How to Take a Dab without a Rig
Dabbing is a popular method for consuming cannabis concentrates like wax, shatter, or rosin, typically using a dab rig. However, if you find yourself with dabs but no rig, don’t worry – there are several household methods you can use to enjoy your concentrates without traditional equipment.
Hot Knives Method
The hot knives technique is a classic and simple way to consume dabs without a rig. Here's how you do it:
Step 1: Heat two butter knives on a stove until they are hot, but not glowing red.
Step 2: Take a small amount of your dab and place it on one of the knives.
Step 3: Press the other hot knife on top of the dab, allowing it to vaporize.
Step 4: Use a straw or cut bottle to inhale the vapor.
This method works well but can be harsh on the throat and lungs, so it’s not recommended for large quantities.
Aluminum Foil Method
Aluminum foil is another quick solution.
Step 1: Place a small dab on a piece of aluminum foil.
Step 2: Heat the underside of the foil using a torch or lighter.
Step 3: As the dab vaporizes, inhale the vapor through a straw or a rolled-up piece of paper.
This method is easy, but make sure to be careful with the heat to avoid burning yourself or inhaling unwanted fumes.
Homemade Pipe Using Metal Straws
If you have metal straws at home, you can make a simple DIY pipe:
Step 1: Heat one end of the metal straw with your torch.
Step 2: Pick up the dab using the hot end of the straw, causing it to vaporize.
Step 3: Inhale from the other end of the straw.
While this isn't the most efficient method, it can work in a pinch.
Repurposing a Bong as a Dab Rig
If you already own a bong, you can easily repurpose it into a dab rig by using a few simple accessories. This method is a cost-effective way to enjoy dabbing without having to purchase an entirely new setup.
Find the Right Dab Nail
To convert your bong into a dab rig, you’ll need to replace the bong bowl with a dab nail. The key is to find a dab nail that fits your bong’s joint size. Nails come in a variety of sizes and materials, such as quartz, titanium, or ceramic. Choose one that fits the joint size of your bong, typically either 14mm or 18mm.
Using an Adapter (if necessary)
If your bong has a female joint (where the bowl or nail fits inside), and your dab nail has a male connector, you’ll need a male-to-male adapter. This will allow you to attach the dab nail to the female joint securely. These adapters are inexpensive and can be easily found at most head shops or online.
Avoid Using Bongs with Percolators
One thing to keep in mind when repurposing your bong is that bongs with percolators, while great for smoking flowers, are not ideal for dabbing. Percolators are designed to cool down and filter smoke, which is perfect for flowers, but when dabbing, they can filter out some of the terpenes. Terpenes are responsible for the flavor and aroma of your concentrates, so using a bong with a percolator could diminish the potency and taste of your dabs.
Accessories You’ll Need
In addition to the dab nail, you’ll also need a few other essential tools to make this setup work:
Torch: A butane torch is necessary to heat the nail to the right temperature for vaporizing concentrates.
Carb Cap: Once you place the dab on the heated nail, a carb cap helps regulate airflow, allowing you to vaporize the concentrate more efficiently.
Dabber Tool: This is used to apply the concentrate onto the nail. Dabbers come in various styles, and you can choose the one that works best for your needs.
How to Use Your Converted Bong
Once you have everything set up, the process is quite simple:
Heat the dab nail using your torch until it’s red-hot. Allow it to cool for about 30–60 seconds (depending on the type of nail) to reach the optimal temperature for dabbing.
Use the dabber tool to place a small amount of concentrate onto the nail.
Cover the nail with the carb cap and begin inhaling through the bong’s mouthpiece.
Rotate or move the carb cap to control airflow and vaporization for the smoothest hit.
Drop It in a Bowl
One of the easiest and most straightforward methods to enjoy wax (or other concentrates) is by dropping it into a bowl of flowers. Whether you’re using a bong, bubbler, or a traditional spoon pipe, this method allows you to combine the effects of both flower and concentrates without needing any special dabbing tools.
Prepare Your Flower
Start by packing your bowl about halfway full with ground cannabis flower. The flower serves as a base and buffer for the wax, preventing it from being directly exposed to the flame.
Collect a Dab of Wax
Use a metal dabber tool to collect a small amount of wax. Concentrates are much more potent than regular flowers, so you only need a small dab for a significant effect. If you don't have a dab tool, a metal paperclip can work in a pinch.
