Cannabis concentrates are definitely catching on here in the Mat-Su Valley, which is changing the way people enjoy cannabis. Modern technology allows trained professionals to extract only the most desirable elements from cannabis plant material. Some people find that cannabis concentrates offer more intense experiences of the most appealing aspects of the plant. Some of the biggest reasons people choose cannabis concentrates include the following:
- Cannabis concentrates are loaded with cannabinoids. With regular levels around 80% THC concentration, extracts offer multiple times more THC than what you can get from even the strongest flower. This is appealing to people who want to get more from less.
- Concentrates produce vapor instead of smoke. Cannabis, like any other plant, produces ash and tar when burned. Concentrates don’t leave so many dirty contaminants behind in your pipe, mouth, and lungs because they can be vaporized. There’s not so much plant material to be combusted, and you’re mostly vaporizing cannabinoids and terpenes.
- The process is fun. If you’re tired of blunts, joints, and bowls, you may find that a new dab rig brings a welcome freshness to your routine.
- Cannabis concentrates taste great. Since many extraction processes are targeting terpenes and flavonoids in addition to cannabinoids, the flavor is supercharged.
Vaporizing cannabis concentrates requires different tools than smoking traditional flower. While vape pens are always an option for anyone who wants the most convenient experience possible, some types of cannabis concentrates require a slightly more involved process. That’s where dab rigs come in.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Dab Rig
Everyone buys dab rigs for the same purpose: to vaporize dabs. It’s a little bit more nuanced than that, though, because the rig you choose will depend on your preferences and lifestyle. Think about where and how you want to operate your rig, what kind of concentrates you prefer, and how much you want to spend.
It’s also important to consider what matters to you in terms of style. Would you rather use a creative water pipe for the base of your dab rig, or get a sleek new model from a high-end glass company? There are all kinds of options available, so keep the following things in mind next time you’re shopping for a dab rig. Read more about tips for dabbing wax, shatter & rosin.
Types of Dabs
Most dab rigs can handle just about any type of cannabis concentrate. Still, they all have their own strengths and weaknesses. Depending on what and where you want to dab, pick the dab rig and accessories that will be right for the job. Do you normally buy shatter, wax, live resin, something else, or a variety of concentrates? Don’t hesitate to ask about the best rigs to match your specific style.
Dab Rig Accessories
Once you commit to a good dab setup, you may also want to add some of the following accessories:
- Bangers
- Dab Torches – normal lighters aren’t hot enough to dab efficiently
- Oil and Wax Storage
- Dabber Tools
- Carrying Cases
- Res Caps and Cleaning Supplies
- Reclaim Catchers
- Nails – choose from titanium, ceramic, quartz, and electronic nails
- Carb Caps
Dab Rig Size
Bigger isn’t always better. If you want something that’s easy to store or transport, a mini dab rig or nectar collector dab pipe might be best for you. If you’re looking for something that delivers bigger hits, though, it is a good idea to upgrade to a larger size.
Keep in mind that concentrates contain way more THC than flower, so you might not want to inhale so much vapor like you would with smoke out of a bong. Most people like to start small. If you start to want bigger hits, you can always commit to a larger rig in the future.
Durability
Unfortunately, many smokers have already experienced how easy it is to break glass. Some dab rigs are made of silicone or extra durable glass, so look for those if you’re worried about knocking the rig over. No matter what kind of legal cannabis paraphernalia you decide to buy, it’s always recommended to take good care of it. The following will help reduce the chances of breaking your rig:
- Put your rig away so it’s out of harm’s way, possibly even in a case.
- Consider storing parts separately so they don’t jostle against each other when you’re putting the dab rig away.
- Clean often. If you don’t let any gunk build up, you won’t have to scrub so hard that you risk breaking the glass.
Types of Oil Rigs
Aesthetics matter a lot to some people. Are you looking for something discreet, or something you can proudly display at home? Even beyond color and physical appearance, there are multiple different styles of dab rigs.
Dab Smoking Pipe or Vape Pen
If you’re looking for something small for on the go use, you can find waterless or mini dab rigs. For this type of need, vape pens may be the smallest and most discreet. You can even find some refillable pens that let you add your own concentrates instead of buying pre-filled cartridges.
Glass Dab Rigs
Most of the dab rigs you find will be made out of glass. There are all different shapes, styles, and percolation methods. The shape of the rig and the attachments you choose will all affect the types of hits you can get. Almost all of these options will require water.
Silicone Dab Rigs
Silicone dab rigs work just like glass dab rigs except that they’re normally not quite as intricate. Silicone rigs will look like plain tubes, but you can always jazz it up by picking a colorful one. The benefit of choosing this type of rig is that you don’t have to worry about breaking it as much (though some components may still be breakable).
Electric Dab Rigs
Also known as e-rigs, these are designed to be relatively portable and easy to use. Instead of requiring a torch lighter, the electric nail will heat itself up with battery power. With traditional nails, there’s always some guessing about how hot it is, but e-nails heat to a consistent temperature.
Convertible Dab Rigs
Some of our customers are looking for an all-in-one solution that can handle both flower and cannabis concentrates. As a result, it’s not uncommon for people to buy quartz bangers or nail attachments and use a normal bong as a dab rig. Make sure the pieces you buy will fit your bong. This solution works well enough with some bongs, but be careful until you know if the smoke will be too hot. Dab rigs are often specially designed to provide cooler hits.
Dab Rigs for Sale in Alaska
Bad Gramm3r is your one-stop cannabis shop in the Mat-Su Valley. Our dispensaries in Wasilla and Palmer also serve as head shops so you can find all of the accessories you need. You can shop for dab rigs and other tools during your same trip to buy cannabis concentrates. When you want a new dab rig to add to your collection, we’re ready to help you find one that appeals to you. Come visit us today in Alaska, and one of our knowledgeable budtenders will walk you through all of the options.
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