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Originally Posted On: https://ivyhalldispensary.com/blog/dabbing-101/

Dabbing 101: Tools and Techniques for Concentrate Connoisseurs

Have you thought about dabbing cannabis concentrates but don’t know where to start? We have you covered! Dabbing 101.

Dabbing is a new way of consuming for many stoners. Some might even regard it as “crackheady”, and yes the blowtorch can be intimidating. But the concentrate community has progressed where electric e-rigs have encouraged folks to “dabble” with the world of concentrates. Of course, there are those who are true to the torch and banger, you must respect the original ways, but there are smoother methods.

At Ivy Hall we have a wide array of cannabis hardware and tools you can grab with a purchase of a concentrate. If you want something more lowkey we have dab pens to throw on the go for you and for the mid-level to experienced, there are mini glass rigs and Puffcos. Feel free to come in and check out our shelves.

What is a Dab?

A dab is what we call concentrates in the concentrate community. It is referred to as a dab because of the small size that is needed to get your high started. You only need a small “dab” to get high. This dab is highly concentrated with THC so please start with one dab and take it from there.

Now if somebody asks you what you are dabbing then that leads to the different types of concentrates. Concentrates vary in their consistency. Some can feel more granular and coarse, crackly, or even smooth like butter.

The type of consistency you prefer may depend on if you are strictly a dab person or if you like to infuse your joints with concentrate. Some people like working with a softer consistency, while others do not mind working with thicker concentrates as long as the THC percentage is nice. Whichever type of concentrate you choose, make sure to know what they are and how they are made.

Different Types of Cannabis Concentrates for Dabbing (H2)

Cannabis Wax

Like many concentrates wax is made through the utilization of an extraction process.
Through this extraction process plant material is rinsed with a solvent butane or CO2. The solvent bonds with the THC in the plant matter

Cannabis Shatter

Shatter is a type of concentrate that gets its name from how it can crack or shatter like glass. It can be hard to maneuver, making dab heads chip off a few pieces to get a nice-sized glob together.

Shatter is made through the use of low-temperature hydrocarbon extraction that uses butane or propane gas. It is a favorite for many because of its high potency. Shatter can test up to 80% THC!

Cannabis Crumble

Crumble, like Shatter, gets its name from its consistency. Crumble is dry and easily breakable making it perfect to infuse a joint with because of how well it mixes with weed. The Dog Walkers Infused pre-rolls, a popular brand at our locations, infuse their joints with crumble. It is a lightweight concentrate that will not impact how your joint burns.

It is made very similar to Shatter through the use of hydrocarbon extraction with the use of butane or propane. The potency of crumble can go up to 90%! Making a great choice for our experienced dabbers who enjoy high THC levels and versatility with their smoking methods.

Cannabis Rosin

Rosin is a newer type of concentrate that hit the dab scene approximately two years ago in the Illinois market. I like to think of it as the “organic” concentrate. What makes it unique and one of my favorite types of concentrates is the fact that it is solventless. Solventless means that there was no solvent, such as propane or butane, used in the process of making this type of concentrate.

Rosin is made by mechanically pressing hash, flower, or kief between two heated plates in order to squeeze the plant oil out from the trichomes of the marijuana plant. Rosin can be made into carts or budders and badder. It is growing in popularity because of a slowly growing market demand for cleaner extracts.

There is a comfort in consuming Rosin knowing that there are no excess chemicals being inhaled. This also allows for an unadulterated flavor, solvents in the aforementioned concentrates have the tendency to skew the taste of the dab. This makes Rosin one of the safer concentrates to make at home because it is devoid of flammable gasses in its process.

Different Dab Tools

Dab Rigs

Dab rigs are similar to bongs, but instead of there being a bowl, there is a banger. The banger is what you heat up with the blow torch. Once it is heated, you can drop your concentrate in it and take a dab.

Dab Rigs come in a variety of sizes. Some are huge and some are small and petite. Make sure to let it cool off after hitting it with the blow torch. Hot dabs are not good for the lungs.

E-nails

An e-nail or an electronic dab rig. A nail is the part of the dab rig that is similar to a banger, where we place the concentrate to be vaporized. Electronic nails allow you to put the blowtorch to the side for a more controlled experience.

E-nails allow for more precision in temperature and consistent dab rips. It fits onto a traditional dab rig that has a chord attached to a temperature control box. Along with temperature control, there is a better quality of taste. Terpenes in the concentrate can be burned at an appropriate temperature, therefore every time you take a hit, you will enjoy those tasty terpenes.

