What a dab rig is
A dab rig is a water pipe built for cannabis concentrate. It holds a heated quartz, titanium, or ceramic surface instead of a bowl of flower. The user places a small piece of concentrate on that hot surface and inhales the vapor through water. The device does not burn dry flower. A single dose runs about 0.05 to 0.1 gram, and the vapor is potent.
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Core parts
- Banger or nail: the heated surface. Quartz is the most common material. Titanium and ceramic are also sold.
- Carb cap: a cap that sits over the banger, traps heat, and directs airflow.
- Dab tool: a metal or glass pick that moves concentrate to the banger.
- Torch: a butane torch heats the banger. An electric e-nail replaces the torch.
- Water chamber and downstem: cool the vapor before it reaches the mouth.
- Recycler or percolator: optional. Adds filtration and airflow paths.
Temperature ranges
Banger temperature sets flavor and effect. Combustion starts above 450 F. Many users stay in the low range.
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- 315 F to 400 F: low temp. Terpenes vaporize. Flavor is stronger. Vapor is thinner.
- 400 F to 550 F: medium. Larger vapor clouds. Some terpenes break down.
- Above 600 F: high temp. Vapor is harsh. The oil can char.
Measure heat with an infrared thermometer or a dab timer. Quartz loses heat at a steady rate after the torch is removed. Titanium heats and cools faster than quartz.
Steps to use one
- Fill the water chamber to the marked level.
- Heat the banger with the torch. Wait for the cool-down period.
- Check the temperature.
- Place concentrate on the dab tool.
- Touch the oil to the banger floor.
- Place the carb cap on top and inhale.
- Swab the banger with a cotton swab while it is warm.
Health notes
Concentrates carry high THC levels. NIDA reports that dab products can hold far more THC than flower, and that one inhalation can deliver a large dose. New users should start with a small amount. High doses can cause anxiety, a racing heart, and short-term memory problems. Butane hash oil production, a common source of dabs, has caused house fires and explosions. Lab-tested concentrate from a licensed store carries a printed potency label.
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Legal status in the US
Cannabis rules vary by state. Some states allow recreational sales and home possession. Others allow medical use but not recreational sales. A few allow neither. Federal law still lists cannabis as a controlled substance. Dab rigs sell as glassware in most states, but possession of concentrate follows the state cannabis code, not the hardware.