Dab rigs, oil rigs, wax pipes. Whatever you call them, they are specialized water pipes deigned to be used with concentrates. Dabbing has grown in popularity over the last decade as legal cannabis has allowed for innovation for concentrates. Types of wax like live resin, shatter, hash rosin are some peoples preferred method of smoking due to its potency, taste, and efficiency. While dab rigs may look similar to traditional glass bongs, there are a few key differences that set them apart.
We'll take an in depth look at the anatomy of a dab rig, including all the essential parts and how they work together to create a perfect dabbing set up.
What is a Dab Rig?
A dab rig is a type of water pipe that is designed specifically for vaporizing concentrates. It has a few key components that work together to provide you a perfect dab.
Dab rigs are smaller versions of bongs. This allows for less water to be needed and more flavor to be passed on from the hash you smoke. By not adding complex filtration and a ton of water, your hash gets delivered to you in its purest form. By pairing a dab rig with a nice quartz banger, you are able to vaporize concentrates at the perfect temperature.
There are a lot of styles of dab rigs but they are all comprised of a few key components.
Parts of a Dab Rig
To understand how a dab rig works, it's essential to know about the different parts that make up the device. Let's take a look at each component in more detail.
Joint
The joint is what connects your dab rig to your accessories. This is where your quartz nail will sit. Joints can be either male jointed or female jointed. They will pair with the alternative jointed part. For instance, a female jointed dab rig will feature a male jointed quartz banger. Joints come in three main sizes: 10mm, 14mm, and 18mm although most dab rigs will be 14mm female jointed dab rigs.
It's essential to make sure that you have the right size nail or banger for your joint to ensure a secure fit and prevent accidents.
Nail/Banger
The nail or banger is an accessory for a dab rig that is heated up to vaporize the oil or wax. It is typically made of quartz, ceramic, or titanium and is heated using a torch or electronic nail.
Quartz nails are a popular choice due to their durability and ability to retain heat. Ceramic nails are also a popular choice, as they provide excellent heat retention and are easy to clean. Titanium nails are known for their durability and ability to heat up quickly, but they can be harder to clean and may leave a metallic taste to your dab.
Downstem
The downstem is a tube that connects the joint to the percolator of the dab rig. A downstem can be removable or fixed. Percolators can be on the end of your downstem or can be a separate piece that is attached to your fixed downstem.
Percolator
A percolator is a small piece of glass that sits under water and features a series of holes designed to filter the smoke and force air out in certain directions. This helps cool and filter the smoke before it is inhaled.
There are several different types of percolators, including tree, showerhead, circle percolators, seed of life percolators, flower of life percolators and more. They work as the engine of the piece and finding a piece with a nice percolator can make all the difference.
Base
The base of your dab rig gives it its stability. It is typically a thick solid piece of glass that is flared out wide to prevent any accidental movement. Sometimes the chamber of your piece is hollow and the base of your dab rig contains water.
Mouthpiece
The mouthpiece of a dab rig is where you inhale out of. Take care not to chip this and take extra care to clean this well when you are cleaning your dab rig.
Splash Guard
A splash guard is a small glass screen that is placed under the mouthpiece of the dab rig to prevent water from splashing up into the user's mouth. It can be nice for a smaller rig to have to prevent that. It is not featured on every piece and can make cleaning slightly more difficult as it blocks the flow of water and alcohol.
Dabber
The dabber is a small tool used to apply the concentrate to the nail or banger. It can be made of glass, metal, or ceramic and comes in a variety of shapes and sizes.
Some dabbers have a flat or scooped end for picking up and applying the concentrate, while others have a pointed end for more precise dabbing.
How to Use a Dab Rig
Using a dab rig can seem tricky at first. But don't worry, we have you covered. It is a straightforward process once you get the hang of it. Here's how you do it.
- Fill your dab rig with water. Make sure to cover the percolators but be mindful not to overfill your dab rig or you will be sipping instead of smoking.
- Heat your nail or banger using a torch or electronic heating set up until your nail is red hot.
- Allow the nail or banger to cool down until it reaches the right temperature for a low temperature dab. This is around 500-700°F.
- Use the dabber to put a small amount of concentrate onto your nail or banger.
- Place your carb cap on top of your nail. This will help in a number of ways but really allows you to get the most out of your dabs
- Inhale slowly and steadily through the mouthpiece.
- Enjoy your dab and remember to clean your quartz nail after each dab with a cotton swab to remove any excess oil that may burn up over time.
Conclusion
The smooth and tasty hit provided by dab rigs, which are a great way to ingest concentrates, is unmatched by other ways. You can make sure that you are getting the most out of your dabbing experience by comprehending the various components of a dab rig and how they operate together.
One of the main advantages of utilizing a dab rig is that you may evaporate concentrates at a lower temperature, giving you a smoother and more delicious dose. It also makes it possible to take more THC or CBD in an one dosage, which makes it a more effective and efficient way to ingest concentrates.
Dab rigs also have the benefit of being able to be tailored to your liking. To design the ideal dabbing setup, pick from a vast selection of various nails, bangers, and percolators. To discover the arrangement that works best for you, you may even combine and contrast various components.
Dab rigs are renowned for their adaptability and endurance in addition to their customizability. High-quality components like borosilicate glass, which is heat- and impact-resistant, are used to make many dab rigs. Because of this, dab rigs are a dependable and long-lasting method of taking concentrates.
All things considered, dab rigs are a great option for anyone wishing to enjoy concentrates more effectively and flavorfully. You'll be dabbing like a pro in no time with a little practice and knowledge of the many components of a dab rig!
