Dab rigs are among the most popular tools to consume concentrates and essential oils. Dab rigs come in various shapes and sizes and the effects of consumption vary from one to the next. If dabbing is new to you, or if you have been an avid consumer, you’ll want to know that you have the best dab accessories in 2022 available to enhance your experience and protect your dab rig.
Dabbers, carb caps, dab nails, and torches are the basic dab accessories and you’ll want to have these ready to go when you use your dab rig. In addition, there are other dab accessories that we would not anyone to be without, namely – those newer tools which aid in the process of dabbing and which will help keep your dab rig stable and protect it from accidental tipping over and breaking (see #7 in our list).
#7 – Quartz Banger (Nail)
A banger is a tool which holds the concentrates on the dab rig. It’s purpose is the keep a perfect even temperature for vaporizing the concentrate and releasing the concentrate’s terpenes. Bangers come in different sizes and are made from differing materials. The size and specs of the banger nail that you will need will depend on the gender and size of your dab rig’s joint and the material you choose will depend on your preferences.
Choosing the size and specs of your banger will depend on your dab rig. Most dab rigs will have 10mm, 14mm, or 18mm joint sizes. You will want to buy a banger with the same size mm as the mm size of the rig. Also you will need to know whether you have a 45 degree or 90 degree joint angle on your rig and pick a banger with the same angle. Finally, if you have a mail joint on your rig you will need to purchase a female banger, and vice versa
Choosing the material is another consideration. Bangers can be made of glass, ceramic, or Titanium. Titanium nails are the most durable but can give a metallic taste into the concentrate and takes a long time to cool down, ceramic nails product a better flavor but heat slower, and glass bangers can shatter if overheated and do not hold the heat well.
A quartz banger is the recommended material. The nail faces the most amount of heat and the heating component is a large part of the decision on which material to select. A quartz banger can be heated over and over in the same location without much susceptibility to cracking if it is overheated. Further, a quartz banger is easy to clean, gives a good flavor, is best at optimally slow heating the concentrate, and aids in retaining most terpenes when it is heated. A quartz banger also does not need to be seasoned first like some other bangers do. It does lose heat more quickly compared to some materials, but with the other beneficial factors in place it is still the our most recommended material for the banger.
#6 – Carb Cap
A carb cap is an essential part of dabbing. It is a piece that goes on top of domeless nails and helps restrict airflow, leading to heat being trapped inside the banger and letting you dab at lower temperatures. As terpenes are destroyed at high temperatures, using a carb cap to maintain a lower temperature is optimal. After you heat up your concentrate you will put the carb cap over the top of the banger. Carb caps allow for better airflow and give a more complete hit with improved flavor. Most carb caps are made from quartz, titanium or ceramic. It is best to match the material of the nail that you are using.
#5 – Dabber
A second must-have accessory to use your dab rig is a dabber. As the concentrates are sticky substances they can be tricky to work with. A dabber, also called a dab tool or a wand, is a tool that is used to manipulate the concentrates. The dabber can be used to measure out the concentrate into a precise dosages. Further, nails are very hot while in use and a dabber will allow you to apply the concentrate directly onto the hot surfaces that are used for dabbing.
There are different options in dab tools, ranging in material and styles. Among the most common materials are glass, quartz, ceramic, titanium and stainless steel. Some dab tool styles are hand blown glass, scoops, and paddles and blades.The choice of dabber style will depend largely on the type of concentrate that you are enjoying. Scoop and spoon shaped dab tools are best used with waxes and crumbles, as they are sticky concentrates and the miniature spoon shape allows you to gather the right amount of concentrate easily. These tools can also be used quite successfully with crystalline concentrates. Paddles and blades offer flexibility. These shapes are an in-between option compared to having a spoon or flat shaped alone. The portion that is scoop shaped works well when you need to scoop while the flat area is helpful for cutting pieces. There are also other shapes available such as pointed tab tools which help you to cut off the ideal amount of shatter and to point it to grab it and move it, and there are dabber tool kits which contain a variety of tools to use with varying concentrates.
#4 – Dab Torch
When dabbing you will want to raise the temperature of your nail high enough (over 400 degrees) to vaporize your concentrate, while keeping the temperature consistent. A regular lighter would not be sufficient to reach this high of a temperature and a dab torch is used when dabbing. The dab torch is gas powered and is handheld. There are choices in dab torches, from the type of gas to the size of the torch.
Dab torches are powered by either propane or butane, create a hot flame to heat up the banger, and are able to be refilled when the propane or butane run low. Deciding on which one to choose will come down to personal preference. Propane is harmful to inhale and does not disappear very quickly from the air after usage. Butane, on the other hand, is low toxicity and dissipates quickly and is a safer option. We recommend butane.
Dab torches are available in different sizes and with varying safety mechanisms and features. Common sizes run between 3 and 6 inches. Some torches contain safety features such as a lock and a mechanism that prevents the flame from activating quickly.
#3 – Temperature Reader
Infrared thermometers will help you enjoy your concentrates at the right temperature. Knowing what temperature your banger is at will allow you to stay at the amount of heat that you are aiming for and enjoy optimal heating of your concentrate. There are many dab temperature readers out there. We are recommending a well known and tested favorite, the Terpometer. It is easy to use and is precise. You can find one here on The Dab Lab. Photo credit: The Dab Lab.
#2 – E-Nail
An e-nail is an alternate option to using a torch and dab temperature reader. An e-nail is an electronic nail. The e-nail will allow you to heat your concentrate to the preferred temperature without dabbling with a torch and temperature reader to attain and maintain the heat. The e-nail contains its own heat-generating coil, which eliminates the need for a nail and torch. This can also mean a much more convenient dabbing experience, as you will no longer need to wait for the banger to heat and cool in between hits. You can simply specify the temperature and get a hit with much less effort than the traditional torch method. With an e-nail, you’ll place the coil around your banger (nail) and attach to your dab rig. Then it’s a matter of plugging in and setting your temperature.
#1 – Binger Clinger Dab Protector Stand
Don’t let anything happen to your rig! The Binger Clinger is the only product on the market tested and proved to keep dab rigs and glass bongs standing upright and protected from accidental tips and breakage.