How to dab cannabis extracts
What are dabs?
Dabbing is the flash vaporization of dabs at high temperatures. Dabs are cannabis concentrates or extracts in various forms and textures. They’re named after the process used to consume them – they are very sticky and messy to work with, and you must literally scoop, scrape, or pull dabs of the substance using a tool called a dabber.
Read more about what dabbing is here.
How to consume dabs
A quick note for beginners: Keep in mind that there’s a steeper learning curve with this method of cannabis consumption than other methods. So having someone experienced to show you how to dab can be helpful.
The vapor from the dabs can be inhaled using a dab rig, e-rig (electronic rig), or dab pen.
With a traditional dab rig:
A dab rig is a water pipe used to inhale dabs. It looks like a bong, with a chamber that holds water for cooling vapor, but instead of a bowl for flower, as in a bong, a dab rig has a nail for concentrates.
Prep step: Fill the chamber with water. There should be enough to filter the vapor when you inhale, but not so much that inhaling could cause it to come into contact with your mouth.
Step 1: Take the dabber tool (most rigs are sold with one in the package), and put a little of the concentrate (see: a dab) on the end of the dabber.
Step 2: Heat the nail of the dab rig with a torch. Then allow the nail to cool to the appropriate temperature (use a thermometer to measure).
Step 3: Once the temperature is correct, put the cannabis extract inside the nail and then place the carb cap over the top to control the airflow as you inhale. (This is very much like placing your finger over a carb hole in a bong or pipe to control airflow).
Step 4: Inhale slowly. Vapor will travel from the nail to the main chamber of the rig, where it is cooled by water and then sucked into your mouth and lungs.
Step 5: Exhale. Enjoy the delicious flavors and aromas of the terpenes.
Important things to keep in mind when dabbing:
A little goes a long way – remember, it’s a concentrate. Flower contains 15-25% THC, and dabs typically have 60-90% THC.
Temperature is the most essential thing when dabbing. If the nail is too hot, you will scorch the terps and your throat. (You will not have a good time.) Lower temperatures are your friend!
Don’t touch the hot nail. You will burn yourself. Dabbing temperatures range from 200 to 600℉.
Dabbing is very messy and sticky. To keep everything working correctly, clean your rig regularly (e-rigs too).
With an e-rig:
The dabbing process with an e-rig is similar to that of a traditional dab rig. The only difference is that you do not need a torch – the heating component is built in – and you have much better control over the temperature. Each e-rig brand comes with instructions on how to use it, so refer to those instructions for your particular device.
You just have to remember to keep the e-rig charged.
With a dab pen:
Again, this is similar to a traditional dab rig, but instead of putting your dabs onto a hot nail you just heated with a torch, you are putting them onto a metal coil within a smaller chamber that you will heat by pressing a button. So the dab goes on before the heat is applied.
Dab pens are great because they are a more mobile option for dabbing, like vape pens are to bongs.
Ready 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.