What is Dab Rig

A Dab rig is a device that uses heat to transform cannabis concentrates, often referred to as oils, into vapors. A dab rig works in the same way as a bong by filtering concentrate vapor through water at the bottom. Dab rigs come with a glass, quartz, ceramic, or titanium platform (also known as a nail or banger) to contain the concentrate or “dab.” Customers also utilize a long, thin tool to apply their dab and a butane or propane torch lighter to warm up the nail before applying it.

What are Dab Rigs?

A dab rig is a glass pipe that contains a nail or banger and is used instead of a conventional bowl on a bong. New dabbers may be overwhelmed by the procedure, cost, and number of accessories needed to utilize dab rigs and pipes. Dab rigs and pipes, on the other hand, offer powerful, streamlined effects as well as rich terpene tastes.

Dabbing isn’t hard, and it’s not difficult to use a dab rig. The procedure is straightforward: heating the nail with a torch, loading it with a dab of concentrate, and breathing in the resulting vapor.

The glass piece, a nail, a dabber, a torch, and a carb cap are all part of the modern-day dab pipe. Carb caps have grown in popularity because they allow users to dab at lower temperatures while simultaneously retaining vapor inside the nail for longer periods of time. Before making a purchase, you should think about several factors if you want to get the most out of your concentrate usage.

Why are dab rigs small?

Although bongs and dab rigs are both “rigs,” or pipe chambers linked to a nail or bowl that contains cannabis products for smoking, they have distinct differences. You may have considered a dab rig to be a bong or seen a tiny dab rig or pipe and wondered why it was so tiny.

Both bongs and dab rigs are available in a variety of forms and sizes, although the dimensions may usually be interpreted to suggest which type of device you’re viewing.

The most significant distinction between a bong and a dab rig is that dab rigs are designed for concentrates. Dab rigs, like bongs, are often smaller than regular marijuana pipes. The reduced drag in the chamber allows for quicker vapor transfer to the lungs. Mini rigs, which are made by quality glass artists and production glass manufacturers, are available for people who want a robust terpene profile from their cannabis extracts.

Other differences between a bong and a dab rig

Dab rigs have been around since the 1990s, and until recently, they were defined by a 90-degree male connection that connected to a female attachment. Male joints have a smaller aperture for accessories to pass through, while female joints offer a larger one for items to be inserted into. The styles of nails that made them popular have fallen out of vogue.

Female joints come in 10 millimeter and 14 millimeter sizes as of 2018. The inner diameter of a female joint is measured in centimetres.

History of dab rigs

Before dab rigs became popular, “knife hits” were the most frequent technique of vaporizing concentrates. When two knives are heated on a stove and a piece of hash is placed on them, cannabis users from the ’60s to the ’90s would inhale the resulting vapors through a tube or soda bottle with the base removed. Using a “swing skillet” in place of a bowl on a bong — essentially, a bong downstem overlying titanium plate that vaporizes the hash when heated with a torch — an early form of the dab pipe was produced.

The first dab rigs

Around 2006, the brother-and-sister glassblower team Hashmasta Kut (HMK) and Lucy Carson (GGirl) created the first pieces that could be described as “dab rigs” or “dab pipes.” HMK’s and GGirl’s design included a titanium swing connected to a titanium skillet that lowered below a glass arm on hot. The dab would vaporize on the heated pan and be inhaled through the glass arm. Their designs were popularized by Toke City, an extremely influential internet forum before social media existed.

The glass dome and nail

The first commercially available glass attachment that could turn any bong into a dab pipe was the second version of the dab rig, which featured a glass dome and nail — the first commercially practical glass accessory for use with any waterpipe. WBM, a prominent glass artist, was among the foremost to advertise a glass nail for dabbing that fitted within the downstem of a bong with a dome positioned above it. JP Toro, founder of Toro Tubes, led the way in making this dome and nail an actual dabbing gadget available to consumers. The dome was placed on top of the nail, and a dabber, usually a paperclip in the days before convenient dabbing solutions, were used to apply honey oil to the nail.

