In recent years, dab pens have exploded in popularity due to their distinct advantages over ways to enjoy cannabis. However, since they are relatively new many people often ask us – what is a dab pen, and how do they work? We’ll cover all that below and everything you could possibly want to know about them.
A dab pen is a small pen-shaped device used to heat cannabis concentrates at high temperatures to vaporize them. This vapor, which contains cannabinoids and terpenes, is then inhaled through the mouthpiece.
There may be some confusion surrounding this device as the market is already saturated with other products like portable vaporizers, vape pens, and dab rigs. Don’t worry, though; we’ll discuss how to use a dab pen and all the other important details below.
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Dab Pen Uses and Benefits
For those who do not know, concentrates are the cannabinoids and terpenes that have been extracted from cannabis flowers. Before the invention of dab pens, it was necessary to consume your concentrates through methods that required an external heat source.
The most common method was through something known as a dab rig, an intricate glass pipe that is normally heated by some kind of blowtorch. We will talk more about this manually activated method a little later on, but it is necessary to know that it is a relatively complex, not-so-portable method of getting high.
In this section, we run through all the advantages dab pens offer and then compare them against other methods of consuming cannabis extracts.
1. Portability: Dab pens are small, portable, and easy to take with you on the go. They are discreet, meaning that you can get a quick hit from your device without drawing any attention to yourself. This is particularly valuable when dabbing in regions where cannabis has not yet been legalized.
2. Efficiency: There is arguably no other method of blazing weed that is as effective as dabbing. A few small hits from a dab pen could deliver the same amount of THC to the system as smoking an entire joint, blunt, or taking multiple hits from a bong. This 2019 study by Forensic Science International examines THC absorption from dabbing when compared with smoking.
3. Variety: Some methods of consumption can limit your choices of concentrate. Most dab pens come equipped to deal with rosin, resin, wax, shatter or crumble. The better dab pens on the market have preconfigured settings that enable the user to switch between concentrates. Some of the better dab pens also have the option to vaporize cannabis buds, just in case you run out of concentrates to use.
4. Health: When you choose to dab, you are eliminating a lot of unnecessary material that has to be vaporized and put into your lungs. As concentrates are just the cannabinoids and terpenes extracted from the flower, it means you do not need to vaporize the entire bud to get high. Additionally, if you choose a healthier concentrate such as rosin, it excludes residual chemicals leftover from the extraction process.
5. Environmentally friendly: Vape pens are operated by the heating of prefilled vaping cartridges that contain liquids. These cartridges are generally non-recyclable and non-reusable, meaning that they are far from sustainable. By contrast, dab pens do not require cartridges, and therefore there is almost no waste associated with this method of consumption.
6. Budget-friendly: As we just mentioned, other methods of vaping concentrates rely on prefilled THC cartridges. With dabbing, you only need to purchase the concentrate and not the cartridge, so it ends up being a more cost-effective method to consume cannabis.
The main advantage is the healthy concentrates you can consume with it. Butane hash oil is an example of what you can consume with a pen, relying on the petrochemical to extract the oil from the flower. Although most of the butane evaporates in the purging process, it is impossible to get rid of it all. Rosin, by contrast, is extracted by the combination of heat and pressure. We will examine the different forms of cannabis concentrates in more detail a little later on.
It is also possible to consume CBD medical cannabis concentrates through a dab pen. This may be preferable for medical patients that require powerful doses of medicine without the associated health risks of vaping the entire flower. You can find out more about CBD concentrates by reading this article from Medical News Today.
How To Use A Dab Pen
Loading your dab pen will be the trickiest thing you encounter. Oils are sticky and can be difficult to control. Use a dab tool to load. Putting your concentrate in the refrigerator for a couple of minutes before loading can make it a lot easier to use.
Using the tool, select an appropriate amount of concentrate and place it into your bowl. Make sure your dab pen is set to the required configuration. Then make sure it is set to the right temperature. According to the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific device, turn on the dab pen and wait for it to heat up.
Once at the desired temperature, begin inhaling gently. If you are unaccustomed to consuming cannabis in concentrate form, it can be quite hard-hitting. We recommend taking it easy for your first experience, waiting a few minutes between drags to incrementally gauge how each individual drag affects you.
You should look to clean your device regularly, ideally after every single use. Below we offer some tips and tricks to get you started:
The Effects of Dab Pens
When you consume cannabis in its original form, the buds tend to range in potency between 15 to 30% THC. Some modern strains have been bred to higher levels than this. For comparison purposes, cannabis concentrates may contain a THC content of 80% or more.
This leads to powerful levels of intoxication that are sought after by more experienced and regular weed users. For an amateur or first-time user of cannabis, extreme caution is recommended when dosing. Consult someone who knows exactly what they are doing. Start on the smaller side, and use a device that has multiple temperature settings so that you can begin your dabbing journey with lower temperatures.
Over dabbing can cause an intense high that is actually uncomfortable for some so be careful when consuming cannabis concentrates.
