Blast Off with Dab Rigs: A Guide to Potent Experiences

Dab rigs have seen a meteoric rise in popularity in recent years. If they’re a new frontier for you, or you’ve never ventured into their use, they may initially seem a bit complex. Many users prefer them, however, finding that concentrates pack a more potent punch while conserving precious resources. Others might choose them for a smoother experience than traditional smoking methods seeing as it’s all vapor with little to no combustion depending on temperatures used and/or preferred by the user. Whatever your reason for exploring dab rigs, understanding their mechanics will ensure a successful launch.

What is Dabbing?

Dab rigs are designed for the specialized art of dabbing, where cannabis concentrates are vaporized and launch you into a new dimension of experience. The concentrates themselves, known as “dabs,” are extracted from the cannabis flower, forming potent oils that shimmer with cannabinoids and other compounds. They go by many names – rosin, sauce, wax, badder, budder, diamonds and shatter – each with a unique texture and method borne from different celestial processes of extraction. They vary in levels of potency, terpenes and overall purity.

What is a Dab Rig?

Sometimes called oil rigs or wax rigs, dab rigs are a unique type of water pipe that replace the traditional bowl slide with a dab nail – a specialized platform for celestial transformations. Like other water pipes, they harness the power of water and bubbles to diffuse, filter, and cool the vapor, creating a smoother journey for consumption. They come in a constellation of materials with a wide array of percolators, filtration systems, and other enhancements for a truly customized experience.

Dabs typically favor setups with one or two small percolators and a single water chamber, ensuring a streamlined journey for the vapor. They also often feature a narrow, angled mouthpiece, designed for comfortable use in a stationary setting – your personal launchpad for exploration.

How To Use A Dab Rig

While the specialized parts and techniques of a dab rig might initially give the impression of complexity, rest assured that it’s more straightforward than it appears. With a little practice, you’ll be navigating the process like a seasoned astronaut.

Here’s a breakdown of your essential mission equipment:

• Concentrates: The celestial fuel for your journey.
• The dab rig: Your specialized launch vehicle.
• Quartz banger or another dab nail: The platform for vaporization.
• Carb cap: Controls airflow and temperature for optimal results.
• Dab tool: For precision handling of your concentrates.
• Butane torch: The source of ignition for your journey’s launch.

While a timer or stopwatch can certainly enhance precision, they’re more like helpful tools than absolute necessities. Here’s the sequence for your dabbing launch procedure:

• Prepare for Launch: Fill the rig’s chamber with water, ensuring the correct levels for optimal liftoff. Then, securely attach your banger to the rig.
• Ignite the Engines: Apply heat evenly to the dab nail with your butane torch, bringing it to the ideal temperature. If using a timer, heat until red hot, then allow a cooling period of 30-45 seconds for a controlled re-entry. For ultimate precision, deploy a laser thermometer or terp timer to monitor your nail’s temperature.
• Deploy the Payload: Once the temperature is perfect, use your dab tool to place your concentrates onto the hot nail. Swiftly place the carb cap over the nail.
• Rotate and Initiate: Spin the carb cap to evenly distribute your concentrates and ensure optimal vaporization.
• Commence Journey: Inhale through the mouthpiece, drawing the vapor into your lungs until the concentrate has been fully vaporized
• Cool-down and Prepare: Allow the nail to cool. Once cooled, cleanse it with isopropyl alcohol and a cotton swab – your launchpad is now ready for the next celestial adventure.

How to Choose the Right Dab Rig For You

If you are planning to buy a dab rig, there are a few things to consider that can help you make the best possible choice, including:

• Mouthpiece. You’ll want to look for one with a small, narrow mouthpiece. Your best bet is a dab rig that uses an angled mouthpiece, which is more comfortable to use when sitting at a table.
• Material. Typically, dab rigs are made of glass or silicone. Of the two, glass is preferable since silicone can alter the flavor of your dabs.
• Joint Size. The best size for a dab rig is 10mm, small enough that it won’t allow oxygen permeation. More importantly, however, you need to make sure that the joint on your nail is the same size as the one on your dab rig. Keep in mind that if you are using a female nail, you want a male rig and vice versa.
• Percolators. Keep it simple. All you really need is one chamber and at most two percolators. The more volume that the vapor travels through before hitting your lungs, the more potency and flavor you are losing.
• Size. As mentioned above, the more distance the vapor must travel, the more flavor and potency you are going to lose. Because of this, you will want to stick to a smaller dab rig.

When shopping for your perfect dab rig, consider these key components for an optimal journey:

• The Portal (Mouthpiece): The mouthpiece should be small and narrow for greater precision. Seek an angled design, ensuring comfortable use during those longer exploratory sessions at your home base.
• The Spacecraft Build (Material): Glass is the preferred material for its durability and ability to preserve pure flavor, ensuring your concentrates’ essence is untainted. Silicone vessels, while adaptable, can sometimes leave a trace in the celestial taste experience.
• The Joint Connection (Joint Size): Ensure a seamless connection between your rig and nail by matching their joint sizes (typically 10mm is ideal). Remember, a male rig calls for a female nail, and vice versa – a harmonious link is crucial for your launch.
• Voyage Enhancements (Percolators): Percolators act like cosmic filters. For optimal flavor and potency, a streamlined setup with one chamber and a maximum of two percolators is recommended. Less distance traveled means a more flavorful, powerful experience.
• Mission Scale (Rig Size): Consider the length of your journeys. Smaller rigs preserve precious flavor and potency for those quick, intense trips, while larger rigs might suit longer, more leisurely explorations.

While a dab rig might initially feel unfamiliar, be assured that the rewards of a more potent, more flavorful, and smoother experience are worth the exploration.

Prepare for liftoff next week as we venture into the realm of Dab Pens, where technology and tradition merge in the next evolution of celestial dabbing experiences!