What is A Dab Rig - All About Dabbing
A dab rig is a glass pipe with a water chamber designed for vaporizing cannabis concentrates, called “dabs”. Unlike pipes that burn cannabis flower to inhale smoke, dab rigs allow you to heat and inhale potent vapor which passes through water for filtration for a much smoother inhale.
Dab rigs are:
- For concentrates, not dry herbs.
- More potent than smoking (60-90% THC)
- Smoother and healthier than smoking
- Richer flavors compared to smoking
Top benefit: Compared to vaping, dabbing is just as clean but much more potent and has cost-saving benefits.
What does a dab rig do?
Dab rigs are specially designed to consume THC extract (concentrates). Concentrates can’t be smoked in traditional bongs or pipes, you need a specific way to heat and inhale dab vapors. To do this, dab rigs use a bowl called a banger made from quartz which can handle the higher temperatures of a torch.
By applying heat to the surface of the quartz banger, usually with a dab torch, it turns the concentrate into vapor. The vapor then travels through the water and is split apart via bubbles by the percolator for filtration and cooling before you inhale.
Parts of a dab rig
A dab rig has many pieces, each mandatory for the experience. While bongs have only two parts (the body and the bowl) a dab rig has five: body, banger, torch, wand, and dome.
Anatomy of a dab rig:
- Mouthpiece: Where you inhale the vapor.
- Water chamber: Holds water and the percolator
- Percolator: Creates bubbles in the water chamber to cool and filter vapors
- Joint: Connects the banger to the rig.
Necessary accessories:
- Nail or banger: The heated bowl where you place the concentrate.
- Dome: Covers the banger or nail to prevent vapor loss
- Dab tool: Utensil to scoop, apply, and stir cannabis concentrates safely.
- Dab torch: Heats the banger to vaporize concentrate
Nail or banger? Just like a weed pipe has a bowl and a bong has a removable glass bowl, a dab rig can use either a nail or a banger to heat concentrates. Both a nail and a banger use conduction heating to release the cannabinoids from the concentrates for you to inhale but they differ slightly:
- A nail is usually from titanium and heats up quickly and retains heat well.
- Bangers are usually quartz or ceramic and heat up fast but lose heat quickly.
How does a dab rig work?
Using a dab rig involves a few more steps compared to traditional smoking methods:
- Heat the nail or banger: Use a torch to heat the nail or banger until it's hot enough to vaporize the concentrate.
- Apply the concentrate: With a dab tool, place a small amount of your concentrate onto the heated surface, and immediately put the dome on top of the banger to prevent vapor loss.
- Pull the vapor: The hot surface vaporizes the concentrates, releasing THC, CBD, and terpenes in the form of vapor, which gets pulled through the water chamber for bubble filtration.
- Inhale the vapor: Inhale slowly while rotating the dome cap. This creates a vortex effect and promotes even vaporization and enhancing flavor and potency.
Dab rigs can be tricky at first with the torch, heating, and timing. But it’s worth learning because dab rigs do offer the best vaporization with cannabis concentrates in potency and flavor that other types of vaporizers just can’t match.
Benefits of using a dab rig
The benefit of using a dab rig is its ability to deliver powerful effects very quickly, similar to the benefits of a bong. The water chamber provides cleaner and cooler vapor which also helps enhance flavor and reduce lung irritation. You get superior flavor, efficient use of concentrates, and much smoother hits.
1. Feel stronger effects
Concentrates used with dab rigs contain much higher THC levels compared to typical cannabis flowers. Concentrates range from 60-90% THC while dry herb flowers are 15-25%. This means dab rigs deliver much stronger effects, using much less product. For many beginners, this is far too strong, which makes dab rigs better suited for more experienced consumers.
2. Taste pure flavors
Dab rigs heat concentrates at the perfect dab temperature which prevents burning unlike combustion (smoking). Without the harshness of smoke, you can taste and savor the cannabis terpenes which are responsible for flavor, aroma, and therapeutic benefits.
3. Reduces coughing
Your lung doesn’t like hot vapor! It can damage lung tissue and lead to coughing fits. When hot vapor passes through the water chamber, the water absorbs some of the heat. This results in a much smoother and cooler vapor that reduces irritation and coughing.
Pro-tip: To cool hot vapors even more, try using a glycerin dab rig or a recycler dab rig. Both of these upgraded dab rigs can cool hot vapors significantly, eliminating the need to cough.
4. Cleaner for your lungs
Water not only cools the vapor but also acts as a filtration system, helping to remove impurities. Water diffusion helps filter out tiny particles or residual solvents found in vapor, resulting in cleaner vapor. Dab rigs are one of the few concentrate devices that use water filtration which makes dabbing much gentler on your respiratory system.
5. Use less, get more
Dab rigs pack a punch with less product. Concentrates are super strong, so a tiny dab goes a long way. You'll feel the effects quickly and intensely, using way less than you would with other methods. This means your stash lasts longer and you save money in the long run.
6. Feel effects instantly
Dabs hit fast and hard. The vapor goes straight to your lungs and into your blood, so you feel it right away. It's perfect when you need quick relief or want to feel the effects instantly. No waiting around – just immediate impact.
Is a dab rig right for you?
Dab rigs are best for experienced cannabis users who want powerful and fast-hitting effects with pure flavors. If you’re new to cannabis or have a low tolerance, a dab rig may be too intense for you.
A dab rig is right for you if:
- Want potent hits without smoke
- Enjoy rich, clear flavors
- Are comfortable with strong effects
- Don't mind spending more on concentrates
It might not be for you if:
- You're a beginner
- Have a low tolerance
- Prefer milder effects
- Are on a tight budget
Choosing the right dab rig
When selecting a dab rig, think about what's important to you:
- Size: Smaller rigs often preserve flavor better and are more efficient.
- Quality: Look for rigs made from durable materials like borosilicate glass.
- Ease of Use: Simple designs are great for beginners.
- Style: Choose a rig that appeals to you aesthetically.
Dab rigs come in a few different types of models:
- Glass dab rig: classic build, pure and unadulterated flavors.
- Recycler dab rig: increased water filtration for smoother hits
- Glycerin dab rig: uses frozen glycerin to cool hot vapors by 300 degrees.
- Mini rigs: Smaller dab rigs, great for flavor
- Electric dab rig: A dab rig that uses electricity to heat not a dab torch.
- Bong convert:You can also convert a bong into a dab rig.
Final thoughts
Dab rigs offer a potent way to enjoy cannabis concentrates, delivering intense effects and pure flavors almost immediately. They use water filtration to cool and clean the vapor, resulting in smoother hits compared to smoking. While they require some skill to use (torches and precise timing) you’ll find the learning curve very worth it, for what this cannabis smoking device can do.
Dab rigs are best for experienced smokers looking for intense effects and rich flavors because concentrates are much stronger than traditional flower. While dab rigs are a great way to enjoy concentrates I wouldn’t recommend them for beginners or if you have a lower tolerance. If you're comfortable with powerful effects and don't mind the initial investment, a dab rig could be perfect for you.
