Whether you are looking to buy dab rig or you are scratching your head wondering what is a dab rig, we are going to break everything down from learning how to use a dab rig to understanding all the components such as the dab nail, dab torch, carb cap, quartz banger, and dab wand.
From small dab rigs to cool dab rigs, SmokerBar has every type of dab rig for sale. Click below to skip ahead.
Dab Rigs are filtration devices used to consume concentrates or "dabs".
Dab rigs are designed specifically for concentrates, and provide better flavor and vapor consistency compared to a bong or dry pipe.
Dab Rigs have gained popularity in recent years thanks to increasing access to concentrates throughout the USA and internationally.
What is a Dab Rig - Anatomy of an Dab Pipe
So what is a dab rig, really? It’s usually smaller than standard bongs and water pipes yet holds the same structure as one. It uses the same water filtration process but the only major difference is that instead of a bowl it uses a dab nail (also known as a quartz banger or titanium nail). In order to heat your concentrate, wax, shatter, rosin, or live resin you need to vaporize it and a normal glass bowl cannot withstand such high temperatures.
Understanding how a dab rig work is essential if you are going to buy the right wax rig for yourself or if you are looking to enhance your dabbing experience. Let’s break down all the components of a dab bong and how the dab smoke travels through your wax rig.
HOW DO DAB RIGS WORK?
Dab Rigs use water to cool the vapor produced by placing a "dab" of concentrates onto a hot "dab nail".
While the dab nail acts as a melting pot, a user places their lips on the mouthpiece and inhales. This suction pulls the vapor into the dab rig, through the downstem, and into the water chamber. The water chamber acts as a radiator and instantly cools the hot vapor to a temperature that is comfortable for your lungs to inhale.
Almost every dab rig features some type of diffusion, which forces the vapor through a series of small, submerged holes -- forming millions of tiny, beautiful bubbles! These tiny bubbles put more vapor into direct contact with water, resulting in a faster cooling time than you'd get with one big vapor bubble. This faster cool prevents the concentrates from overcooling and coating the inside of your glass with unused concentrate.
How The Cannabis Smoke Travels Through a Glass Dab Rig
At first glance with a glass dab rig anyone is bound to scratch their head a bit. The best way to learn is to understand how the process works from beginning to end. That means from when we light the concentrate in the dab nail and how the smoke travels through the wax rig and into your lung. Understanding how your dab glassware functions is vital. Let’s break it all down!
The Dab Nail - Where the Journey Begins in Your Dab Glass
Every dab rip’s journey begins within the dab nail. You take your dab wand and you swab a bit of dab and keep it ready on the side. You must heat your dab nail with a butane torch to a whopping 350°F to 400°F. Most proficient dab rig users know to heat the dab nail until it turns red and then let it cool off for about 10 seconds. Then you place your dab wand with the concentrate in and inhale and this vaporizes the concentrate and allows you to pull it through your oil rig.
What is a Dab Joint for in your Dab Pipe?
A dab joint is used to hold the dab nail to the water pipe to make a functional dab pipe. Without it you may have vapor leaks or your dab nail will not fit all together with your dab rig. Most dab bongs have certain dab joint sizes so make sure to check before purchasing any additional dab nails. Once the activated concentrate vapor passes through the joint it then enters into water pipe and it’s time for filtration!
What does the Percolator Diffusion Process Look like inside a Dab Bong?
Depending on how your dab rig most likely you will have a percolation difusser. This is just a fancy way of describing a glass tube with slits in it. When you inhale your dab bong the slits produce bubbles in the water which acts as cooling surface area for your vapor concentrate to travel through. This cooling makes your dab rips much smoother.
The Glass Dab Rig Water Chamber and What it Does
The water chamber works one in the same with the percolator diffuser. The water filters out toxins and resin and also acts as a cooling surface once again to further deliver a smooth hit to your lungs. So think of the diffusion and water chamber as two components working together to filter and cool the concentrate vapor in your dab rig.
What Does the Neck of the Wax Dab Rig do?
The neck is the last travel way in which the vapor of your dabbing concentrate travels through. The longer the neck the more time the smoke has to cool yet again. Sometimes you will see tiny grooves in the neck and this is what is known as an ice pinch. You simply drop an ice cube down your dab rig neck and the ice cube locks in place going even more cooling surface area for the vapor to travel through.
MouthPiece of Your Dabglass - The End of Your Dab Journey
Finally, the end of your dabbing journey ends with the mouthpiece of your dab rig. For most of the entire process, you have been inhaling through the mouthpiece and once the vapor enters into your lung you have completed an entire cycle of dabbing with your dab rig! Congratulations!
