Dab Rig Guide

Dabbing is an alternative way to consume extracts or oils, as it involves heating the substance with a special water pipe known as a dab rig. Users of these pipes are referred to as “dabbers.” Dab rigs made of glass are generally built using superior dab rig equipment and come in a variety of shapes and designs to appeal to various preferences.

Dabbing enhances vaporization by allowing for more precise control of each hit. It may be used in place of smoking plant material, which some people find unpleasant and harsh.

The extracts now available on the market are no longer a secret, and with more people using them as an alternative to smoking, many users have been left wanting for knowledge. This book will assist you in getting started.

History of Dabbing

Extracting plants has been done for millennia, and infusions have been consumed for thousands of years. Over time, old drugs from the shelves of U.S. pharmacies throughout the 1800s evolved into strong oral medicines.

During the Great Depression, creating things intended to be vaped first became a reality due to these processes, which laid the groundwork for solvent-based extraction processes.

Since ancient times, oils have been used for massage, but they became more popular in the United States during the 1970s, owing to The Brotherhood of Eternal Love, which imported them from Afghanistan.

The concentrates appear to be quite similar to how they appeared years ago. That said, over time, they have changed. Extract production in the United States has evolved from unsavory open-blasting methods to safe, highly-controlled laboratory techniques such as the advanced closed-loop extraction system.

Benefits of Dabbing

Smoking flower has been a popular pastime for thousands of years. For some people, the act of rolling up and smoking plant matter is pleasurable. Smoking plant material, on the other hand, may be harsh, unenjoyable, and overwhelming to some individuals.

Dabbing is a less harmful and more effective method of consuming cannabis than smoking flower, especially for individuals who don’t enjoy the harshness of inhaling smoke. Dab rigs allow users to ingest things that are more potent and precise than other modes of consumption.

Dabbing is a safer, healthier, and more pleasurable alternative to smoking flower. Its terpene profile is quite potent. Flower, on the other hand, has its own distinct flavor profile. You’ll never approach the flavor profile of anything but plant material with anything else than plant material.

Today’s laboratories, on the other hand, generally include cutting-edge extraction processes that enable them to retain terpenes in their oils. This considerably improves the taste of high-quality extracts.

Dab at Home vs. on the Go

There are more alternatives than ever before for people to enjoy contemporary extracts as the dabbing craze continues to spread. Some individuals like dabbing outside since it is more convenient and discreet. Others love dabbing at home because they have greater control over their surroundings and equipment.

Dab pens are the greatest choice for on-the-go use. These battery-powered devices allow users to dab in any weather or situation without having to worry about bringing a torch or heating an expensive rig.

Dab pens are tiny and light, making them perfect for taking with you. These pens are tiny, inconspicuous, and practical – ideal for a quick vape after work or before going to the golf course.

However, there are several types of dab pens to choose from. They don’t generate a lot of force, and they don’t offer much control. Furthermore, the batteries drain quickly. Even the best vape batteries on the market begin to lose their charge after a few uses. This is inconvenient since a weak battery vapes your oils inefficiently, resulting in a lot of smelly waste.

What Is a Dab Rig/Oil Rig, and What Does That Mean?

Dab bongs are water pipes that allow you to vape extracts or oils without using combustion. Wax, shatter, and rosin are too greasy to be smoked like regular plant matter, so they’re made specifically for vaporization.

A dab rig, in its most basic form, is a device that allows you to load and vaporize concentrates through your pipe via a dab rig. The pipe itself is just another type of water pipe. You may use any water pipe with a slide piece for dabbing as long as it fits your water pipe as a dab rig.

Although they aren’t ideal for regular dabbing, water pipes do have disadvantages. For example, the purity and flavor of your vapor will not be as good or as tasty as it could be. You’ll also end up wasting more product since you can’t regulate the temperature as precisely when vaping concentrates, which is far more essential than smoking plant material.

This is why dabbing necessitates unique water pipes, and these are the ones you hear about when your friends discuss their amazing new dab rigs.

Waterpipes are a type of water pipe that some people enjoy using. The equipment has smaller chambers and narrower channels, which enhances the pressure and flavor of the vapor. Glass dab rigs are the most popular, especially when compared to silicone dab rigs.

How Dab Rigs Work

Even if dabbing does not involve combustion, it still involves fire. You heat an element like titanium or quartz with a blowtorch and add your concentrate to create a dab rig.

When the material is heated to such a high temperature, it instantly vaporizes and emits fragrance due to the intense heat. It’s also what decarboxylates your concentrates, making them potent enough to be used as medicine.

Any particles in the vapor that are absorbed in the rig when you breathe may irritate your lungs since it takes water with each breath.

