How to Use a Cannabis Dab Rig

Heat the banger with a torch, let it cool, drop in a piece of concentrate, cap it, and inhale. A dab rig runs in four steps: heat, cool, load, inhale. One full cycle takes about 90 seconds.

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What you need

1. Fill the rig with water

Pour water in until the downstem sits 1/4 inch under the surface. More water adds drag. Less water gives a hotter hit.

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2. Heat the banger

Hold the torch flame 1 inch from the banger. Move the flame around the walls and the floor. Heat for 30 to 45 seconds on quartz. Stop when the quartz turns light orange. A red glow means the quartz is too hot.

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3. Let it cool

Set a timer. Wait 30 to 60 seconds. The banger surface should sit at 315 to 480 F for a low-temp dab, or 480 to 600 F for a hot dab. An infrared thermometer reads the surface in one second. Without one, use the clock: 30 seconds for a 4 mm quartz banger, 45 to 60 seconds for thick walls. Oil on a 600 F surface burns and tastes like ash.

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4. Load the concentrate

Pick up 0.05 to 0.1 grams with the dab tool. Touch the tool to the banger floor. The oil melts and spreads. One rice grain is a standard dose for a new user.

5. Cap and inhale

Place the carb cap over the banger. Inhale through the mouthpiece for 5 to 10 seconds. Lift the cap on and off to pull the oil across the hot surface. Hold the vapor 1 to 2 seconds, then exhale. THC absorbs in seconds, so a longer hold adds nothing.

6. Clean the banger

Wait 20 seconds after the dab. Wipe the banger with a dry cotton swab. Then swab it with 91% isopropyl alcohol. A clean banger keeps the next dab from tasting burnt. Change the rig water every day.

Temperature and dose

Safety notes

A butane torch flame reaches 2,500 F. Keep the torch upright and away from curtains, paper, and alcohol. Refill butane outside. A dab delivers 40 to 80% THC in one hit, compared with 15 to 25% in flower. Start with one small dab and wait 15 minutes before a second.

Do not dab alone. Cannabis raises heart rate and can cause anxiety, nausea, and fainting at high doses. Call 911 for chest pain, trouble breathing, or a seizure.

Common mistakes