Do You Need To Season A Titanium Dab Nail?
As with any smoking device, if you want to get the best experience out of it then you need to take proper care of it. For dab rigs, that means seasoning its nail among other things. Now if you're new to dabbing or yet to get into it, seasoning part of a smoking device might sound odd, but don't worry because this guide will go over why, how, and everything else you need to know about seasoning a titanium nail.
What is a Titanium Nail?
Before talking about seasoning the nail, let's make sure we have a solid understanding of what a titanium nail even is. A titanium nail is a part of a dab rig that heats up your concentrates so you can smoke them. A titanium nail works by using a torch on it to heat it up before you place your concentrates on it.
What is Seasoning a Nail?
Seasoning a dab nail believe it or not is similar to seasoning a cast-iron pan that you cook on. Just like in seasoning for cooking, seasoning a dab nail will add taste. The seasoning process is a little different though. To season a dab nail the first thing you will need to do is use your torch to heat it up. This will open up the pores of your nail. The next thing to do is pour some oil over the nail to fill in the gaps/pores and create a nice and smooth surface for your concentrates. That's all there is to it, it's super easy. You don't need to season your nails often either, in fact, seasoning a nail only needs to be done once in the nail’s entire lifetime (before you use it for the first time).
Why Should You Season Your Nail?
Seasoning your nail removes impurities from the manufacturing process as well as adds flavor to your smoke sessions. In manufacturing, chemicals and other compounds that you don't want to get into your lungs are present and can contaminate the dab nails. The seasoning process sterilizes your newly bought nail and makes sure that none of those chemicals get into your lungs. Another great benefit of seasoning your nail is a better taste. Particularly for your first dab session, it can be quite a shock how bad it tastes if you don't season your nail. Without seasoning your nail, you will taste both the chemicals that you don't want to inhale and the strong metallic taste from the nail itself. A nice coating of oil and the removal of the impurities will allow you to taste your concentrates and have a better time. Some other less known/prominent advantages include the improved lifespan of nails, better heating efficiency, and easing the harshness of your concentrates.
First Method: Heat, then Ice
There are two main methods for seasoning a nail, this first one has to do with using extreme temperature changes to purify your nail. The first thing you will need to do for this method is to fill a bowl with ice water. Make sure this is a sturdy bowl, preferably a metal one if you have that, because it will be subjected to extreme temperatures on both ends of the spectrum. Next, find something to hold the titanium nail in place (maybe pliers), anything that won't melt or cause your hands to get hot. After you do this, use a blow torch to heat the nail until it becomes red. The time it takes a nail to become red varies but typically it takes anywhere from 20 to 60 seconds. Once it is glowing red, turn off your torch and place the nail in your bowl of ice water. Using the pliers, swirl the nail for a few seconds around the ice water to cool it off. This will also help wash away all the chemicals and debris on your nail that were burned off from the heat. That's all there is to this method, but you will need to repeat this process multiple times (at least three). After completing the process at least three times make sure to clean the nail with alcohol and rinse it off before using it.
Second Method: Season with Oil
The second and more common method is to use oil to season your nail. The first step in this method is to place your nail into your rig. This will also let you check and make sure your nail fits with your rig, as there are male and female nails. After this, like in the other method, use a blow torch and heat the nail until it is glowing red. Once your nail is red remove the heat and pour your oil over the nail. An easy way to add the perfect amount of oil is to your use dabber tool. Following this, wait for your nail to cool off and then recoat your nail with the oil 3-5 more times. That’s it, your nail is seasoned and ready for use. The nice thing about this method is that you can use your nail right after seasoning it, no need to clean it. Plus, the oil can offer a unique added taste for your first session or two that many find extremely tasty.
Conclusion
Although you might be eager to use your new dab rig right away, taking the time to season your nail is a necessary process that really isn't too bad. The few minutes that are taken to season your nail will be nothing in the long run since you only need to do it once. You can also keep the same nail for a very long time, even as you switch dab rigs, so again the seasoning process really won't take much time. If you care about your health it's important to season your nail so you don't inhale any harmful chemicals. Now that you know how to season a titanium nail, get out there, do it, and start dabbing!
