Ways to Smoke Dabs

Cannabis Use Concentrates

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Budder, shatter, wax—the world of cannabis concentrates is oh-so-fun to explore. However, to get the most of these highly potent, concentrated extracts, you have to know how to smoke a dab.

Essentially, smoking a dab involves heating the concentrate to its vapor point and then inhaling those vapors to take in the collaboration of cannabinoids and terpenes. So, as long as you follow a few simple pointers, there are several ways to smoke a dab.

How to Smoke Dabs with a Dab Rig

Of all the different ways to smoke dabs, dab rigs are the preferred method. You have the option between either a standard dab rig setup or a dab rig that contains an e-nail (electric nail).

Standard Dab Rig

By far, the most popular way to smoke dabs is with a standard dab rig. You can find all kinds of fancy setups, but these units tend to offer the same components: a chamber for water, a mouthpiece to inhale, a dome to encapsulate heat and vapors, and a nail to heat the dab.

To use a dab rig, remove the dome, heat the nail, replace the dome, add your dab to the nail using a dabber or dab tool, and then inhale. Most people will use a carb cap over the dome to control the heat and flow of vapors even further.

Electric Dab Rig

The electric dab rig works in essentially the same fashion as a standard dab rig with one major advantage: the device uses electricity to heat the metal nail so you don’t have to heat it up manually. One of the perks of an electric dab rig with an e-nail is the fact that you get greater control over temperature.

When you are using some concentrates, such as THC oils, you want to keep a more stable temperature to protect the terpenes in the concentrate and avoid bad flavors. However, the precise temperature control makes e-rigs a perfect option for concentrates like live resin or terp sauce.

How to Smoke Dabs without a Dab Rig

T-Wax (rolled in a joint)

T-waxing is a relatively common way to smoke dabs, albeit a little messy. If you have some good bud and a good concentrate, you’re simply going to add a bit of your concentrate to your weed when you roll a joint. This works best with some of the thicker concentrates, such as budder or sugar wax. Thinner concentrates like RSO oils can make it really hard to get a good burn once you light up.

Vaping

Vaping concentrates is a relatively easy thing to do if you have the right setup, and offers one of the best ways to smoke dabs on the go. You will need a vaping setup with a separate atomizer and battery so that you can easily place your dab on the atomizer (heating coil). The trick with this method is to find the right temperature to cause the concentrate to vaporize, so you will need a good vaping setup that gives you a controllable temperature.

Other vaping methods aside from “vape pens” include the cannabis vaporizers designed specifically for concentrates. These vaporizers are perfect for those who don’t like cartridges and would prefer other kinds of concentrate, as well as those who want to take their dabs on the go.

Healthstone

A healthstone is a specially designed stone that you can place in the bowl of a bong or in a standard pipe. The healthstone is porous, so the smoke from the fired dab travels through the stone, through the pipe or bong, and out through the mouthpiece. You simply add the stone to your bowl, heat your healthstone to the right temperature, add your dab, puff, and enjoy.

Hot-Knife Method

If you have nothing else on hand, the hot-knife method is the crudest, simplest way to enjoy a dab. You essentially heat up a metal butter knife on the stove or with a torch lighter, drop your dab onto the hot surface, and inhale the vapors through a straw. This method can involve a lot of waste and is a bit risky because you have to be careful not to burn your hands, but it can work in a pinch.

Take It Easy with Dab-Smoking Endeavors

The concentrates used for dabbing can be profoundly more potent than your standard flower. You’re getting straight-up vaporized THC and terpenes, so you truly won’t need a big dab to experience a good high. If you’re a first-timer, always use the tiniest dab of concentrate and only take a hit or two first to find out how hard the euphoria will hit before moving on. Dabbing can produce far more intense effects.

Shop The Best Cannabis Concentrates in New England

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Find a Full Collection of Quality Concentrates for Dabbing

If you believe you’re ready to get started dabbing, we’ve got you covered at Silver Therapeutics with a full collection of concentrates and dabbing accessories. If you’re a well-experienced dabber, you’ll be glad to know we keep a full collection of concentrates in stock perfect for the purpose. Take a look at our menu and order ahead for pickup, or stop by and visit one of our dispensaries.

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