If you are looking to dip your toes in the dab life then there are certain things you should know about the tools required and the steps to executing a perfect dab. Dabbing has become more popular in recent years due to the increased accessibility and variety of dabs available. Dabbing is the preferred method of THC consumption for many as concentrates are stronger and can give you a high that lasts for hours off of only one hit. It can be somewhat more dangerous than herb consumption as it requires you to heat a banger to very high temperatures using a torch. While there are ways to dab without a torch such as using an e-nail or e-rig vaporizer, we are going to teach you the most traditional and widely used method which is often referred to as a hot dab.
Items you will need:
Wax Concentrates- There is a variety of different wax concentrates that come in different consistencies and tastes. You may have to adjust your temperatures to find the sweet spot for your chosen concentrates when dabbing.
Bong or Dab Rig- Any glass bong or dab rig will do but there are also some silicone options. Try to get a banger that matches the joint angle for a more pleasant experience.
Banger- Bangers usually come in titanium or quartz glass. Titanium will last longer but quartz offers more flavorful dab rips.
Torch- Get a butane torch that is easy to operate, fits comfortably in your hand, and is not too big or small.
Dab tool- We recommend a stainless steel dab tool as they are sturdy and never break, but there are also glass and ceramic options.
Steps for Taking a Dab:
Step 1: Fill your bong or dab rig with enough water to cover the downstem and put your banger on the joint.
Step 2: Scoop up a dab with your tool that is about the size of a sprinkle you would put on an ice cream cone. It is better to start small and then work your way up to larger scoops as you build a tolerance. Rest your dab tool to the side making sure it doesn’t come into contact with any debris.
Step 3: Fire up your torch. Some bangers are thicker than others so will require a longer heat-up time, but usually, 30-40 seconds will do the trick. Make sure to heat the banger evenly by torching it from different angles.
Step 4: Turn off your torch. Wait for half the time you spent on heating. For example, you would wait 20 seconds if you heat the banger for 40 seconds.
Step 5: Grab your dab tool and apply the dab inside your banger while simultaneously inhaling. It is good practice to spin your dabs around the bottom and side for more evenly heated dabs. Exhale your dab hit and make sure to put your tool on a clean, non stick surface.
Tip for perfect temperatures: You may need to adjust heat up and cool down times. A sign that your dab was too hot is there will be a charred burn mark inside the banger meaning you may want a longer cool down time. A sign that it wasn’t hot enough is if there is left over wax residue so you may want a longer heat-up and shorter cool down time.
Tip for keeping clean: To clean the banger for your next session use a Q-tip with isopropyl alcohol to clean out any wax residue. You can also clean your banger by heating your banger to very high temperatures which will burn away any residue. When you see oil starting to accumulate make sure to clean your ring with isopropyl alcohol and rock salt.
These are all of the tools and steps you will need to take the perfect dab! Don’t get discouraged if your first time isn’t the smoothest, as it takes a bit of practice for the best dabs. Make sure to practice safety when dabbing and have a great time at your next dab session!