Interested in cannabis concentrates? You’re not alone. Concentrates like cannabis wax, crumble concentrate, dab pen varieties, and more have exploded in popularity in recent years, according to experts. But this new cannabis paradigm has its own language, intimidating newer enthusiasts. That’s why in this post, we’re exploring common questions like “what are dabs,” “what’s a dab pen,” and “how do I use a dab rig?”
The Many Types of Cannabis Concentrates
While countless types of cannabis concentrates exist, they all follow the same fundamental philosophy. When an extractor creates a concentrate, they have one goal: to remove plant matter. By doing that, they leave the active ingredients of the cannabis plant (like cannabinoids and terpenes) behind.
To do that, extractors use solvents to “wash” cannabinoids and terpenes off of cannabis flower. Using different solvents, they can create CO2 oil, rosin, and butane hash oil (BHO). Each of these cannabis concentrates strives for the same goal. However, they go about achieving it differently. We’ll cover those differences below.
CO2 Oil
Seeking the “purest” type of cannabis concentrates? You may want to look into CO2 oil. This concentrate has a reputation for being the “cleanest” of all cannabis concentrates. That’s because it uses CO2 (the same stuff you exhale) as a solvent.
CO2 oil can take one of several appearances. Often, it appears as a tanish color. Less frequently, it appears as a pale white or clear substance.
BHO: Cannabis Wax, Crumble Concentrate, and More
Butane hash oil, better known by its abbreviation “BHO,” is one of the most popular types of cannabis concentrates today. BHO appears as a golden-hued substance that can take one of several consistencies. Cannabis wax, for example, comes in a sticky, semi-solid state. In contrast, crumble concentrate boasts a more solid formation but can break apart easily when you apply force. And yet another, live resin, refers to a type of concentrate made from fresh-frozen plants.
Regardless of its form, BHO is one of the most popular types of concentrates available today. Combining flavor with potency (often reaching 80% THC and above), cannabis connoisseurs consistently choose BHO as their go-to.
How to Use a Dab Rig: What are Dabs?
If you’re a regular cannabis consumer, chances are you’ve heard of dabs before. Not to be confused with the similarly-named dance move, dabbing involves vaporizing concentrates with a specialized device.
That device, known as a dab rig, separates concentrates from simply smoking flower. For those wondering how to use a dab rig, it’s not that hard. Just follow these steps:
- Gather Concentrate: collect a pea-sized amount of concentrate on the tip of a metal dabbing tool.
- Heat Dab Rig: use a creme brulee torch to heat the surface of your dab rigs’ nail (its specialized bowl piece). Heat it until red hot, then wait about 45 seconds to let it cool. In contrast, you could use a thermometer to dial-in your temperature between 450 and 550 degrees.
- Apply Concentrate and Inhale: after you’ve heated your nail, use a dab tool to apply some concentrate to it. While the concentrate vaporizes, inhale. Hold the vapor deeply into your lungs for as long as possible for maximum effects.
If you don’t think dab rigs are for you, try out a dab pen. They make consuming cannabis concentrates without a rig easy. Just push a button and inhale!
Excited to try cannabis concentrates or dab pens for yourself? Check out this full selection to find your new favorite extract!