Dab Pens

Dab pens are great for taking globs on the go! Dab pens are pens you put concentrate inside to smoke. Dab pens are not to be confused with vape pens that use cartridges to help you get your THC.

Dab pens are meant to be used with concentrate. Many of them have a chamber where the dab is placed. Once the chamber is covered with a mouthpiece, the dab can be isolated and properly heated to give you the best hits.

The chambers of dab pens are small, so be mindful when you are done using them to make sure it is adequately cleaned so it does not negatively impact the operation of your device.

Hot Knife Dab Tool

An accessory we have at Ivy Hall is called a dab tool, it is a little stick with flattened ends that help scoop your concentrate out of its container and into the banger or dab pen. The regular tool itself can be pesky when you try to drop your dab into the nail to smoke, and it just won’t fall in. Some users like to utilize a hot knife that helps you scoop up your concentrate and get to dabbing. The hot knife helps melt your wax into your rig making it easier to transfer concentrate to your rig to be smoked. Yocan and Puffco both have hot knife products that you can grab at any of our Ivy Hall locations.

Dabbing FAQs

How do I start dabbing?

In order to start dabbing you will need a torch, dab rig, and concentrate. If you want to start slow without the whole apparatus, Ivy Hall has small dab pens such as the Yocan Plus and the Tyson G-Pen Dash+. These items can help you start your dab journey slowly while helping you understand what different temperatures give you the best flavors and where you feel the optimal effect of the terpenes the most.

How can I start dabbing without buying a dab rig?

In order to start dabbing without a dab rig. You will need a dab pen such as the Yocan, Tyson G-Pen Dash, or a Lookah Seahorse. These options can help you start dabbing on a smaller scale so you can ditch the torch.

Can I only dab with concentrates?

You do not have to only dab with concentrates. You can infuse your joints with concentrates. You can even put them in bowls, which is known as a “mole bowl”. I recommend using budder or badder because it is smoother and can mold easily with bud. When using concentrates with a stiff consistency, I recommend breaking it into pieces and sprinkling your joint with it. Doing this will help your joint still burn well, with some extra flavor!

What happens if I dab too much?

Dabbing is a method of consumption that can be fun fast, but it does have its drawbacks. When it comes to dabbing too much, that can for sure get you super high, but without proper moderation, you can obliterate your tolerance. Concentrates are highly potent and they can get you zooted, but when you return to regular bud, the one joint you are used to smoking has now turned into two or three.

It is important to take a break from dabbing when possible in order to reset your tolerance, also it is good to give your lungs a break from inhaling solvents such as butane and propane. If you are utilizing concentrate as a form of medicine, I recommend opting for cleaner concentrates such as rosin, which does not use any solvents, just heat and pressure.

Moderation is key with consumption, never underestimate the impact of a tolerance break for your endocannabinoid system.

Why does my rosin need to be refrigerated?

Unfortunately, one of the only drawbacks when it comes to rosin is that it must be refrigerated. Rosin tends to degrade faster, you want to avoid high moisture and high heat when storing rosin in order to preserve the integrity of the terpenes. Many dispensaries store these products in minifridges so they will be ready for the consumer, so make sure you store yours in your fridge when you get back from the dispo!

What’s with the Q-tips?

Dabbers like to keep Q-tips nearby to help clear the nail or banger off that additional residue. The residue left behind from dabs can be harsh to smoke and unpleasant to taste. Before you take another dab, you twist a Q-tip around the banger swiftly so when you go for another hit of your concentrate it will taste much fresher. At Ivy Hall, we have the Blazy Susan 100-count cotton swabs you can grab on your next visit!

Add Dabbing to Your Smoking Routine (H2)

Budtender at Ivy Hall Dispensary Bolingbrook

Dabbing is nothing to be intimidated by. It is a great way to experience a different essence of your beloved cannabis strains. You do not have to worry about the smell of weed, and you do not need many hits to get you high!

At Ivy Hall, we have team members who are dab gods and goddesses who can help you select the dab device that is compatible with your smoking routine. Smoking concentrates are a fun experience, it is helpful to have adequate education and the right tools so you can be confident and secure in stepping into the dab world.

Feel free to walk into any of our dispensary locations across Illinois and get the knowledge you need!