How to Dab: Four Ways to Consume Cannabis Concentrate

By Fahad Basser Updated August 26th

Fact-checked by Alexandra Arnett, MS

Anyone can dab, but learning how to dab right is an art.

What Is A Dab?

Dabs are a very concentrated form of cannabis, usually ranging from 70% to 99% THC. They are manufactured using solvents like carbon dioxide or butane to extract cannabinoids from cannabis buds and sugar leaves. The resulting concentrates go by many different names, depending on their consistency, including shatter, wax, and BHO. These concentrates are usually smoked by heating them on a hot surface called a nail and then inhaling the resulting vapor through a dab rig, much like taking a hit from a bong.

‍Most novice smokers and casual MMJ users find dabbing too strong for their tolerance, but for many medical marijuana users, dabbing offers fast and powerful relief to patients who have an unusually high tolerance for THC.

How Strong Are Dabs Compared To Smoking Flower?

Compared to marijuana flower at around 15% - 25%, dabs are much stronger — generally from 70% - 90%. Marijuana flower can be smoked or vaporized and results in a milder high that usually lasts around 2 to 4 hours.

Dabs, on the other hand, are very concentrated marijuana extracts that can come in many forms, including:

  • Shatter,
  • Crumble,
  • Wax, or
  • Oil.

Since dabs are generally about 70% to 90% THC, they're not recommended for the novice user at all. They produce very potent effects that come on strong and fast and peak over the course of a half hour to 45 minutes. People have been known to get "couch-locked" or quickly fall asleep when they dab the first few times.

SEE ALSO: Does Marijuana Make You Lazy?

What Tools Do You Need to Dab Cannabis?

Dabbing tools are still improving and developing as more people adopt this method of consumption. In general, you'll need the following tools:

Dab Rig - A dab rig looks a lot like a bong, but instead of a fitting for a bowl, it has a fitting for a nail.

Nail - This looks a lot like a bowl for a bong, but it's smaller. It could be made of quartz, ceramic, or metal. Manual nails are heated up with a torch, but you can find electric nails that don't need torches.

Wand or Dabbing Tool - This is a glass, ceramic, or metal stick with an end specially shaped to dab into the concentrate and then hold over the nail to heat it up. The end of the dab tool can be shaped like a spoon, paddle, scoop, or other shape to best fit a certain type of concentrate.

Torch - If you don't have an electric nail, you'll need a dab torch for heating up the nail.

Some Good Concentrate - Life's too short for bad concentrate :)

SEE ALSO: What Is a Dab Pen?

How To Dab With A Dab Rig

There are many different ways to dab, but the most common is to use a dab rig. Dabbing with a basic rig is a three-step process:

  1. Get your concentrate ready.
  2. Heat your nail.
  3. Apply the concentrate to the nail and inhale.

You should dab from a rig ONLY if you 1) have a fairly high tolerance AND 2) know what you're doing. If you have no clue, find someone who does—seriously. For many, a single hit from a monster rig is equivalent to smoking an entire blunt in one sitting.

But what is this “dab rig”? Below, you see a custom rig in action with the use of a handheld blow torch. The picture displays the four main components of a typical dab rig: oil rig, torch, nail, and wand (also known as a dabber tool).

You'll need a wand, torch, oil rig, nail and concentrate to dab.

1. Apply Marijuana Concentrate To Your Dab Tool

Apply just a tiny amount of marijuana concentrate directly onto your dab tool (wand). The amount you scoop onto the tool, whether shatter, wax, crumble, or oil, will directly affect how high you get. So, if it's your first time, use a very small amount, like the size of the head of a pin. You'll be surprised at the potency.

Scoop your concentrate onto your wand or dabbing tool.

2. Heat The Nail

Next, you'll turn on your blow torch and heat the nail so that the flame is directly applied to the nail. It will become red hot after a few seconds. Most people recommend waiting about 8 to 10 seconds before moving on to the next step to let the nail cool a little. Be sure to turn off your blow torch BEFORE you inhale.

Warning: DO NOT LEAVE YOUR TORCH ON.

Heat the nail.

3. Dab Your Concentrate

Touch your small (very small) piece of concentrate against the nail and inhale very, very slowly. Don't go too fast because the size of the rig affects how much the vapor cools before it hits your lungs. You don't want to inhale the vapor while it's too hot because you could hurt your lungs. You'll be able to adjust your pull once you have a feel for your rig.

