What is Dabbing?
Dabbing is the act of inhaling the flash vapor that is released by heating marijuana extracts. These extracts include shatter, wax, budder, rosin and more. Dabbing is one of the quickest methods to consume marijuana for an almost instantaneous relief. For ease of use and mobility, many reach for their vape pens, but for those of us that enjoy the ritual and novelty of heating a glass piece, dabbing simply can’t be beaten.
Dabbing Tools Required
- Dabbing Rig: This is a modified bong that has a glass joint designed to hold a nail instead of a connector. With this tool, you heat up the nail and place the concentrate on it to cause vaporization. There are various sizes available, so decide if you want a mini-rig or a larger one that sits on a coffee table.
- Nail: You can purchase a quartz, titanium, or ceramic nail. Purists tend to choose either quartz or ceramic because they provide a better flavor, but with titanium, you get a much more durable product. Also, with titanium, there is a danger of oxidation at super high temperatures, which can cause the alloy to prematurely degrade over time.
- Dabber: The purpose of this tool is to place the concentrate on the hot nail safely. If you have dry concentrate, choose a wide dabber as it does a better job of scooping. A Carb Cap also enables you to dab at a slightly lower temperature. This is vital because, at the reduced temperature, you get more of the terpenes which are lost at higher temperatures.
- Dab Mat: This handy piece of equipment acts as a stand for the rig. Without it, there’s a good chance that your table will get coated in sticky residue. It is best to purchase an easily washable mat.
- Torch: How else are you going to heat up the nail? Remember to purchase a butane refill as your torch will be empty when you purchase it. Also, be advised that you can’t use a normal lighter to heat up the nail on a dab rig!
- Electronic Nail: This is a must for concentrate lovers as it has an adjustable and constant heat source, which means there is no need for a torch. The downside? E-Nails are expensive and can cost up to $300.
What is the Correct Dabbing Technique?
Once all your equipment is in place, turn on the torch and make sure the flame is hitting the nail. Don’t make the mistake of overheating the nail, though – a lot of people prefer to heat it until it turns red hot, this isn’t necessary. In fact, too much heat can cause the concentrate to combust, which totally defeats the purpose of dabbing! A general rule of thumb to keep in mind is the 20/60 rule – torch the nail for 20 seconds, then wait about 60 seconds (one minute) before you hit your dab.
When the nail is hot enough, use your dabber to grab the correct amount of concentrate and add it directly to the nail inside the dome. Inhale the vapor slowly and rotate the dabber tip on the nail to avoid wasting oil that could be stuck to the dabber (“experts” will usually try to inhale the entire dab in one go, but if you’re just starting out we recommend you use the cap to trap the vapor, then come back to it once you’re ready to inhale again). Exhale, enjoy, and repeat until satisfied!