Dab Pens Vs. Vape Pens
Vape pens come with pre-filled cartridges that contain a liquid. Known as e-liquids, these substances contain all the cannabinoids and terpenes that provide both the effects and aromas that weed has to offer.
However, these liquid concentrates include thinning agents to make them easier for the device to vaporize. There is no long-term data available to science on the health impacts of vaping these additives. There is widespread concern within the cannabis community that vape pens will reveal associated health problems further down the line. It is more reason to stick to pure concentrates derived solely from the cannabis flower.
With dab pens, you are free to choose your preferred concentrate without relying on non-recyclable, potentially health-damaging prefilled cartridges.
Dab Pens Vs. Portable Vaporizers
Portable vaporizers are convenient for those who like to consume their cannabis in multiple forms. Although some portable vaporizers like dry herb vaporizers are only designed to heat cannabis flowers, others have been designed as dual-use vaporizers, allowing the vaporization of both buds and concentrates.
Some issues are likely to arise from dabbers who use portable vaporizers. Cannabis buds are vaporized at lower temperatures than cannabis concentrates, and therefore you may find your device is incapable of reaching a high enough temperature for a thoroughly rewarding concentrate vaping experience.
Some dual-use vaporizers offer different calibration settings that enable the user to switch between buds and concentrates with a quick adjustment of the settings. This enables the device to jump from a flower-only maximum temperature of 419oF (215oC) to a concentrate maximum temperature of 500oF (260oC).
Portable vaporizers that offer concentrates compatibility will come with a special insert to make the process manageable. This may be in the form of a reusable cartridge, or it could be something as simple as a wire pad.
Dab Pens Vs. Dab Rigs
Dab rigs are intricate glass devices used to heat cannabis concentrates. They require an external heat source that is applied to a dab nail (also called a “banger”), which is essentially just a weed bowl, but for dabs.
Heat is normally provided through the use of a handheld blowtorch lighter. Once the dab nail is hot enough, the concentrate can be applied using a dab tool, commonly known as a dabber or wand. The concentrate heats rapidly and can be inhaled through a mouthpiece, similar in style to a cannabis smoker sucking from a bong.
Dab rigs can seem complicated to use, especially for a beginner dabber or someone experimenting with dab rigs for the first time. They involve other tools like the carb cap, which have to be used in the correct order to make the operation successful. There is a bit of an art to getting these things right, not to mention the high costs involved in buying quality parts. Many people are put off using dab rigs because of how complicated they are.
Dab rigs are also not practical to be used on the go and are far more suited to use at home. The sheer number of parts, combined with the fragility of glass and their conspicuous nature, make them impractical as a portable device.
Others simply do not like the look of dab rig use because it can seem as though you are consuming a certain drug that is far more powerful than cannabis, which is consumed in a similar way.
In short, dab pens are much safer to use as the heat source is internal. This can be negated by using an e-nail, which is an electronic method of heating the concentrates.
Many people burn themselves on the superheated surfaces of dab rigs and on the outer parts of blow torches that can remain hot for a long time following use. It is a good idea to have some form of specifically-designed holder for your blow torch to easily set it down after use.
One negative point of a dab pen when compared to a dab rig, is that it will require a couple of hits to get the same amount as one blast from a dab rig.
Which Concentrates Can Be Used in a Dab Pen?
Rosin Concentrates
Many people have not heard of rosin because it is a relatively new method of extraction. We wanted to mention it first because, if done properly, it provides unparalleled flavors and aromas. It is also considered the healthiest method as it does not require a solvent. Instead, it is separated by the mechanical application of heat and pressure.
This causes the trichomes, which are the resinous glands on cannabis buds that contain all the cannabinoids and terpenes, to separate from the rest of the plant. This oozes into a thick substance that is collected and can be instantly consumed.
It is possible to make your own rosin at home with a couple of simple household tools. In fact, you will just need a hair straightener, a small piece of unbleached parchment (baking) paper, and some kind of dabbing tool.
While the hair straightener is heating (to the lowest possible temperature setting), place your bud inside a folded sheet of parchment paper. When the straightener is at temperature, squeeze down on the bud for 3 to 10 seconds or until you begin to hear that sizzling sound. Unfold the paper and collect your rosin! It’s as simple as that.
Some strains of cannabis work better for rosin than others. Look for a trichome-covered strain high in THC or CBD. You can also make rosin out of kief and hash, which is extra useful because they can be messy when vaped in your dab pen.
Shatter
We now enter the realm of butane hash oils (BHO), which are extracted by the use of a hydrocarbon-based solvent. Shatter is a glassy, translucent substance with a honey-like yellow or orange tint.
It is made by passing the pressurized solvent through a chamber that contains the cannabis buds and other plant matter. The cannabinoids and terpenes are collected, along with the solvent, which is then purged with the application of heat.