Emergence of dab rigs as functional art

As more states legalize recreational and medical cannabis, the demand for hand-blown, unique pieces from renowned glass artists has grown. At the same time, as dabbing becomes increasingly popular, one-of-a-kind dab rig components have risen in popularity. “In 2009–2010, flower pipes transitioned to oil rigs by artists who really stopped making flower pipes,’ says Brad Melshenker, co-author of “This Is A Pipe,” a book about the history of glass pipe production and dab rigs. “Flower pipes switched over to oil rigs in 2009–2010 and artisans really slowed down producing them.’

Heady glass and headies have come to be associated with creative goods designed to be used with concentrates. Advanced glassblowing methods are used by artists to create various forms, ranging from a basic-looking bong to towering masterpieces. There are several internet retailers that specialize in dab pipes and dab-related items, but the popularity of social media has aided in the dissemination of glass art works for the entire industry.

Dabbing has become so important to the cannabis economy that it has its own holiday, which is celebrated on July 10th (written 710 upside down with LCD-style numbers). Stoners’ holidays such as 4/20 and July 10th are perhaps in league. On concentrates and other dab products, most dispensaries have special 7/10 sales. Dabbing and dab rigs were formerly a minor aspect of the cannabis industry, but they are now an integral part of contemporary cannabis culture.

Dab tools and accessories

A dab rig, like the other equipment linked with cannabis flower, may be complemented with a variety of add-ons to meet a wide range of personal preferences. The following are some of the most basic items:

• A dabber
• A carb cap
• A quartz, titanium, glass, or ceramic nail
• A butane torch (propane torches have the potential to damage nails because the flame burns at much hotter temperatures than butane)
• An electronic nail
• A dab pad
• A clock, timer, or stopwatch
• Cotton swabs

Are dab rigs expensive?

In general, dab rigs are more expensive than normal bongs. This is due to the fact that dab rigs need a number of additional parts and equipment.

Furthermore, dab rigs are comparable to bongs in that you may spend whatever amount of money on high-end artistic accessories produced by hand. However, for purely functional usage, plan on spending more for your dab rig kit than you would a regular bong, especially if you want to invest in a high-quality or handmade item.

What’s the best nail for dabbing?

Determining the best nail or banger for dabbing is mostly about matching your gear to your rig and personal preferences. Here are some general guidelines to help you figure out which type of nail is best for your consumption needs:

• Titanium nails: The titanium wires and rods that are used in dab nails have a high resistance to heat. They tend to be quite hot, and they keep their warmth for a long time. They’re also pretty long-lasting. However, after extended use, you may notice an accumulation of titanium oxide that might degrade the performance of your dab nail and allow harmful pollutants to leach at high temperatures. If you decide to go with titanium, it’s suggested that you invest in a medical-grade 2 nail.
• Ceramic nails: The longest to heat up are titanium and ceramic nails, which retain heat the best. Ceramic nails are also known for being extremely clean and free of toxins, making them a safe alternative to metal or wooden nails. These, however, are more prone to breakage than other types of nail enhancements due on their material type.
• Quartz nails:Quartz nails, also known as quartz bangers, are quickly heated but lose heat at a rapid pace. Quartz nails, like ceramic ones, are recognized for being extremely clean and not leaching pollutants.
• Glass nails: Glass nails heat up rapidly and retain heat well. These are generally made of borosilicate glass and are frequently the most inexpensive to purchase. Glass nails, on the other hand, are the most fragile and can shatter at temperatures as low as 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204°C).

How to use a dab rig

It may take some time to feel confident in your oil rig skills. However, once you’ve developed an intuitive grasp of the basic processes, it’s a highly efficient approach to consume cannabis concentrates and utilize them to their maximum potential. If you’re about To start your first dab, keep the following instructions in mind or have them on hand until you get a hang of it:

Step 1 

Do you have to put water in a dab rig, as newbies to the world of concentrates may ask? The answer is yes. Fill your rig’s base with enough water so that the downstem is submerged before doing anything else. As with a bong, this water will help to cool and filter the vapor produced by your dabs.

