Dab temperature guide
What temperature should you be dabbing at?
The answer to this question is debatable by dabbers… It’s DABatable.
Some like it hot with big vapor clouds, others like lower temperatures and the philosophy “you gotta waste it to taste it.”
What’s up with hot dabs?
570-600℉ (299-315℃) but can be hotter
Pro: Hot dabs can give immediate and significant effects in just a few minutes of dabbing.
Con: They can scorch your throat and the terpenes – missing their deliciousness entirely.
Other considerations: Certain dabs, such as crystalline THCA isolate (diamonds), require hotter temperatures.
What’s up with low-temp dabs?
400-500℉ (204-260℃)
Pro: Low-temp dabs tend to deliver a lighter, more gradual rise into euphoric effects and are more flavorful because they can better preserve the terpenes in the dabs.
Con: You can waste more of the concentrate in the process of maximizing flavor, and you won’t get intensely stoned and melt into the couch like you do with hot dabs.
Other considerations: While concentrates can melt at as little as 350℉ (177℃), most terpenes and cannabinoids have a boiling point under 400℉ (204℃). But low-temp dabs need to be a little hotter than that, generally in the 400-450℉ (204-232℃) range. You will find most e-rigs don’t go lower in temperature than this.
What about mid-range temp dabs?
500-545℉ (260-285℃)
Pro: Waste less of the dab while still enjoying some of the flavor profile. It’s a particularly great temperature for solventless hashes that require less heat.
Con: You still waste some of the dab and lose some flavor profile.
Other considerations: The standard dabbing range is considered 545-570℉ (285-299℃). This range is suitable for most dabs, especially live resin, sugar resin, shatter, crumble, and rosin.
Still trying to decide what temperature to dab at? Read on, and we’ll give you some more information before you experiment to find the temperatures you like.
Why do terpenes matter so much in dabs?
Many folks like dabbing because of the strong aromas and flavors of terpenes. You might hear dabbers refer to flavorful dabs as “terpy.” A high-quality concentrate will capture the flavor and aroma of the original plant through the extraction process so that you can smell and taste it when you dab – more so than any other form of cannabis consumption.
It’s essential to keep in mind that the hotter you burn the dabs, the more aroma and flavor you will lose.
Common terpene and cannabinoid boiling points:
266℉ (130℃): Caryophyllene
311℉ (155℃): Pinene
315℉ (157℃): THC
334℉ (168℃): Myrcene
374℉ (175℃): Ocimene
349℉ (176℃): Limonene
356℉ (180℃): CBD
365℉ (185℃): Terpinolene
388℉ (198℃): Humulene & Linalool
Ready to dab?
Read this blog for guidance on how to dab. If you’re ready to try dabs, Clearly California has several concentrates for you to choose from, including:
Beach Sand Single Fin – a full-spectrum live resin.
Beach Sand Twin Fin – a split jar with full-spectrum live resin extract on one side and diamonds on the other.
Pebble Beach Diamonds / HTE Twin Fin – a split jar with Pebble Beach diamonds flavored with clementine terpenes on one side and HTE sauce on the other.