Pens, Carts, and Pods
October 24, 2025
The Real Difference Behind the Vape You Choose
There is a reason why vape technology has exploded in the cannabis world. It is clean, it is convenient, and when done right, it captures the essence of the plant in a way that feels modern without losing the soul of old-school cannabis. But not all vape devices are created equal. What you are inhaling, how it is heated, and the hardware that delivers it can completely change the experience. At Scarlet Fire Cannabis on Bathurst Street in North York, we take vapes seriously because our customers do. You are not here for a random puff of whatever is cheapest on the menu. You are here for something that actually feels good, tastes clean, and delivers a high that fits your rhythm.
Understanding the difference between a 510 cartridge, a pod system, and a disposable pen is not just about hardware. It is about knowing how these formats influence the hit, the flavour, and the chemistry that happens the moment oil meets heat. Each has its strengths and quirks, and once you understand them, you will know why Scarlet Fire’s vape menu is curated the way it is.
The Rise of Vaping: From Gimmick to Craft Ritual
Vaping started as a convenience play. People wanted a discreet, portable way to consume cannabis without smoke or smell. Early models were clunky, leaky, and often inconsistent. Over time, the technology matured, and so did the understanding of how cannabinoids and terpenes behave under precise temperature conditions. Modern vape hardware is engineered to deliver smooth, consistent vapour by heating cannabis oil just enough to release its active compounds without burning them.
That difference matters. Combustion from smoking a joint hits temperatures above 400°C, destroying delicate terpenes that define flavour and modulate effects. Vaporizers, in contrast, operate around 160-230°C, depending on the device. That is the range where cannabinoids like THC and CBD vaporize effectively, while terpenes like limonene, myrcene, and pinene stay intact. This is where flavour, aroma, and therapeutic nuance live. When you choose the right vape setup, you are choosing chemistry that actually respects the plant.
Scarlet Fire’s team of budtenders spends hours studying the relationship between hardware design and how that chemistry plays out. It is not just about what is inside the cartridge, but about how the atomizer heats it, how the airflow moves through it, and how consistently it performs over time. That is why we don’t fill our shelves with every corporate brand flooding the market. We choose devices that deliver the full story of the oil inside them.
What’s Inside a Vape Pen (and Why It Matters)
At its core, every vape device does the same thing: it heats cannabis oil into vapour. But the way it does that changes everything. Inside each device is an atomizer, a small heating element powered by a battery. The battery’s voltage determines how hot the oil gets, which affects both the intensity of the hit and the integrity of the flavour. Too low, and you get weak vapour. Too high, and you risk burning the oil, producing harsh vapour and degrading terpenes.
Most 510-thread batteries operate between 3.3 and 4.8 volts. Adjustable batteries allow you to fine-tune this range. Pod systems often have built-in voltage control optimized for their cartridges. Disposables are pre-set, meaning the manufacturer has locked in a specific output meant to balance vapour production and flavour.
The type of heating element inside also matters. Ceramic coils are prized for their even heat distribution and neutral taste. They do not react chemically with the oil, preserving purity. Metal coils, especially older styles made with alloys like nichrome, can affect flavour and sometimes lead to a metallic aftertaste. Advances in coil design, airflow channels, and temperature regulation have turned vaping into a fine science, one that Scarlet Fire studies closely when deciding what makes it onto the shelf.
510 Cartridges: The Modular Classic
The 510 cartridge, named for its threading, is the most universally compatible format in cannabis vaping. It is the modular standard that lets you mix and match oils and batteries from different producers. When you walk into Scarlet Fire, you will see 510 carts from some of the best small-batch extractors in the country, each filled with its own personality. The beauty of this system lies in its flexibility. You can pair a live resin or rosin cart with a low-voltage battery to savour terpene-rich flavour, or you can crank the heat up slightly for thicker vapour and a more robust hit.
Scientifically, 510 carts rely on a ceramic or quartz coil to heat the viscous cannabis oil evenly. Because the voltage is adjustable, the user has control over the vaporization point. Lower temperatures preserve delicate monoterpenes like limonene and pinene, which are responsible for uplifting citrus and pine aromas. Higher temperatures vaporize heavier cannabinoids like CBN, which contribute to relaxation. That ability to dial in the temperature makes the 510 system ideal for connoisseurs who treat each puff as an experiment in sensory chemistry.
But there is a trade-off. The open standard means quality can vary wildly between brands. Poorly made carts can leak, clog, or burn oil unevenly. The airflow and wick design also affect how consistently vapour forms. At Scarlet Fire, we avoid brands that cut corners or use inferior materials. Every 510 cart we carry is tested for purity, potency, and performance. You will not find the generic, mass-produced carts that dominate corporate dispensaries. You will find carefully chosen ones that reflect our philosophy: no compromises, no fluff, just real cannabis expression through advanced hardware.
Pod Systems: Precision in Design
Pod systems take a different approach. They are proprietary, meaning each pod is designed for a specific battery platform. Think of systems like PAX, STLTH, or Feather. Instead of screwing in a universal cartridge, you click or magnetically snap a pod into a battery that recognizes it automatically. The benefit is consistency. Because the pod and battery are designed together, you get precise control over temperature, resistance, and vapour density. The experience is smoother, more uniform, and often more flavourful.
Pod systems use a combination of sensors and microchips to regulate power output. This ensures the oil is vaporized within its optimal range without overheating. Scientifically, that meansterpenes retain their molecular integrity longer. It also means the cannabinoids convert efficiently into vapour, maximizing bioavailability. You taste more of the original strain profile and waste less of the oil to thermal degradation.