Types of Dab Rigs

Dab rigs are highly customizable and may be made to resemble your personal style or even a cartoon character. They come in a variety of sizes, ranging from just a few inches to several feet tall (although the latter sizes are somewhat excessive). Dab rigs can have various designs and internal components added to them to improve your vaping experiences.

Airflow Styles

A dab rig’s airflow design distinguishes it from other dab devices. The term “airflow” refers to the movement of air through your pipe and the degree of draw resistance you encounter when smoking.

Dab rigs come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and materials. The most popular types are discussed below: Dab Rigs on a Budget

Recycler Rigs

A recycler dab rig has two separate connected chambers. When you exhale, water circulates in a loop through both chambers before returning to the reservoir when you inhale. This explains why the water that cleans your vapor is always flowing through separate regions to keep it as cool and clear as possible.

Dab rigs that utilize a Recycler aren’t substantially different from other dab rigs. The majority of them have a single or double intake, which indicates they can have one or two pathways for transporting vapor from the water chamber to the mouthpiece. Single intake dab rigs are frequently smaller and less expensive, but double uptake dab setups allow for better airflow.

Incycler

An incycler is a rig with a second chamber built within the first. They both accomplish the same purpose, although an incycler design allows for a more compact form. Incylers are more difficult to clean since it’s hard to access the innermost chambers of the rig. Furthermore, in order for this function to operate correctly, they must be constructed using some of the most advanced degrees of expertise.

Klein

Klein Incycler dab rigs were designed with a “Klein weld” that gives them the appearance of external and internal recyclers. The cycle does not just repeat from top to bottom, but it also goes through another duct before looping back inside via another side opening. Extra path reduces splashback, especially in small dab rigs.

Fab Egg

The Argan Oil Company’s Egg dab rigs are attractive incyclers that aim to provide a smoother and softer sensation. They’re particularly beneficial for sensitive dabbers.

The Fab Egg has restricted chambers that keep water flow and raise internal pressure, making it perfect for dabbing. Only pure flavor is released due to the smooth body form, without any contaminants.

Simple vs. Complex Designs

Dab rigs can be made from a variety of materials, such as wood and acrylic. A single-piece model may be simple or sophisticated, depending on the manufacturer.

Dab rigs with fewer parts are generally less expensive and simpler to use. The more complex features you look for while shopping for dab rigs, on the other hand, significantly influence your experience.

A quartz or ceramic chamber is required for a sturdy silicone dab rig, whereas a cheaper glass or titanium dab rig may only have an inner diffusion chamber. The majority of glass and titanium dab rigs on the market now perform well and are durable, but they don’t include any distinct interior chambers. A quartz or ceramic chamber adds extra durability to a silicone dab rig without increasing its cost or fragility. Silicone dab rigs do not feature any of these particular internal compartments.

Special Designs

Dab rigs come in a variety of styles, designs, and materials. These rigs are frequently hand-blown, which means they might be more expensive than other dab equipment available at headshops or online markets. They’re also one of the few ways to vape creatively.

The company’s name is derived from their broad product line, which includes wax pens and dab rigs. The brand’s logo features a man with his arms spread wide, symbolizing the limitless possibilities of a cannabis user to explore. Their most popular wax pen models include the Apollo and Gemini. These dab rig designs are inspired by mankind’s quest to space and are characterized by distinct planetary shapes. The action was as expected, owing to its superior glass dab rig construction, which kept it smooth and constant.

Why Size Matters When it Comes to Dab Rigs

In the presence of air, terpenes quickly dissipate. Smaller dab rigs are ideal for people who want to get a smoother, more delightful cannabis experience. Due to the small water chambers’ restricted airflow, dabbers may fully appreciate their concentrates as they were meant to be tasted.

What You’ll Need to Get Started

There are a few things you can do to make your first time using dabs more pleasant and easier if you’re new to it. A dabber tool, quartz or titanium nail, dome or carb cap, and a convenient carrying bag for your rig and attachments are all included in dab rig kits.

You can opt to buy each component separately if you like. Just make sure the nail, banger, or bucket you pick is suitable for your dab rig.

What’s Included With a Dab Rig?

The most common types of dab rigs include the rig, which is a component. Dab rigs often contain a quartz or titanium nail inserted into your rig’s female connection and heating up during usage. An oil rig or banger are two types of dab rigs available.

Some sets will include catchers for concentrates or flowers, as well as specialty or limited edition catcher sets. Maybe even nails that match the appearance and color of the dab rig glass. Don’t expect most silicone rigs to have a carb cap or a dab tool. On the other hand, certain dab rigs, such as the MJArsenal Mini Jig, have unique features such as storage chambers for your extracts. The presence of this characteristic is more typical on a silicone rig, making the Mini Jig mini-rig an oddity among tiny glass dab rigs.

Essential Tools

You’ll need a wax rig, of course, but you’ll also need a few important tools that you won’t be able to do without. Let’s look at some of the most essential and optional elements for your ideal dabbing session.