Drop the Wax onto the Flower
Carefully drop the wax onto the half-packed bowl of flowers. Position the dab in the center of the bowl to allow for even burning as you smoke.
Finish Packing the Bowl
Once the wax is in place, cover it with another layer of flower, packing the bowl the rest of the way. This top layer of flower protects the wax from direct exposure to the flame, ensuring that it heats slowly and vaporizes rather than burning. This way, you’ll preserve the potency and quality of the wax.
Light the Bowl Carefully
When you light the bowl, try to avoid directly igniting the wax. Instead, aim to light the flower at the top and create a slow, even burn, or "cherry." As the flower burns, the heat will vaporize the wax without scorching it, allowing you to inhale the full range of cannabinoids and terpenes without losing any potency.
Roll It in a Joint
Rolling wax into a joint is another popular way to enjoy concentrates without needing a dab rig. This method allows you to combine the effects of both flower and concentrates for a potent and flavorful experience. If you're familiar with rolling regular joints, the process is quite similar but with a few extra steps to incorporate the wax.
What You'll Need:
Cannabis flower
Concentrate (wax, crumble, shatter, etc.)
Rolling papers
A crutch or filter (optional but recommended)
A dab tool or something similar to handle the wax
Step 1: Prepare Your Rolling Paper and Crutch
Start by laying out your rolling paper on a flat surface. If you prefer, add a crutch or filter at one end to help with airflow and to prevent bits of weed from getting into your mouth while smoking.
Step 2: Spread the Flower
Sprinkle a layer of ground cannabis flower evenly along the rolling paper. This forms the base of your joint and provides structure for the wax. The amount of flower you use is up to you, but a thinner base will allow the wax to burn more evenly. Make sure to break up any large chunks to ensure a smooth roll and even burn.
Step 3: Add the Wax
Now it's time to incorporate the wax. The technique you use will depend on the type of concentrate you have:
For Crumble or Shatter: Break the concentrate into small pieces and sprinkle them evenly over the layer of flower. Make sure the pieces are spread out so they burn consistently throughout the joint.
For Wax or Budder: If you have a softer, stickier concentrate like wax or budder, you can roll it into a thin, snake-like strip. Gently place this strip in the middle of your flower. If you're handling a very sticky wax, it might be helpful to chill it in the fridge for a few minutes to make it easier to manipulate.
For Live Resin or Rosin: Since these concentrates can be gooey, try spreading a thin layer across the length of the flower, being careful not to get it directly on the paper.
Step 4: Roll the Joint
Once the wax is in place, roll the joint as you normally would. This step can be a bit tricky due to the stickiness of the wax, so handle it with care. Start by pinching the paper around the flower and wax to get an even roll. Slowly work your way up, tucking the paper and rolling it tightly, but not too tight as to restrict airflow.
Step 5: Seal and Twist
After rolling the joint, lick the adhesive strip on the rolling paper to seal it. Give the joint a final twist at the end to secure everything in place. Once sealed, you may want to gently roll the joint between your fingers to ensure an even distribution of flower and wax.
Step 6: Light and Smoke
Lighting a joint with wax takes a little more care than a regular joint. When you first light it, try to get an even cherry going by rotating the joint as you apply the flame. Wax burns at a higher temperature than flower, so you’ll want to ensure a slow, consistent burn to get the most out of both the cannabis and the concentrate.
Take slow, controlled puffs to avoid overheating the wax, which can make it burn too quickly. Wax tends to add a lot of potency, so even if you're used to smoking joints, take it slow, as this will be much stronger.
Turning Dabs into Edibles
If you don't have a dab rig or prefer a smoke-free option, cooking your wax into edibles is a fantastic alternative. While you won’t get the immediate effects that smoking or vaping provide, edibles made from concentrates offer a potent, long-lasting high that can be stronger than traditional flower-based edibles.
Step 1: Decarboxylate the Concentrate
Before you can cook with wax, you need to decarboxylate (decarb) it. This process activates the THC in the concentrate by converting THCa into THC, making it bioavailable when consumed. Here’s how to do it:
Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 230-250°F (110-120°C). Wax and other concentrates are heat-sensitive, so keep the temperature low to avoid burning off valuable cannabinoids and terpenes.
