Concentrated Herb Guide

Dab Rigs (Concentrate Water Pipes)

Dab rigs are water pipes specifically designed for concentrated products. Since concentrates are more potent than flower, you typically need only one or two inhalations per session. Dab rigs are available in traditional styles (torch-heated), electric models (battery-powered), or convertible designs that work with both materials.

Common styles: standard glass rigs with a joint for a banger or nail, recycler rigs that loop water for extra cooling and smoothness, mini or micro rigs that keep vapor dense and flavorful, and e-rigs that build heat and control into an all-in-one electronic package.

Materials: borosilicate glass rigs for clean flavor, quartz bangers for excellent heat retention and flavor, titanium or ceramic nails for durability and specific heating characteristics, and silicone rigs with glass or quartz inserts for tough, travel-ready setups.

Best for:

• People who regularly use concentrates and want proper tools.
• Strong effects in just one or two hits.
• Flavor hunters who like exploring different temperatures.

Not as good for:

• Complete beginners who aren't ready for concentrate potency.
• Very discreet use, since rigs still produce visible vapor and some smell.
• Anyone who doesn't want to learn torch timing (unless they choose an e-rig).

Typical price ranges: Budget rigs around $50–$120, mid-range rigs and some e-rigs $120–$300, and premium heady glass or flagship e-rigs $300 and up.

Why try a dab rig: If you're already using concentrates or want to explore them, a dedicated rig provides cleaner flavor, better control, and more efficient use of your material than improvised setups.

Concentrate Vaporizers

These portable devices heat concentrates quickly and discreetly, producing minimal odor. Concentrate vaporizers are convenient for both home and travel use, offering precise temperature control and efficient consumption.

Common types: wax pens with small coils or cups for wax and oils, nectar collectors you dip directly into concentrates, portable e-rigs that function like mini dab rigs in the hand, and simple cartridge batteries for pre-filled concentrate carts.

Heating and materials: quartz coils and cups for strong, flavorful hits, ceramic coils and cups for smooth and gentle vapor, stainless steel chambers for durability, and glass mouthpieces for improved taste.

Best for:

• Discreet concentrate use with less smell and minimal gear.
• People who want dab-like effects without a torch and full rig.
• Travel, outdoor use, and small-space sessions.

Not as good for:

• Giant "show-off" clouds that big glass rigs can provide.
• People who don't use concentrates often and might not need more than a basic nail.
• Users who strongly prefer the ritual of a full dab rig setup.

Typical price ranges: Budget pens around $25–$70, mid-range devices and some e-rigs $70–$180, and premium e-rigs or advanced multi-mode pens $180 and above.

Why try a concentrate vaporizer: If you enjoy the potency and flavor of concentrates but want something compact, low-maintenance, and easy to use on the go, concentrate vaporizers are a great choice.

Accessories for Concentrate Devices

Carb caps, bangers, and quartz inserts are essential components for optimal dab rig performance. Terp pearls enhance vapor quality and distribution, ensuring you get the most from your concentrates. Dab tools help you handle sticky materials safely and precisely.

Common accessory types: quartz, ceramic, and titanium bangers or nails; carb caps that help control airflow and temperature; terp pearls and inserts to spread heat and concentrate; and dab tools designed to pick up and place different textures of concentrates.

Materials: quartz for clean flavor and quick heating, titanium for long-lasting durability, ceramic for smooth and even heating, and glass or metal dab tools for safe, precise handling.

Best for:

• Anyone using dab rigs or e-rigs who wants consistent, efficient dabs.
• Maximizing flavor and reducing waste from concentrates.
• Dialing in low-temp, flavorful hits as well as stronger, hotter dabs.

Not as good for:

• People who only use cartridges or simple concentrate pens.
• Minimalists who don't want extra parts or tools.

Typical price ranges: bangers and nails around $15–$80, carb caps $10–$60, terp pearls and inserts around $5–$40, and dab tools $5–$30.

Why try concentrate accessories: These tools unlock the full potential of your concentrates, giving you better flavor, smoother hits, and more control over each session.

Bangers for Dab Rigs

Bangers are the bucket-shaped pieces you heat and place concentrates into on a dab rig. The right banger can change how evenly your concentrate vaporizes, how long it holds heat, and how easy it is to keep clean.

Common styles: flat-top bangers that work with most carb caps, slanted-top designs, thermal or double-walled bangers that help retain heat, round-bottom styles that are easier to clean, and auto-spinner designs made for terp pearls.

Materials: quartz for clean flavor and quick heating, ceramic for gentle, even heat, and titanium for heavy-duty durability and fast recovery between dabs.

Best for:

• People who want better flavor and more consistent dabs.
• Dialing in low-temp dabs or longer heat retention.
• Pairing with carb caps and terp pearls for advanced setups.

Not as good for:

• Total beginners who are still learning the basics of dabbing.
• People who aren't sure what joint size their rig uses.

Typical price ranges: basic quartz bangers around $15–$40, upgraded or thicker-walled options $40–$80, and premium or specialty bangers higher than that.

Why try a better banger: Upgrading your banger can dramatically improve taste and consistency. It's one of the most important parts of a dab rig once you move beyond the basics.

Electric Nails (E-Nails)

Electric nails, or e-nails, use a controller and heating coil (or an all-in-one device) to keep your dab surface at a steady temperature. Instead of using a torch, you set your preferred heat and let the device maintain it for you.

Common styles: coil-and-controller kits that wrap around a compatible nail or banger, and all-in-one e-nail heads or e-rigs with built-in temperature control and displays.

