If you’re looking for a way to reach new heights of relaxation and physical relief, then dabbing is the way to go. Although dabbing is a popular way of getting your dose of THC, it isn’t for everyone. When you’re new to cannabis, then you might want to explore other methods first. When you decide that you want to try dabbing, you should know how to take a dab. We’ll tell you everything you need to know about dabbing.

What Exactly Are 'Dabs'?

Dabs are completely different from the flower. Dabs are made from all the leftover plant material from your cannabis, like the stems and other things you wouldn’t want to smoke. All of that material is concentrated into oil using butane. Dab oil has a lot higher concentration than flower. Bud typically has a THC percentage between 15-25%, while dab oil ranges between 50-80% THC. 

What dab tools do you need?

Dab Rig: First, you’ll need a dab rig, preferably one made from high-quality borosilicate glass. Dab rigs are different from a traditional bong because instead of a bowl where you would normally load your cannabis, you have a nail which you’ll light with a butane torch instead of a lighter.

Nail: The main types of dab rig nails that can be found are made from glass, quartz, titanium, or ceramic. Nails are either domed or not. A domed nail is a nail that is surrounded by a glass bubble, which keeps the vapor from dissipating into the air. Domes also make it, so you don’t accidentally touch the heated nail and burn yourself. The dome can be removed when you are heating the nail.

Lighter or torch: You need a lighter or torch to heat your nail. When you are using an e-nail, then a torch isn’t needed. With an e-nail, you can easily control the temperature of your nail. It is safer to use as well but at the same time more expensive than a torch. 

Dabber: You use the dabber to apply your concentrate to the nail. Dabbers come in different shapes and materials. It is important to pick a dabber based on the texture and consistency of the concentrate.

Carb Cap: We recommend using a carb cap to regulate the airflow and control your hits.  

Concentrate: They come in many forms. Wax, BHO, rosin, and shatter are a few of the most commonly used concentrates for dabbing. 

How to take a Dab?

1. Gather Your Materials

Before you start to take your dab, make sure that you have all the tools that you need ready. You’ll need a butane torch, a dabber, your silicone container with your concentrate, a nail, a carb cap, and your bong. You’re working with a hot torch and breakable glass, so make sure that you are focused and safe.

2. Heating the Nail

Light your nail. You do this by turning on your torch and aiming the flame on the nail. When you’re lighting your nail, you want to make sure that you get it to the right temperature. If you are using a domed nail, take the dome off the nail before lighting it. We recommend letting your quartz nail cool off for circa 45 seconds. When using a titanium nail, you should let the nail cool for circa 10 seconds. 

When your nail starts to glow, you’ve reached the right temperature. Make sure you are paying attention to the temperature of your nail. If you get the nail too hot, you could end up breaking it. If you don’t get the nail hot enough, then your concentrate will not vaporize properly, and you’ll end up wasting your dab. 

3. Dab

Once you have the nail heated to the right temperature, you’ll take your dabber with your concentrate on it and place it inside your nail. If you are using a domed nail, place the dome back on the nail before putting the dabber on it. If you’re using a carb cap, then cover the dab with your carb cap.

4. Take the Hit

Inhale, just as you would taking a normal bong hit. Repeat as necessary.

How to clean your nail

You should always clean your nail at the end of every dab session because carbon, reclaimed oil, and particulates can build up. Maintaining your nail correctly will make your nail last longer. 

Scrape: When there is a small build-up you can gently scrape this out with a sharp dabber tool. 

Torch: You can also easily heat your nail again with the torch. This will burn residues. When using a quartz, ceramic, or glass nail for your dab rig, make sure not to expose it to rapid temperature change; this can lead to fractures. After torching your nail, let it cool down completely and finish scraping out the build-up with your scrape. 

Wash: Lastly, you can soak your nail in isopropyl alcohol to get it clean. Check out our special cleaning accessories for smoking devices. 

When following these steps, you will successfully take your first dabs. Enjoy!

Image source: Pixabay