Cannabis dabbing, also known simply as “dabbing” or smoking dabs, is a method of consuming marijuana concentrates that involves inhaling vaporized wax, shatter, badder or budder.
Cannabis concentrate dabbing has revolutionized the pot world in recent years, with increased potency and versatility over traditional marijuana consumption methods like smoking or the use of THC edibles.
What is dabbing?
Dabbing is an increasingly popular way to consume cannabis concentrates. This technique involves heating a dab tool, such as a dab rig or nail, and then touching the concentrate to it. Once vaporized, the user inhales the resulting vapor. The result is a powerful high that many people find more pleasurable than smoking flower buds.
Unlike traditional smoking methods, dabbing cannabis requires higher temperature ranges to work effectively, which can be achieved with a small torch or an electric nail (e-nail). Dabbing allows users to experience a much more intense high than they would receive from smoking flower alone. This makes it popular among experienced cannabis users who are looking for an extra potent hit.
While smoking cannabis flower is a straightforward and intuitive process, many cannabis users are unsure exactly how to go about dabbing concentrated cannabis compounds sourced from the marijuana plant.
This introduction to cannabis dabbing will fill you in on everything you need to know.
Dabbing vs. Smoking Flower and Vaping Cannabis Oil
Dabbing has many advantages over traditional methods of cannabis consumption. For one, dabbing saves time because it can be done quickly and with minimal preparation. It also provides more potent effects due to the higher concentration of active cannabis compounds in dab vapor when compared to burning flower buds or vaping CBD oil.
| Pros of dabbing | Cons of dabbing |
|---|---|
| Saves time | Not for beginners |
| More potent | Requires some specialist equipment |
| Less smell than smoking | It may be too intense for some |
| Some users report greater effectiveness compared to other methods | It may look like you are using harder drugs to the uninitiated |
It’s worth noting that dabbing requires some specialized equipment, the four main components being:
Nails and e-nails are the heating elements and temperature-controlled devices that regulate the temperature needed to vaporize cannabis extract. We wrote about how to use a quartz domeless nail here.
Dab rigs come in a few popular iterations. A traditional dab rig is a large water pipe used specifically for the dabbing process that’s typically mounted on a dab mat or other non-stick surface. Electronic dab rigs use a battery-powered heating source — as opposed to a torch — in conjunction with a heating coil and glass pipe, percolator or mouthpiece.Both varieties of dab rigs typically use a dab tool to apply a tiny “dab” (hence the name of the practice) of concentrate onto the nail.
Concentrates are processed cannabis extracts such as butane hash oil (also known as butane honey oil, BHO or live resin) and other refined forms of cannabis concentrate like shatter and wax.
Torches are also necessary to heat up the nail in order to bring them up to the ideal temperature.
Although dabbing is often associated with recreational marijuana use, it’s also commonly used as a method of coping with certain disorders and illnesses by self-treating patients. Many of these patients report that dabbing cannabis concentrates provides them with greater relief of symptoms than traditional medical marijuana consumption, with none of the risks of drug abuse associated with over-the-counter pharmaceuticals.
Ideal Temperature Ranges for Dabbing Cannabis Concentrates
When it comes to dabbing concentrates sourced from the cannabis plant, there is no one-size-fits-all temperature that works best. Instead, the ideal dabbing temperature will depend on a variety of factors, including the type of concentrate being used and the user’s desired effects.
| Temperature | Best for |
|---|---|
| 300-400°F | optimal flavor and aroma |
| 400-500°F | thick vape clouds and intense effects |
| 485°F | live resin |
| 545°F | wax |
Generally speaking, most experts agree that lower temperatures (between 300-400°F) are ideal for producing flavorful and aromatic hits, while higher temp ranges (400-500°F) will provide users with thicker vapor clouds and more intense effects.
It’s important to reiterate that the ideal dabbing temperature can vary significantly depending on the type of concentrate in use. For example, live resin tends to vaporize at lower temperatures than wax, so if you’re dabbing it, you may want to start at a lower temperature (485°F) and then gradually increase in increments of 15°F as needed. On the other hand, waxes require higher temperatures (545°F at minimum) to break down completely and can become less enjoyable with insufficient heat.
The key to a great dabbing experience is finding the right temperature for the extract or concentrate in use. Too hot and you could burn off all the flavor and aroma; too cool and you won’t get the full effects of the concentrate. Experiment with different temperatures to find what works best for your dab setup, and invest in a reliable temperature control device if possible.
Best Practices When Storing Cannabis Concentrates
When storing cannabis concentrates, there are a few rules of thumb you should follow in order to protect them from rapid degradation. These are:
Keep your concentrates stored away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Heat will reduce the potency and flavor of your concentrate, so it’s important to keep them in a cool, dark place.
Make sure your concentrate containers are airtight. Resealing the container after each use will help prevent any moisture or oxygen from entering the container and breaking down the concentrate.
Store concentrates away from other odorous materials, such as tobacco, or food that could affect their flavor and aroma.
When storing concentrates for an extended period of time, it’s important to store them in a refrigerator or freezer. This will slow down the degradation process and help keep the concentrate fresh longer.
Butane hash oil (BHO) is particularly susceptible to mold and mildew growth when stored for long periods of time, so be sure to use a hygrometer to measure the relative humidity of your storage area and make sure it does not exceed 50 percent.
Nectar Collectors: A New & Convenient Way to Dab on The Go
A nectar collector is an easy-to-use, ultra-portable and discreet alternative to the conventional dab rig.
The anatomy of a nectar collector is much more straightforward — typically comprised of a mouthpiece, body, and inverted tip made from quartz or titanium, creating an optimal pathway for vaporizing concentrates with minimal waste.
Nectar collectors are heated by either a butane torch, like a dab rig or electronically using a heating chamber. The Puffco Plus is an example of an electronic nectar collector that uses multiple temperature presets, a 12-second continuous firing mode or “sesh mode,” and a coil-less pressure-sealed ceramic chamber that heats concentrates evenly without them ever directly touching the heating element. This makes for a superior dabbing experience in terms of vapor quality and flavor.
Nectar collectors are ideal for those who want to enjoy concentrates in their purest form, as they offer fast heating times, efficient vaporization, and (in the case of electronic collectors) a range of safety features to prevent overheating or damage to components. If you’re new to dabbing or simply uninclined to manage and maintain the specialized equipment involved in using a conventional dab rig, we recommend giving electronic nectar collectors a try.
