Dab Rigs

Any dabbing enthusiast will know that when it comes to selecting our dabbing equipment, high quality is a must. This is why we have populated this collection with a wide range of the finest dab nails on the market. Our range will definitely please the avid concentrate connoisseur as we have domeless nails, adjustable nails, all with a choice of material including Quartz glass, titanium and ceramic. With famous brands like Grace Glass, Hive Ceramics, Black Leaf and Gear releasing their own quality nails, you know you’re buying the high standard that comes with the brand name.

What is a dab rig?

A dab rig is a special type of bong or water pipe that is designed for use with wax and concentrates. While the main part of a dab rig is typically made of glass, they also include a ‘nail’, which is usually made of quartz or titanium. This is where you place the concentrates for it to be vaporized, so it needs to be made of a material strong enough to withstand high temperatures, often in excess of 200°C. Essentially, dab rigs are concentrate vaporizers, although they look more similar to, and are used like, a regular water bong. Dab rigs can vary in size quite significantly, although the smaller the rig, the more efficient they are in general.

What is a dab rig composed of?

Dab rigs refer to all the pieces of kit needed for dabbing, and are typically made up of five main parts: 

• Nail: Also known as a a banger, a dab nail is what sets apart a dab rig from a regular bong or pipe. This is where you place your concentrates or wax to be vaporized, similar to a bowl or herbal chamber. They are typically made of a strong material such as titanium, quartz, or other metal, although some will be made of glass. These will need to be heated by an external heat source, unless it's an e-nail, which will automatically heat to an exact temperature on command.
• Dome: Also known as a carb cap, this is placed on top of the dab nail and acts essentially as a lid. This helps to keep the heat and vapour in as your concentrates are vaporized, improving the overall efficiency of the dab rig.
• Torch: This is the heating element that is used to vaporize your concentrates or wax, and is typically a butane torch. Some dab rigs have propane torches, but these are best avoided as they burn at much higher temperatures, potentially damaging your dab nail. Please note that electric dab rigs will usually have their own heat source, thus eliminating the need for a dab torch.
• Dabber: This is a tool that resembles a small stick, which you use to pick up your concentrates and stick it in the dab nail. This prevents you from getting your fingers sticky by handling the concentrates, and from potentially burning yourself with hot wax.
• Main body: This is the part that resembles a regular bong or water pipe. It is typically made out of glass, and consists of a base, a water chamber, a neck, and a mouthpiece. Some advanced dab rigs will also include percolators in the neck, which act as an extra level of filtration to provide a smoother hit to your lungs.

How to use a dab rig

If you’re new to dabbing, then you may be a bit confused about how to use a dab rig exactly. However, once you get to grips with the basics, using a dab rig becomes fairly straightforward. In general, follow these simple steps to enjoy your dab rig:

1. You must first fill the chamber with water, just as you would with a regular bong. Make sure not to overfill it, as this could result in splashback or a mouthful of nasty bong water.
2. You then need to heat the dab nail with your dab torch. Ideally, you want to heat it until the nail starts glowing. If you have an electric dab rig, then you will be heat your concentrate to an exact temperature without a torch - usually with the simple press of a button.
3. You should then wait for up to a minute for the dab nail to cool down before placing your concentrates or wax in it, as doing so immediately could burn your ingredients.
4. You can then carefully place your concentrate or wax in the dab nail using the dabber. Once you’ve placed it on the nail, you can cover it with the dome to trap the vapour, and then slowly inhale via the mouthpiece.
5. Once you’ve finished your session, it’s important to clean your dab rig in order to maintain its efficiency and the quality of your vapour. Make sure to let it cool down before attempting to clean. You should each component of the dab rig with a cotton swab, ideally rubbed in isopropyl alcohol, being extra careful to remove any residue from the dab nail. And, of course, remove the bong water!

What type of dab rig should I get?

When looking for a dab rig, you’ll come across a few different types. There are pros and cons to each, so it’s important to know the differences between them in order to get the right rig for your needs.

• Glass dab rigs: These are the most common type of dab rig, and as you’d expect from the name, are made out of glass (apart from the nail). The best glass dab rigs will be made out thick borosilicate glass, which is heat-resistant.
• Silicone dab rigs: While they don’t look or feel as good as glass dab rigs, silicone dab rigs are a good option if you’re on a budget as they’re invariably cheaper. Another bonus to silicone rigs is that they’re almost indestructible, and are thus likely to last longer than a glass dab rig.
• Electric dab rigs: These are quite advanced bits of technology, using their own heat source (coil) that heats your concentrates up automatically to a pre-determined temperature. With an electric dab rig, you don’t need a dab torch to heat your wax or concentrate, making the whole process that bit easier. 

Benefits of dab rigs

The main benefit of using dab rigs over more traditional methods of smoking concentrates, such as bongs or roll ups, is that you are vaporizing your materials as opposed to heating them to a point of combustion. This provides a greater all-round taste, and a smoother and cleaner hit to your lungs. This also means dab rigs are a healthier way of consuming concentrates, as it prevents the release of many toxins and impurities that would normally be released at the point of combustion.

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