Dabbing

Dabbing – The Ultimate Guide

From Dabbing Rig to self-made extract
You enjoy the colorful world of concentrates and need a short overview on this topic? In this simple instruction you get the most important facts, you need to get started.

Why vaping concentrates?
Every, for the medical use unnecessary, plant-based components are erased from the concentrate and with vaping, you don't risk to inhale toxic combustion residues. This way you spare your lungs without having to miss a strong effect. The second important reason is quite simple – active substance concentration. Depending on the base material and extraction method, 80% or more active ingredient (mainly THC) is not unusual. On top, herb extracts are known for kicking in after just a few seconds, bringing you their full effect. Just a half grain of rice could beam you to the next universe and the effects could be compared to those, of a whole herb cigarette. Another benefit of vaping concentrates is the ability to dose them very precise. This off course, is very beneficial when it comes to medical use on a daily basis.

Which kinds of extracts exists and how they are made?
Dab suitable concentrates emerge usually, when plant residues get filled into a so-called extractor, which then gets flushed with a gassy solvent. The most popular solvent is butane, which leads to the term Butane-Honey-Oil, also known as BHO. BHO can exist in a lot of different color or consistency variations, which again results in another group of terms to categorize them and often leads to confusion. To provide you a nice overview, we’ve composed and explained the most common types of BHO, that could cross your path in the world of dabbing.

1. Shatter
The main distinctive feature is its transparency and shatter could have a limpid to dark brown coloration, which by the way is not necessary sign of quality. Shatter can have a soft and oily texture or can even have a hard and brittle like glass – everything in between is possible of course.

2. Wax
Is mainly non-transparent and known for having more so-called terpenes, which cause a more aromatic experience. Wax again could be separated in three subcategories:

• Sugar – brittle, shiny, crystalline and rather not sticky.
• Crumble – brittle like sugar, rather dull and creamy.
• Butter – mostly creamy, sticky and commonly highly praised.

Live-Resin
Separate from the selected solvent, shatter or wax, this treatment describes an extraction of fresh plant material, which gets processed within 24 hours after harvest. The result is known for being super tasty, but it's very hard to find due to high investments.

Other types of dab able concentrates
Beside the popular butane extraction, there are methods with different solvents like CO2 or Dimethyl ether (DME), with DME becoming more and more popular. The reason for this, is that DME extraction not only solves THC but also CBD and even more of the flavor critical terpenes.

What is a Dab Pen or Dabbing Rig?
A Dab Pen is a battery powered pen like device, which was developed for the mobile use like a vaporizers, but built specially for concentrates. The term Dabbing Rig labels a dab dedicated waterpipe, similar to a bong, which of course can be extended for dabbing with the right accessories, like a quartz banger or titanium grade 2 nail, which you will learn about in the next section.

Which accessories do I need for my Dab Rig or Bong?
A complete setup needs:

Dabbing-Tool/Dabber:
This helps to dab Shatter or Wax out of its vessel and put it on the pre heated nail or banger.

Nail/Banger:
The terms nail and banger differentiate the design of an essential attachment, which gets mounted on your dabbing ring, similar to common bong bowl. Nail or banger are generally made out of titanium or quartz glass and gets heated up electrically or with a torch. This way the concentrate gets vaped immediately, when it comes to contact, so it can be inhaled. Quartz banger are usually connected to slightly better taste, while titanium nails are known for their durability.

Torch:
Is needed if you don't use an electrical solution, to heat up the banger or nail. A really elegant way of building-up heat is with a an electrical heating coil. This way you can ensure to have the right temperature every time you need to.

Carb Cap:
This is optional and helps with the more flavor intense low temperature dabbing, with keeping the temperature in the banger/nail.

How to dab right?
It may sound a little bit complicate at first, but once you get it, it's easy as riding a bike.

1. Heating up Banger/Nail
Depending on the kind of material and thickness, heating up for 15-25 seconds a good number to start. To get the best flavor just let it cool down when you done, maybe 30-45 seconds. By the time, you will get better and better and finally find your personal preferences.

2. Picking up the dab
While the banger/nail cools down, maybe before, you can pick up some dab with your dabber. Just start small at first with maybe a half corn of rice – this is a well-meant advice.

3. Inhale and dab
Now start with inhaling your dabbing rig and only then put the concentrate on the pre heated nail/banger. The order is crucial because the dab will evaporate immediately if you don't breathe in. If you’ve decided for a carb cap, you can simply put it on top of your nail/banger to keep the temperature and continue inhaling. If thick, white vapor evolves in the rig you’ve found the right temperature and made everything right. And don't forget – practice makes perfect!

How to make own dab
Making your own dab is definitely a world apart and here are many different methods in action. For a simple and easy entry point we suggest the following setup:

Note: The recommended solvent for extracting the agents is very volatile and easily flammable. Therefore, it is very important to execute the following steps outdoors or under a professional exhaust air unit!

1. Fill the extractor
Here we suggest using a variant out of fireproof borosilicate glass or stainless steel. The extractor gets packed tight, but not too firm, with minced herb residues and locked with a seal at the bottom.

2. Fill in the solvent
The filled extractor gets hold over an extraction bowl and if everything is in position, the gassy solvent gets pumped into the top hole and conducted through the herbs. For better taste we recommend DME and due to this process, the agents get separated from the plant material and drip into the collecting vessel. If the extractor gets hold by hand, it's definitely advisable to wear protective gloves, because the extractor can get very cold due to the solvent.

3. Wait and cleaning the extractor
As soon as the solvent residues have volatized, the concentrate is ready. Just clean the extractor, put it back in its place and you’re good to go. Happy dabbing!

Here you’ll find a nice video explanation for the extraction process.