The key to dabbing lies in the tech. You cannot dab without a dag rig or a dab pen. The tech is an integral part of the experience.
But there are a lot of moving parts. Especially with dab rigs. Tabletop dab rigs have a complicated set of components to piece together into the full tech stack:
With all the required bits and pieces, learning how to take a dab can definitely feel overwhelming. But with a few practice rounds, it quickly becomes second nature. Here are the basics of how to dab.
- Prepare Your Dab Rig: Fill the base of the rig with water to a level that covers the downstem but doesn't splash into the mouthpiece.
- Heat the Nail: Use a torch to heat the nail (also called a banger) until it glows red-hot. This usually takes around 20-30 seconds. Allow it to cool slightly (typically 30-60 seconds) to reach the ideal temperature, as overheating can burn terpenes and ruin the flavor.
- Apply the Dab: Using a dab tool, apply a small amount of concentrate to the nail while it's hot, then inhale through the mouthpiece. Rotate the tool to ensure the concentrate fully vaporizes.
- Cover with a Carb Cap (Optional): While optional, you'll get a better vapor with a carb cap to cover the nail. This traps the heat and allows for more efficient vaporization of the concentrate.
- Clean the Nail: After each dab, use a cotton swab to clean the nail or banger while it's still warm. This prevents residue buildup and ensures a clean flavor for your next session.
How To Use a Dab Pen
If a carb cap, nail, and a hot torch all feel like too much, the good news is that you can now enjoy the full dab experience without a dab rig. Enter the dab pen, a simple handheld vaporizer specifically designed to handle dabs.
There are a few different brands out there, and each will come with its own instructions. However, to demonstrate just how simple the process is, here are the fundamentals of how dab pens work. Just remember to review the manual for whatever version you have at home.
- Activate: Most dab pens are draw-activated; simply inhale through the mouthpiece to turn it on. But some models may have a button to press while inhaling.
- Apply the Dab: If it's a refillable pen, use a dab tool to place a small amount of concentrate directly inside the chamber. If it's a pre-filled pen, skip this step.
- Inhale Gently: Take slow, steady draws to allow the device to heat the concentrate and produce vapor. Start with small puffs to gauge potency.
Dabbing Responsibly
Hopefully, it's clear by now that dabbing serves up a powerful experience. Because every hit is a potent one, dabbing likely isn't the best place for total cannabis newbies. To have a good time and keep the experience in a pleasant pocket, you'll want to have some familiarity with the effects of THC before taking that first dab.
If you are just starting out on your cannabis journey, we recommend starting with controlled, smaller servings via other formats. A great starting point is an edible. Edibles are consistent from one portion to another, with precise THC per piece. This can help you gauge serving size and familiarize yourself with the effects of THC.
Once you've gotten some THC experience under your belt, you can start dabbing. We recommend starting with a dab pen because it requires much less investment and fewer tools and is a straightforward experience.
Just always remember the golden rule: start low and go slow. For your first few times, begin with a very small serving of concentrate. Inhale slowly and gently, then let those effects peak before returning for seconds.
With practice, you'll ensure the effects stay fun and euphoric and that the intensity hits precisely where you want it.
Nail the Art of Dabbing with Hometown Hero
Powerful, flavorful, and fast-acting — these are all the reasons we love dabbing. And now, we are bringing this to the Hometown Hero family with our
sativa
hybrid
indica