You should realize that adding heat to a petrochemical can be extremely dangerous, and many people trying to extract shatter from cannabis have caused explosions and fires. If you do not know what you’re doing or have any doubts about the process, it is better left to the professionals.
Wax
This concentrate is another form of BHO, almost identical to shatter in every way except appearance. Instead of a glassy substance, the wax and crumble-like texture is the result of product manipulation during the purging process.
It can also be due to certain characteristic variations in different cannabis strains, which have different moisture contents and oil viscosities.
Budder
The extraction process for budder is identical to shatter and wax, but the resultant product is manipulated in a specific way to lend a butter-like appearance to this form of concentrate.
The extract is whipped on a plate at about 100 degrees Fahrenheit before being moved to a vacuum oven for 1 to 3 days to complete the purging process.
Which Concentrates T0 Avoid In A Dab Pen
Hash
It may be tempting to use different cannabis concentrates in your dab pen, although some of these are not going to end well for you. Hashish, or simply just hash, is a refined form of cannabis that should be avoided.
It is handmade in the Himalayas or beaten through a sieve in places like Morocco and is a concentrate that contains much more plant matter than the highly-refined extracts we mentioned above.
Due to this higher volume of plant matter, the hash does not evaporate nearly as well, meaning a sticky mess will be left in your chamber after every use. If you allow this resin to build up, the flavor you experience from your hash will be compromised and make future cleaning very difficult.
Kief
This is the powdery, crystal-filled substance that collects at the bottom of your grinder. These are the trichomes that have been snapped off your bud. The second you apply heat to these resinous glands, they become unbelievably sticky, and due to their dusty nature, they tend to get everywhere in all the cracks.
If you happen to get kief on your heating coil, you may as well just go out and buy a new one, because you are never getting it clean again (without breaking it). Like hash, your kief will still contain a decent amount of plant matter, and you have just glued it to the inside of your chamber.
If you want to use kief or hash in your dab pen, then follow the method outlined above to first turn them into rosin. If this does not appeal and you want to experience the pure vaporized flavor of some good quality hash, then you could consider putting it through a portable vaporizer that is designed for the purpose.
To point you in the right direction, we can recommend the Arizer Solo 2 and Storz and Bickel’s Mighty as two vaporizers with excellent hash and kief compatibility.
Factors To Consider When Choosing A Dab Pen
Some devices are going to be more suited to certain dabbers based on their individual preferences. A lot of smokers love the feeling of exhaling big, thick, room-filling vapor clouds. Others may not have that lung capacity or may be a little bit more sensitive to the vapor that concentrates produce.
As a rule, the more power you supply to a device, the higher the chamber temperature will be. This will produce a larger volume of vapor, but there will be a reduction in flavor and aroma. Conversely, the lower the power and temperature, the thinner the vapor, and ultimately the more flavor the user will experience.
Most dab pens available today offer preset factory settings that enable variable voltage control. Here’s the bottom line:
If you are looking for those big vapor clouds, then you should be looking at dab pens that have power levels exceeding 4 volts. If you prefer thinner vapor and more flavor, or if you are using your device for medical purposes, then a device that offers power settings between 2.5 – 3 volts should be sufficient.
You may also hear the term “510 thread’ used throughout the industry. It refers to the standard 5mm thread type that is used for different forms of vaporizers. Having this thread will allow your vaporizer to be compatible with different prefilled cannabis cartridges. A dab pen that does this well, including cartridge-recognition technology, is the G-Pen Micro+.
You will also want to consider how powerful the battery is. For people who mostly dab at home, this will not be as important a consideration because a charging point is always accessible. For those who do most of their dabbing outdoors or on the go, the battery life becomes a major factor.
The dab pens with the largest batteries currently available on the market have capacities between 1200 – 1400 mAh. If battery life is not a deciding factor, then you could consider products with capacities between 600 – 900 mAh.
How To Clean And Care For A Dab Pen
Cheaper coil heated dab pens are quite fragile and can break when cleaned, so care must be taken to avoid these areas. To clean your pen, use a cloth for the exterior and a Q-tip for the interior.
Immediately after use, remove any excess unvaped material from the chamber. Dip your Q-tip into isopropyl alcohol and run it around the chamber until all the goo has been removed. To finish, run a dry Q-tip around the chamber to remove any residual isopropyl alcohol that has been leftover from the cleaning process.
You may also find a buildup of resin inside threaded chambers. If the Q-tip has not done the job, then an extra tool like a small wire brush (or old toothbrush) should do the job just fine.
Summing Up:
Dab pens are also known as wax pens or resin pens. They are portable vaporizers especially designed for cannabis concentrates. They are pen-shaped and can easily be used on the go. They are relatively inexpensive when compared to portable vaporizers or dab rigs, and decent products can be purchased for between $40 to $150.
You can dab a range of concentrates in these devices, including rosin, shatter, wax (also known as crumble), and budder. The concentrates to avoid are hash, kief, and hash oils with lower viscosities.