Dab Rig: What is It & How to Use It
Dabbing has become a popular method for enjoying cannabis concentrates, and a dab rig is one of the best tools. It resembles a bong, but a dab rig allows you to heat and vaporize concentrates to enjoy flavorful hits.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- What is a Dab Rig?
- Anatomy of a Dab Rig
- Dab Rig Accessories
- How Do You Use a Dab Rig?
- Choosing the Right Dabbing Temperature
- FAQs About Dab Rigs
What is a Dab Rig?
A dab rig or dab bong is a specialized tool for smoking concentrates like wax, shatter, or budder. You can also smoke concentrates with devices like a dab pen or nectar collector. Dab rigs look and function similarly to bongs but use a heated nail or banger and cannabis concentrates instead of a bowl and flower.
With a dab rig, when the concentrate is heated, it vaporizes, traveling down the downstem and cooling through water in the chamber before you inhale. You’ll find various dab rigs: glass dab rigs, silicone dab bongs, and electric dab rigs (or e-rigs). However, this guide focuses on traditional, torch-heated rigs.
Anatomy of a Dab Rig
Like a bong, a dab rig has several main parts that help cool and filter vapor. Here’s a breakdown of the most important components:
Water Chamber
The water chamber holds water to cool the vapor. Some dab rigs include a percolator to create bubbles, further cooling the vapor and enhancing smoothness.1
Downstem
The downstem is the tube that connects the nail or banger to the water chamber, ensuring an airtight seal. Downstems can be fixed or detachable, with removable options being cleaner-friendly.2
Nail or Banger
The nail or banger is one of the biggest differences between a dab rig and a bong. Instead of a bowl for marijuana flower, a dab rig has a small, bucket-like chamber that holds the concentrate, which is the part you heat.3
Nails and bangers come in different materials:
- Glass nails: Glass nails are affordable and offer a clean flavor, but they aren’t as durable as other materials and can break or crack under high heat.
- Titanium nails: Titanium nails are durable, heat up quickly, and retain heat well, making them popular for frequent dabbers. They’re a great choice if you want something that lasts, but choose medical-grade titanium to ensure the metal doesn’t release harmful impurities into your concentrate (and body).
- Quartz nails: Quartz bangers provide a pure flavor experience and heat up faster than glass, though they don’t hold heat as long (so use a carb cap for a better smoking experience). They’re ideal for those who prioritize taste in their dabbing experience.
Carb Cap
The carb cap sits on top of the nail, trapping heat to create an “oven” effect and regulating airflow.4 Different types of carb caps include:
- Standard cap: A basic cap that covers the nail to trap heat and control airflow. Standard caps are simple and effective for steady vapor production.
- Bubble carb cap: Its rounded shape allows you to move it around, adjusting airflow as you inhale for better temperature control and smoother vapor.
- Directional carb cap: Designed with a spout or angled tip, this cap directs airflow onto the concentrate for even vaporization, enhancing flavor and efficiency.
Dab Rig Accessories
Some accessories might not come in a basic dab rig kit but are essential for fully enjoying and maintaining your dab rig.
Dabber or Dab Tool
The dabber (or dab tool) is used to apply the cannabis concentrate to the hot nail without causing a sticky mess. Dab tools are typically made from metal, quartz, or glass to withstand high temperatures.5
Torch
A butane torch is used to heat the nail to the right temperature. Be sure to use butane and avoid propane, as propane can damage the nail and pose safety risks.
Cleaning Tools
Keep your wax bong in top shape using cotton swabs and pipe cleaners.
How Do You Use a Dab Rig?
A dab rig requires a few tools and basic steps to get the best experience.6
You'll need:
- A dab rig kit: a pipe, nail, and carb cap
- Your favorite cannabis concentrate
- A butane torch
Follow these steps to smoke concentrates with a dab rig:
Step 1: Add Water
Fill the chamber with enough water to cover three-quarters of the downstream, which will help cool the vapor as you inhale.