Buy Dab Rig - Expert Shopping Tips
If you want to buy a dab rig there are a lot of questions you need to ask yourself. Finding the perfect dabbing rig for you is all about preference. Listed below are some of the common questions to ask yourself and provided are solutions for best options of concentrate rigs that would fit these personal needs. Here at SmokerBar we have cool dab rigs and unique dab rigs for sale that will fit your personality and expression.
Are You Smoking Your Dab Rig at Home or On the Go?
This is the big question here! If you are smoking your dab rig behind closed doors mostly then a standard glass dab rig is the perfect option for you. But if you are always on the go and you want to take your oil rig with you then the best option would be to use a silicone dab rig. Silicone dab rigs are shatterproof and most can just fold up and be concealed very easily. So depending on your lifestyle picking the right one can reduce a lot of future headaches!
Do You Need a Wax Bong that Hits Ultra Smooth?
As mentioned above in the journey of how the concentrate vapor travels through a dab rig, cooling is done in the water chamber with the diffuser. If you have sensitive lungs or you just want a much softer experience with your rig but still reap the maximum benefits then buying a dab rig without a diffuser for cooling. If you want maximum cooling you may want to get a recycler dab rig.
What Type of Rig For Wax Do You Need? Analog or Electric rig?
As the cannabis industry progresses so do the products. It’s no surprise that the dab rig has stepped into the field of electric so the big debate for whether classic analog rigs for wax are the best or electric dab rigs are is entirely preference. The major difference with using an electric dab rig is you do not have to use a butane torch to heat your dabs, which is pretty awesome. The only downside is the cost of entry is much higher than buying an entire analog dab rig setup (including the dab wand, dab torch, and other dab accessories).
Are You Using Badder, Budder, Rosin, Live Rosin, Shatter, or Resin?
Using a dab rig can get a bit tricky because dabbing is an umbrella word to a lot of types of concentrates. These concentrates include badder, budder, rosin, live rosin, shatter, and resin. If you have found your perfect concentrate soul-mate such as shatter then it would be best to use a titanium dab nail because the heat distribution is much more optimal for a denser and thicker substance. The titanium nail retains heat much longer so it’s better for dabs such as shatter, wax, and resin. If you prefer live rosin with your dab oil rig then using a quartz banger is better. Quartz bangers are better suited for live rosin, badder, and budder.
How to Use a Dab Rig in 4 Easy Steps
Learning how to use a dab rig is easy although it may not seem so easy at first glance. The trick to understanding how to use your wax rig is by first understanding that just about everything is the same with your dabber rig as it is with your bong. You light the flower and inhale, the smoke gets filtered through the water, and that’s that! Using a dab rig is only different because the substance you are lighting is not flower but instead concentrates. Concentrates need to be heated to 350°F to 400°F and once you place the dab inside these temperatures the dab vaporizes allowing you to inhale the vapor into your wax bong rig. Let’s go over all the steps on how to use a dab rig!
1. Add Water in Your Dab Rig and Prepare Concentrate
If you are looking at at a brand spanking new dab rig than you are going to want to first put water into your dabbing rig. Just enough water to cover the diffuser at the bottom. You can test this by inhaling on the mouthpiece and making sure the diffuser bubbles up.
2. Place Concentrate On Dab Wand and Set Aside
After that take your dab wand and swab a small amount of concentrated and leave on the side. Unlike bongs, you do not place the concentrates inside the banger as you would by placing flowers inside a bong bowl. The dab nail (equivalent to what a bong bowl is) remains empty until it is properly heated to optimal temperatures 350-400 degrees – which we will talk about next!
3. Torch Dab Nail Until Red (Let Cool for 15-30 Seconds)
With your dab wand set to the side with concentrate on, the next step is to pick up your dab rig and get a firm hold on it. Make sure you are not near anything combustible or flammable. Take your dab torch and light the dab nail. Keep the flame on it until the dab nail turns red. The reason we wait for the dab nail to turn red is because most often than not we don’t have the equipment to measure if our dab nail heated to optimal temperatures of 350-500 degrees Fahrenheit, so the next best thing to do is heat the dab nail until it is red and then let it cool for 15-30 seconds. This little trick usually gets the dab oil rig’s nail to the optimal temperature.
