Dabbing is the best way to enjoy potent cannabis concentrates like Shatter, Budder, Wax, BHO, and Live Resin. Dabbing involves using a device known as a Dab Rig to bring out the full potency and flavor of your concentrates, resulting in powerful and satisfying hits.
The experience is much harder-hitting than using a Bong, Pipe, or other smoking devices. Some users may find it overwhelming, but many users even prefer dabbing to other methods of cannabis consumption.
With that said, those who have never dabbed before might be confused by all the new lingo that comes with it. There are various terms, devices, and accessories involved in dabbing, and it helps to know exactly what’s what. As such, here’s a helpful dabbing glossary of common dabbing terms.
710
Much like 420 is associated with smoking cannabis, 710 is associated with dabbing. The number 710 looks like “oil” upside down, hence why it has come to represent dabbing marijuana oil and other such extracts.
Many see 710 as the new 420 and dabbing enthusiasts often celebrate by taking a hit from their Dab Rig at 7:10 pm or even having cannabis-themed celebrations during 7/10.
Banger
Banger is another name for a dab nail. When you use a bong, you pack your weed into a glass bowl that sits upon the downstem. When you use a dab rig, you apply your dabs to the dab nail or banger after heating it so it’s hot enough to vaporize your dabs.
Bangers come in a few different materials. Quartz bangers are the most common, especially as quartz is capable of withstanding high temperatures and still giving you great flavor in your dabs. Titanium bangers and ceramic bangers are also common as these materials are also good at withstanding and maintaining high levels of heat.
Boro
Boro is short for borosilicate glass, a type of glass known for its durability and ability to handle high temperatures. Borosilicate glass is often used for high-quality bongs, pipes, and other smoking tools due to its heat-handling capabilities.
While the nail of a dab rig is usually made of quartz, titanium, or ceramic, borosilicate glass is often used for the rest of the device. This ensures that even if your dab torch inadvertently heats your device it won’t crack easily.
Butane Extraction
Butane extraction is a common method used to extract powerful cannabis concentrates from cannabis buds. It involves putting the cannabis buds in a tube and dousing them with butane to separate the THC-packed trichomes from the rest of the plant.
This method of extraction is very commonly used to create cannabis concentrates for dabbing purposes. Concentrates such as Shatter, Wax, Budder, and Honeycomb are often made using butane extraction. It’s also used to make butane hash oil.
Butane Hash Oil (BHO)
You’ll see the abbreviation BHO often if you read about dabbing. BHO stands for butane hash oil, and it’s one of the most common types of cannabis concentrates or dabs. It gets its name as it’s made via dousing cannabis buds with butane to produce a high-THC oil-like extract.
Also referred to as Hash Oil and Honey Oil, BHO can be mixed with weed in a joint, Pipe, or Bong for smoking purposes but is more commonly used via vaporization. Dabbing BHO extracts with a dab rig is popular as it brings out the potency of the extracts.
Butane Torch
A butane torch (also referred to as a dab torch) is one of the essential tools required for dabbing. It’s used to heat your dab nail to a high enough temperature to instantly vaporize your dabs.
Although you can use other methods to heat your banger or dab nail, using a dab torch is very common as it’s affordable and straightforward to use.
Cannabinoids
Cannabis contains a wide range of chemical compounds known as cannabinoids. When ingested, these are the components responsible for delivering the powerful effects that cannabis is known for.
THC is the main psychoactive cannabinoid known for getting you high. However, cannabis also contains a range of other cannabinoids such as CBD, CBN, and THCA. These cannabinoids work in conjunction to provide a variety of enjoyable effects for the body and mind.
Cannabis
Cannabis is the name of the plant used to produce marijuana, also referred to as weed, bud, and various other names. Products produced from the cannabis plant are often also referred to as cannabis.
Concentrated cannabis extracts (also known as cannabis concentrates) are used for dabbing. In some cases, you might see these concentrates referred to with cannabis in their names, such as cannabis shatter or cannabis wax.
Carb Cap
A carb cap is a device used to cover your dab nail or banger while you’re taking hits. Doing so keeps the heat trapped inside your dab nail, meaning that you can maintain the right temperature and avoid heat from escaping.
Although you can dab without using a carb cap, using one will make your dabs much more satisfying. As such, it’s advised to buy a carb cap to maximize the flavor and potency of your dab hits.
Concentrates
Concentrates or cannabis concentrates are the potent extracts used for dabbing. There are various types of cannabis concentrates, with some popular examples being Shatter, Wax, BHO, Budder, and Live Resin.
Cannabis concentrates are made via various extraction processes used to separate the most potent parts of the cannabis buds from the rest of the plant matter. They’re referred to as concentrates as they contain high concentrations of THC.
Dab
The word dab is used to describe the cannabis concentrates used for dabbing. These are referred to as dabs as you only need a very small piece (or a dab) of a high-potency cannabis extract to get powerful effects.
While it’s often used as a noun, “dab” can also be used as a verb to describe the process of dabbing. For instance, you could say “I’m about to dab this Shatter”.