Pods are also cleaner in design. The sealed system reduces the risk of leaks, oxidation, and contamination. That makes them ideal for on-the-go sessions where you want reliability without fiddling with voltage settings. For those who appreciate convenience without sacrificing quality, pod systems are the middle ground between DIY modular setups and disposable simplicity.
At Scarlet Fire, our stance on pod systems is clear. We carry only platforms that meet our standards for both hardware engineering and oil purity. We avoid disposable-style pods that rely on synthetic flavouring or distillate blends that mask the natural character of the plant. When we stock pods, it is because they deliver the kind of controlled, terpene-rich vapour experience we can stand behind.
Disposable Pens: The All-in-One Experience
Disposables are the newcomers that have found their place for one reason: simplicity. They are pre-charged, pre-filled, and ready to go. No buttons, no maintenance, no pairing batteries. When you finish the oil, you responsibly recycle the device. For travelers, festival-goers, or those who want zero fuss, disposables are unbeatable.
From a scientific standpoint, disposables work much like other vape devices. They have a battery, a coil, and oil housed inside a sealed unit. What separates good disposables from bad ones is the precision of their voltage regulation and airflow design. Cheap disposables tend to hit too hot, which burns the oil and produces harsh vapour. Premium disposables maintain a steady low-temperature heat curve that keeps the flavour clean and the draw smooth.
Because you cannot adjust temperature, the quality of the pre-set voltage matters enormously. At Scarlet Fire, we test every disposable line we carry to ensure the vapour is stable, terpene profiles remain true, and no burnt or chemical aftertaste appears even near the end of the oil. We also ensure the devices come from producers using food-grade materials and safe power cells. This is not a throwaway experience for us. It is still cannabis, and it deserves the same respect as any premium flower or rosin.
How Hardware Shapes the High
Many people assume that because vapes deliver cannabinoids, all highs feel the same. But the truth is that hardware changes not just the taste, but also the way those cannabinoids reach your system. The size of the vapour particles, the temperature of inhalation, and the concentration of terpenes all affect absorption.
Vape pens, carts, and pods deliver cannabinoids through the lungs, where they enter the bloodstream quickly. But when vapour is too hot, it can irritate lung tissue and reduce bioavailability because you exhale more of the dose prematurely. Lower, consistent temperatures promote efficient uptake, producing a smoother onset and more sustained experience.
Terpenes also influence the perceived “feel” of the high. Limonene and pinene vaporize around 160–170°C, while linalool and caryophyllene need closer to 200°C. A device that maintains stable heat preserves this balance, allowing the entourage effect, the synergy between cannabinoids and terpenes, to shine. It is not just chemistry; it is craft.
At Scarlet Fire, our budtenders walk customers through these differences because we believe that choosing a vape should feel like choosing a vintage wine. You should know the mechanics behind the experience and how to fine-tune it to match your desired mood, time of day, and personal preference.
Why Scarlet Fire’s Vape Menu Hits Different
The cannabis industry is flooded with brands pushing flashy disposables and generic cartridges, many of which are pay-to-play shelf fillers. Corporate chains stock whatever earns them kickbacks from producers. That is not us. Scarlet Fire’s independence is what allows us to keep our vape menu real. We handpick products based on how they perform, not who is paying to promote them.
We focus on devices that respect the plant’s integrity and the user’s experience. Our team tests the airflow, checks coil materials, verifies temperature consistency, and ensures every product delivers what it promises. We do not settle for distillate carts that taste like candy syrup or disposables that burn halfway through. When you buy a vape from Scarlet Fire, you are getting hardware that lives up to its chemistry, precise, reliable, and deeply satisfying.
Our location at 3852 Bathurst Street in North York has become a hub for cannabis enthusiasts who care about quality over hype. People come in looking for guidance because they know our budtenders are among the most knowledgeable in the country. They want to understand the difference between a cheap plastic pod and a ceramic coil that sings. They want to know how battery voltage affects flavour or how viscosity determines vapour density. And we are here to explain it without jargon or judgment.
Choosing Your Format
If you want freedom and customization, go for a 510-thread setup. It gives you control over the voltage, the temperature, and the oil you pair it with. If you want plug-and-play precision with consistent performance, pod systems are your sweet spot. If you want simplicity without thinking about charging or settings, disposables will deliver that instant gratification with minimal fuss.
What matters most is knowing what you are inhaling and trusting where it comes from. Scarlet Fire’s philosophy is that every puff should tell the truth of the plant, not the shortcuts of the industry. Whether you are holding a sleek pod, a classic 510, or a clean disposable, we want that hit to feel like something crafted with intention, because it was.
The Final Hit
Vaping is not the future of cannabis; it is already part of its present. But like every innovation, it can either elevate the experience or dilute it. The difference lies in understanding what you are using and where you are getting it.
At Scarlet Fire Cannabis, we see hardware as part of the ritual, not a gimmick. We believe in curating tools that respect the plant’s chemistry and the user’s curiosity. When you buy a vape from us, you are not buying a disposable trend. You are investing in consistency, safety, and flavour that tells a story.
That is the Scarlet Fire difference, rooted in knowledge, powered by independence, and always chasing the perfect hit, not the highest markup. Come by Bathurst Street and see for yourself why our vape selection is unlike anything the corporate chains could ever copy. Because here, your high deserves better technology, better flavour, and better care, and that is exactly what we deliver, one clean draw at a time.