How to Dab Cannabis Wax: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
It was a friend's birthday party. The lights were dim, the mood was light, and the atmosphere was filled with the smell of good weed.
When someone handed you a rig instead of your usual joint, and with just one deep inhale, you found yourself enjoying a cannabis experience like never before.
An instant, intense hit of high changed your whole perspective about the cannabis world. Now, if you are curious about dabbing cannabis wax and want to know more about it, we've got you covered.
The whole process of how to dab cannabis wax might seem foreign and intimidating to you, but you need not worry, as we will break down the entire process step by step in this guide.
But before diving into how to smoke wax, let's first take a quick sneak peek at what cannabis wax is.
What is Cannabis Wax?
Cannabis wax is a highly concentrated form of cannabis extract that is rich in THC and other cannabinoids.
It contains a high amount of the psychoactive compound THC, which gives the user an intense high. But remember that it is not for the faint-hearted.
The THC content of cannabis wax is 40-80%, and in some cases, it can even exceed 90%. Therefore, you should start low, go slow, and consume cannabis wax responsibly.
What is Dabbing?
Dabbing involves placing a small amount of cannabis concentrate on a heated nail, which results in vaporization. These vapors are inhaled using a rig. See how easy the whole process of dabbing is, Right?
The difference between traditional smoking and dabbing is that in the former, the cannabis flower itself is heated, while in dabbing, the nail gets heated.
Types of Cannabis Wax Used in Dabbing
There is a wide variety of cannabis waxes, each with its own texture and potency, but one thing that remains common among all of them is their high potency.
Some of the most popular types of cannabis wax that can be used for dabbing are:
Budder, also known as badder or butter, is well known for its creamy, butter-like consistency. Its fluffy texture is created through the whipping process during purging. Its color lies somewhere between yellow and brown. Moreover, it is rich in terpenes, is easy to handle, and perfect for dabbing.
Crumble has a dry, powdery, and crumbly consistency. It is formed by purging the extract at low temperatures. Its color ranges from light yellow to dark yellow. Moreover, its crumbly texture makes it perfect for sprinkling over a bowl or in a joint.
Shatter is a thin, hard, and brittle glassy concentrate that breaks like glass. It is translucent with a golden hue and resembles caramelized sugar after it has hardened. It is mostly dabbed.
Honeycomb wax lives up to its name and has a honeycomb-like porous texture. It is light in color and is well known for its flavorful terpene profile. Honeycomb wax is easy to store and use as it is less sticky than its counterparts.
If you are worried about the shelf life of your cannabis products, our guide on Do weed carts expire will surely be helpful.
Tools You Need to Dab Cannabis Wax
To start dabbing, you need the following essential tools:
Cannabis Wax
First and foremost, you need to have the cannabis concentrate of your choice, that is, cannabis wax, in this case.
Dab Rig
A dab rig is specially designed to vaporize cannabis concentrates. A dab rig consists of:
Mouthpiece: It is the glass pipe through which the user inhales the cannabis vapors.
Chamber: It is the place where water is added, and when vapors pass through the water, it helps make the vapor smoother and cooler before the user inhales it.
Dab Nail or Banger: It is the part of the dab rig that gets heated. Moreover, you also deposit the cannabis wax on it, which ultimately gets vaporized. It is usually made from materials that can withstand high temperatures easily, such as Quartz.
Carb Cap: It is placed over the nail to ensure that vapors won't escape into the air when vaporized. It also helps regulate the airflow and temperature.
Dab Torch
A butane torch is generally used to heat the nail to the required temperature.
Nowadays, e-nails are also available in the market, serving as a safer alternative to traditional nails. They themselves get heated to a particular temperature.
No doubt, they are a bit on the expensive side compared to regular nails, but they will surely come in handy for anyone nervous about using a blowtorch.
Dab Tools
Dab tools are tiny spoons or hooks that are used to scoop out cannabis wax from its container and place it on the dab nail.
Alternatively, you can also use a dab pen. Now, if you are new to this tool and are wondering, what is a dab pen? It is designed for on-the-go dabbing.
They are easy to use and somewhat similar to vape pens, but instead of prefilled cartridges, you can use the concentrate of your choice in your dab pen.
How to Dab Cannabis Wax?
Now, let's address the elephant in the room and walk you through the step-by-step process of how to dab cannabis wax:
Set Up the Dab Rig
First things first, make sure that there is no combustible material in your surroundings. Now, take the dab rig and add water to its chamber.
You can suck on the stem to check whether the water level is right. The water level is right when you can make bubbles in the water without any water splashing back into your mouth.
Afterward, insert the dab nail into the rig.
Serve Your Dab
Now, using the dab tool, scoop out a small amount of cannabis wax from its container.
A good starting point would be about half the size of a rice grain, as it is highly potent; therefore, it is a smart move to start with a low dose.
It is worth mentioning that if you are new to dabbing, it is better to first go for a cold start that involves applying a small amount of cannabis wax on the cold nail.
Afterward, the carb cap is closed, and the nail is heated using the blowtorch. Once the wax starts to bubble, it is ready to hit.
Remember that a cold start provides the best-tasting dab, but on the other hand, it produces fewer psychoactive effects compared to a hot start.
Heat the Nail
Now, if you want a stronger hit and an intense high, a hot start might be the one you want to go for. The process involves heating the nail using the blowtorch.
Rather than sticking to a particular place, you need to move the flame around the perimeter of the nail.
Now, after about 30-60 seconds, when you see that the nail is red hot, turn off the torch and set it down. You will need to experiment with different temperatures to determine the best one.
Allow the Nail to Cool
Now, let the nail cool for about 20-30 seconds, which will help prevent burning the cannabis wax. Burning can not only ruin the flavor by making it bitter but also be harsh on your lungs.
It is worth mentioning that you can use e-nails or an infrared thermometer to measure the precise temperature of the nail.
Moreover, we recommend maintaining a temperature between 420°F and 575°F, as this range ensures flavorful dabs.
Remember that the higher the temperature, the less the flavor and the more the psychoactive effects of THC wax.
Apply Cannabis Wax to the Nail
Now, once your nail is at the optimum temperature, apply a small amount of cannabis wax to it. It will be vaporized instantly; therefore, you should inhale the vapors through the mouthpiece of your rig.
Now, exhale, and you will be hit with a cerebral buzz followed by a body high that you have never experienced before.
It is up to you whether you want to stop or take another hit. One session is usually enough for beginners, but if you still want to go on, remember to wait and let the previous effects set in completely before going on to round two.
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Conclusion
The whole process of how to dab cannabis wax might seem a bit intimidating at first, but with a bit of trial and error, you can enjoy the best cannabis experience of your life.
If done right, with its fast-acting onset and intense effects, it provides you with a smoother and cleaner experience than traditional smoking.
Just remember to be responsible, know your limits, start low, and go slow. So, choose a relaxing environment, set up some light music, stay well-hydrated, and enjoy your dabbing.