Different Types of Dab Rigs – The Definitive Dabbing Guide

The Overview

• Dab Rigs are what you use to consume concentrates
• Dab Rigs typically come in glass, silicone, and electric varieties
• To consume concentrates, you’ll need a banger or nail and a heat source

Whether you’re a seasoned stoner or a blossoming bud, it’s always good to fresh up your knowledge. Check out this complete guide on Dab Rigs!

First, What Are Dabs?

Dabs or dabbing is another term to refer to cannabis concentrates. Dabs being the concentrate, and dabbing is the act.

Concentrates are made in a variety of ways and have become highly potent over the years. Some of these varieties include shatter, crumble, and wax. All of these concentrates will have different consistencies and levels of potency.

How Do You Dab?

Once you have concentrate, you’ll use a dabbing tool to get your preferred size of dab. You’ll then heat your nail or banger to your desired temperature. After that comes the fun part. You’ll begin to inhale and place your dabber into the banger or nail. The hot surface will vaporize your concentrate, creating a smooth smoking experience.

What is a dab rig?

Dab rigs are similar to bongs and bubblers. They come in different sizes but are typically smaller than a bong and bigger than a bubbler. Rigs will typically use a nail or banger to get the job done. Nails and bangers differ from bowls, as they’re meant for high heat. You can find them in quartz, titanium, and ceramic varieties. The smoke from the concentrate will be pulled into the dab rig and filtered through water. Due to being vaporizing and filtered, concentrates offer an incredibly smooth and flavorful experience.

Types of dab rigs

Dab rigs come in different sizes, shapes, and materials. Often, you’ll find them in Glass, silicone, or electric models.

Glass

Glass is the most common form of dab rigs. Glass comes with the benefit of having different percolators and chambers. Percolators and chambers offer variety and added smoothness to your hit.

Silicone

You’ll often find silicon rigs at more affordable prices compared to Glass. Silicone offers durability, portability and can be easier to clean.

Electric

Electric dab rigs have the benefit of not needing a torch to heat your nail. Electric rigs come with a coil that heats itself. Typically you’ll be able to set your desired temperature. You’ll still need a glass or silicone rig to use these devices.

Different Types Of Nails And Materials

When it comes to smoking concentrates, your type of nail will change the experience drastically. There are different types of nails, but they will all have a flat surface that you heat to vaporize your concentrate.

Domed Nails

Most rigs will come with a basic domed glass nail. Glass nails are prone to breakage from high heat and aren’t a long-term solution. You can find other domed nails in quartz, titanium, and ceramic.

Domed nails hold true to their name. After you dab your concentrate, you’ll typically take a glass dome and place it over the nail. The dome prevents the smoke from escaping, allowing you to inhale all of the smoke.

Domeless Nails

Domeless Nails are usually the preferred tool for concentrate users. They come in the form of bangers, universal nails, amongst other varieties. Domeless Nails offer more surface space, allowing for a better hit.

Typically, users will use a carb cap along with their nails. The carb cap ensures you receive all of the smoke and allows you to control the airflow of the hit.

Quartz

Quartz nails and bangers are some of the most popular options for dab rigs. Quartz heats up quickly, allowing more efficiency. These nails cool down quickly, which can both be positive and negative. You’ll want to use a carb cap with these types of nails.

Titanium

Titanium nails heat quickly and maintain heat very well. These nails are also highly durable. The downside of titanium is oxide buildups and the potential of being made of non-medical grade material. The oxide buildup can impair your overall dabbing experience. Make sure you get a medical-grade two titanium nail to avoid potential harmful contaminates.

Ceramic

Ceramic nails are made of medical-grade materials, which removes the risk of harmful contaminants entirely. Compared to titanium and quartz, ceramic will take the longest to heat up. Ceramic will also retain heat the best. The downside is, ceramic is prone to cracks and breakage over time.

Additional Tools And Accessories

Whether you’re a veteran or beginner, some tools will help you in your dabbing journey. These tools will enhance your smoking experience and allow for a better session.

Dabber

Dabbers are the tools you use to scoop out your concentrate and place it onto your nail. Dabbers are commonly made of metal or Glass. Both materials are a viable option and have unique downsides. If you leave a metal dabber on a hot rig, the metal can retain heat. Glass dabbers are much more fragile and prone to breakage. Be careful with both types.

You can find dabbing tools with carb caps, extended handles, and scoopers. You can also find them in creative designs such as pencils.

Torches

Unless you go the electric route, you’ll need a torch. You’ll have to decide between propane, butane, full-sized, and mini-torches.