4. Vaporize Concentrate and Inhale
The final step on learning how to use a dab rig is the best part. Once the dab rig’s nail (whether it be quartz or titanium) is heated to optimal dabbing levels, you want to take the wand with the concentrate and place it directly inside the wax oil rig nail. You will see the concentrate begin to evaporate and this is what you inhale in. Now you have completed your first dabbing session – not so hard, right?
FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN YOU BUY A DAB RIG ONLINE:
- Pick a style, any style! Popular options include Classic Dab Rigs, Mini Rigs, Nectar Collectors, E-Rigs, Silicone Dab Rigs, and Dab Pens. Read more about the styles we offer below.
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Analog or Digital? It's 2019, and the age of Bluetooth dabs is here. While many dabbers savor the classic process of heating a quartz banger nail with a dab torch and carefully timing their dabs, many modern dabbers are taking full advantage of the convenience, efficiency, and portability offered by digital E-Rig solutions like the Puffco Peak, Pulsar RoK, and G-Pen Connect.
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At home or portable? Whether you like to dab on the couch, in the park, on the beach, or on a windy mountain, we have a dab rig that will fit your needs. If you're dabbin' at home the options are virtually endless. A classic dab rig with a quartz banger nail makes be a great addition to any living room. Clumsier dabbers may want to stick to silicone dab rigs, as they're virtually unbreakable no matter how many times "your dog" knocks them off the coffee table ;)
Those who dab on the go may prefer the convenience of a nectar collector or E-Rig. A nectar collector acts as a long, dab straw that can be used to take dabs right out of a silicone jar. An E-Rig on the other hand offers a complete digital dabbing experience, complete with low or high temp dabbing, water filtration, and simple breakdown for cleaning.
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How often do you dab? If you're a daily user, you'll want something that can withstand the inevitable "oopsie" that happens to any daily driver. If you dab often you'll also want a dab rig you can clean easily, because dabbing from a dirty rig is unsanitary and just generally gross. SmokerBar offers a wide assortment of glass cleaning solutions to keep your dab rig clean.
Keep in mind, that glass is fragile no matter how thick or well built. Be sure to protect your investment with our Glass Warranty Program, Piece Protect.
WHAT TOOLS DO I NEED TO DAB?
Unlike smoking dry herbs -- which requires little more than some herb and a lighter, dabbing requires a few accessories to get started. Unless you're using an E-Rig, you'll need the following items for a complete dabbing experience.
Dab Nail
For starters, you'll need a dab nail. Dab Nails are available in a variety of styles and materials, the most common being the "Quartz Banger Nail".
Shop Dab Nails
Dab Torch
Dab Torches are used to heat up your quartz, titanium ceramic, or glass dab nail before use. Pick the perfect size, color, and flame style from our selection of top brand Dab Torches!
Shop Torches
Carb Cab
A carb cap contains the vapor inside the dab nail and helps take advantage of low temp dabbing. Using a carb cap enables you to get the maximum flavor and terpene profile from your concentrates.
Shop Carb Caps
Dabber
Dabbers are used as a want to transfer concentrates from their container to your dab nail. Dabbers are available in a variety of sizes, colors, and tip styles to work with any consistency of concentrates.
Shop Dabbers
Cleaner
Keeping your rig (and especially your dab nail) clean is an essential part of a health dabbing experience. You'll want to make sure you q-tip a banger nail after each dab to extend the life of your quartz banger nail.
Shop Dab Rig Cleaners
WHY USE A DAB RIG? HOW ARE THEY DIFFERENT FROM BONGS?
The first thing you'll notice about the average dab rig is its compact size. When it comes to dab rigs, the old saying is true: It's not the size that counts!
Dab rigs tend to be on the smaller side for good reason. Since dabs don't use combustion, the vapor they produced requires a specific range of temperature for consumption. If the vapor is too hot, you'll burn off the terpenes in your concentrate ruining the flavor. If the vapor is too cold, it'll solidify before you can inhale it, covering the inside of your glass with wasted concentrate and robbing you of a dab. A smaller rig ensures quick airflow and a faster cooling time, so the vapor moves and cools quickly, but can't sit still long enough to cool.
In fact, some brands, such as MJ Arsenal specifically create miniature rigs only a few inches tall. Thanks to the scientifically calculated designs used in the water chambers and pathways, mini dab rigs provide a ton of flavor through a thick, dense vapor consistency.
Over recent years, glass blowers have discovered ways to make highly functional, fast cooling dabs rigs in an assortment of sizes, shapes, materials, designs, attachments, themes, and smoke styles. SmokerBar aims to offer a large selection of dab rigs online to be sure we have something to fit any consumption style.
