Dabbing serves as a method for consuming cannabis concentrates, encompassing shatter, rosin, wax, live resin, and distillate. The process involves specific tools and a cautious approach to temperature and dosing.

How to Dab Cannabis Extracts

Inhaling cannabis concentrates can be achieved through dabbing, a technique using a dab rig. Explore the world of dabbing with the following insights and tips to kickstart your experience.

Understanding Dabbing

Dabbing essentially entails bringing a concentrate into contact with an intensely heated surface, leading to flash vaporisation and subsequent inhalation of the vapour. A standard dab rig comprises four components: a water pipe, nail or banger, dome, and dabber. The water pipe allows flexibility in swapping components, while specific dab rigs designed for this purpose can also be purchased.

The heating component, the nail or banger, can be constructed from ceramic, quartz, or titanium. A banger, resembling a bowl, captures the vapour, and if using a nail, a glass dome is necessary. The dabber serves to apply the concentrate, and a small torch is required to heat the nail or banger. Additional accessories include carb caps, trays, mats, and cleaning supplies.

Variations exist, such as domeless nails made of titanium that do not require a dome, thanks to small holes in the nail drawing the vapour through. E-nails are self-heating, eliminating the need for a torch.

Pros and Cons of Dabbing

Dabbing stands out as a smoke-free consumption method, producing vapour instead of smoke. It requires only a small amount of concentrate, but due to the need for several tools and caution concerning temperature, as the nail or banger can become dangerously hot, dabbing demands careful consideration.

Dosing is crucial, especially for concentrates with high THC concentrations. Health Canada advises starting with a low amount, no larger than a lentil, to avoid overconsumption.

Dabbing-Compatible Concentrates

Various cannabis concentrates, including shatter, wax, rosin, live resin, distillate, and hash (provided it’s full melt or six-star), can be used for dabbing.

How to Dab

While dab rigs may differ in components, the fundamental process remains consistent. Here’s a guide for dabbing using a rig with a domeless quartz banger.

• Add water: Fill the water pipe to the recommended level, ensuring it bubbles when inhaling and doesn’t splash into the mouth.

• Heat the banger: Use a torch to heat the banger for about 45 seconds, allowing it to cool for approximately a minute.

• Dab the concentrate: Collect a small amount of concentrate (no larger than a lentil) with the dab tool and place it inside the banger.

• Inhale: Simultaneously pull lightly on the mouthpiece while adding the concentrate.

• Finish with the carb cap: Place the carb cap on top to capture low-temperature vapour. Inhale on the mouthpiece again.

• Clean it: Use a cleaning solution to swab out the banger.

Considerations Before Dabbing Concentrates

When purchasing concentrates for dabbing, always ensure legality. Products sold by Authorised Cannabis Stores undergo stringent quality assurance processes as mandated by their respective Consumer Product and Safety Act. Only concentrates produced by processors with a  licence are permitted for sale.