What Are Terp Pearls and How to Use Them

Terp pearls, aka “dab beads”, help to evenly heat your concentrate in the banger at the bottom of your dab rig for more consistent dabs and optimal flavour. Get all the info you need on these little spheres right here!

Terp pearls are a new item on the market that have become increasingly popular with the expansion of the extract market and vaping/dabbing.

Dabbing is constantly evolving as people strive for a smoother smoke, more potent hit, and excellent flavor. It’s not enough to just heat things up to the highest temperature and inhale–there is an art to dabbing.

Terp pearls have quickly become a popular way to consume cannabis concentrates, so let’s dive in and take an in-depth look at them.

What Are Terp Pearls?

Terp pearls are small balls, made of borosilicate glass or other materials, that help improve your dabbing experience. By evenly distributing heat and the concentrate, terp pearls provide more consistent results and better flavour at lower temperatures.

Please be aware that terp pearls are occasionally called “banger beads” or “dab beads”.

Can Terp Pearls Melt?

Please be cautious when handling your terp pearls, as they may become misshapen if left in high temperatures for an prolonged period of time. Sudden changes in temperature (either hot-to-cold or vice versa) can also cause them to crack or break. This is most typical with delicate materials like ceramics.

Terp pearls are frequently cleaned with a butane torch, so take care while cleaning. They come in different sizes and materials, similar to bangers, which will eventually decide their heat retention and durability. We will further explore the individual pros and cons of each type of terp pearl later on.

Why Use Terp Pearls for Dabbing?

Terp pearls are the solution to an age old dabbing problem- uneven cooling. Even when using a top of the line banger, some parts of the quartz will cool down quicker than others, causing your concentrate to vaporize less effectively. By placing terp pearls inside your banger before each dab, you can ensure that heat is evenly distributed throughout your nail or quartz banger.

Terp pearls help distribute the concentrate around so that it touches the entire surface area of the banger. By doing this, it will vaporize at an even rate and not create any puddles of liquid. The hits are also more consistent because there is no longer a risk of burning in one particular spot on the banger.

Terpenes have low boiling points and will break down if dabbed at a temperature over 216°C (~420°F). By using terp pearls, you can take large rips without sacrificing any flavor.

Another great benefit is being able to watch the beads spin around.

Different Types of Terp Pearls

The different materials that terp pearls or dab beads are made from come at various prices and feature various designs. To get an idea of which may be best for you, below we offer a breakdown of what to expect from each type.

Quartz Pearls

Quartz terp pearls are usually a good choice because they offer a balance of features including affordability, heat retention, and durability. Quartz is also thermal-shock resistant to some degree, meaning you can clean your pearls with a torch or in isopropyl alcohol without having to worry about damage.

Ceramic Pearls

Ceramic terp pearls don’t overheat as quickly as quartz and are believed to preserve the flavours of your concentrate better. Like ceramic dab nail, however, they can be difficult to clean and require more care so they don’t break. The safest way to prevent breakage is by letting them cool down completely before attempting to cleanup or move them. Although this extends their lifespan, it doesn’t make them any easier earlier on.

Borosilicate Pearls

Borosilicate glass pearls are a reliable and affordable option for those looking for an all-purpose vaporizer. They provide ample surface area and spin to create consistent results. However, borosilicate glass is not as heat resistant as some other materials, so there is a risk that the pearls may change shape or melt under intense heat.

Ruby Pearls

To be clear, these rubies are not natural—they’re lab-created to have the same qualities as regular rubies. These pearls retain heat well so that the flavour is optimal. However, they can break easily from thermal shock, so handle with care when cleaning them. Also, the red colour makes for an impressive spin. Ruby pearls also glow brightly under a blacklight because they’re UV-reactive.

IC Pearls

Made of silicon carbide, these pearls have much better heat retention and conductivity than other types of pearls, resulting in increased flavour. SIC pearls are also resistant to thermal shock, meaning that they can withstand sudden temperature changes without breaking. Furthermore, they can be easily cleaned with a torch or alcohol. Overall, they are the perfect type of pearl for any dabbing rig.

How To Use Terp Pearls

Terp pearls are best used with a bucket-style banger. They evenly distribute the heat from the surface they’re sitting on, so no one area gets too hot.

In order to get the most out of your pearls, you should control the hits with a carb cap that has decent airflow. Place a couple of pearls inside your banger, heat it up with a torch, and then let cool down to the ideal temperature. Take your dab as usual. You can use either bubble cap, directional flow carb cap or spinnercap for this purpose.

How Many Terp Pearls Should I Use?

Our recommendation for the best spin is to use 1 or 2 pearls. If you use more than that, they are likely to get tangled and notspin as well.

Why Aren’t My Terp Pearls Spinning?

If your terp pearls aren’t spinning, you might need to switch up your carb cap. A directional airflow carb cap is necessary when using terp pearls so that they’ll spin. If the carbcap isn’t troubleshooting the issue, it’s likely time to clean your banger and terp pearls––residue over time can cause friction and prevent free-flowing movement of the Pearls.

Are Terp Pearls Worth It?

If you want to make the most out of your dabbing experience, terp pearls are definitely worth considering—especially if you’re into taking huge rips at lower temperatures. Terp pearls also come in a variety of materials and styles so you can personalize your setup, which is another attractive selling point.