What's the Big Deal with Dabbing?

Let's talk dabbing.

No, not the dance move that you've seen 100 too many times. 

We're talking about dabbing concentrates. Over the last few years, dabbing has become the method of choice for many people using hemp, and for good reason. 

But what is dabbing, and why has it become so popular? We're here to answer your 'burning' questions. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about dabbing!

What Is Dabbing?

Dabbing refers to a popular method of consuming concentrated hemp oil or wax by dropping it onto a hot surface and inhaling the vapor. The concentrated hemp oil is much more potent, making the effects stronger. 

How Are Dab Concentrates Made?

There are a few different methods for creating hemp concentrates. Each method will produce a different type of concentrate that has a unique consistency and taste.

CO2 Extraction

The CO2 extraction method involves using carbon dioxide to remove hemp from the plant matter, creating a concentrated oil that is much more potent than the whole plant.

This method requires expensive materials but produces more potent results than other methods. It's the most popular method for creating concentrates in a lab setting for hemp dispensaries.

Butane

The butane process involves putting liquid butane and hemp in a highly pressurized and heated system. The vacuum turns the butane into a gas, making it easier to separate from the concentrate. 

The result is a wax concentrate that has high levels of different cannabinoids, such as CBD.

Heat and Pressure

The heat and pressure method does not require any additives like butane of CO2. A popular use of this method is with hash, which are the trichomes of the hemp plant that separates from the bud. 

If you have ever used a grinder to break up hemp bud, you likely have seen a hash catcher at the bottom that collects these trichomes. In order to make it into a concentrate that can be dabbed, you'd have to take the trichomes and make it into a solid hash block using heat and pressure. 

Hash can be both smoked and used for dabbing.

Popular Types of Concentrates

There are a ton of different types of concentrates that can be used for dabbing. Here are some of the most popular forms of concentrates that you should know about.

Shatter 

Shatter is a popular form of concentrate that is very potent and is thought the be the purest form of hemp. It's smooth to the touch and is a shiny, gold/brown color.

It's called shatter because it has a sort of glass-like feel and look to it. In fact, dropping it will literally shatter this concentrate into a bunch of small pieces. 

Budder

Budder has a more creamy consistency to it, resembling peanut butter in both texture and color. This is made by whipping the original wax or shatter.

This form can oftentimes be so creamy that it's a bit difficult to manage. If you're having a hard time using it, try putting into the freezer for a bit to make it less sticky and creamy, and more solid.

Wax

Wax is probably the most prevalent form of concentrate, especially when using a dab rig (more on that later).

Wax is sticky and difficult to handle without a clean dab tool. Wax can be high in CBD or other cannabinoids. It's best to keep wax in parchment paper to avoid it sticking to everything it touches.

Oil

Oil is another form that has become increasingly popular due to dab pens. This type often comes in pre-filled cartridges or in a syringe to directly apply to a heated nail.

Crumble

Crumble is the type of concentrate that comes from pressing hash in the previously mentioned heat and pressure method. Crumble isn't sticky or super solid like the other forms, so it's best to keep in a glass jar instead of wrapped in parchment paper.

The Different Ways to Dab

There are a few different ways you can, each with its own benefits and shortcomings. Here's what you need to know about each method.

Oil Rig

The oil rig is usually the first thing people think of when they hear the word 'dab'. An oil rig resembles a water pipe in that it's glass, has water at the bottom, a neck for the vapor to travel through, and an opening to breath in through.

In order to use an oil rig, you'll also need a nail, a dab tool, propane, and a torch.

You'll first need to heat the nail with the propane and torch until it's extremely hot. Then, using the dab piece, take a small amount of your concentrate and directly apply it to the nail. This will produce vapor for you to inhale.

This method leads to an extremely potent high almost instantly, and should only be used if you're an experienced smoker or dabber. 

This method is also less convenient due to all of the different things you'll need. Its only use is at home, so it's not a good option for people who value portability.

Dab Pen

The dab pen has become increasingly popular as more high-quality products have been put out in the market. 

A dab pen is a portable electronic vape device. It usually includes coils or a ceramic plate as the heating mechanism. All you need to do is put your hemp concentrate on the coils or ceramic plate and heat up the device by pressing the button.

You can usually adjust the temperature to your liking. A lower temperature is good for savoring the taste and not getting completely blasted off of one hit. A high temperature is good for people who want to feel strong effects instantly.

This is the most convenient way to dab concentrates because you don't need anything other than the pen and your concentrate. It's portable and easy-to-use, making it great for beginners.

The only setback is that you'll need to maintain the pen by cleaning the coils to prevent buildup and blockages. You may need to occasionally replace the coils to keep the pen functioning properly.

E-Nail

E-nails have become increasingly popular over the last few years because they offer the benefits of a dab rig without some of the setbacks. 

An e-Nail heats itself up electronically, allowing you to precisely control the heat of the nail. This means you can turn the temperature low for smaller hits or turn it up for large hits. With a typical dab rig, you don't have that flexibility.

You won't need to use propane or a big torch to heat up the nail, making it more convenient and easier to use.

However, this method still isn't portable making it a poor option for people looking to dab on the go. 

Why Is Dabbing So Popular?

Now that we've discussed the basics of dabbing, it's time to talk about why dabbing is so popular in the first place. Here are some of the top reasons people choose to dab over smoking.

Instant Relief

Dabbing provides instant effects, making it great for people who need relief right away. You won't be waiting for 45 minutes to feel effects as you would if you ate an edible.

If you have a high tolerance, the dabs are so strong you'll still feel it instantly. Even with smoking hemp, people with a high tolerance need to take several hits before feeling the desired effects.

The Effects Are Stronger

Whether you're looking for medicinal benefits or you just want to get extremely high, dabbing provides the strongest effects. This is because you are using concentrates with extremely high levels of cannabinoids compared to using plant matter with much lower levels.

Unique Taste

When smoking hemp, no matter what type it is, you often don't notice much of a difference in taste. But when dabbing, you can taste each strain's unique flavors. 

If you really want to savor the taste of your concentrates, try dabbing at lower temperatures. This will lead to smaller hits but more noticeable flavors.

Dabbing on the Go

Dabbing allows you to use hemp on the go without anyone noticing. Yes, you can sneak pre-rolls around, but when you light it up it can be smelled from half a mile away.

Dabbing doesn't produce that obvious hemp scent, so you can take your dab pen anywhere without worrying about getting any unwanted attention.

Dabbing the Right Way

When experimenting with dabbing, there are a ton of different methods to explore. 

Dab pens have grown exponentially in popularity due to their portability, discreetness, and ease of use. There's no need for propane or any of the tools you need for other methods.

Contact us today to learn more about the different types of dab and vape pens we offer!