Dabbing heats a cannabis concentrate on a hot surface and inhales the vapor. The concentrate turns to vapor without burning when the surface stays in range. Cannabinoids reach the bloodstream in minutes, faster than a swallowed tincture. This dab guide covers the equipment, the temperature range, the dose, and the tests to check before you buy.
What a dab is
A dab is a dose of concentrate, not a dose of cannabinoid. Concentrates run from about 40% to 99% cannabinoid by weight. CBD isolate sits above 99% CBD. Full spectrum CBD wax carries plant waxes, terpenes, and up to 0.3% THC.
Equipment
- Rig or bubbler: glass body with water filtration.
- Banger or nail: quartz or titanium surface that holds the heat.
- Carb cap: restricts airflow over the banger and keeps vapor dense.
- Dab tool: metal or glass pick for moving concentrate.
- Heat source: butane torch, or a coil e-nail with a temperature readout.
- Cotton swabs and isopropyl alcohol: for cleaning the banger after each dab.
Temperature
Most dabs land between 315°F and 450°F on the banger surface. THC vaporizes near 315°F. CBD vaporizes in the range of 320°F to 356°F. Terpenes break down above 400°F, so a hot dab tastes harsh and irritates the throat. Infrared readings on quartz run lower than the true surface temperature, and a cold-start banger with a cap removes most of the guesswork.
CBD dabs compared with THC dabs
CBD isolate is a crystal. It melts near 151°F and has no taste and no psychoactive effect. Full spectrum CBD wax tastes of the plant and can carry trace THC. A dab of CBD isolate needs a clean banger, since residue from a prior dab carries over into the next hit.
Dose
Start at 5 mg CBD. A common serving is 10 to 25 mg. A dab of 20 mg at 99% isolate is a piece about the size of a grain of rice. Inhaled CBD peaks in the blood in roughly 10 to 15 minutes and clears in 1 to 3 hours. Swallowed CBD peaks at 60 to 90 minutes. Data on inhaled CBD bioavailability is thin next to the oral data, so treat the numbers as a starting point.
Tests to check
Ask for a batch certificate of analysis. It should list cannabinoid potency, residual solvents, pesticides, heavy metals, and microbials. Butane-extracted concentrate needs a purge step, and a solvent panel shows the result. Do not dab tinctures, carrier oils, or e-liquid. Those products hold MCT oil or propylene glycol, and inhaled lipids harm the lungs.
Legal status in the US
Hemp-derived CBD is legal at the federal level under the 2018 Farm Bill, which caps THC at 0.3% on a dry weight basis. State rules differ. Some states restrict concentrate sales, require a license, or ban specific extraction methods.
Steps for a first dab
- Read the batch certificate of analysis.
- Load 10 to 25 mg of concentrate on the dab tool.
- Heat the banger, then let it cool into the 315°F to 450°F range.
- Touch the dab to the surface and place the carb cap.
- Inhale for 5 to 10 seconds, then set the rig down.
- Swab the banger while it is still warm.
A hot banger and a glass rig both cause burns. Keep the torch away from the water line and work on a stable surface.