Whether you’ve been a cannabis user for some time or are just learning about them now, you’ve probably heard of a dab rig or the process of “dabbing.”

Just like most things in the world of cannabis, the terms can get pretty confusing, even if you’re an experienced user. Understanding how to use a dab rig can seem intimidating at first, but it quickly becomes second nature with a little practice.

This article serves as a guide for beginners and experienced users alike to understand dab rigs, how they’re used, why they’re so popular, and more.

What Are Concentrates?

Before you can understand what a dab rig is, you need to know what concentrates are. A concentrate is exactly what it sounds like: a concentrated form of specific major cannabinoids from cannabis plants.

Concentrates can consist of delta 9 THC, delta 8 THC, delta 10 THC, CBD, and more.

Delta 9 THC and delta 8 THC are the most popular cannabinoids in concentrates.

Concentrates — including shatter, wax, budder, rosin, diamonds, distillate, and butane hash oil (BHO) — are usually developed by extracting certain cannabinoids from cannabis plants using heat and pressure or advanced chromatography. The result is a concentrated form of the cannabinoid with high purity.

Some concentrates like rosin can reach 75% and 85% THC purity while others around 80-90%. Due to the amount of plant matter that goes into creating concentrates, they are typically quite expensive.

What Is a Dab Rig?

A dab rig is one of the most popular pieces of equipment you would use to consume concentrates. They’re usually made of glass and have quartz or titanium pieces — called nails — used to heat the concentrate. You might also opt for a quartz banger instead of a nail.

Similar to bongs, dab rigs allow the smoke from the burning concentrate to pass through a water chamber for cooling and purification. Once the smoke passes through the water, it travels up through a mouthpiece for inhalation.

What Are Dab Rigs Used For?

Dab rigs are used for consuming cannabinoid concentrates. The act of using a dab rig is called “dabbing,” and it delivers a high concentration of your desired cannabinoid in a short period.

You can use a dab rig with any cannabis concentrate, including those with delta 9 THC, delta 8 THC, CBD, and more.

Why Use a Dab Rig?

There are three primary reasons to use a dab rig over other methods of consumption.

First, dab rigs provide a very high-potency hit of your desired cannabinoid. Other smoking methods might deliver 10-15% THC by volume, but a dab can top 80%. Depending on the size of a dab, one hit is usually enough.

When you consume marijuana or hemp flower, you inhale compounds that won’t contribute to your experience. A dab is one of the purest forms of a cannabinoid you can consume.

Second, most users enjoy the clean, crisp taste of a dab. Dabs are pure, so those other compounds ignited when you smoke cannabis flower won’t be contributing to the taste. More importantly, unavoidable compounds in flower, like chlorophyll and salts or chemicals used during the growth process, contribute to harshness. These are all present in significantly lower quantities in a dab.

Finally, dabs burn more cleanly and won’t produce as much smoke as most other inhalation methods.

How Do You Use a Dab Rig?

Dabbing can seem like a complicated process, but it’s relatively simple once you understand the basics.

1. Heat Your Nail

You’ll begin the hot nail dabbing process by, well, heating your nail, usually without any concentrate in the bowl; you can also opt for a cold start, which we explain below.

If you’re using a traditional nail, you’ll heat it with a butane torch. Most concentrates require heating to between 300 and 800 degrees, which you’ll just need to get a feel for based on the taste. Most users heat the nail directly and uniformly for around 30 seconds; avoid getting spots red from the heat.

If you’re using an e-nail or what they call an electric dab rig, simply dial in the right temperature and wait until the machine says it’s ready (that is, if you have an e-nail with precise temperature control).

2. Place Your Concentrate & Inhale

Once your nail is heated, use a dab tool called a dabber — a small metal scoop for dosing dabs — to wipe the concentrate inside the heated nail. You should plan to begin inhaling simultaneously because the heat of the nail will instantly begin to vaporize the concentrate. Do your best to get all of the concentrates off of the dabber.

3. Place Your Carb Cap

While you continue to inhale, place your carb cap — a small cover for regulating airflow through the dab rig — over the nail. If the carb cap has a hole in it, you can swivel it around to distribute air around the nail, ensuring all concentrate is vaporized and inhaled.

4. Remove the Carb Cap & Exhale

Finally, remove your carb cap to inhale the rest of the smoke from your dab rig, and exhale.

What Is a Cold Start On a Dab Rig?

An alternative to the standard dab method described above is “cold start” or “reverse” dabbing. This process involves slowly increasing the temperature of the concentrate in your nail to get it to vaporize at the lowest temperature possible.