Step 2: Heat & Cool the Nail
Light the torch and aim it directly at the nail, heating it to around 545-570°F (the exact temperature may depend on the concentrate type). Let it cool slightly for about 60 seconds; titanium nails cool faster, needing only 10 seconds. Prepare the concentrate as it cools.7
Step 3: Add Dabs to the Nail
Using a dab tool, apply a small amount of concentrate, about the size of half a rice grain, to the nail to avoid wasting it. Then, cover it with the carb cap to prevent a sticky mess.
Step 4: Inhale
Inhale slowly and steadily, and cover the nail with the carb cap as you finish inhaling to clear the chamber.8
Choosing the Right Dabbing Temperature
Finding the ideal dabbing temperature is important for flavor and potency. Standard temps are between 545-570°F, but lower temps around 400-500°F enhance flavor. Hot dabs above 570°F can offer a stronger hit.
FAQs About Dab Rigs
These FAQs cover some basics if you’re new to using a wax rig or have questions about how to use a dab rig. For more personalized advice, feel free to reach out to a Verilife budtender for extra help.
How is a dab rig different from a bong?
A dab rig is designed for consuming cannabis concentrates, using a heated nail or banger instead of a bowl for flower, as found in a bong.
How much concentrate should I use with my dab rig?
If you’re new to dabbing, start with the smallest dose. It’s better to start slow with a small amount, depending on your tolerance.
How much does a dab kit cost?
Aside from the cost of the dab rig, concentrates tend to be a little more expensive due to their extraction methods. The combination of both the costs of a basic dab rig and the concentrate probably starts you at around $100. That said, if you love dabbing, you can purchase dab rigs that cost thousands of dollars, so it really depends on what you want to put into it.
Purchasing a Dab Rig
Finding the right dab rig depends on your preferences, lifestyle, and budget. From basic glass setups to advanced kits, there’s a dab rig out there for every kind of cannabis dabbing enthusiast. Stop by Verilife to buy concentrates, and speak with a budtender for personalized recommendations on the perfect dab rig.
Sources
1. “What you need to know about dab tools,” Weedmaps, https://weedmaps.com/learn/products-and-how-to-consume/ins-outs-dab-tools
2. “Downstem,” Leafly, https://www.leafly.com/learn/cannabis-glossary/downstem
3. “What is dabbing and how do you dab?” The Cannigma, https://cannigma.com/delivery/what-is-dabbing-and-how-do-you-dab/
4. “Glossary of Dabbing Terms for Beginners,” Veriheal, August 11, 2024, https://www.veriheal.com/blog/a-beginners-glossary-of-dab-slang-and-terminology/
5. “What Are Dab Tools, How To Use Them, Different Types And Benefits: A Complete Guide,” MJ Wholesale, November 29, 2023, https://mjwholesale.com/blogs/marijuana-packaging-news-for-dispensary-grower-processors/what-are-dab-tools-how-to-use-them-different-types-and-benefits-a-complete-guide?srsltid=AfmBOopmte_TvTkA0mGT9zBwFnoUPAyelkxPQDTnqdYQAX2L83k37MbG
6. “Dab rig,” Leafly, https://www.leafly.com/learn/cannabis-glossary/dab-rig
7. “Dabbing 101: what is it and how do you dab?” Weedmaps, https://weedmaps.com/learn/dictionary/dab-dabbing
8. “Dabbing 101: What Is It, How To Do It, And Everything You Should Know About It,” Herb, May 31, 2024, https://herb.co/learn/what-is-dabbing
Recreational cannabis is not available in all states. Cannabis is for medical use only and may only be used by certified patients in Ohio and Pennsylvania. State laws impact what dispensaries can and can’t sell to recreational customers and certified patients. Not every type of product, consumption method, dosage form, or potency mentioned on this blog will be permitted in all locations.