Dabbing involves the extraction of concentrated doses of cannabis using a solvent to extract THC and other cannabinoids into a potent, often sticky, or viscous oil.
Known by various names based on its texture and preparation method, dabs can be referred to as budder, shatter, wax, and butane hash oil (BHO), among other names.
To consume dabs, they are heated at high temperatures on small "nails" made of glass, quartz, or other materials, and then inhaled using a dab rig.
What sets them apart is their strength and purity. Unlike smoking dried herbs, dabs extract only the active compounds in cannabis, those that produce desired effects such as happiness, pain relief, and more. Additionally, dabbing delivers quick results, making it a preferred choice among the medical community for those seeking immediate relief.
Whether you're new to dabbing and need guidance or a regular user looking for tips to maximize your dabs, this guide will assist you in achieving the perfect dab every time you relax with your favorite concentrate.
Mastering the art of taking the perfect dab not only enhances the enjoyment of smoking concentrates but also helps your concentrate last longer and provides you with a pure and intense experience. Efficient dabbing offers numerous benefits. Keep reading and become a dabbing expert in no time!
1) Ensure You Have the Appropriate Equipment
Before beginning, it is important to ensure that you have the appropriate dabbing equipment. The standard dabbing kit includes a dab rig or water pipe of your choice equipped with a "nail" (an accessory that can be attached to most water pipes with a glass-on-glass downstem system), a butane torch for heating the nail, a dab tool for safely transferring concentrates onto the heated nail, and, of course, concentrate. When choosing a rig or water pipe, it is advisable to opt for something with low volume.
Dabbing concentrates often involve taking a few small hits rather than the large rips that frequent bong users may be accustomed to. For this reason, compact pieces, such as the one shown here, are preferred, typically standing at around 10 inches tall.
If you need a butane torch, many smoke shops now carry them. For those who are serious about dabbing, a larger butane torch from a home improvement store is recommended, as it heats nails more efficiently and has a longer lifespan than smaller torches. When it comes to dab tools, it is crucial to use a tool specifically designed for this purpose to avoid inhaling hazardous substances.
Dab tools come in various shapes and sizes, each designed for dabbing a particular kind of concentrate. Therefore, it is important to consider your preferences when selecting a dab tool.
2) Consider the Size of Your Dose
When measuring out the concentrates, start with a small amount. It's called a "concentrate" for a reason – it's stronger than dry herbs or other mediums. Therefore, if you're new to dabbing or trying a new product, take it slow. Being pleasantly high is enjoyable, but being overly high is the opposite.
Try to collect a few small crystals on your tool, resembling a crumb, rather than one large chunk.
As time passes and your tolerance increases, you can gradually take larger dabs. Additionally, starting with small amounts will help your lungs adjust to this type of smoke, preventing excessive coughing after each hit.
3) Ease into Dabbing
One of the most challenging aspects of dabbing is getting the temperature right. Each nail requires different heating levels, and each torch has varying output capacities. Temperature can impact everything from the flavor and intensity of the experience to the volume of smoke produced. While some experimentation is inevitable when trying new concentrates, rigs, and torches, here are a few tips to help you begin.
How Much Concentrate Should I Use for the First Time?
You only need a small amount of concentrate to achieve a significant high. The term "dab" stems from the expression "a little dab will do you." When it comes to dabs, using less is more effective.
Let's discuss the specifics. The recommended initial dosage for an edible is typically 5-10mg of THC. However, if you prefer a stronger experience and aim for a 25mg dab hit, here's how to calculate it.
Assuming you have one gram of wax labeled with 75% THC, that means there's 750mg of THC in 1000mg of hash. To achieve a 25mg THC hit, you would need approximately 33mg of that wax.
But what does 33mg actually look like? It's just slightly larger than a grain of rice. With one gram of hash, you can expect around 30 satisfying hits.
While some individuals boast about taking large dabs, it's important not to be swayed by this. Taking too large of a dab can result in excess concentrate accumulating in your nail, leading to wastage of the expensive concentrate and making it more difficult to use your rig properly in the future. If you desire a stronger high, it's better to take another dab rather than risk using too much at once.
Creative Ways to Enjoy Dabbing Without a Rig
No rig? No worries! You can still partake in dabbing without a rig. Here are some innovative methods to do so.
Use a Bong
Already have a bong? You can use it for dabbing. Simply acquire a nail that fits your cute bong.
This may be a bit challenging because most nails are female-jointed while most bong bowls are male-jointed.
However, you can easily obtain a male-jointed nail or use a joint adapter.
Nectar Collector
Ever wanted to experience dabbing like a hummingbird? A nectar collector, also known as a dab straw, allows you to do just that.
Using this tool is incredibly simple. Heat up one end of the straw and insert it directly into your concentrate container.
Inhale, and there you have your dab. Just like a hummingbird.
Dab Pens and E-rigs
Dab pens are one of the most remarkable innovations of the past decade. It's a very straightforward device, essentially an e-cigarette filled with THC concentrate.
You can purchase pre-loaded cartridges for your dab pen, or acquire a dab pen that allows manual loading of wax. Always check your pen's instructions before making a purchase.
An e-rig is a dab rig equipped with an electric heating element. It ensures the perfect temperature for dabbing every time.
E-rigs are rechargeable, unlike all dab pens. They also allow you to use any concentrate, not just those in pre-loaded cartridges.
Hot Knife
This method may be a bit unconventional, but yes, you can use a hot butter knife for dabbing.
Heat your hot knife on the stove until it's red hot. Then place the wax on it and inhale.
Some individuals prefer to use a straw, funnel, or cut-up two-liter bottle to capture all the vapor. However, a significant amount is wasted, making it less than ideal for dabbing.
Roll a Joint
This method is quite simple, as long as you know how to roll a joint. Grind your weed, form it into a joint, and add some hash.
The process of adding hash will depend on its consistency. Aim for even distribution as much as possible.
Finish rolling your joint, light it up, and enjoy!