Materials: coils and control boxes in metal and heat-resistant components, nails in quartz, titanium, or ceramic depending on the style and brand.

Best for:

• People who dab frequently and want consistent results without guessing.
• Finding a personal "sweet spot" temperature and leaving it there.
• Reducing reliance on butane torches and manual timing.

Not as good for:

• Travel or ultra-portable setups that need to be battery-only.
• Very casual dabbers who won't benefit from the extra investment.

Typical price ranges: simpler e-nail setups can start around $80–$150, while more robust or brand-name controllers and heads can run $150–$300+.

Why try an e-nail: If you're dabbing regularly and want precise, repeatable results with less guesswork, an electric nail can make your rig feel more like a dialed-in home appliance.

Terp Pearls for Dab Rigs

Terp pearls are small spheres (or pills) that spin around inside your banger when you use the right carb cap and airflow. They help move concentrate and heat around, leading to smoother, more even vaporization.

Common styles: simple quartz pearls, higher-end ruby or sapphire-style pearls, and specialty shapes like capsules, pillars, or "pills" made to spin inside certain banger designs.

Materials: quartz for durability and clean performance, and premium ruby/sapphire-like materials for serious enthusiasts who want extra heat retention and style.

Best for:

• Users who already have a banger and carb cap setup they like.
• Low-temp or medium-temp dabs where even vaporization really shines.
• People who enjoy customizing the feel and motion inside their banger.

Not as good for:

• Total beginners who are still learning basic timing and temperature.
• Anyone who tends to misplace small parts easily—they're tiny!

Typical price ranges: basic quartz pearls around $5–$20 per set, upgraded or branded pearls $20–$50+, especially for premium materials.

Why try terp pearls: Once you're comfortable with dabs, terp pearls are a fun, functional upgrade that can help your concentrates vaporize more evenly and efficiently.

How to Dab Using a Banger on a Dab Rig

Dabbing with a banger on a dab rig is all about timing, gentle heat, and staying safe around hot glass or quartz. Once you learn the basic flow, it becomes a simple, repeatable ritual.

What you'll need: a dab rig with a banger, a dab tool, carb cap, small amount of concentrate, and isopropyl alcohol or cleaning swabs for after your hit.

Basic steps:

1. Fill your rig so the water just covers the percolator slits or holes—enough to bubble, but not splash into your mouth.
2. Use your dab tool to pick up a small amount of concentrate and set the tool aside where it won't touch anything.
3. Heat the outside and bottom of the banger evenly until it's visibly hot (avoid pointing the flame at joints or one spot for too long).
4. Let the banger cool down for a short moment so it's not glowing hot—this helps protect flavor and reduces harshness.
5. Gently place the concentrate into the warm banger while you inhale through the rig, keeping your pull slow and steady.
6. Place the carb cap over the banger to direct airflow and spin the vapor around, then finish your inhale.
7. Exhale, then use a cotton swab (dry or with a little isopropyl, once cool enough) to wipe out any leftover residue.

Tips for smoother dabs:

• Start with very small dabs until you know your comfort level.
• Keep your banger clean so each session tastes fresh.
• Always handle hot glass carefully and set your rig on a stable, flat surface.

How to Use a Butane Torch to Heat a Dab Rig

A butane torch makes it easy to get your banger or nail up to temperature, but it's important to use it calmly and safely. Think of it like using a kitchen torch—controlled, focused, and never rushed.

Before you start:

• Make sure your rig is on a stable, heat-resistant surface.
• Check that your torch is filled with butane, pointed away from your face, hair, clothing, and anything flammable.
• Know where the flame adjustment and ignition buttons are before you light it.

Heating with a torch:

1. Hold the torch so the flame points at the outside and bottom of the banger or nail, not directly at joints or the rig itself.
2. Move the flame in small circles or passes so you heat the surface evenly instead of roasting one spot.
3. Turn off the torch as soon as the surface is fully heated—keep it pointed away from people while you click it off.
4. Set the torch down in a safe place where it can't roll, fall, or tip.
5. Allow the banger a little time to cool before applying concentrate so it isn't painfully hot to inhale from.

Safety tips:

• Never leave a lit torch unattended.
• Keep torches, hot glass, and rigs out of reach of kids and pets.
• Let all hot surfaces cool fully before you try to move or clean them.

How to Use an Electric Nail (E-Nail)

An electric nail replaces the torch with a controller and heating coil, keeping your dab surface at a steady temperature. Once it's set up, the process is very consistent and beginner-friendly.

What you'll need: a dab rig, compatible e-nail (coil and controller or all-in-one unit), power outlet, dab tool, carb cap, and a small amount of concentrate.

Basic steps:

1. Attach the e-nail coil or head to the compatible banger or nail according to the manufacturer's instructions.
2. Plug the controller into a safe power outlet and turn it on.
3. Set your desired temperature on the controller—many people start on the lower side for smoother, more flavorful hits.
4. Wait for the controller to indicate that it has reached temperature (most units have a display or light).
5. Load a small amount of concentrate onto your dab tool, then gently place it onto the heated surface while inhaling through the rig.
6. Use your carb cap to direct airflow and finish your hit, then exhale.
7. After your session, turn off and unplug the controller and allow the nail and coil to cool completely before touching or moving them.

Good habits with e-nails:

• Start at lower temps and adjust slowly until you find what feels best.
• Keep the nail clean by gently wiping out residue between hits once it cools a bit.
• Never wrap or compress a hot coil—let it cool fully before moving or storing.