WHAT'S A RECYCLER RIG?
Recycler Rigs are a type of dab rig that uses carefully placed water chambers and pathways to create a feedback loop, re-filtering the same vapor several times before it's inhaled without overcooling.
Glassblowers have found ways to utilize everything from venturi chambers to propellor percs in their recycler designs, all in an effort to deliver a more potent and flavorful dab. We've collected our favorite recycler rigs from glass blowers, manufacturers, and designers all over the world to create a premium assortment of recycler rigs available online.
View our selection of Recycler Dab Rigs.
WHAT'S AN E-RIG?
E-Rigs, or "Smart Rigs" are all-in-one, battery powered dab rigs. E-Rigs replace your glass dab rig, dab nail, and dab torch combo with one portable, rechargeable device.
Pioneered by the Puffco Peak, Electronic Dab Rigs, or "E-Rigs", have taken the market by storm in recent years. Following the overwhelming success of the Puffco Peak, dozens of similar devices have been launched since with a variety of features and price points.
Looking back, E-Rigs feel like a natural evolution to "E-Nails". A/C powered "Electronic Dab Nails" replace your dab torch with a digital, temperature controlled heating element that's ready when you need it. E-Nails are great for at-home use and are super convenient on your coffee table. However, you may be better off with a complete E-Rig solution if you plan on taking dabs on the go.
Some of the most popular options today include Puffco Peak, Pulsar RoK, and G-Pen Connect. SmokerBar offers all major brands of E-Nails, E-Rigs, and their accessories such as replacement atomizers and e-nail coils.
WHAT ARE THE MAIN PARTS OF A DAB RIG?
1. Mouthpiece - This is where you will inhale from. Different styles and shapes are available to create an airtight seal regardless of your mouth or face shape.
2. Dab Nail - This is heated up using a dab torch to create a melting dish for your concentrates. Dabs are placed in the nail and instantly vaporized, and the resulting vapor is pulled through the joint, through the percolator, and up the mouthpiece for your enjoyment...
3. Joint - This is the connection between a dab rig and a dab nail. You'll notice "joint sizes" and "joint genders" referred to on certain products such as bongs, dab rigs, and glass attachments, as they are used to tell if two products are compatible to create an airtight connection.
Popular joint sizes include 10mm, 14mm, and 18mm, and all in both male and female varieties. You'll need to insert a dab nail or dry herb bowl into the joint to use it as a water pipe.
4. Diffusion - Diffusion is the effect produced by a "Percolator", or a strategically placed series of openings along a glass tube through which smoke or vapor is filtered in the water chamber of a bong or dab rig. This breaks up your vapor into tiny bubbles, cooling them faster than they would through a single opening.
DAB RIG FAQ
Q: How do I reclaim the dried concentrate from my rig?
A: Depending on your rig, you may not be able to reclaim your unused concentrates. We recommend always using a Reclaim Catcher to salvage as much reclaim wax as possible, while also keeping your rig from getting clogged with unused concentrates.
Q: How do I clean my dab rig?
A: Keeping your rig clean is easy, but an important part of the dabbing process. Unlike a bowl, a dirty banger nail will become virtually unusable if you don't clean it after each use.
While it may seem tedious, cleaning your dab rig and banger nail is easy. For the nail, keep a stack of q-tips nearby, preferably with some 99% Isopropyl Alcohol. After each dab, dip a q-tip in alcohol and clean the inside of the banger nail.
Be sure to change the water in your dab rig after every use. After a while, you will notice a residue build-up on the walls of your glass or silicone dab rig. This resin coating is easily removable using the same 99% Isopropyl Alcohol, or a wide variety of dedicated glass and quartz cleaners. Popular options are Resolution Cleaner, Randys Glass Cleaner, and Klear 420 Kryptonite Cleaner. SmokerBar offers dozens of options to clean your dab rig including cleaning caps and plugs.
Learn more in our video on How to Clean Your Dab Rig.
Q: Are E-Rigs as good as Glass Dab Rigs?
A: Absolutely! An E-Rigs is a great solution to portable dabbing as they eliminate the need for a torch and dab nail. High-quality e-rigs provide a thick, consistent vapor when paired with high-quality concentrates. Use them anywhere - even on a beach!
Read our blog to learn about the advantages of Silicone Dab Rigs vs Acrylic.
Have a question about dab rigs?
Take a look at our Beginners Guide to Dab Rigs for a more comprehensive overview, or visit our Learning Center to learn more about all of the smoking devices available at SmokerBar.
