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Vape battery dead or missing? Can't seem to get those last few drops of golden goodness to heat up enough to vape? What can you do? Can you hit a cartridge with a lighter?
Yes! Although this cart lighter method is an unconventional approach to vaping without a battery, you can still enjoy that sticky sweet when your vape battery dies.
If you’ve ever wondered how to hit a cart without a battery or whether it’s safe to use a lighter on a vape pen, here’s everything you need to know
Table of Contents
How Vape Carts Work (And Why It Matters When Using a Lighter)
Understanding Your Concentrate Oil
Step-by-Step: How to Smoke a Cart With a Lighter
Alternative Option: Use a Rig
Cart Lighter Mistakes: What NOT to Do
Conclusion: Can You Hit a Vape Cart with a Lighter?
FAQ
Tools needed: a lighter, pliers, and a heat-resistant surface.
This is a temporary fix — get a vape battery as soon as possible.
If you have a dab rig, removing the oil and dabbing is a safer and more effective method.
Before using a lighter, it helps to know how a vape cart works.
Here are the main parts:
Cartridge: The main body that holds the cannabis concentrate.
Atomizer: The heating element inside the cart.
Battery: Powers the atomizer (but you don’t have one — hence the lighter hack!).
By grasping these elements, you'll be primed to hit a cart with a lighter effectively.
You also need to have some basic understanding of the concentrate oil that’s inside your vape and the temps needed to vaporize it.
Cannabis concentrates are available in various forms, including wax, shatter, sugar, oil, and even more exotic options like liquid diamonds. Still, oil and wax are the most common types of concentrate used in vape carts because they are vicious and free-flowing, allowing for a smooth vape experience. The concentrate material’s quality plays a huge role in vape safety, too.
If you’re trying to hit your vape cart with a lighter, that’s a huge plus. Thinner concentrate material will be easier to vaporize with a lighter.
When hitting a cart with a lighter, discerning the type of concentrate in your cartridge is crucial, as different concentrates may necessitate specific heating techniques and temperatures to optimize the experience.
TL;DR: The thinner your vape oil, the easier it will be to heat with a lighter. Thick waxes may not work well with this method.
Lighter
Vape cart
Pliers
Towel or something to help you handle a hot cart
The answer to "Can you smoke a cart with a lighter?" is yes, if you're very careful and you select the right lighter, you should be able to safely take a few puffs.
Selecting the right lighter is crucial for effectively and safely hitting a vape cart. With various options available, it's essential to understand the different types of lighters and what to look for in a quality choice.
Here's a concise guide to help you choose the best lighter for your vaping needs:
Disposable: Cheap and easy to find with a small flame that won’t be too difficult to handle while hitting your cart. However, you may have trouble getting enough heat, and it may take some time to vaporize the cannabis material.
Refillable Butane: Cost-effective in the long run and refillable. Usually works as a torch lighter and produces a larger flame. This will be more difficult to handle when heating your vape, but will heat it more effectively.
Electric: Environmentally friendly with multiple recharge options, but likely won’t produce enough heat to vaporize a cart.
Choose between torch and flame: Simple flame lighters are easy to find and use, but may not heat quickly or evenly. Torch lighters can be more expensive and harder to use, but definitely heat more effectively.
Safety Features:Look for child-resistant locks and flame adjustment. You may need to be able to turn the flame on a disposable lighter all the way up to get enough heat or turn the flame on a torch lighter down for safe handling.
Ease of Use: Prioritize comfortable grip and simple operation.
Durability:Opt for sturdy materials for daily use.
By considering these factors, you can choose a reliable and safe lighter for hitting vape carts.
Grip the cart with pliers or heat-resistant gloves.
Hold the flame near the bottom of the cartridge (not the mouthpiece).
Rotate the cart for even heating.
After 5–10 seconds, test for vapor.
Working quickly after heating your cart, you can take a few quick puffs.
Gently tap the mouthpiece with your fingertip to ensure that it is not too hot and will not burn your lip.
Next, take a few slow draws from your cart. Slow and steady will likely pull the best draw.
Remember, pulling air through your cart will cool it down, so you’ll need to repeat the heating step in between every 1-2 puffs.
After successful ignition, adhere to these post-lighting protocols:
Extinguish the lighter to avert accidents and conserve fuel. If there is a child safety lock, put it in place.
Allow the cart to cool sufficiently before handling with your bare hands or storing it to prevent burns or damage.
Clean both the cart and lighter to ensure consistent performance. The cart may have some residue on the outside that's left over from heating. This should be easy to wipe away after the cart has cooled
By adhering to these guidelines, you can safely and effectively hit a cart with a lighter.
⚠️ Pro Tip: If you have a dab rig, this method is safer and more effective than using a lighter on a cart.
