If you live in a state where weed is legal, you may have heard of different appliances and methods for enjoying the benefits of marijuana. If you are a new customer and have never set foot in a dispensary before, going into the shop and seeing the different jargon can be overwhelming at first – but it doesn’t have to be.
Although you may not immediately know what vaping, dabbing, and smoking all mean in relation to marijuana, it only takes a few trips to your local store to educate yourself on the differences between these methods.
‘Dab’ and ‘dabbing’ have a few different meanings depending on who you ask, but they are closely related. ‘Dab’ is typically used to refer to any type of cannabis concentrates, such as budder, sauce, or any other liquid/concentrated form. In addition, it can also be used to refer to the dose of a concentrate, meaning how much you would take at one specific time. Similarly, ‘dabbing’ is the actual method of consuming a dab. Learn more about these methods here.
How do you dab?
If you are interested in the process of consuming cannabis in a safe manner, you may have looked into dabbing. Dabbing is one of the most popular consumption methods among users due to the strong, powerful high, and intense flavor.
Dabs are made by removing the cannabinoids and terpenes out of the plant. Cannabinoid refers to any group of closely related cannabinol compounds and the constituents of cannabis, with at least 144 different cannabinoids possible to extract from the greater plant of cannabis.
After the cannabinoids and terpenes have been extracted from the plant, the final result is an extremely concentrated and potent product – also known as dabs. Since the product is so concentrated and strong, dabbing results in intense effects and fast-acting results.
To get the ‘right’ qualities of dabs, you need to consume them in a safe and recommended way. You need a set of tools to do this, known as the dab rig.
What is a dab rig?
It has various tools and accessories for cannabis users to use to vaporize cannabis concentrates properly. It contains various components that usually include the following:
Rig
The main component of any dab rig setup is the rig itself, known as the glass water pipe. It must be connected to a nail or bowl for the cannabis concentrate to move freely through the system. An example of a rig is a bong, a water pipe and a filtration device used to smoke cannabis.
Banger or nail
The second component of the dab rig setup is the banger or nail, an attachment where the small dabs are vaporized and heated before consumption. Keep in mind there are different styles of bangers that can alter the speed of vaporization and how many can be vaporized at a single time.
Bangers are usually composed of quartz, ceramic, or glass, with each material containing different characteristics that can alter the consumption experience using your unique dab rig.
Carb cap
The third piece of your dab rig setup is the carb cap, a glass, quartz, or ceramic cp with a small hole covering the banger or nail. The carb cap has the function of lowering the pressure in the banger, reducing the temperature of vaporization, and keeping the heat inside it.
Dabber
A dabber is a tool for removing the dab from the container and placing it inside the banger to begin the dab rig’s vaporization process.
Torch
The torch is a butane heat source used to heat the banger or nail. Avoid using propane torches, as this increases the heat too quickly, which can permanently damage the banger or nail in the dab rig.
E-nail
Instead of using a butane heat torch to increase the banger or nail temperature, you can use an e-nail instead. This lets you set a specific temperature and electronically heat the nail to the set temperature you previously chose for your dab rig.
Quartz insert
The final piece is a quartz insert, a component used to add additional surface area inside the nail or banger to improve your chances of getting the most concentrate out of low-temperature dabs.
How to use a dab rig
When learning how to use it, there are a few steps to keep in mind. Following these steps in the correct order can lead to a safe and trouble-free cannabis experience.
- Firstly, you need to heat the nail with the butane torch. If this is your first time with a dab rig, heat the nail until it is glowing red. If you decide to use an e-nail instead of a torch, set the temperature high enough to heat the entire nail.
- Next, wait for the nail to cool down so you don’t burn the dab concentrate. The target temperature for this step is between 300-450 degrees Fahrenheit to get the most out of your concentrate.
- It usually takes between 30 and 60 seconds for the nail to cool, so don’t wait too long between heating and letting it cool off.
- Place the concentrate on the nail and inhale the vapor. Take a long and slow inhale to remove most of the concentrate from the vapor.
- If you have a carb cap, place it on the nail or banger to vaporize the dab. The carb cap helps trap the escaping heat to provide the maximum flavor from the rig.
- After placing the carb cap on the nail, exhale immediately
- The final step is to clean the anil to prevent residue from changing the flavor of the cannabis and keeping your rig hygienic for the next person.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to safely use a dab rig, you can choose the right cannabis products for you to safely consume during your next trip to the dispensary. By choosing the right materials to set up, you can learn how to enjoy a new and flavorful cannabis experience.