To cold start, a dab, place the concentrate in your nail before any heat is applied, and top it with a carb cap. Next, heat the nail using a butane torch from several inches away until you see the concentrate start to bubble or smoke appears.

Stop heating the nail at this point and begin inhaling through the mouthpiece. You can swirl the carb cap around to distribute the heat and airflow evenly.

Many users note that cold start dabs preserve some of the terpenes in concentrates, leading to a better taste and an even cleaner and less harsh hit.

Types of Dab Rig Nails

Dab nails are small bowls that attach to your glass rig and hold the concentrate for heating. They’re most often made out of quartz, but you can also buy glass, ceramic, and titanium nails.

Glass nails are the cheapest, but they can break most easily and even shatter at the high temperatures required for some concentrates. Ceramic nails are a bit more expensive and can still shatter, but they’re easier to clean than glass nails.

Quartz nails are the most popular because they absorb heat quickly and reduce the amount of time you’ll spend heating your nail before dabbing. Titanium nails are incredibly durable, but some users report that they alter the taste of the dab.

In addition to choosing the material, you also have a choice between traditional nails and electronic nails (e-nails). Standard nails require that you heat them using an external heat source, like a butane torch. E-nails include an electric source that automatically heats the nail to your desired temperature. These are convenient but very expensive and bulky.

How to Clean a Dab Rig?

After every dab you take — even if you plan to take another — you should plan to clean out the nail while it’s still hot to prevent residue from building up and getting caked on the inside walls. Any remaining concentrate can contribute to poor taste or harshness on your next hit.

After you’ve completed a dab, wipe the inside of the nail with isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab and let it cool and dry thoroughly before your next hit.

It’s also a good idea to fill the dab rig with saltwater between sessions, cover the holes with your hands, and shake vigorously. This helps keep the water pipe portion clean and free of build-up. Rince the rig clean and let dry before using it again.

Is Using a Dab Rig Safe?

Some users argue that vaporizing cannabis concentrates is “cleaner” than burning or combusting plant material. Some also say that dabbing is safer than other inhalation methods because you’re inhaling fewer chemicals and compounds other than your desired cannabinoid. There is little evidence to support this due to a lack of research.

Others maintain that dabbing is inherently more dangerous than smoking or vaping simply because the concentration of inhaled cannabinoids is so high. This could potentially lead to consuming too much of the cannabinoid. Although there’s no evidence to suggest that an overdose of delta 9 THC, delta 8 THC, or other cannabinoids is possible, it might lead to unwanted effects.

Dab Rigs vs Traditional Smoking Methods

Some people wonder why dab rigs might be favored over traditional smoking methods. While joints or bowls burn plant matter directly, using a dab rig involves heating the concentrate to vaporization. This produces fewer unwanted byproducts, potentially resulting in a smoother inhale.

Plus, with a water pipe setup, the vapor is cooled through the water chamber, which many users say creates a more pleasant, less harsh hit.

Wrapping Up: Is Dabbing Right for You?

Dabbing is one of the most popular ways to consume cannabinoids, usually delta 9 THC and delta 8 THC. A dab delivers a highly potent and pure hit, making it easy to get your desired effects quickly. Most users report that dabs have a clean taste and minimal harshness due to their purity.

Dabbing is a bit more complicated than other consumption methods, but the directions above should guide you to an enjoyable experience. Once you’re familiar with the steps and equipment, dabbing could very well become your favorite cannabinoid delivery method like it has for many other users.

You’ll have to decide if dabbing is right for you. Keep in mind that dab hits can be much stronger than what you might experience with traditional cannabis flower. Take it slow, learn the technique, and see if a dab rig becomes your go-to for a potent, efficient cannabis session.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Am I supposed to put water in my dab rig?

Yes, most dab rigs function similarly to bongs, so you’ll add water to the main chamber. The water cools the vapor before it reaches your mouth, making each hit smoother.

2. Why is my dab not producing smoke?

It could be several issues: your nail might not be hot enough, you might not have enough concentrate, or the carb cap isn’t sealed properly. Experiment with temperature and dab size to find the right combo.

3. Are dabs better for lungs than smoking?

Opinions vary. Dabs produce vapor rather than combusted plant matter, potentially resulting in fewer irritants. Still, high heat can be harsh on your lungs, and long-term effects aren’t fully studied yet.

4. Do you heat the nail or banger?

Yes. You typically heat your nail, banger, or bucket with a torch or an e-nail, then place the concentrate inside once it’s at the desired temperature. A hot nail is crucial for instantaneous vaporization.

5. How often should I change my dab water?

It’s best to change it after each session or whenever it looks cloudy. Stale water can affect flavor and might harbor bacteria if left for too long.