A Banger

The slide of a dab rig isn’t the same as that of a water pipe’s bowl. Rather of burning your concentrates like on a traditional water pipe, a dab rig uses a device called a banger to instantly vaporize them when they come into touch with it—this is known as super-hot heat retention.

A banger is a large bucket with a stem attached to your dab rig that helps to contain messy oils and make large puffs easier.

Quartz is better for bangers since it has a greater heat retention and shock resistance than glass.

There’s no way to take a hit from a normal bowl piece in a hurry. To fully and effectively consume oils, you’ll need a banger for your dab rig. The taste of oils is enhanced by quartz bangers from MJA, making for an improved experience. When compared to titanium or glass nails, they produce better flavor.

Quartz bangers from Dr. Dabber’s top-of-the-line DR series, as well as all of their other choices, are constructed with high-quality quartz that is heat-resistant enough to endure long durations on the flame. You might be shocked at how well quartz works in these dab devices; it really adds a distinct flavor profile! The Quartz Banger Collection from Dr. Dabber offers several weld styles to appeal to a variety of tastes and preferences. A fully fused banger is an easy way for newcomers to get started because it is long-lasting and user friendly. Find out why quartz is such an excellent choice for your dab rig.

A Torch

It may appear to be the case that vaporizing concentrates require a hotter and more powerful flame than smoking marijuana, but this is not the case. If the flame is too chilly, you will decarboxylate your material but not liberate fumes from oily concentrates. If you apply a heat that is too high for the concentrates, they will be damaged.

This is why vapes should be vaporized on a hot surface. Disposable butane lighters and petroleum distillate (lighter fluid) do not produce enough heat because of their tiny flame, making them ineffective.

For heating your nail or banger to the ideal temperatures for dabbing, you’ll need a pressurized butane torch. Dab torches that are low-cost and dependable are readily available, and butane refills cost as little as a few dollars each time you use them.

Dab Tools

Metal rods with flattened ends are used by dabbers to create dabbing. You put your concentrates right on the hot surface of your nail or banger, vaporizing them instantly.

A dabber tool can cost anything from $5 to $20, and they’re available at any vape store. It’s easy to lose, and it’s simple to clog with dust and lint. That is why keeping your dabber tools in a dab station is a good idea.

Additional Dab Accessories

Carb caps or terp pearls, for example, may improve your dabbing experience by making it more intimate and pleasurable. A basic dab rig will cool your vapor, but these dab rig essentials can help you get better flavor, enjoy dabbing on the move, maintain a safe dabbing session, customize your temperature settings, and more.

Let’s have a look at the most popular dab accessories from MJArsenal, which are sure to make your experience with concentrates even more enjoyable.

Carb Cap

A carb cap is placed on top of your nail or banger. It stops airflow from improving the flavor and vapor preservation during your smoking sessions by limiting it.

Terp Pearls

Heat-sensitive pearls known as terps, teardrops, or thermites are tiny heat-sensitive beads that may be used to adorn your bong.

Terp pearls are a cost-effective method to boost the intensity of your concentrates without adding any additional chemicals. These useful accessories, which are available in synthetic ruby designs, may also give your banger a more vibrant appearance if you choose that route.

You may also modify the size of your dab hits by adding a carb cap, which can be used as a splash guard or extra space for air when you breathe in.

Dab Station

A dab station is a container for all of your dabbing equipment. It’s the simplest method to keep track of everything you’ll need. They’re constructed with flat silicone surfaces that are simple to clean and include compartments for concentrates, racks or cups for dabber tools, and separate compartments for hot bangers and nails.

Dropdowns

Dabbing is more dangerous because it exposes you to a greater amount of heat, which makes it more difficult for the vaporizer to properly heat up your concentrate. The extra distance between the heating element and your body makes dabbing safer.

Carrying Case

A carrying case is an essential equipment item for keeping and transporting your gear. It also shields your items from falls, collisions, and spills while you’re on the go.

Silicone or Glass Jars

Jars with a twist-off or screw-on lid are the most suitable for storing concentrates since they are inert and non-reactive with your oils. Glass is fragile and might shatter if dropped, unlike metal. Silicone containers help to prevent bumps and spills while being easy to maintain when needed.

E-Nails

The E-Nails and E-Rigs are the most advanced dabbing equipment available. They’re more expensive and more difficult to use, but they deliver advantages that make them worthwhile in certain situations.

E-nails are electronic dab rigs with a coil around the tip that gets heated to the desired temperature. You won’t have to worry about when your nail is ready for dabs or waiting for it to warm up enough, allowing you more control over the temperature.

You may control the temperature of your e-nail, so you won’t have to worry about overcooking or undercooking. They’re also a lot safer since there’s no open flame to consider, and using one is more straightforward.

