How to Dab

Dabbing is the next level of cannabis consumption. It involves flash vaporization of a super-strong concentrate (dabs) off a specialized piece called a rig. When you extract dabs from dry herb/flower, you get a powerful concentrate that comes in various forms and consistencies—each with different flavors and potencies. Think of it like making cold-pressed juice from oranges straight off the tree.

Dabs aren't new to the scene, but there's no need to be intimidated if you are. Pressed forms of concentrate have been around since the time of ancient India, Persia, and China. They spread into global popularity around the 18th century—and are even more widespread now in modern times than ever before! They seem fancy, but they're a different spin on an old classic.

Follow this guide to learn how to dab— and remember; we've got all the gear you need to reach new heights.

What is Dabbing?

Imagine the potency of four or five bong rips, all packed into one sweet-tasting, good-smelling hit of clean vapor. If that sounds like your idea of heaven, you should learn how to dab.

A concentrate is just what it sounds like the strong stuff from dry herb, concentrated into a new, non-flower form. A form, mind you that packs one seriously whopping hit. To dab, you take a drop of concentrate (like wax, shatter, or budder) and "dab" it onto the sizzling hot nail of a rig. The vapor produced is flavorful, fragrant, and much more potent than regular flower smoke.

Many extraction processes are used to extract concentrates, and each process yields a different type of product with unique properties and effects. One common form of dabs, butane hash oil, is made by pouring butane over dried herb. This extracts the potency from the cannabis plant and dissolves it into the butane. What's left is hash oil concentrate, a resinous, somewhat solid product with sky-high potency levels—up to double or even triple that of flower. There are still many more means of extracting dabs from flower than the BHO method, such as crossed loop and subcritical extraction, and all enthusiasts have their favorites for different reasons.

What are the Different Types of Dabs?

Shatter

Shatter is a semi-transparent extract. It's created using a lengthy purification process, which causes it to have a glass-like consistency. That's why it cracks or shatters when broken apart. It can break apart easily into unpredictably shaped pieces, which some consider a con. It's less flavorful than a live resin, but it's an affordable and easy-to-find concentrate.

Wax

While shatter has a harder, more glass-like consistency, wax is softer and more pliable in your hands. Some smokers find wax easier to use and handle than shatter, but it's just as affordable and potent.

Budder

This stuff looks and feels like actual butter. It's a soft, spreadable concentrate. It ranges in color from greenish brown to even golden. It can be dabbed or put on top of flower in a rolling paper, pipe, or bong. Of all the dab types, budder's the easiest to manipulate and handle.

Live Resin

Rich in terpenes, live resin is created with fresh flower, which is flash-frozen immediately after harvest. It's not dried, cured, and trimmed like regular bud and is processed through a solvent extraction with butane or propane. The freezing process keeps the flowers' terpenes intact, preserving the taste and fragrance profile of the bud. Some consider live resin the best of the best.

Live Rosin

The difference between live resin and live rosin lies in how they are created. Heat and pressure remove trichomes from the frozen flower, so live rosin is similar to live resin, but it is solventless.

Terp Sauce

Terp sauce (sometimes called "diamonds in sauce") is a thick, syrupy "sauce" with high potency. If you look closely at terp sauce, you'll see cannabinoid crystals that separate from the actual terpenes. This makes terp sauce one of the most potent extracts around.

Dab Tools and Accessories

Dab Rig

Oil rigs, concentrate rigs—whatever you call them, dab rigs are just water pipes or bubblers for vaporizing concentrates. Dab rigs have a chamber, downstem, and nail. Some are portable and electronic.

Be sure to read our guide to dab rigs to learn more!

Nail or Banger

This part of the rig gets heated with the torch, and the dab is placed directly on top. There are even electronic nails (e-nails) where you can adjust the temperature to an exact number every time. Dab nails are made of different materials, like:

• Glass: Glass nails are inexpensive and may even be included with your purchase of a dab rig. Glass nails maintain a good portion of the dab's flavor but may crack easily.
• Quartz: Quartz nails are popular for their non-porous qualities, which help reduce waste. They need to be heated more slowly than glass nails, but they make for a great-tasting dab when heated at the right temperature. Treat a quartz nail with the same care and caution as a glass nail—they're fragile.
• Titanium: These nails are more durable than glass or quartz, so they tend to last longer. Titanium holds heat for longer, so you can take bigger dabs, but if you're big on flavor, opt for quartz, glass, or ceramic.
• Ceramic: Though fragile like glass, ceramic provides great-tasting dabs and retains heat even longer than titanium.

Banger

A banger is a type of nail that looks like a small, circular bowl or bucket. Bangers are typically made of quartz, a flavorless mineral, so it doesn't affect the taste of the dab. Bangers provide a larger surface for dabbing and more airflow into your rig.

Dab Tool

Since concentrates can be waxy or crumbly, you'll need to use a small wand or dab tool to manipulate, break off, and hold the dab. Most dabbers have a slight edge on one end, and a flat scoop on the other, but many different styles exist. The dabber helps you safely get your wax or concentrate out of your silicone or glass container and onto your rig.

Dab Torch

A dab torch heats the nail or banger on your rig. Torches are typically butane and can be refilled.

Carb Cap

Carb caps preserve the potency and flavor of the dab and make the hot hit a little easier on your lungs. It also reduces waste. After you heat your banger and add your dab, cover the banger with the carb cap to help regulate airflow. When ready, remove the carb cap and inhale the vapor.

