What is dabbing and what are dabs? Comparison with vaping

What is dabbing and what are dabs? Overview: dabbing vs. vaping

This article is intended solely for informational and educational purposes. The information contained herein is not intended to encourage the consumption of illegal substances or the violation of applicable laws. Dabbing (inhaling cannabis concentrates) is only legal in certain countries and regions, provided that the products comply with established legal standards, particularly with regard to the content of THC and other psychoactive substances.

Please note that the sale and use of cannabis concentrates may be restricted, regulated or prohibited in your country. Every user or distributor is obliged to comply with local laws and regulations.

Canatura Wholesale is not responsible for the incorrect or illegal use of products or for the interpretation of the content of this article. If you are unsure about the legality of a particular practice or product, we recommend consulting a lawyer or expert on local legislation.

What is dabbing (cannabis dabbing)?

Dabbing is a modern method of consuming cannabis, in which highly concentrated extracts, known as dabs, are inhaled. Unlike traditional smoking or vaporisation of herbs, dabbing uses concentrates with a high content of cannabinoids, which are placed on a heated surface, known as a nail, and the resulting vapour is inhaled using a special device called a dab rig.

History and development of cannabis dabbing

Although cannabis extracts (e.g. hashish) have been used by humans for centuries, the modern phenomenon of dabbing is relatively recent. Previously, hashish oil was smoked using hot knives or charcoal. However, the current form of dabbing only emerged with the availability of modern concentrates.

A brief overview of the development of cannabis dabbing:

  • Experiments in the USA in the 1970s are considered pioneering.
  • In the mid-1990s, a concentrate called budder was introduced in Canada, characterised by a whipped, malleable texture resembling cake frosting. Budder (also known as badder) was created by the manufacturer BudderKing, and its technique gradually spread among cannabis enthusiasts.
  • After 2000, dabbing began to gain popularity, especially in the USA, where it became popular for its high potency and intensity of experience.
  • The real boom did not come until after 2010, thanks in part to the legalisation of cannabis in some US states and the associated development of the cannabis industry. At that time, a concentrate called shatter appeared, which became the dominant form on the market between 2010 and 2014.

 

Infographic showing the development of dabbing – 1990s budder in Canada, 2010s boom period, 2010–2014 shatter as the dominant form.

 

What are dabs?

The term dab refers to a small amount of cannabis concentrate intended for a single dab, which literally means ‘poke’ or “tap” – hence the slang term ‘take a dab’. Concentrates come in various forms and consistencies.

Most often, these are extracts prepared using solvents (e.g. butane) – collectively referred to as BHO (butane hash oil). Depending on the method of processing and purification, BHO concentrate can take many forms, known as wax, oil, shatter, budder and others.

Shatter

Shatter is a brittle, translucent concentrate resembling amber glass. It is produced by slowly purifying the extract without mixing, so that the molecules retain their orderly structure and the concentrate solidifies into a hard, shiny form.

Shatter usually contains a very high proportion of a specific cannabinoid and has a longer shelf life due to its hard consistency. However, this form has a slightly lower content of terpenes than other extracts (filtration and stabilisation remove some of the aromatic substances). The glassy texture can make it difficult to handle – breaking and dosing requires some practice.

Wax

Wax is a soft, waxy concentrate characterised by a sticky, semi-liquid consistency. It is usually produced by whipping or mixing resin oil at certain temperatures, causing it to thicken and become cloudy.

Budder (badder, batter)

Budder is also soft, waxy, with a smooth, butter-like consistency and may have a buttery, whipped texture. It is usually produced by whipping or mixing resin oil at certain temperatures.

Badder/batter tends to be more liquid and ‘whipped’ than dab wax. Wax forms retain more terpenes, which enhances their aroma and taste. The advantage is that it is easy to scoop and dose – the soft wax is easy to scoop onto a tool.

Crumble

Crumble is a crumbly concentrate with a porous structure resembling crumbs or honeycomb (sometimes called honeycomb). It is produced by slower cleaning at lower temperatures in a vacuum, which allows a dry, crumbly texture to form.

Crumble is usually light yellow to brown in colour and is one of the driest forms of concentrate. Thanks to the gentle process, crumble contains slightly more terpenes (approx. 10%) than shatter or budder. Due to its crumbly texture, it is more difficult to scoop up with a dabber, but it can be easily crumbled onto a flower or into a vaporiser.

Live resin

Live resin is a special category of concentrates made from freshly harvested, flash-frozen cannabis. It is produced by extracting the frozen material (typically using butane). The products are characterised by a high terpene content and intense aroma, and usually have a semi-liquid consistency, known as sauce, or a sugary crystalline structure with a liquid phase, known as sugar.

Thanks to the preserved terpenes and flavonoids, these extracts have a very rich flavour. Live resin is dabbed at lower temperatures, allowing users to get the most out of the terpene profile of a given strain.

Crystals (isolate)

Crystals (diamonds) are isolates containing a pure form (up to 99.5%) of a specific cannabinoid, e.g. CBD (cannabidiol). This means that apart from CBD, this form of extract does not contain any other substances.

There are also broad-spectrum and full-spectrum CBD extracts. These forms contain relatively small amounts of various other cannabinoids, and in the case of full-spectrum extract, a negligible amount of THC (<0.2–0.3%). Isolates may also contain terpenes.

