There are a bounty of ways to consume cannabis. Dabbing is one cherished method for enjoying cannabis extracts, and there are a few ways to do it. The analog dab technique requires glass pieces, nails, and other pieces that come together in one highly functional tool. Everything from shopping for dab rigs to hitting them is easier with knowledge about how dab rigs work and their components.
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How do dab rigs work?
A dab rig is a water pipe that can vaporize concentrates. They often provide a more intense hit compared to vape pens and other methods. The water pipe requires a few components that differ from a bong or bubbler used to consume flower. There are choices for what type of nail, pipe, or accessories someone might use.
Pipe
Traditional water pipes, recyclers, and mini bongs work as dab rigs with the appropriate attachments. However, just because they work does not mean they will lead to the best possible hit.
The temperature to heat extracts is far higher than that of a bong. This makes a piece that cools smoke pretty essential. Funneling percolators and recyclers that run water and smoke through many chambers are wise choices for those building their dab rig. Just be sure that the nail is the right size.
Nails
A dab nail comes in many shapes and sizes, but all with one goal: vaporizing extracts. Nails can come in titanium, ceramic, glass, or quartz–each with its draw. Titanium handles heat well and won’t alter the extract flavor, and ceramic heats slowly and retains that warmth. Glass nails don’t hold temperature well and break easily, but they are widely available and cheap. Quartz is more durable, takes big globs, and takes high temps.
After deciding between what kind of material to use, it is time to choose a shape. Bangers are the most common but before that, there were wild contraptions like globe nails and slides. These old school nails feature a globe around a small glass spike, or a bell that must quickly go over a heated glass plate before it loses heat. However, now, it is all about the banger. The small bucket connects to the downstem with a glass elbow joint. The bucket is heated before you drop the extract in and pull for a terpene-rich hit. Now, how it’s heated leads to another decision.
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Heating Element
We could all kick it old-school, torching the banger until it is red and guessing the temp, but why live in the past? These days, there are ways to monitor the dab down to the degree. One option is an eNail, a titanium coil that attaches to the bottom of a dab rig. The other end connects to a box that powers and heats the mechanism. Dab Rite and OCTAVE have dab rig thermometers that help a stoner dial it in.
Accessories
Some dab accessories can amplify the experience, like terp slurpers, terp pearls, carb caps, and electric dab tools. Terp slurpers are a type of banger that serves low-temperature dabbers best. They feature a skillet under a cylinder and banger. Terp pearls are ideal for terp slurpers. The spinning pearls increase the surface area of concentrates, making the hit more tasty and efficient. Put the dab into the skillet and slurp. This method is said to preserve terpenes and reduce waste.
As for terp pearls, they are made of borosilicate glass, ruby, or quartz and enhance the airflow of the banger. Carb caps do the same. They are made of glass, titanium, quartz, and ceramic. The cap goes onto the banger to reduce airflow and control its temperature. Lastly, electric dab tools make it easier than ever to drop sticker dabs onto the nail or banger.
Custom dab rigs unlock a new experience
Dabbing is a surefire way to enjoy a tasty glob of terpenes, but it also requires special tools and gear. Those who want a truly personalized experience can build their dab rig, as long as they know how the whole thing works. These components are essential in the process. Knowing how dab rigs work opens up a world of extract experiences. Now, get out there and live it up!
