Dabs

Education

How To Take Dabs & What You Will Need

Navigating your way around the dabs can be a tricky thing to do, especially if it’s your first time doing it. But like all other things in life, practice makes perfect. Not to mention a little reading and research about dabbing might help you out a bit as well.

When we speak of dabbing, we’re talking about the flash vaporization of cannabis concentrates. Concentrates like shatter, rosin, wax, and crumble, are usually applied to a superheated surface and then inhaled for devastatingly potent yet crisp high. In the case of dabbing, less is more.

If it’s your first time learning about dabbing or maybe you’ve hit the dab rig before but want to know a little bit more, then keep on reading. We’ve got you covered!

What is Dabbing? What is a Dab?

Dab

So what is dabbing?

Dabbing means the vaporization of highly concentrated cannabis extracts, and is a process of cannabis consumption largely enjoyed by seasoned cannabis smokers. 

What about dabs?

Dabs are highly potent doses of cannabis created from the extraction of cannabinoids and terpenes, usually with help of different solvents. That said, to create a wide variety of different sticky extracts including wax, shatter and honey oil that we all know and love, solvents such as butane oil or carbon dioxide are used.

We enjoy dabbing for a while now, but since the advent of legal cannabis in North America, newer and more efficient extraction methods have given rise to various varieties and more potent forms of extracts, resulting in an explosion in popularity among the cannabis community.

One thing you’ll notice about a lot of the cannabis extracts out there is that they all have pretty high concentrations of THC. Make no mistake about it, producers extract CBD as well. Yet people who are more inclined to enjoy dabs, tend to use them for its psychoactive effects, which is where THC shines. 

Due to the sheer potency of many cannabis extracts, dabbing can take you from 0 to 100 in a matter of seconds, getting you stoned to the gills. 

In addition to this, many extracts also carry a decent amount of terpenes in them, giving them a unique and vibrant high and flavor profile. For those who enjoy the flavor of cannabis, full-spectrum extracts are also an option worth considering.

What Equipment You’ll Need to Dab

Current dabbing technology is always improving and evolving, but if you’re using the old school process to take a dab, you only need these items:

Dab Rig to take dabs

A Dab Rig: Dab rigs are pipes designed for vaporizing cannabis concentrates that are similar to bongs but include a slot for a nail.

A Nail: Similar to a bowl for a bong, a nail has a bucket-like shape to it and is where you will place your cannabis concentrate. As far as your selection goes, the standard is a quartz banger, but there are also ceramic and titanium alternatives. Not to mention that e-nails are starting to become a thing as well. To get your nail to fit into your dab rig, you’ll have to get the right size, which means a 14mm stem matches with a 14mm nail in the same way that an 18mm stem matches an 18mm nail.

Dabber

A Dabber: This is an applicator that you’ll use to get your concentrate onto the nail. Much like the nail, you’ll have glass, ceramic, and metal options available for you. Depending on the particular consistency and texture of the cannabis concentrates you’ll be using, different dabbers work better. You can choose from a scoop, ballpoint, paddle dabber, and various others.

A Torch: Mini torches work much better than standard lighters when it comes to dabbing. You’ll be able to apply a consistent heat to the nail, making for a frictionless experience. Oh, and just remember, keep some extra propane handy just in case!

A Carb Cap (Optional): We recommend using a carp cap to help with the airflow in your rig.

Some Cannabis Extract: There are many different extracts to choose from, but the most popular in terms of dabbing are butane hash oil (BTO), shatter, wax, and rosin. Let’s cover them. 

Different Types of Cannabis Concentrates

Honey Oil

Honey Oil

Hash oil, also known as Honey Oil, contains a high concentration of cannabinoids and terpenes. Hash oils can have up to 70 to 85 percent THC concentration, residing in the upper tiers of potency, among other extracts, helping its user achieve a state of euphoria to ease pain and nausea. You’ll notice this one by its thick gooey texture and amber-like glow. 

Shatter

Next in line is shatter. Shatter is a glass-like and brittle cannabis concentrate as you could have guessed by its name. Made through butane extraction and containing THC content ranging anywhere from 70 to 90 percent, shatter can surprise even the most experienced smokers. Shatter is easy to use when taking dabs due to its solid texture at room temperature. You can distinguish shatter by its golden, photogenic glass-like appearance and pull-and-snap texture.

Wax

Dabs (wax)

Viscous, sticky, and thick in its consistency, the wax is another potent cannabis extract. Waxes are usually extracted via butane and contain 70 to 90 percent THC content. Due to its potency, the wax provides immediate medical relief, hitting users in a matter of seconds. This type of concentrate takes on the appearance of golden waxy paste that is sticky to the touch.

Rosin

Zkittlez Rosin (Squish Extracts)

Rosin is an extremely versatile extract, made through solventless methods. To make rosin, producers heat a raw bud into full-melt hash oil. As a result, a truly solventless product is made. You can even create your own rosin at home. All you will need is a hair straightener and parchment or waxed paper.

Rosin usually takes on a translucent amber appearance with a thick consistency like shatter. If extracted carefully, rosins carry a pure and clean flavor and a crisp and powerful high. Rosin usually contains a THC content of approximately 75 percent.

Edibles vs Dabs

Don’t want to invest in the dab equipment? Or don’t like the smoke filling your house? Use edibles instead!

When it comes to taking and dosing your edibles, nothing can beat them. They’re easy to eat and even easier to enjoy, and you won’t have to worry about clouding up your house with thick clouds or putting down an expensive payment on dabbing equipment.

Not only that, but they are also a convenient way to consum