 

 Various types of cannabis concentrates for dabbing – shatter, crumble, live resin, wax, budder, and crystals (isolate).

Dabbing accessories

Several basic tools are needed for dabbing itself:

  • Dab rig: a special water pipe
  • Nail or banger: a nail or bowl-shaped attachment made of quartz glass, ceramic or titanium
  • Butane torch: used to heat the nail
  • Dabber: a metal or glass stick for picking up the concentrate
  • Optional carb cap to cover the banger
  • The concentrate itself – dab

If the user uses an electric nail, known as an e-nail or electric rig, there is no need for a torch, as the desired temperature is set directly on the device.

Cleanliness is essential when dabbing – burnt residue in the banger impairs the taste and can have negative health effects, and dirty glass is not aesthetically pleasing. Therefore, users are advised to use cleaning aids such as isopropyl alcohol and cotton swabs.

Table: Dabbing vs. vaping

Dabbing and vaping are two methods of inhaling cannabis that may seem similar at first glance, as in both cases the active ingredients are vaporised without combustion. However, they differ in their technical execution, intensity of effects and user experience.

The following table lists the main differences between dabbing and vaping.

Dabbing

Vaping

Intensity of effect

Extremely powerful effect

Milder immediate effect

Heating temperature

Normal temperatures are around 200–315 °C, higher temperatures for nails/bangers approx. 300–400 °C.

Lower temperatures – vaporizers for herbs and oils typically range from 155–220 °C

Advantages
  • Extreme efficiency and fast onset
  • Cleaner inhalation than smoking
  • Taste experience
  • Relatively economical
  • Mini dab rigs are easy to carry
  • When purchasing a bowl, dried cannabis can also be inhaled

  • A smoother experience and faster onset of effects
  • Gentler on the lungs
  • Discreet
  • Easier maintenance and portability of vaporizers
  • Some devices allow you to inhale herbs and concentrates, e.g. DaVinci Vaporizer IQ3 - Onyx

Disadvantages and risks
  • Excessive potency
  • Risk of overdose
  • Rapid increase in tolerance
  • The long-term effects of inhaling cannabis concentrates have not yet been sufficiently researched (at high temperatures, substances such as benzene, naphthalene, and others are produced in the vapors).
  • Requires equipment (dab rig, torch, etc.) and preparation.
  • Less intense experience
  • Unknown long-term health effects
  • Contamination of cartridge or refill
  • Risk of battery overheating

    Dosage

    The rule ‘less is more’ always applies. Due to the strength of dabs, it is better for users to start with a very small dose and take another ‘hit’ later if necessary.

    Conclusion

    Dabbing is a powerful and effective method of consuming cannabis that requires the right equipment (dab rig, banger or nail, torch, dabber, etc.), dosage and some experience. A dab is a small amount of concentrate. There are several types of concentrate with different structures, effects and flavours – from shatter and budder to wax and live resin.

    Compared to vaping, dabbing is more intense but also more demanding in terms of preparation and equipment.

    FAQ

    1. Who is dabbing suitable for?

    In general, dabbing cannabis is a discipline for experienced users. Dabbing makes sense primarily if the user is looking for something significantly stronger and is no longer achieving the desired effect with conventional methods.

    2. What is the best dab rig?

    A dab rig is a special water pipe designed for dabbing concentrates. A classic dab rig resembles a small bong, but instead of a bowl for herbs, it is equipped with a nail or banger made of durable material (quartz, titanium, ceramic).

    According to foreign reviews, the electric dab rig (e-rigs) Puffco Peak Pro stands out, which is an innovative ‘smart rig’ with fast heating in around 20 seconds and the ability to control temperatures via a Bluetooth app. Puffco Peak Pro is among the best portable e-rigs, valued by users for its ease of use, consistent performance and elegant design.

    With classic dab rigs, the quality of the glass and the design for good vapour cooling are the most important factors. Mini dab rigs are a popular trend, with borosilicate glass rigs with percolators among the most highly rated.

    3. What is the best way to store dab wax and other concentrates?

    Concentrates are sensitive to light, heat and oxidation. To maintain quality, it is important to:

    4. What is the difference between a dab bong and a dab rig?

    A dab bong is actually a modified bong, while a true dab rig is designed exclusively for concentrates. Both devices filter through water, but a bong is originally designed for smoking herbs (flowers), while a dab rig vaporises extracts.

    Main differences:

    Purpose:

    • A bong is designed for smoking dried herbs and flowers
    • A dab rig is used to vaporise concentrated extracts

    Bowl vs. banger:

    • A bong has a classic bowl where the dry herb is placed and lit
    • A dab rig has a nail or banger that is heated and the concentrate is placed on it to vaporise

    Final product:

    • A bong produces smoke
    • A dab rig produces vapour with a higher concentration of active substances

    Size and design:

    • Bongs tend to be larger and more robust
    • Dab rigs are smaller and more compact so that the vapour does not settle on the walls of the device

    Accessories:

    • All you need for a bong is a lighter and water
    • A dab rig requires a torch or e-nail, a dabber and other equipment (unless it is an electric model)

    A dab bong is a modified classic bong – instead of a bowl, a banger is attached, turning the bong into a functional dab rig. If the user wants to get the most out of the concentrates, it is better to get a real dab rig.

      

     

    Sources:

     

    Author:  Patricie Mikolášová 

     

       

    Photo: AI

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