Dab rigs, a type of water pipe, are designed specifically for concentrates. Once you have the basics down, there are methods you can add and steps you can take to make your setup work even better.
This guide covers glass and hardware for use with legal products only, in line with your state's laws. TAG makes no health claims about any material you choose to use.
Dab Tip 1: Always Use Gloves
Concentrate oils are slimy, and touching them with bare hands can transfer residue from your skin to the material, causing contamination. When you are ready to go, wear gloves to keep your concentrate clean.
Dab Tip 2: Use a Dedicated Dab Rig
While you can use an attachment on your water pipe to work with concentrates, residue from dry herb used in that water pipe can taint the clean flavor of your draw. The best option is a dedicated dab rig so you get the full flavor without any aftertaste.
Dab Tip 3: Turn Down the Heat
If you or someone you know has had a rough session, there is probably a reason. Unpleasant tastes or a harsh draw almost always mean the temperature was too high. Letting your dab nail cool after heating is a critical step. When the nail is too hot, the concentrate can combust, leading to a very harsh draw. High temperatures can even eliminate the compounds that create the aroma and flavor you paid for. Always let your nail or banger cool after heating.
Dab Tip 4: Use a Carb Cap
A carb cap is a carburetor for your dab rig. It restricts airflow to your nail so you can collect the last of your material at the end of a draw. By capping the nail, you place the banger under lower pressure, which lowers the boiling temperature of the material and gives you a bloom of thicker, better-tasting vapor.
Dab Tip 5: Use a Quartz Nail or Banger
For the best taste, try a quartz banger or nail. These provide an intensely clean, pure taste with your concentrates. Quartz nails and bangers are also much more durable than glass nails. A banger extends from your dab rig, protecting the rig from the torch heat and preventing cracks.
Dab Tip 6: Clean Your Dab Rig Frequently
For the cleanest draws, your dab rig needs to be clean. The more often you clean it, the easier it gets. When your rig is squeaky clean, you can taste your concentrate even better, without the lingering taste of old material.
Dab Tip 7: Upgrade Your Dab Rig
An easy way to improve the experience is to upgrade to a dab rig with a percolator. This sub chamber lets the vapor interact with water and lowers the temperature, giving you a cooler, smoother draw.
Check out this article to learn more about how a percolator can improve your dab rig.
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