Dabbing 101: Guide to Choosing Your First Dab Rig
For a beginner, a dab rig might look like something straight out of a science lab. If they seem a little complicated, that’s because they are — but only until you get to know them. In this article, we’ll be taking a look into dab rigs, what they are, why they exist, and how you can go about choosing your first one. A dab rig is a water pipe for inhaling cannabis concentrates. What does a dab rig look like? Well, it is very similar to a bong in appearance, but there is one very big difference between them. Where a bong is used for smoking weed buds or flowers, a rig is specifically used for heating concentrates (oil, resins, wax, etc) into vapor. Unlike the usual methods of taking weed that often require smoking of some sort and lighting up cannabis flowers, dab rigs are designed to vaporize concentrates. Therefore, there is no combustion, and you get a much higher high when you dab. With vaporization, you are changing cannabis oil, wax, and other concentrates into a gas (vapor) that you can inhale. By using a dab rig, you can bypass the harshness and risks of smoking, plus, it is the best way to get the most tasty and concentrated flavor out of cannabis. The cannabis product market today has different dab rig options for you to choose from. These different types of dab rigs vary in their size, material, form, and even the quality of dabs you get from them. The most notable types of dabbing rigs are: Glass rigs are the OG traditional rigs made of tough glass materials. They are solid, good dab rigs that include a water chamber, mouthpiece, and dab nail you can expect from rigs. Because of their popularity, it is easy to find them in different sizes, forms, and price points. They are also straightforward to clean, with easily accessible replacement parts. No matter how reinforced glass is, it can still break. Users who don’t want to deal with the fragility of glass can go for silicone dab rigs that are much more forgiving. They are the easiest dab rig to use and are priced similarly to glass rigs. The flexibility of silicone rigs also makes them more portable, given how delicate glass is to pack and the risk of breaking it while on the move. Unfortunately, silicone dab rigs are not perfect. They tend to absorb cannabis vapor and odors over time and that affects the taste of your concentrates. Electric dab rigs or e-rigs are dab rigs that are fitted with an electronic heating element. Regular glass rigs require you to light up the banger with a butane torch or other external sources. Electric dab rigs save you the need for a torch by integrating an electric heating element like in vapes. The electric component adds to the price, so e-rigs are usually priced a tier above glass or silicone rigs. Mini dab rigs are much smaller rigs designed for their portability and stronger hits. Mini dab rigs can be made of glass or silicone, but their major selling point is their small size which is usually under 7 inches. Their small size comes with some other inconveniences though. They are usually harder to clean because of the small spaces involved and it might be harder to find accessories and replacement parts since they are not as popular. They offer precise temperature control and protect you from the risk of burns with torches. The added electrical component means that they need more care when you clean them. Recycler dab rigs are dab rigs fitted with two chambers instead of the traditional one to provide better filtration and a smoother dabbing experience. After the concentrated vapor goes through the first water chamber, it is forced through another chamber with a swirling path to allow it to cool and allow the heavier particles room to settle before you inhale. The result is much cleaner and cooler. Recycler dab rigs are usually more expensive. But for the increased price, they often have more intricate crafting and a more aesthetic appearance, which for some is worth paying more for by itself. The process of using the different types of dab rigs is basically the same. You start by making sure to fill the water chamber with enough water to cover the percolators. Then you can move on to the banger. The part of the dab rig that holds your concentrates is called the nail or banger. The nail of your rig is probably the most important part and here’s how it works: You start by heating the nail or banger with a torch. And if you have an e-rig, you just need to turn it on. When the banger is hot enough, close to glowing red, you add a tiny scoop of your concentrate to it. Tiny has to be emphasized because cannabis the best concentrate rigs are incredibly potent and even the smallest bit can get you very high. Therefore it is important for you to have determined how much of the concentrate you are using in your rig beforehand. When you add your concentrate to the heated nail, the heat instantly vaporizes the concentrate into a cloud. This is where you might want to cover the banger with a carb cap to regulate the airflow in your rig. Next, you suck on the mouthpiece of your rig which draws the vapor into the water chamber to be cooled and filtered for you to inhale. Getting familiar with the process and the components of your rig is important to enjoy the dabbing experience. There are a few important factors to keep in mind to make sure you choose the right dab rig. They include: How important is portability to you? And how frequently do you see yourself going around with your rig? If you are the type that is often on the road, it is better to go for a flexible material like silicone and mini rigs. Even at the expense of the stability and consistency of larger glass rigs. Determine whether you need a rig for at-home use or on-the-go dabbing. Glass rigs offer stability and larger water chambers, while silicone rigs are more portable. Cheaper rigs can be very attractive when you consider that there is very little in their form and function, compared to more expensive dab rigs. However, the difference is usually in their safety and durability. Borosilicate glass is a strong and reliable material for glass rigs that will survive accidental bumps and won’t chip unnecessarily. They are also safer because of their ability to endure high heat. Cheaper materials might just explode while you are dabbing, leading to serious injuries. For silicone rigs, look out for medical-grade silicone. Medical grade silicone has passed the safety standard to carry ingested substances like cannabis without compromising your health. The most unique aspect of a dab rig has to be its robust filtration and percolation system through water. Taking in concentrate vapor directly would be dry, hot, and very uncomfortable. The water filtration in the rig cools down the vapor and makes the process smoother and more enjoyable. Different rigs have different numbers of percolators that contribute to this process. Yet, we have recycler rigs that have entirely different chambers just to make the vapor even smoother. Therefore, you need to consider the amount of percolators and the type of filtration system you want from your rig before you pull the trigger. Keep things minimal and under a smaller budget for your first dab rig. A glass rig would allow you to fully immerse yourself in the experience and figure out which part of the dabbing experience matters more to you. Not to mention they are easier to clean and you can find multiple accessories for them easily. Regular cleaning is the secret to ensuring you get consistent flavor and performance from your rig. Start by emptying the water in the chamber and removing any residue in it. Then fill your rig in a cleaning solution, I recommend isopropyl alcohol since it is easy to find and effective. If you can take your rig apart, then you can just put the solution in a bowl and immerse the different units. Let the rig for about 30 minutes to make sure that the residue and buildups loosen up. Use a pipe cleaner to scrub the rig, you can use cotton swabs for more delicate parts. Then you can rinse it with clean water before you dry and reassemble it. Concentrates require high temperatures to turn into vapor so you often need to carry a torch to use one. However, if you don’t want to or don’t have access to a torch, you can use an e-nail. An e-nail is an accessory that replaces the banger that came with your rig with an electrical heating component so you don’t need a torch. You can also dip your banger into boiling water to heat it up when you have access to a stove or other heat sources that can boil water. It is a safer and more controlled method of heating your rig instead of dealing with the heat source directly. You can order for your dab rigs online at Verts dispensary or visit one of our dispensary locations.What is a Dab Rig?
What are the Types of Dabbing Rigs
1. Glass Dab Rigs
2. Silicone Dab Rigs
3. Electric Dab Rigs
4. Mini Dab Rigs
5. Recycler Dab Rigs
How to use different types of Dab Rigs
What to know before buying a Dab Rig?
1. Size and Portability
2. Material
3. Filtration
What is the best Dab Rigs for beginners?
How to Clean a Dab Rig
How to heat a Dab Rig without a torch
Where to buy Dab Rigs