If you’ve tried our variety of Delta 8 THC Vapes and Delta 8 THC Gummies, you might also enjoy dabbing with our Delta 8 THC Sauces.
With this blog, you’ll find out everything you need and plenty of handy information for you first dab!
A Rig to Dab With
A dab rig is the main tool for dabbing. Once the concentrate is heated, the rig is the vessel that you’ll end up using to inhale the vapor. Rigs come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, but smaller tends to be better for preserving the flavor and vapor of the concentrate, while a larger one might have more percolators and smooth out the dab. For first time dabbers, a smaller rig will also make it easier to start with more appropriately-sized doses. If you already own a bong or water pipe, that will work as well.
Rigs are typically pretty unwieldy, which is part of the reason dabbing has earned a reputation as a bit of an inconvenience. However, there do exist portable rigs that are specifically designed for mobility.
Make Sure to Have a Nail
The nail is where the concentrate is actually cooked and vaporized. They are small, bowl-like attachments made out of quarts or titanium. While 99 percent of setups use quartz for the increased temperature control, metal can also be used to ensure a nice long-lasting use.
The nail is heated, typically using a handheld blowtorch, and the dab is placed on the surface of the nail, where it immediately turns into vapor for you to inhale.
Any of your local smoke shops tend to sell nails. Make sure to consider the shape and size of your nail though, as these nails come with a large variety to choose from, and you need to be sure your nail will fit your setup. Do your research, or consult an employee at the smoke shop for help. The important bit to get right is the width of the stem on your rig vs the nail. As long as those align, you shouldn’t have any trouble. Nails are generally quite affordable, and usually last quite awhile for most people.
Have a Tool for Dabbing
Moving the concentrate onto the heated nail is done with a dab tool. These are usually thin, heat-resistant pieces of metal about the length of a toothbrush. One side is typically flattened out for convenient scooping.
Dab tools are the most replaceable part of the setup. A rig and nail are absolutely essential, but any clear, non-conductive material can be used as a dab tool to work with the concentrate.
You Will Need a Torch
Torches are used to warm up the nail before the dab is applied. A handheld butane torch will work just fine, as they are durable, consistent, and cheap to refill. Cooking torches work quite well for this step too. The important thing is having a steady flame that burns considerably hotter than any lighter or match.
A torch will typically cost around anywhere from $20 up to $40. You can find them at most smoke shops and grocery stores. If you’re on a budget, the torch is likely the most expensive investment.
Delta 8 Concentrate and Why
The major benefit of dabbing Delta 8 compared to Delta 9 THC is the more functional high. Dabbing introduces an extremely concentrated dose of THC to the user. With cannabis, these higher doses can commonly be accompanied by feelings of anxiety and paranoia, or lead to disorientation. Dabbing with Delta 8 can provide relief without actually being too overwhelming for the user.
Keeping Things Clean
Cleaning your rig is more than a matter of tidiness. Proper upkeep will increase the lifetime of your setup, and more importantly, help preserve your concentrates. Q-Tips and cotton swabs should always be on-hand to wipe the oily residue from your dab nail after every hit. This also helps to maintain the flavor of each dab, as the dried oil can inadvertently alter that profile.
To build on this idea, regular cleanings of the rig is vital to a tasty experience. Build up in the chamber can seriously hamper the flavor and even flow of the vapor. Use cleaning supplies like isopropyl alcohol at least once a week to keep your setup squeaky clean. Just add some salt and a bit of the alcohol into the rig and shake furiously until the sides are good as new. Just remember to dump out the alcohol before going back to use it!
In Summary
This may sound like a lot of specific equipment, but the up-front cost is lower than you might think. All of the equipment mentioned above can be found for as little as $100 total. The payoff is well worth the investment. There are few methods as effective as dabbing at generating powerful sensations and elevating your Delta 8 THC experience.