Dabbing is the flash vaporization concentrates, or dabs and high temperatures and it’s done using a dab rig, e-rig, also known as a dab pen. This guide will focus on traditional dabbing using dab rigs within this guide.

There’s a bit of a steep learning curve associated with dabbing so if you’ve never done dabbing before, it might be beneficial to ask someone experienced with it to explain how to do it.

Things to consider when dabbing:

  • Dabs are concentrated forms of cannabis, therefore you can get a small amount of cannabis to go a very far distance. The flower has between 15-25% THC. Dabs can range between 60 and 90% THC.
  • It’s important to be aware of temperature when dabbing: If the nail is too hot, you’ll burn Terpenes and trigger a coughing fit.
  • Avoid the hot nail. It’ll be much warmer than your hot pot or lighter.

Is there a Dab Rig?

A dab rig is a water pipe used to inhale a dab. It resembles a bong, with a chamber that holds water to cool the vapor. But as opposed to a pot for flowers, as with the bong, the best dab kit has a nail for concentrates.

What’s the process for a dab rig?

In order to take a dab the nail of the dab rig can be heated with a torch, then left for it to cool to the desired temperature. A cannabis concentrate is inserted into the nail, and the intense heat vaporizes it. A carb cap is positioned on top of the nail, and the dabber exhales to control the airflow by using the cap.

The vapor moves from the nail to the main chamber of the rig and is then cool by water before it reaches the dabber’s lungs.

How to make dabs

Before dabbing it’s crucial to understand that solvent concentrates like shatter and crumble, wax, jelly, honey, and much more, can be made by using chemicals like butane. As such, these concentrates are only made by certified technicians with the appropriate equipment and can’t be prepared at home.

Solvents must be purged from the extraction process to ensure they are safe to consume. Only a professional licensed in a legal market will be able to perform this. Unsafe solvent extraction techniques can be risky and could cause the release of harmful fumes, and possibly explosions.

However, some solventless dabs can be made at home using cannabis flowers and simple household tools.