Iso Station

After each usage, an ISO station is a tiny container in which you’ll need to soak your terp pearls or other attachments. It’s designed to keep damp cotton swabs on hand so you may clean the filthy surfaces of your dabbing equipment that are too big to submerge.

It’s a vital element of good dabbing to maintain your equipment clean and ensure that it continues to function properly for longer.

How to Setup Dab Rigs

Dab rigs might be difficult to use, but once you learn how to operate them, the learning curve is well worth it. You’ll need to know how to set up your rig correctly not just for comfort but also for safety’s sake.

How Much Water to Use

Make sure your downstem is fully immersed in water. On each of our tiny dab rigs, MJ Arsenal has printed water levels on the box as a suggestion. This may be used as a basis to ensure that you’re getting just the right amount of water in your rig.

If you have a more complicated setup, such as an electric teakettle or borosilicate glass percolator, you may need to adjust the quantity of water used. If your percolator is functioning properly, use enough water to produce bubbles and assist with concentrate breakdown.

If you don’t have an MJ Arsenal dab rig, make sure you’re using the proper water level. Alternatively, try one of our tiny dab rigs!

How to Choose the Right Nail

What should you do if your nail looks ragged? There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but some firsthand knowledge may help novice users figure out what they want from their nails.

Male or female connections are available for different connection types and sizes (depending on the size of the connection), with an 8 millimeter, 10 millimeters, or 14 millimeter fitting. Some connections may require silicon bands to keep them in place. At MJ Arsenal, we use 10mm connections.

The kind of nail you choose is based on your preferences for dab oils, as well as the maximum heat your torch can create and whether you want to utilize carb caps.

How to Vape With Your Dab Rig

Make sure your dab rig is well-secured during use. Keep in mind that you’ll be working with hot flames and sticky residues, so don’t put yourself at risk or get ready for any spills.

Here’s how the process works: 

• Draw a line of cannabis concentrate on your dabber tool and place it in a dish or tray. Live sand and crumbles are the only two concentrates that don’t adhere well to your tool. For future reference, save the loaded dab tool. The remainder of your concentrates may be stored in a glass or silicone container.
• To utilize your dab rig, simply attach a butane torch to the nail or banger and heat it until it is red. After removing the flame, wait 45 seconds (or longer depending on quartz thickness) before handling the bucket again. The heat may not be as strong, but it will still be warm to the touch. Keep an eye on your hands for any damage.
• When the timer runs out, use the dabber’s end to bring your concentrates into touch with your nail or banger on your dab rig. If these concentrates are clumped together like budder or wax clusters, simply give them a gentle tap against the side of your bucket to remove them.

When your concentrates come into touch with the nail, they will vaporize. To prevent any vapors from going to waste, start breathing as soon as possible. Many people prefer to inhale using their carb cap on top of their banger in order to regulate airflow. It’s simply a question of personal choice.

Dabbing should be done with great care and attention. It’s a fantastic approach to learn about the plant and absorb its active chemicals effectively. Set the carb cap aside after you’re finished using your device to allow it to cool down. The nail is best suited for intensive usage at high temperatures, so it retains heat but only for a short time before cooling down quickly.

Cleaning Your Dab Rig

Dab rigs will get filthy, but they don’t have to be neglected. It’s vital to remove any remaining wax and then properly clean the glass before using fresh dabs.

Mold may form if your dab rig is kept unclean for an extended amount of time. Moisture trapped within the device may begin to mold if it is left sitting out.

The simplest way to clean an oil rig is to fill it with hot water, which helps to loosen residue from oils on the glass surface. If you don’t maintain your glass in an ongoing manner, residues will build up over time and be difficult to remove fully.

Cleaning With Alcohol vs. Without Alcohol

If you only use your dab rig once in a while, hot water is usually fine for light cleaning. If your dab rig is clogged with hard lumps of accumulated oil over time, however, hot water will not work. In this case, 90% isopropyl alcohol can be used to break down the build-up. Allow at least an hour for the alcohol to soak before washing it with water and using it again if necessary.

You can also use a pipe cleaner or cotton swab to clean out the interior of your dab rig by sweeping it around. To unclog stubborn clogs, try putting one in alcohol.

If you don’t have rubbing alcohol, warm water with a lot of salt can also be used. The chemicals are broken down by this method, and swirling your dab rig gently will assist the abrasive salt in removing chunks from the inner glass.

Conclusion 

You’ll find a wealth of information in MJArsenal’s complete guide to dabbing, including what you’ll need and how to do it safely.

One of our special bundle packages might be a good option for those who are new to dabbing. Bundle deals, which are ideal for both beginners and experts, include everything you need in one spot: as well as torches, nails, and storage silicone containers. Today’s lesson will focus on dabs accessories, ideas, and methods in greater detail.