Step 2

Heat the nail with a torch. If you’re using a quartz nail for the first time, heat it up until it’s crimson. This will guarantee that any small particles are burned off the nail, and that you’re starting from the hottest possible surface.

Step 3

Allow the nail to cool down. You don’t want to burn your dab by rushing it. The time required to wait is determined by the thickness and material of your nail. To get the most flavor out of your concentrates, you should aim for a temperature between 300 and 450 degrees Fahrenheit, or 149 and 232 degrees Celsius. Depending on how hot your nail has gotten and the thickness of your nail, it may take 30 to 60 seconds.

Step 4

Place the dab on the nail and slowly draw in the vapor. Dabs, unlike dry herb bong hits, necessitate a lengthy, slow inhalation since the majority of the concentrate does not instantly evaporate. Take a long, deep breath to get the most out of your experience.

Step 5

Place the carb cap on the nail if one is available. To better vapourize the dab while inhaling, place a carb cap on the nail. The carb cap will act as an oven, trapping all of the heat within the chamber of the nail and ensuring you get optimum use from your concentrate.

Step 6

Exhale the dab vapor as soon as you’ve inhaled it. Keep in mind that before exhaling, you do not need to hold your vapors in. Your lungs are extremely efficient at absorbing all of the active terpenes and cannabinoids.

How to clean your dab rig

There are a few basic cleaning procedures you can do to guarantee that your dab session is as delicious as possible.

If the temperature were correct, there should be plenty of residual oil globs at the bottom of your nail. To remove any remaining oil from a quartz nail, clean the interior with a cotton swab. This not only keeps your nail clean, but it also helps to keep it healthier by providing better dabbing.

Use rubbing alcohol to clean the components of your dab rig if you want to remove resistant residual oil. Rubbing alcohol, also known as isopropyl alcohol, is a strong solvent that dissolves the hard-to-remove oil that may build up in your nail or banger, or along the chamber walls. If wiping with an alcohol-soaked cotton swab doesn’t work, soak your glass in ethanol to break down the oil particles before running a cotton swab or pipe cleaner over the surface. Alcohol is combustible, so be sure to completely rinse and dry your device before using it.

E-rigs for dabbers

E-rigs, like vape pens that vaporize distillate, are a more powerful platform for vaporizing all types of concentrates. Early versions were fixed and needed to be plugged into an outlet, but current versions are frequently battery-powered. These gadgets have some characteristics of both dab rigs for personal use and inconspicuous, portable vape pens. E-rigs combine discretion with power and durability, making them ideal for concentrate users who want a travel-ready alternative to a dab rig and torch.

Another advantage of the e-rig is that it allows you to precisely regulate the temperature of your dabs. Unlike a regular rig, in which you are at the mercy of the flame and a timer, an e-rig allows you to adjust the precise temperature you want and be confident that the nail will remain within a specific range of your desired temperature.

Turn your bong into a dab rig

It’s technically feasible to convert a normal bong into a dab rig, albeit not the most desirable scenario.

The most crucial aspect of this procedure is finding a nail that fits into the downstem of your bong. To do so, first confirm that your bong has a detachable bowl. If it doesn’t, you won’t be able to convert it into a dab rig. Remove the bowl and measure the diameter (typically in millimeters) of the downstem’s female joint if it does not have one.

Most bongs and water pipes feature a downstem at a 45-degree angle, which is significantly different from a dab rig’s usual 90-degree angle. As a result, the tip of your nail will be angled as well, so be careful that your melted extracts do not flow out of the nail while you’re taking the dab.

After you’ve inserted your nail into the downstem of your bong, you’re ready to go. Simply heat the nail as usual, drop in a dab, cover it with a carb cap, and draw through the mouthpiece of any small bong. Smaller bongs are ideal for making use of as dab rigs since they make it simpler to pull in the vapor and protect the integrity of your concentrates’ flavor profiles