The Pros and Cons of Using Dab Rigs

Dab rigs are taking the cannabis community by storm. Serving explicitly for inhaling concentrates, they provide purer and more intense hits. However, they are not that easy to maneuver and are a test of skill and patience. Of course, this makes the entire experience more satisfying, especially once you get in tune with the process.

Even though dab rigs are more complex than bongs, they have many advantages like easy maintenance, portability, and faster highs. All these qualities sometimes make them more worthwhile than other cannabis-smoking products. Therefore, we decided to focus solely on them today and guide you into their know-how.

Please read below to learn more about this cutting-edge device and discover whether it’s the right fit for you.  

What is The Best Dab Rig Temperature?

Beginner dabbers first concern themselves with the right dabbing temperature, but every dabber has different dabbing styles and preferences. So, there is no perfect temperature for all dabbers and dabbing devices. However, it’s universally agreed that the best temperatures start from 350 °F, while the sweet spot for most is from 500°F to 600°F.

An important rule is that lower temperatures provide more flavor, less vapor, and smoother hits, while higher ones have the opposite effect. In addition, each concentrate has different ideal temperatures, depending on what type of terpenes (scent and flavor molecules in the cannabis plant) they have.

  • Humulene – 435°F;
  • Caryophyllene – 390°F;
  • Linalool – 388°F;
  • Limonene – 350°F;
  • Myrcene – 330-334°;
  • Pinene – 420-430°F.

How To Make a Homemade Dab Rig?

If you are a cannabis lover passionate about DIY projects, you should consider building dab rigs from scratch. There are many ways to do this. If you are good at physics and chemistry, you can even invent one. 

To get inspired, read the four steps of converting a regular mason jar into a neat dab rig:

  1. Create two equal holes on the jar lid;
  2. Wrap an empty plastic pen in aluminum foil, and place it in one of the holes;
  3. Attach a titanium nail to the pen using aluminum foil;
  4. Place a flexible straw on the lid’s other hole and tighten it with the foil.

To make this trick work, you need to fill the jar with a bit of water, place the concentrates on the titanium nail, heat them, and inhale through the bendy straw. 

How Much Do Dab Rigs Generally Cost?

The cannabis industry is booming, so it’s no wonder why there is a broad range of vaping and smoking products. Some are mass-manufactured, while others are handmade by reputable artists. As a result, the prices vary from one extreme to another.

Regarding dab rigs, the cost ranges from $10 to over $500. If you want an option that won’t break the bank as much, expect to pay $10 to $50. However, it’s always better to value quality above the price, especially for products with an intricate design like a dab rig or a bong.

You can find various rigs from $100 to $150 at your online headshop. Most will ensure a safe and high-quality dabbing session, while some have unique designs inspired by cacti, mushrooms, crystals, and space shuttles.

Why is My Dab Rig Not Hitting?

Dabbing has many advantages over other water pipes, including bongs. However, this procedure is not as easy to understand and implement. For starters, you need to know how to use a blow torch and learn to handle concentrates—two pretty complex skills.

Beginner dabbing mistakes are super-common, and one of the most frequent ones is not being able to get a hit from your dab. There are two main reasons for this. You are under-heating the dab nail or putting more concentrates than needed.

You haven’t heated your concentrate enough to vaporize in the first case. Hence, you are not getting a proper hit. To solve this issue, try to reheat your nail again for a more extended period or at a higher temperature, and wait for only 20 seconds for it to cool down.

In the second case, the concentrates resist the heating from the blow torch by balancing the temperature between them and the nail glass. To fix this, you can switch to a smaller dab scraper. 

Other common beginner dabbing mistakes are:

  • Overheating the nail;
  • Touching a heated nail;
  • Inhaling too much;
  • Adding the concentrate before heating the nail;
  • Forgetting to clean your dab rig.

Can You Use a Bong As a Dab Rig?

While you can use a bong for dabbing, we don’t recommend it. Bongs are better for smoking dry herbs, while dabs are for smoking concentrates.

Bongs and rigs work very differently. When you dab from a bong, you get less flavor and intensity. Plus, because dabbing requires higher temperatures, you risk damaging your bong.

However, if you find yourself in a tight spot and need to improvise, you can use your bong as a short-term solution. The best option is a smaller beaker bong without percolators. It would be best if you first replaced the bowl with a dab nail to convert it.

The Pros and Cons of Dab Rigs

What you choose will ultimately depend on your smoking preferences. Some cannabis enthusiasts prefer dab rigs, while others still stick to bongs. Both options have their pros and cons. 

To conclude which is best for you, read the pros and cons of using dab rigs:

Pros:

  • Smaller than most bongs;
  • Cost-effective;
  • Ideal for concentrates;
  • Release vapor instead of smoke;
  • Easier to clean;
  • An immediate and far more intense high.

Cons:

  • Less potent;
  • More complicated to use.

Where To Buy High-Quality Dab Rigs Online?

There are many great ways you can find top-quality dab rigs online. Just type in Google’s search bar, and thousands of shops appear. However, filtering amateurs from professional companies is crucial and requires a trained eye.

When searching for the best dab rigs, choose a company like Olofly—certified, values safety, collaborates with multiple brands, and has an exhaustive list of satisfied customers. 

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