped into the wax and the vapor travels through the vapor path (which is the entire length of the device) and out to the mouthpiece.
Benefits of using a Honey Straw
- No need for loading: Simply press, dip, and draw.
- No waste of wax: Honey Straws are efficient devices and help prevent wasting wax. Unlike regular dab pens, wax can’t be lodged or stuck inside the heating element (which winds up making it sticky and hard to clean).
- Draw control: Honey Straws allow you to control and monitor your draws/ intake. By controlling exactly how much you draw, you’re also effectively limiting the amount of wax you’re using and lessening your wastage.
- Portability: Since the device has to be dipped into the material, there’s a need for a separate container to hold your chosen material. This somewhat limits its portability – but not by much, since Honey Straws are sleek, slim, and wax containers aren’t too cumbersome either.
Parts of a Honey Straw
Most Honey Straws are comprised of the same set of parts- but may be made of varying materials. It’s the basic nature of their construction that makes them incredibly simple, easy-to-use devices – with an even simpler cleaning process.
Mouthpiece
Honey Straw mouthpieces may be made out of glass, stainless steel, or zirconia. So far, glass seems to be the most common material. Glass has the benefit of being a neutral material that keeps vapor pure and allows you to taste all the terpenes and nuances in your wax.
Battery
It wouldn’t be a portable device if it weren’t battery-operated. Since Honey Straws are small, their battery lives range from 300mAh to around 850mAh. Which is good for about 40-50, 10-second puffs, depending on which of its temperature settings you use.
Coils/ Tips
Located at the bottom end of a Honey Straw is the Coil/ Tip. This is the piece that gets hot and is dipped into your wax. These tips can also be made out of several materials which yield different results. Most devices have replaceable coils which may be changed in time or have interchangeable coils which may be swapped out depending on which one you’d like to use.
- Quartz: Quartz Coils heat quickly and lose heat just as fast -this results in Honey Straws with quartz rod coils using more power than other types of coils over the same amount of time. Quartz coils result in a vapor that’s dense, intense, and heavy-hitting – making it more suitable for more advanced vapers.
- Titanium: Titanium tips are highly durable and heat slightly slower than quartz. Yet retains heat for much longer – making it the right choice for longer, slower, more paced sessions.
- Ceramic: Ceramic heats the slowest among the current coil materials and is perfect for low-temperature dabbing. It heats slow and loses heat just as slowly so the vaporizer does not need to be constantly fired up while you vape, which is great for battery life. Ceramic tips result in the nuanced, light, flavorful vapor that’s preferred by users of all experience levels.
Related: Coil types of extract or wax vaporizers
Concentrate Storage
Some devices have small concentrate storage which holds enough material for a session or two on the go. This eliminates the need to bring a small dab jar alongside your device.
Compatibility with Water Pipes
Some Honey Straws have mouthpieces that make them large enough to be compatible with certain water pipes. Replacing the old torch and nail set-up required to consume dabs.
When using your honey straw with a water pipe, you effectively heat up your material to precise, controlled temperatures – which greatly improves the vapor quality and flavor in your material.
On top of that, being able to pass vapor through water cools it down further and rids it of impurities.
Final Word
Honey Straws do not disappoint. In comparison to dab pens (which are more popular at the moment), Honey Straws are just easier to use, clean, and offer the added benefit of being the most efficient device made for wax consumption. It’s just hard to beat being able to monitor your use and save on material. Current notable devices are Yocan Dive Mini, Boundless Terp Pen XL (Read Review), and the Lookah Seahorse Pro Plus (Read Review).
