Most people know about smoking and vaping, but if you’re curious about concentrates, then you’re going to want to know everything possible about consuming concentrates–also known as “dabbing.” Good news, we have the perfect guide for you right here. In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about dabbing, including:

• What is Dabbing?
• What are Dabs?
• What Dab Tools Do You Need?
• Dabbing FAQs

Dabbing is a method of cannabis consumption for those who enjoy concentrates like resin, budder, wax, or shatter. These concentrates are placed into a dab tool (more on that below!) that turns the concentrate into a vapor, which is then inhaled. 

One important note before diving further into dabbing: because concentrates are typically high in THC potency (anywhere from 50-95% THC), this method of consumption is not recommended for cannabis newbies.

Need to know more about marijuana concentrates before you learn about dabbing? We’ve got a guide for that too!

Dabs are a category of concentrates that can hold their form and handle the high temperatures required for dabbing. These are typically concentrates that are extracted through solvents like BHO or CO2 Oil, and they include wax, resin, and shatter. Solventless concentrates like kief and hash may contain high levels of THC, but they cannot be consumed with a dab rig as the consistency isn’t conducive to this tool. 
 

Dabbing requires more than just concentrates—it requires specific types of dab tools. The three most common dabbing instruments are:

• Dab Rig: A dab rig uses water, much like a water pipe, to help cool the water vapor when you smoke concentrates. You simply place concentrate in the bowl instead of ground flower. 
   
• E-Rig: An e-rig is a vaporizer that uses a battery to heat the concentrate and produce vapor that you can inhale. 
   
• Dab Pen: A dab pen is similar to a vape pen, only it uses concentrates instead of distillate. You place the concentrate into the pen, press or hold the power button, depending on the pen, and inhale. 
   

Because dabbing is relatively new to the industry, we get a lot of questions about it. Here are just a few of those questions and their answers: 

What’s the difference getween dabbing and vaping?
The difference between dabbing and vaping is in the cannabis product that is being consumed. Dab tools are made for concentrates, taking into account the consistency of these products - some of them are quite sticky! - and the temperature settings needed to heat the concentrates. Vaping is a bit easier in that the consumer simply attaches a cartridge to a battery, then inhales.  

What are the best concentrates for dabs?
If you enjoy dabbing, there are some concentrates that just make better dabs than others. In our opinion, the best concentrates for dabs are shatter, crumble, and wax. That said, this is all subjective, and only you can decide which concentrates are the best for your dabbing experience.

Can I make dabs at home?
You should not make dabs or concentrates at home. Many dabs are made using solvents, and because some solvents are flammable, only trained professionals in labs should use them. Plus, it’s much harder to ensure consistency in your product when you make it at home. It’s likely safer, easier, and even more budget friendly to purchase your dabs at a dispensary. 
 

If you enjoy concentrates, dabbing can be a fun way to consume cannabis. Just remember, a little goes a long way. However, for most cannabis enthusiasts, there is another benefit to dabbing—you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get results with your marijuana dabs. If you’re interested in dabbing, visit a local dispensary and check out their selection of concentrates and the dabbing tools you need to consume them.