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Last Updated on January 19, 2024 by Team Spinfuel
These days, it’s all about them dabs! The practice of making and smoking hash dates back to the 12th century, and it was first made by rubbing cannabis leaves together.
These days there are many different ways to make hash. One of the most effective methods for extracting THC from cannabis plants involves using butane as a solvent. The first butane hash oil, or BHO, was imported to the US in the 1970s.
It wasn’t until 1999 that people started making BHO themselves, many people using extraction techniques posted on psychoactive forums. By 2010, BHO won an award in the High Times Cannabis Cup, and it became a stoner staple from then on.
The dabs you do today are much stronger than classic brick hash. Are you thinking about getting a dab rig? Here’s a helpful guide when purchasing your own rig.
Things to Consider When Buying a Dab Rig
We get it, choice is hard. There are a lot of dab rigs out there. A lot of them are great, but we know you want just the right one. Here are the four main factors a seasoned stoner considers when purchasing a dab rig:
- Size
- Material
- Percolators
- Accessories
We all know money talks. Price is a major factor when buying a piece. That said, we’re only going to delve into three main points. The size, material, and percs and accessories are all factors that directly affect the price of a dab rig.
Size
Is bigger better? Not necessarily. A lot of people prefer smaller rigs with smaller mouthpieces.
There are a couple of advantages to this. A smaller rig tends to be more cost-effective. The smaller the chamber, the more concentrated the smoke. Smaller mouthpieces tend to be better for smaller dabs.
That said, larger rigs also have their own advantages. You vapor in your hit at once, though it will be less concentrated. A larger mouthpiece tends to be better for bigger hits. Bigger rigs also have more space for ice and percolators.
Which one is better? It’s usually a matter of preference. If you like the taste of the dab, we recommend getting a smaller rig. If you want to take bigger dabs, get a bigger one with an ice catcher.
Material
You’ve got a few options when it comes to materials. Not long ago, your typical dab rig was a glass body with a quartz nail. These days you have more options.
Nail Material
The part that you heat up with a blowtorch is either a nail or a little bucket called a “banger.” These are typically made of the following materials:
- Quartz
- Titanium
- Ceramic
- Scientific Glass
Quartz is the most popular material. It heats up faster than ceramic or titanium. Ceramic is the cheapest material, but also the least durable. Nails and bangers are pretty easy to purchase separately, so if a rig is otherwise perfect, don’t let this break the decision.
Rig Material
When it comes to rig material, there are two choices: glass or silicone.
Silicone has its place, though a lot of people aren’t huge fans. It’s far cheaper and more durable than glass, so if you’re getting a rig for a party house it’s a good choice. If you’ve got a big dog or a mischievous cat, you might want to go for silicone. It’s also the ideal material if you intend to take this rig to a music festival.
Silicone rigs all come with a quartz or titanium nail. There’s even a couple that have percolators, but you can build better percs with glass.
That said, most people prefer glass. It tastes better and most people prefer holding the rigid glass to the more flexible silicone. It’s easier to build features like ice catchers and percolators into glass rigs, but glass can break. Even the most careful glass owners typically expect to replace their glassware every couple of years.
Percolators
Not all dab rigs are created equal, some are a lot smoother than others. The percolators built into a dab rig can enhance the quality of your dab. There are many different types of percolators, but the general rule of thumb is more is better.
There are also dab rigs that are built to cycle the vapor several times in the rig. This makes the vapor extra smooth. These are called recycler rigs. They are on the higher end of dab rigs; they are more expensive but also provide the smoothest hit.
Accessories
Last but not least, we’ve got dab rig accessories. These are extras that make your dab session extra nice and can easily enhance a rig that maybe isn’t the greatest.
There are a bunch of dabbing accessories out there. Here’s a quick rundown of rig accessories and what they do.
- Carb cap – helps control airflow in a banger
- Reclaim catchers – an extension that comes with a silicone cup to catch excess concentrate
- Terp pearls – add heated surface area in the banger, preventing concentrate pooling
Don’t forget, if you’re not crazy about your nail or banger you can always get a better one. Some also come with terp slurpers or fitted carb caps.
How Much Does a Rig Cost?
That all depends on what you’re looking for. You can get a good glass rig with percs for less than $100. If you’re looking for a recycler dab rig, expect to spend between $100-300. Silicone is much cheaper than glass, and a decent silicone rig usually costs $40-60.
The right dab rig for you is largely a matter of preference. But if you’re totally lost and just want a recommendation, check out glass recycler rigs.
We hope you found this buyer’s guide for dab rigs helpful. Happy dabbing!
Further Reading:
50 States, So Where is Cannabis Legal in the United States?
Is Growing Cannabis In Ohio Legal?
How Is Good Commercial Cannabis Grown?
