What temperature should a dab be?

Most dabs vaporize between 315°F and 700°F (157°C to 371°C). Below 315°F, THC and CBD stay solid or produce thin vapor. Above 700°F, the oil degrades, the hit tastes burnt, and degradation products rise. Combustion starts near 900°F (482°C).

Dab Temperature and Effects: A Practical Buying Guide

Dab temperature chart

  • Low temp, 315°F to 450°F (157°C to 232°C): strongest terpene flavor, thin vapor, less lung expansion.
  • Medium temp, 450°F to 550°F (232°C to 288°C): balanced flavor and vapor volume. This is the most common range.
  • High temp, 550°F to 700°F (288°C to 371°C): dense vapor, harsh taste, faster oil consumption.
  • Above 700°F (371°C): terpenes are gone, THC degrades, and the residue chars.

Cannabinoid boiling points

  • THC: 315°F (157°C)
  • CBD: 320°F to 356°F (160°C to 180°C)
  • CBN: 365°F (185°C)
  • CBC: 428°F (220°C)

THC boils first among the major cannabinoids, so a low-temp dab still delivers THC. CBD and CBC need more heat to vaporize in full.

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Terpene boiling points

  • Beta-caryophyllene: 246°F (119°C)
  • Pinene: 311°F (155°C)
  • Myrcene: 332°F (167°C)
  • Limonene: 349°F (176°C)
  • Linalool: 388°F (198°C)

Terpenes vaporize at lower temperatures than THC. A dab at 600°F destroys most of them before the first inhale. That is why flavor fades as temperature climbs.

Cannabis Concentrate Temperature Guide

How to check the temperature

  1. Heat the banger or nail, then let it cool for the time your setup requires.
  2. Point an infrared thermometer at the interior floor of the banger, not the walls.
  3. Wait for the readout to settle. Surfaces cool faster than the reading updates.
  4. Start the dab when the number falls into your target range.

Quartz and titanium cool at different rates. A quartz banger may drop 100°F in 30 seconds, so the reading matters more than a fixed cool-down timer.

How to Measure Dab Temperature Without a Nail: 4 Methods

What changes at high heat

Above about 750°F (399°C), studies report benzene formation from heated cannabis. Benzene is a known carcinogen. High-temperature dabs also convert THC to CBN, which increases sedation and lowers potency. Residue left on the banger after a hot dab is carbon, not oil.

Practical settings

For flavor, use 350°F to 450°F. For a middle setting, use 450°F to 550°F. For maximum vapor from a small amount, use 550°F to 650°F. E-nails and e-rigs hold a set temperature within 10°F, which removes the cool-down guesswork. Torch-and-banger setups vary by wall thickness and banger size, so measure before each session.