If you're stuck with a cart without a battery and want to make the most of your leftover concentrate, there's another option–you can remove the concentrate from the cart and use it in a dab rig. Here’s how:
Dab rig or dab straw
Torch lighter
Dab tool or other scraping tool
Small jar or container to hold wax or a piece of wax paper
Before you can use the oil in your cart on a dab rig, you need to figure out how to get the oil out of the cartridge. Every vape cart is different, but you should be able to unscrew the end with the atomizer to open the cartridge.
From there, you can gently heat the sides of the cart to allow the oil to flow more smoothly, using your dab tool to scrape the remaining oil into your container of choice or onto the wax paper.
Using your dab tool, collect a small amount of concentrate that you will later apply to the hot dab nail. Having it ready before heating the rig allows you to quickly transfer the dab to the hot nail before it cools.
Using your torch lighter, heat your dab rig nail until it is hot enough to vaporize the concentrate. Be careful not to touch the nail and keep the flame pointing away from you at all times.
Using your dab tool, apply the concentrate to the hot nail and instantly draw the vapor through the mouth piece. Exhale slowly and enjoy the fast onset.
Remember, your nail will still be very hot after each hit, so don’t touch it! However, it will cool down too much to vaporize another hit, so you’ll need to reheat it before placing another dab on it.
When attempting to hit a cart with a lighter, steer clear of common errors to ensure a successful outcome. Let's explore these pitfalls and strategies to avoid them:
Not enough heat/weak lighter:Opt for a high-quality, reliable lighter to avoid insufficient flame output or malfunction.
Burns from improper flame use: Always point the flame from your lighter away from your body or possessions. It’s a good idea to test the flame in an open space to see how large it is and adjust its power before using it on your rig.
Burns from handling a hot cart: Secure the cart firmly in the pliers to prevent movement during the heating process. Set the hot cart on a non-flammable surface to allow it to cool.
Improper fire safety: Exercise caution when using lighters near flammable materials and maintain a fire extinguisher or water source nearby.
Melting/Burning: Cheap quality vape pens that are not made from heat-safe materials will melt or burn. These carts should not be heated with a lighter (and are not a good vaping option overall). Read “Delta-8-THC Carts Buying Guide” to learn more about choosing a high-quality vape pen.
By sidestepping these missteps, you can enhance your likelihood of hitting a cart with a lighter effectively.
When it comes to hitting a vape cart with a lighter, safety and technique are key. You've got to be careful and responsible whenever you're using a lighter near anything, especially a vape cart.
We've learned that hitting a cart with a lighter takes some precision in how you position and angle it to get the best results. Choosing the right lighter and finding the right balance between distance and angle is crucial for a successful and safe session.
✅ Final Answer: Yes, you can hit a vape cart with a lighter — but it’s a last-resort option.
Be sure to follow safety steps closely and consider switching to a dab rig if possible.
Whenever you can, invest in a proper vape battery — it’s safer, more effective, and gives you a better high.
At Vida Optima, our Delta-8 products are legal and accessible to anyone 21+, meaning you can order online and get your favorite legal hemp THC products without leaving your couch.
Our Elev8 Collection contains a full selection of Delta-8 gummies, flower, vapes, and more, including a variety of strains and dosages.
It’s not recommended. Vape cartridges are designed to be used with a compatible battery or pen that regulates heat and ensures safe vaporization. Using a cart without the proper device can be unsafe and ineffective.
You can’t reliably hit a cart without a vape battery. These cartridges require specific voltage and heat to function correctly. Without the right setup, you risk damaging the cart or inhaling improperly vaporized oil.
The best method is to use a fully charged, compatible vape pen or battery. Set it to the recommended voltage or temperature, and inhale slowly for optimal vapor production and flavor.
Attach the cartridge to your vape pen, activate the device (usually by pressing a button or simply inhaling), then take a slow, steady draw. Hold the vapor in your lungs for a few seconds before exhaling.
Using just a lighter to smoke dabs isn’t ideal. A proper dab rig with a heated nail or banger is the safest method. DIY alternatives, like using a metal bowl, can be risky and are generally not recommended.
Hold the vapor for 2–3 seconds to absorb the cannabinoids. Holding it longer doesn’t necessarily enhance effects and may cause coughing or discomfort.
Using a lighter directly on a cart can damage it, release harmful chemicals, and pose a fire or burn risk. It’s not a safe method of consumption.
Yes. You could extract the oil and use it with a dab rig or concentrate device. However, the safest and easiest option is to replace your vape battery.
The “wire trick” involves creating a makeshift electrical connection to heat the cart. While it may be safer than an open flame, it still carries risks and requires knowledge of circuits. It’s not recommended for most users.
No. Using an Apple charger or non-designated power adapter to vape is unsafe and not advised. Only use devices specifically designed for vaping.
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