Rotate the dab tool across the nail as you inhale so you don't waste any of your concentrate. DO NOT TOUCH THE NAIL, as it will still be very hot.

Make sure you don’t use too much concentrate for a single hit, and sit down before inhaling. Again, this hits very fast and can take the user by surprise. Inexperienced consumers have been known to get lightheaded and even pass out from a large dab hit, so it's absolutely essential that you have someone with you the first few times you dab. You need to sit in a safe place with no sharp corners that could hurt you and ensure your blowtorch is OFF before inhaling.

Put the tool on the nail and inhale slowly.

Other Ways to Dab Cannabis

Now that you know how to dab using a dab rig, here are three other methods for dabbing concentrates. The method you use is a matter of personal preference. You may find that you prefer one method over another because it's easier or more convenient or because its action is a little mellower than using a rig. Whichever method you choose, remember to start low and go slow if you're a first-time user.

And most importantly, safety first. Remember:

  • Don't use concentrates from untested sources. Untested concentrates can contain dangerous contaminants.
  • Find an experienced buddy to help if you're a first-time user.
  • Always sit down before inhaling.
  • Never leave your torch on.
  • Use a small amount of concentrate and wait before taking more.‍

Electric Nail

Electric nails, or e-nails, replace the blow torch traditionally used with a dab rig.

If using a blowtorch to get high is too maniacal for you, then the electric nail is the way to go. The process is similar to your typical dab rig, except instead of blow-torching the “nail,” it’s already plugged into a separate power source!

This means you have full control over the temperature (which helps ensure that you’re vaporizing your concentrates instead of combusting), and you’ll never have to worry about third-degree torch burns.

Electric nails eliminate the need for a torch.

Health Stone

A health stone is essentially a porous rock that slips into your bowl-piece. Unlike using a nail or e-nail, this method requires you to place your marijuana concentrate directly onto the health stone. You don’t even need a dab tool!

However, you’re still going to need a torch. The great thing about this dabbing method is that you don’t need to use densely packed marijuana concentrates like shatter. Shatter is best used for dabbing with a rig & nail because it sticks easily to your dab tool but dabbing with a health stone allows you to explore other cannabis concentrates like hash or crumble!

Some dabbers prefer to use health stones.

T-waxing

You don’t need any fancy devices to consume super-potent cannabis—it’s really as simple as mixing the concentrate of your choice with some dry herb. Admittedly, the quality of the hit is considered less flavorful and effective for many experienced consumers when compared to an oil rig or dab pen.

That being said, adding concentrates to flower is a great way to enhance your smoking experience. Note that when smoked alongside flowers, concentrates like shatter, crumble, wax, or oil often burn slower, so you'll need to puff more when you take a hit.

There are many other ways to dab not mentioned in this article, but these methods are most commonly used, and should be a great starting point for anyone new to the dabbing game. It really is all a matter of preference.

And don’t forget, once you decide on how you want to dab, you need to decide what type of cannabis concentrate you want to dab with.

SEE ALSO: Healthy Ways to Enhance the Effects of THC

Concentrate can be mixed throughout the joint, or drizzled on the outside.

How to Clean a Dab Rig

Once you're done enjoying your dab rig, it's important to clean it. Cleaning your rig ensures you will always get the best flavor out of your concentrates and that your rig will function properly every time you use it.

Basic Method

Most of the time, if there's not a lot of buildup, a basic cleaning is all you need. You can use a stove or kettle and water.

Heat a couple of cups of water until it's warm but not so hot it would hurt your hands.

  • Soak your rig in the water.
  • Rub away the gunk with a q tip or pipe cleaner,
  • Rinse and repeat.

Alcohol and Salt

If soaking in warm water isn't getting the gunk off, you can try alcohol and salt. For this method, all you need is a container with a tight lid, enough isopropyl alcohol to cover your piece, and a few tablespoons of salt to add some scrubbing power.

Now, put the lid back on the container (tightly), and shake, shake, shake. A plastic container is better than glass so you can shake it vigorously without breaking the container or your dab rig.

This method can make it look like new with enough elbow grease. After the alcohol and salt soak, rinse your rig thoroughly in clean water and let it fully dry before using it. Make sure you get ALL of the alcohol and salt off of your rig before using it, as any residue could irritate your lungs.

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