Dabbing: How to Properly Smoke Cannabis Concentrates

At first, the technique of “dabbing”—which involves vaporizing cannabis concentrates—may seem complicated, but in reality, it’s not much different from other ways of consuming marijuana. In this article, we’ll explain what dabbing is and how to use this method to consume cannabis resins and extracts correctly.

What Is Dabbing?

Essentially, dabbing is the process of vaporizing cannabis concentrates by heating them with a special device. This method is commonly used for consuming cannabis resins, a product known as “amber,” and extracts made using butane extraction. All of these products have a much higher concentration of cannabinoids than even the strongest raw buds, making dabbing especially popular among experienced cannabis users. For example, while typical buds on the U.S. retail market contain about 10–25% THC, standard BHO concentrates or resins can contain up to 50–80% active compounds. In addition to psychoactive extracts, there are also CBD-only extracts available for therapeutic rather than recreational use. Either way, resins and extracts consumed via dabbing deliver a stronger, faster, and longer-lasting effect compared to other cannabis products. However, in many regions, these extracts are hard to find because their production requires professional equipment, which is difficult to use in areas with strict criminalization.

As mentioned earlier, this method is best suited for users with years of cannabis experience, as cannabis resins are extremely potent. Due to the potency and harshness of the smoke, we recommend exercising caution when trying dabbing for the first time. Start with small doses and gradually increase as you become accustomed. Unlike raw buds, dabbing involves inhaling only purified and concentrated cannabinoids, not plant material, resulting in a pronounced and immediate therapeutic and cerebral effect.

What Tools Do You Need for Dabbing?

While dabbing technology continues to evolve, a standard dabbing setup typically includes the following components (note: the design may differ from the items shown in the image above):

1. Cannabis Extract: As mentioned, you can use plant resins, various oils extracted with butane or CO₂, or rosin extracts. Avoid using alcohol-based extracts or tinctures to prevent flare-ups. As long as the product doesn’t contain residual alcohol or other flammable chemicals, it’s safe to use in a dab rig.
2. Bong/Rig Base: This refers to modern bongs with interchangeable attachments, allowing you to swap the regular bowl for a dabbing “nail.”
3. Nail: The main component for dabbing. This is a special piece shaped like a nail that fits into the bong’s bowl opening. Usually made from heat-resistant materials like titanium, but ceramic and quartz versions are also common.
4. Dome: A small glass or ceramic cover placed over the nail during dabbing. This part collects the vapor from the cannabis concentrate for inhalation, though some modern rigs no longer require a dome.
5. Open-Flame Torch: A regular lighter isn’t hot enough to vaporize concentrates, so you’ll need a butane torch, like those used for crème brûlée. Some experienced dabbers use propane torches for faster heating. There are also flameless rigs available, but with standard setups, you’ll need a torch.
6. Dab Tool: A small tweezer or “dabber” made of ceramic or metal, used to place a small amount of concentrate onto the heated nail.

How Much Concentrate Do You Need for a Dabbing Session?

Different extracts have different cannabinoid concentrations, so you should estimate the potency of your concentrate before dabbing. Since it can be difficult to determine the strength of homemade extracts, we recommend starting with a very small amount and gradually increasing the dose with each session.

Specifically, start with a piece about the size of a breadcrumb. While this may seem tiny, remember that concentrates are highly potent—a dose this small is more than enough to overwhelm someone new to dabbing. Warning: Unlike smoking buds, the effects of dabbing are almost immediate. Within seconds, you’ll feel a powerful rush of THC. Have a glass of water nearby (to help with the harsh smoke) and a place to sit down. Don’t rush your second hit—wait at least ten minutes before taking more. Over time, the smoke will feel less harsh, and your body will adjust to higher THC doses, allowing you to dab more comfortably.

The Dabbing Procedure

Once your dab rig is set up, we recommend sitting down while using it, as the vapor can be very intense. There have been cases where people have knocked over their rigs after losing coordination from the sudden THC rush, so be extra careful.

1. Step 1: Turn on your torch and aim the flame at the nail. Heat the nail until it’s red hot. (We’ll discuss electronic heating rigs in the next section.)
2. Step 2: Turn off the torch once the nail is hot and cover it with the glass dome. If you’re using a titanium nail, let it cool for about 10 seconds before dabbing. For quartz nails, wait 45–50 seconds. This ensures the nail is at the right temperature to vaporize cannabinoids without destroying them.
3. Step 3: Use your dab tool to pick up a small amount of concentrate and touch it to the heated nail, collecting the vapor in the dome. Rotate the tool to vaporize all the material.
4. Step 4: Inhale the vapor collected in the dome and enjoy the experience!

Warning: During the heating process, the dome and nail become extremely hot. Be very careful to avoid serious burns. Always make sure the parts have cooled before touching them.

Using Electronic Rigs and Domeless Nails

We’ve covered the basics of a standard dab rig, but there are now many models that eliminate extra parts, such as separate torches and domes.

Some rigs feature specially designed “domeless” nails with holes to direct the vapor, allowing you to inhale directly from the nail without a separate dome. There are also rigs with electronic nails, which may appeal to dedicated dabbing enthusiasts. These devices use an electronic heating element, removing the need for an open flame and reducing the risk of burns. Like other electronic vaporizers, these nails allow you to precisely control the vaporization temperature, which is great for those who want to savor the terpenes in their extracts.