Dab Mat

You'll need a non-stick surface underneath your rig to protect your table from anything that drips. Wax can be hard to clean. Plus, a dab mat cushions your glass piece when you put it on the table. You may be coughing on the exhale, so it helps to have a soft place for your piece to land after ripping a killer dab.

Timer

You know by now that you need to torch your nail. But the length of time you torch your nail affects the heat of the nail and, therefore, the flavor and temperature of the dab you take. Grab a timer to stay on top of it.

How to Take a Dab in 7 Steps

First, find the right environment to take your dab. The effects of concentrates are far stronger than those of flower, so choose a comfortable place to accommodate yourself and relax. Grab a glass of water, put your dab mat down, and prepare to rip.

1. Get a Rig

If you already have a bong for flower, you can turn it into a dab rig by subbing out the bowl on the bong for a nail or using an adapter. It'll get the job done, but a rig designed for concentrates is better. Oil rigs are smaller than bongs, which preserves flavor thanks to less percolation and a shorter distance to inhale. Plus, you can modify your rig with accessories and add-ons that improve your experience and add the piece's functionality. You can also try a handheld vaporizer or pen for a more discreet sesh.

2. Get a Nail

There are many different types of nails, with different pros and cons for each. Scroll up to weigh the pros and cons—and remember, we've always got a variety in stock.

3. Add Water

Add water as you would with any other bong (if you're unsure, pull from the pipe and ensure the water bubbles without coming up near your mouth).

4. Grab a Dab

Use your dabber tool to scrape up a small amount of concentrate. It's best to have the dab ready before you heat your nail.

5. Torch the Nail

Heat your nail for 30-45 seconds (titanium nails should be heated for 10 seconds). The nail should take on a soft orange glow, but not red. Heat your nail as evenly as possible—and keep the flame away from the rest of your rig. Let it cool for ten seconds before dabbing. When your sesh is over, you can torch away any remaining dab residue by heating the nail again.

6. Apply the Dab

Using the dabber tool you just loaded up, apply the dab directly to the top of the nail. Be sure to swirl the dabber around to vaporize the entire dab. Use your carb cap now if you have one.

7. Inhale and Exhale

While the dab is touching the hot nail, inhale the vapor. Go slow, as dabs are hotter and more potent than a hit of smoke from flower. Prepare to cough and lift off.

Measuring Dab Dosage

The age-old phrase "A dab'll do ya!" is as relevant here as ever. Despite their size, one small dab packs a powerful hit. Knowing the right size dab is essential for getting an optimal high without getting too burnt out too quickly.

Dabs range in potency but can be as high as 80%. But there's no universal way to measure the correct size dab for your sesh, as everyone has different preferences and tolerances. A good rule of thumb is to start with a small dab (about half the size of a grain of rice) and work your way up as you get more comfortable. The larger the dab, the harder it will be to clear the vapor in one hit—so start small to avoid waste.

Remember: you can always take another dab but can't "un-take" a dab. The point of vaporizing concentrates is to feel an even more elevated experience, so trust that a small amount will be enough to start.

Measuring Dab Temperature

Now things are heating up. Once you've taken your first few dabs, you may notice it takes some finessing to get the proper heat and flavor.

Low-Temperature Dabs (450-600 F or 232-315 C)

• Pros: Taking a dab at a lower temperature will lock in the flavor and fragrance from the terpenes. Plus, dabs at a low temperature are easier on your throat as the vapor is cooler, so you can take a smooth, lengthy inhale.
• Cons: Vapor from low-temperature dabs are less potent than high-temperature dabs, so its effects may not feel as strong. Also, a lower temperature may not vaporize the entire dab, so that you may waste some concentrate.

High-Temperature Dabs (600-900 F or 315-482 C)

Note: anything higher than 900 F (482 C) and your dab will combust.

• Pros: High-temperature dabs have thick, strong vapor. Higher heat vaporizes the dab fully, so you'll feel the hit more intensely with little to no waste. High-temperature dabs provide more of a "rush."
• Cons: Some of the concentrate's flavor will be lost with a higher temperature dab. The vapor also may be a little harsher on the inhale due to the high heat—so be prepared to cough, especially with a larger-sized dab.

Cold Start Dabs

Instead of heating the nail beforehand, try a "cold start dab" and heat a pre-loaded, room-temperature nail. Place your dab onto the nail, put on a carb cap, and fire up your torch. Watch as the dab bubbles and begins to vaporize after a few seconds, and then take your hit. Setting up a cold start dab may take some practice as, similar to low-temperature dabs, you may accidentally waste some concentrate.

Learn more about how to find the perfect dab temperature!

Dabbing Tips

• Use high-quality concentrates from trusted retailers only.
• Start with a low dosage and work your way up. Everyone has a different tolerance, so go easy on yourself if you're learning how to dab.
• Timing and temperature are everything. Play around with your settings to see what you like best.
• Keep your equipment clean. Alcohol and cotton swabs are critical, and a dab mat will preserve whatever surface you're using.
• Store your dabs properly to extend the lifespan of their strength, freshness, and flavor. Leaving your dabs in the open will shorten their shelf life and potency.
• Find a suitable, chill environment to dab with a solid surface to rest your rig.
• Don't worry if your dab feels intense—that's the point!