Nowadays, cannabis concentrate connoisseurs can choose from a wide variety of consumption methods. The days when hot knives and pins under glass were the go-to way to enjoy hash are long gone.
As a long-time cannabis journalist, I’ve had the good fortune of trying many different modalities. From e-rigs to heady glass, it’s been quite the ride.
I’m often asked what my favorite ways to smoke are. In honor of 710 (aka Oil Day), I present my top five concentrate consumption methods. I understand the rankings may lead to some debate, but I’m a firm believer that there’s something for everyone.
#5 – Rig and torch
View this post on Instagram
Purists will likely be offended by the low placement of the traditional quartz banger on this list, but the truth is that I’ve had a lot of bad luck with this method of consumption.
Between a second-degree burn on my arm (the dabber’s badge of honor) from a hot torch and the incredible frustration of trying to clean my rigs post-dab, classic rigs have always spelled trouble. While I certainly respect this method and the terp-tastic hit it can provide, traditional rigs just aren’t for me.
#4 – Infused joints
Good old-fashioned doobies are a splendid way to incorporate cannabis concentrates into your regimen. Sprinkling a bit of kief onto your flower prior to rolling up is a classic move, offering a simple way to supercharge your joint.
Infused pre-rolls are a hit on the legal cannabis market, and while they can be hard to smoke depending on the oil distribution (expert tip: run lighter over the outside of the joint for a second to get the wax melting), they’re perfect for flower fans who want to kick things up a notch.
#3 – Vape pen
View this post on Instagram
Don’t let the weed snobs fool you: a vape pen is technically a dab device. It may not offer exactly the same experience as a full-fledged dab, but the concept of vaporizing cannabis oil is the same. You still get a powerful hit of potent extract, but the ability to control your experience via the button-powered battery is a thing of beauty.
I must admit that I have become something of a vape pen snob over the years, and with so many gross products on the market, I feel very little shame about it. Live resin or rosin carts and pods can be great, as long as they’re free from additional terpenes and don’t clog or leak. My favorite brands include Binske, GoldDrop, and Globs.
#2 – E-rig
View this post on Instagram
The invention of the electronic dab rig (aka e-rig) revolutionized the cannabis world. All of a sudden, dabbing became safer, easier, and more accessible.
Since the debut of the first Puffco Peak in 2018, the market has seen a slew of innovative devices that have helped bridge the gap for consumers curious about concentrates. My top picks? The daab from Ispire, which is the closest thing you’re going to get to a traditional torch and rig experience, the Dr. Dabber XS Nano, a tiny e-rig with big clouds, and the latest Puffco Peak Pro, whose updated 3D chamber and vapor control gives you a fully customizable sesh every time.
#1 – Electric nectar collector
View this post on Instagram
Like most of you, I’m a sucker for convenience. E-rigs are amazing, but their cutting-edge technology can be inconvenient (quick, where’s my swab! The battery is dead! You get the drill).
When I was first introduced to the electronic honey straws by Dip Devices in 2017, my world was forever changed. The brand’s Little Dipper is especially slick; mimicking a heavy-duty pen, one end has a heating element while the other has a mouthpiece. Press a button, tap the heating element against your favorite extract, and inhale. It’s just that simple.
I constantly rave about the Little Dipper. It’s easy to use, insanely affordable, portable af, and offers a consistently great rip. The company is also run by people with pure hearts—they donate a portion of all sales to a variety of charitable organizations. What’s not to love?
Whether you like to stick with the tried and true dab rig or you’re terping it up with the latest innovation, there are plenty of ways to enjoy concentrates. Those new to the scene should always remember to start low and go slow—extracts are potent, and even the pros can overdo it.
