A Step-By-Step Guide to Dabbing for Beginners

For beginners, dabbing can seem challenging and confusing. With intimidating new terms like nails and rigs replacing more familiar ones like bowls and bongs, it’s easy to see why dabbing might feel foreign. You’re not alone. Dabbing is relatively new in the industry, and even long-time smokers have to adjust to this cloudy new world.

The good news is that the concept is the same: you’re enjoying cannabis! The only difference is a slight change to the process and higher levels of THC. To help you, we’ve created a beginner’s guide to dabbing.

We’re going to break down dabbing for beginners, from the terms and tools to the process itself. Once you’ve finished this guide, you’ll be ready for massive rips from your rig!

Terms and Tools

No beginner’s guide to dabbing is complete without a glossary. Let’s define the basic parts of your dab rig to ensure we’re on the same page before we get puffing. It’ll make step-by-step instructions easier to follow.

The Dab Rig

Dabbing for beginners starts with the rig. The dab rig is the inclusive term commonly used for the pipe and its assorted parts. Dab rigs come in many designs, though they often look like bongs. Of course, the difference between rigs and bongs is that rigs are designed to consume concentrate, not flower.

Nails and E-Nails

The nail is the heating element of the rig, which slightly resembles a bong’s bowl. Nails must withstand high temperatures and require heat-resistant materials like quartz, ceramic, titanium, or glass. Some dab rigs don’t require butane to light concentrate and instead use electric nails, also known as e-nails.

The Dabber Tool

Beginners dabbing for the first time might confuse a dabber with a tool from a workshop. In reality, it’s an essential part of the dab rig. The dabber is what you’ll use to apply the sticky, somewhat delicate cannabis concentrate to the nail. Dabbers are sturdy and tool-like because of the consistency of concentrates and the high temperatures used for dabbing.

Butane Torch

Butane torches are required to heat your rig’s nail. A torch can seem pretty intense for dabbing beginners, but having this level of heat is essential. Matches or tiny lighters can’t provide enough consistently high temperatures to get the nail hot enough to vaporize concentrate. Rigs with e-nails won’t require a butane torch.

Carb Cap

Tip of the carb cap, to ya! The carb cap is a vital part of your dab rig. It covers the nail to help seal in the concentrate’s vapor so it doesn’t go to waste. That way, all your rips pass your lips instead of floating away with the clouds.

The Dab aka Dose of Concentrate

Don’t forget the actual dab! A dose of concentrate is known as “the dab.” Concentrates are distilled versions of THC that are very potent and can save you money. After finishing our beginner’s guide to dabbing, we recommend experimenting with different crumble, shatter, and other types to find your favorite.

A Beginner’s Guide to Dabbing

Now that we know what our dab rig does, it’s time to see why dabbing is becoming so popular in the cannabis community! Different rigs can have slight variations, but the process of dabbing is the same. Here’s our step-by-step guide to dabbing for beginners.

1 - Ensure the Nail Is Secure

You must ensure the nail is securely fixed to your rig to prevent injury. Remember, the nail is what heats your cannabis concentrate. This role means it’s going to be extremely hot. Nothing is a faster buzzkill than burning a finger when you’re enjoying your session. Always be mindful of the temperatures involved in dabbing.

2 - Apply Heat to the Nail

To heat your nail, reach for your butane torch. The desired temperature for vaporizing concentrate is high, so preparing your rig can take 30 seconds of consistent flame on the nail. Some nails will turn red when they’re properly heated.

3 - Let the Nail Cool

After applying direct heat to the nail from a butane torch, let it cool. Generally, a good guide for beginners to dabbing is letting the nail cool for twice the length of time you heated it. So, after a 30-second round of heat, you want to let it cool for a full minute. Don’t worry, it will still be lava-hot—nails are great at retaining heat!

4 - Add Your Concentrate

For beginners, dabbing can seem backward. Unlike smoking flower, where you add the material first and then apply heat, with dabbing, the rig is preheated before use. That’s why we have that handy dabber tool. Use it to move your dabber onto the nail and begin inhaling.

The nail should be hot enough to turn your concentrate into vapor immediately. Evaporate all of the concentrate by ensuring it’s moving around the nail.

5 - Trap the Vapor

Once your concentrate has started evaporating, you want to cover it so you don’t waste all that THC! Grab your carb cap and cover the nail so you trap the vapor while inhaling.

6 - Let It Kick In

Smoking concentrate can provide an intense buzz for dabbing beginners. Take a moment after your initial dab to notice the effects and how they make you feel. Like their name implies, concentrates are much more potent than bud.

Ensure your rig has cooled down once you’re ready for your next dab. Dabbing again too quickly could cause the temperatures of your hits to get so high you could harm your lungs and throat.

7 - Upkeep

Remove any residue left around the nail with a Q-tip. Consistently cleaning your nail after use will keep your rig in good shape. Cleaning kits with tools and solutions designed for dabbing are helpful for easy upkeep.

Temperature Tips

For dabbing beginners, finding the perfect temperature is the key to a great rip. Experimenting with the amount of time you heat your nail will help your smoke session find the sweet spot. Start dabs between 350 and 500°F. Using a dab thermometer is an easy way to dial in the optimal temperature.

The Final Rip

Now that you’ve read our beginner’s guide to dabbing, it’s time to get to the good part: the dabs! After all, practice makes perfect.

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