The truth when it comes to propane versus butane is there’s not much difference. Since your heating, the nail before taking your hit, the quality of the gas does not affect flavor or safety. That being said, propane has been known to heat nails too intensely, which can damage your piece.

Deciding between full-size and mini will be primarily a personal preference. A full size can become cumbersome and hard to store. If you dab a lot, a mini-sized torch might not be the best option due to refilling it more often.

Make sure you always store your heat source safely and securely.

Carb Caps

Carb caps are a must for nearly any concentrate smoker. Carb caps allow you to take lower temperature dabs. Lower temp dabs provide more flavor and less harsh smoke.

Most carb caps come in titanium, silicone, and quartz variations. Choosing a carb cap will primarily be based on personal preference.

Dab Pads

Concentrates can be very sticky and hard to handle. Even the most seasoned stoners can have trouble. Dab pads are a great solution to this problem.

Dab pads are typically made of silicone. Silicone provides your rig a non-slip surface, giving you an extra measure of safety. On top of that, silicone pads are very easy to clean. So, if you drop some concentrate, you can either re-dab it or clean it off.

Dishes

Although not necessary, dishes can enhance your overall smoking experience. You can typically find dishes in silicone and glass varieties.

Dishes offer a clean and dedicated space to hold your concentrate. Having a dedicated space makes for an easier dabbing and cleaning experience.

Cleaning Your Rig

Cleaning your dab rig is essential. It’s a necessary process to maintain your rig and keep it at peak performance. How can you clean it?

Torching your nail is one of the simplest ways to clean it. Heat your nail thoroughly until all the residue or reclaim burns off.

Give it a good shake by covering both the mouthpiece and downstem. Shake with rubbing alcohol and coarse salt. If your piece has a lot of residual buildups inside, add 99% isopropyl alcohol and coarse sea salt. Make sure you rinse it thoroughly afterward.

The best tip is to clean your piece often. Change out the water regularly and set up a weekly cleaning schedule. Trying to clean a rig after three months of use is much harder than one week!

Why Get A Dedicated Piece?

You might be questioning why you should get a dedicated piece for concentrates when you can throw a banger on your 14″ bong. The answer is simple!

Dab rigs are designed for concentrates. Smaller rigs require less water which means more flavor. On top of that, a big and bulky piece can lead to stale vapor.

Another thing to note is, having a dedicated piece will allow you to collect your reclaim far easier.

What Is Reclaim?

Reclaim is the residual substance from concentrates that build up in your piece. It’s like resin in a pipe or bong. Reclaim will often collect in the water or coat the interior of the piece.

Reclaim is far less potent than fresh concentrate. That being said, it will get you high. Reclaim can have anywhere from a 20% to 60% THC content. Reclaim will not have the same flavor profile or smoking experience as fresh concentrate.

Can You Smoke Reclaim?

Right now, studies are inconclusive on whether or not reclaim is entirely safe to smoke. It’s up to you whether or not to smoke it.

If you do decide to smoke your reclaim, make sure you’re doing so at low temperatures. Smoking reclaim at low temperatures can increase its overall flavor profile and potentially reduce some harmful effects.

Be sure your sourcing the best concentrate you can. Reclaim is the residual of concentrate, the higher quality of the initial product will only enhance it.

How Do You Collect Reclaim?

Another option for your arsenal is a reclaim catcher. Reclaim catchers come in different sizes, materials, and styles, just like any other tool or piece.

Reclaim catchers act as a proxy between your nail and downstem. The reclaim builds up in the catchers’ chamber, allowing for easy access and easier rig clean-up.

If you don’t opt for a reclaim catcher, there are other ways to collect. Probably the most common method is using your dab torch.

Make sure you pour out your water before beginning. Heat the Glass of your rig and nail slowly to melt the reclaim. Be careful here. Direct heat on Glass can break and shatter the piece. Be cautious and wear protective gear! Once all the reclaim melts, slowly drip it out onto a silicone mat. Once it’s dry, it is ready to use.

Other Ways To Use Reclaim

Another way to use your reclaim is to infuse it into an edible or eat it. Reclaim has already been decarboxylated, meaning you can eat it and get high. Be warned; it won’t taste that great. Try infusing your reclaim in some homemade brownies or other sweet treats for a better result.

Should You Purchase A Dab Rig?

Our answer is yes! Once you get your hands on a rig, you’ll be wondering why you took so long! Dab rigs come with a load of benefits and change the game when it comes to consuming cannabis. They offer more flavor, potency, and style. Check out our online shop for Dab Rigs today!