How to "Dab": Vaporizing Cannabis Concentrates
By Jeff Eckenrode
Vaporizing and Smoking cannabis
Smoking cannabis is a form of combustion, which, simply put, is the process of burning something.
When you smoke cannabis in a bong, a pipe or a joint, we burn the tiny, resonous glands (called “trichomes”) and the plant material of the flower.
But what’s vaporization? How does it work? And how can you do it?
If you’re curious about how cannabis vaporizing works then you’ve come to the right place!
How does vaporizing cannabis work?
Vaporization is a more complex process than combustion. That’s because the material doesn’t just burn, it goes through a unique change (called a “phase transition”) from a solid state to a vapor.
Whether you are vaporizing cannabis flower or concentrates, the solid material undergoes a transformation from a solid to a gas, entirely skipping the step of becoming a liquid in between!
How is vaporizing cannabis different than combustion?
The biggest difference between combustion and vaporization is the temperature required for cannabis flower or concentrates to combust.
Generally speaking, cannabis combustion involves much higher temperatures than cannabis vaporization.
Most electronic vaporization devices will heat cannabis to a point just below that of combustion, which ranges between 180 to 190 degrees Celsius (356 to 374 degrees Fahrenheit).
In comparison, a lighter will produce an open flame that can reach more than 315 degrees Celsius, or 600 degrees Fahrenheit!
At this high temperature, a significant amount of cannabinoids (like THC and CBD) and the flavor molecules (called “terpenes) easily boil away before you can inhale them.
How many ways can you vaporize or “Dab” cannabis?
There are many ways to use cannabis and many of the vaporizers we carry at Hashtag are discreet and look similar to a pen or pipe.
Generally speaking, products that vaporize cannabis flower are among the most technologically advanced. They often require their own set of unique instructions for use. As a result, they range in price from a few hundred dollars to over $1,000 depending on their features and functions.
Products that vaporize concentrates are generally simpler and easier to use compared to flower vaporizers. They often range in price from $20 to a few hundred dollars.
Vaporizing cannabis concentrates, or “dabbing,” can sound intimidating.
But fear not! We’ve got a fool-proof guide to help you every step of the way.
What do I need to “Dab”?
“Dabbing” or vaporizing cannabis concentrates is a simple process. Here are the materials you will need to get started:
1 gram of Cannabis concentrate
A Dab Rig fitted with nail/banger
A Dab tool
A Carb Cap
A butane torch
There are different ways you can dab or vaporize cannabis concentrates.
Today, we’re going to focus on one of the most popular methods using what is called a dab rig.
What’s a Dab Rig?
A dab rig is a type of glass pipe, operating much like a bong with a water chamber to assist in cooling the vapor, in which a piece of quartz is heated and is used as a vaporization surface.
This piece of quartz is referred to as a “nail” or “banger” and there are many different styles.
The standard style is shaped much like a bucket.
Nails can also be made out of other materials as well such as titanium, ceramic or borosilicate glass.
Different materials for nails offer different benefits. Quartz is typically favored in the industry for the cleaness in flavor it provides when vaporizing off of this surface.
Step 1: Heat up the nail/banger with a torch.
There are many different types of nails and bangers; the time you need to heat and allow it to cool down will vary. The desired temperature range for a dab is typically anywhere between 300-400 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on your personal preferences and type of extract being used.
You’ll need to experiment to find what works best for you and your particular set up. For a standard quartz banger that comes with your typical rig from a glass shop, I would recommend heating for 30-60 seconds and allowing to cool for 30-60 additional seconds before attempting vaporization.
Dabbing on a nail that is too hot will burn your concentrate, destroy some cannabinoids/terpenes, and will likely be uncomfortable for your throat when you inhale.
A dab that is not heated up enough may not activate the cannabinoids you are wishing to engage with your endocannabinoid system (ie. the a in the THC-a molecule will NOT detach, and you will NOT get high).
Aim the tip of the blue flame toward the bottom of the banger, and continuously move the torch around to evenly heat the quartz. After heating for 30-60 seconds, let cool for another 30-60 seconds.
Once you’ve allowed your nail to cool, it’s time to drop the concentrate and melt off the concentrate into the banger!
With practice you’ll begin to get a feeling for when the time is right for your dab the more you do it. Waiting 60 seconds after applying heat to your nail or banger is a good place to start.
Ultimately, your goal is to get your cannabis concentrate to melt into a puddle and bubble up, darkening a bit as the concentrate continues to vaporize.
Once the concentrate has turned an amber color, the dab is done, you’ve vaporized its terpenes right out!
Can you overheat your cannabis concentrate?
You do not want the concentrate to immediately burn/blacken/brown the banger -- that’s how you’ll know your dab might be too hot.
If you want to avoid playing the guessing game, using an infrared thermometer, that can help you measure the temperature of your nail as it is heating and cooling, so there is less guess work.
Step 2: Applying cannabis concentrate to the nail/banger
Using your dab tool, scoop up some cannabis concentrate and allow it to melt off the dab tool into the center of the nail/banger.
Once the concentrate has melted off the tool, place the carb cap atop the nail to seal the concentrate inside. Doing so will create a vacuum when you begin to inhale the cannabis concentrate.
It also allows the concentrate to vaporize for a longer period of time at a more stable temperature. A carb cap is not necessary to dab, but is a very helpful tool.
Step 3: Inhale and remove Carb Cap
Once the rig has filled with vapor, remove the carb cap and inhale (much like you would remove a bowl piece from a bong to inhale cannabis smoke).
Do I have to hold my breath when I dab?
Although holding one’s breath is a common practice when smoking from a bong or dabbing from a dab rig it’s not necessary. In fact, there isn’t compelling evidence that doing so improves your experience or will get you more intoxicated as a result.
After you’ve inhaled your cannabis concentrates feel free to exhale normally and comfortably.
Want to learn more about Cannabis?
Then check out our related posts here!
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