Prepare the Concentrate: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Spread your wax evenly across the surface, breaking it into smaller pieces if necessary.
Bake the Wax: Place the baking sheet in the oven for 20-30 minutes. Keep an eye on it to ensure the wax doesn’t overheat or bubble too much. Once done, the wax will look slightly melted but not burnt. It’s now decarboxylated and ready for infusion.
Step 2: Infuse the Wax into Butter or Oil
The next step is to infuse your decarboxylated wax into a fat, such as butter or oil. THC binds to fats, which makes these ingredients ideal for extracting cannabinoids from the wax. Here’s how to infuse it:
Choose Your Fat: Select butter, coconut oil, olive oil, or any other cooking oil you prefer, depending on the recipe you're making. Coconut oil is often favored for its high-fat content, which absorbs THC efficiently.
Heat the Fat: In a small saucepan, heat your butter or oil on low heat. You don't want the mixture to get too hot, so keep the temperature around 160-200°F (70-93°C). Stir frequently to prevent burning.
Add the Wax: Once the butter or oil is melted and warmed, add the decarboxylated wax. Stir it in gently and allow the concentrate to dissolve completely into the fat. This process should take around 20-30 minutes.
Strain (Optional): If you’re worried about any impurities or undissolved concentrate, you can strain the butter or oil through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to ensure a smooth texture.
Step 3: Use the Infused Fat in Recipes
Now that you’ve infused the wax into butter or oil, it’s ready to be used in any recipe that calls for fat. The possibilities are endless—cookies, brownies, sauces, even savory dishes like pasta or stir-fries can all be enhanced with a cannabis kick.
Note:
Dosage
Edibles made with concentrates are extremely potent, so it’s important to dose carefully. When substituting wax for flower in a recipe, remember that concentrates can contain anywhere from 60% to 90% THC, compared to 10-30% for regular cannabis flower. This means you’ll need much less wax to achieve the desired effects.
Start with a very small amount of wax (about 0.1-0.25 grams) in your infusion, especially if you’re new to edibles. You can always increase the dosage in future batches if you find the effects are too mild.
Effects Take Longer
Unlike smoking or vaping, edibles take much longer to kick in because they need to be digested and metabolized by your liver before the THC enters your bloodstream. Expect to feel the effects anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours after eating, depending on your metabolism and what you’ve eaten that day.
Load It into a Vape Pen
Vaping dabs with a vape pen is a popular method for consuming concentrates, offering a convenient and efficient way to enjoy wax without the need for a traditional rig. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to load wax into a vape pen and get the most out of your dabbing experience.
Step 1: Prepare Your Wax
Start by gathering your wax and a metal dabber. Make sure the dab is small to avoid overloading the atomizer. A small dab ensures even heating and prevents wastage.
Step 2: Disconnect the Atomizer
Remove the atomizer from the battery chamber. This allows you to access the heating element where you'll place your wax.
Step 3: Apply the Wax
Carefully dab a small amount of wax onto the coil or heating element of the atomizer. Avoid letting the dabber come into direct contact with the coil to prevent any damage. The coil should be cool or at room temperature when you apply the wax.
Step 4: Reassemble the Vape Pen
Once the wax is applied, reconnect the atomizer to the battery chamber. Ensure all connections are secure to avoid leaks or malfunctioning.
Step 5: Attach the Mouthpiece
Place the mouthpiece on top of the atomizer. Make sure it's firmly attached to ensure proper airflow and to avoid any spillage.
Step 6: Power Up
Turn on the vape pen by clicking the button a few times (usually five clicks) to activate it. Some pens have adjustable temperature settings; if yours does, set it to the recommended temperature for wax, which is typically between 315-450°F (157-232°C). Lower temperatures preserve more terpenes and provide smoother hits, while higher temperatures offer thicker vapor but may degrade some of the flavor.
Step 7: Start Vaping
Press and hold the power button while inhaling slowly through the mouthpiece. Inhaling too quickly can lower the temperature and reduce vapor production. A slow, steady draw allows the wax to heat evenly, ensuring a smooth and flavorful vaping experience.
Invest in a Rig or Dab Straw
If you plan on using dabs regularly, it's worth investing in proper equipment. You can find affordable rigs or dab straws at smoke shops or online for as low as $30. This will give you a cleaner and more efficient way to enjoy your dabs.