Dabber
A dabber is another important tool used in the process of dabbing. It’s a small device, often with a pointy or shovel-like end, used to scoop your dabs before applying them to your dab nail. Using a dabber is essential as you need to apply your dabs to a hot surface without burning your fingers.
Due to their pointy ends, dabbers make it easy to scoop up a dab of your desired cannabis extract for application to your dab nail. They can also be used to cut your extracts into small pieces before using them.
Dab Mat
When you’re taking a dab, you’ll need to lay many items out on the table, including your dab rig, your dabs, your dabber or dab tool, your torch, and anything else you need. As such, some people use a dab mat to keep everything in one place.
Dab mats are also referred to as dab pads or silicone mats and help protect your table from any possible spillage from your dabs. They can also protect your dab rig if it accidentally falls over by shielding the fall.
Dab Nail
Dab nail is another name used to refer to the banger - the part of your dab rig where your dabs are applied after heating.
Dab Pen
If you want to take dabs wherever you are, then it’s worth buying a dab pen. A dab pen is a type of portable vaporizer that’s optimized for use with all kinds of cannabis concentrates. You use them by applying your dab to a heat chamber and turning them on till they reach your desired temperature.
Some dab pens also have removable coils that you can preheat before applying them directly to your dab. Either way, dab pens make the process of dabbing a lot easier and allow you to get great dab hits on the go.
Dab Rig
A dab rig is a device used specifically to take dabs. Dab rigs look somewhat similar to bongs, except they feature a banger made of quartz or another heat-resistant material allowing them to withstand high enough temperatures to instantly vaporize cannabis concentrates.
You can buy dab rigs online and they come in many shapes, sizes, and styles. Some people prefer portable dab rigs whereas others prefer huge rigs for taking enormous hits of their favorite concentrates.
Dab Straw
A dab straw is another handy portable device that you can use for dabbing. Dab straws are made of quartz and can be used by heating one end, applying it to your dab of choice, and inhaling through the other end which features a mouthpiece.
Dab straws make the process of dabbing quick and simple, although the hits you get likely won’t be as satisfying as what you’d get from a larger dab rig.
Dab Tool
Dab Tool is another name used to refer to a dabber.
Dome
A dome is a dome-shaped device that fits over your dab nail or banger to cover your dab hits and keep the heat trapped inside. Using a dome is a good alternative to using a carb cap as it’ll enhance the flavor and potency of your dab hits.
Downstem
The downstem is the small tube featured on dab rigs that carries the vapor from the dab nail to the chamber of the rig. Downstems are also found on bongs as they carry the smoke from the bowl to the chamber.
E-Nail
An e-nail or an e-coil is an electronically-powered dab nail that you can use as an alternative to the usual quartz or titanium bangers. Instead of heating your dab nail with a torch, you can attach an e-nail to your device, set it to your desired temperature, and turn it on.
An e-nail can reach your desired temperature automatically, allowing you to take satisfying dab hits without any guesswork. As such, buying an e-nail is an excellent investment for dabbing enthusiasts.
Extracts
Cannabis extracts are the products used for dabbing, also known as cannabis concentrates or dabs. They’re referred to as extracts since they’re extracted from cannabis buds via various processes. Popular examples of cannabis extracts include Shatter, Wax, BHO, Budder, and Live Resin.
High-Terpene Full Spectrum Extracts (HTFSE)
High-terpene full-spectrum extracts (HTFSE) are cannabis extracts or dabs made using complicated processes to preserve and maintain the terpenes. This gives the dabs much more flavor.
Percolator
A percolator or perc is a feature often found in bongs and dab rigs that filters your hits to make them smoother and cooler. There are many types of percolators, including showerhead percolators and honeycomb percolators. Some rigs even feature multiple percolators to make your hits as smooth as possible.
Reverse Dab
Dabbing usually involves heating your dab nail to your desired temperature before carefully applying your dab. However, taking a reverse dab involves placing your dab in the dab nail first before heating it. This method is also known as cold start dabbing and some users prefer it to the traditional method of taking dabs.
Silicone Container
Silicone containers are often used to store dabs. Silicone is the perfect material for preventing your dabs from degrading or damaging any of your glassware. They also make it easy to scoop up a dab when you need one. As such, many dabbing enthusiasts store their dabs in these containers.
Terpenes
Terpenes are the flavorful compounds found in all strains of cannabis, as well as many cannabis extracts or dabs. Terpenes are what give each strain a unique flavor, and they also contribute to the effects of each strain. Those who enjoy experiencing flavorful dab hits often opt for cannabis concentrates with high levels of terpenes, such as Live Resin.
Vaporizer
A vaporizer is another popular type of device used for vaporizing and ingesting cannabis concentrates. Vaporizers come in many forms, and some are designed for cannabis flower or oils whereas some are designed for dabs such as Shatter, Wax, Live Resin, and other popular concentrates.
Vaporizers also vary in size. Some people prefer large, tabletop vaporizers for huge hits whereas others prefer portable vape pens for getting quick and convenient hits. You can also find dab pens. These portable vaporizers are designed to replicate the experience of dabbing.
