Dabbing requires heating a nail and dabbing the concentrate onto it. When the heat hits the concentrate, it turns the concentrate into smoke. The temperature is key in this process.
Too low of a temperature will cause the concentrate to puddle on the surface. Too high of a temperature will cause the concentrate to burn too quickly, messing with the flavor of your hits.
FAQs
Cold vs. Hot Dabs
Ultimately, the best dab temp is the one that works best for you and the specific type of concentrate that you are using.
Low-temperature dabbing is ideal if you want a slow release and a gradual build-up of effects. You get a better quality of flavor, and you don’t run the risk of burning away the terpenes. Also, the inhalation tends to be smoother when you opt for low temperatures.
High-temperature dabbing is good for producing instantaneous and potent effects. The high that comes from this type of dabbing is much more intense and immediate, making it particularly useful for people who suffer from chronic pain.
If you are a newcomer to dabbing, it may be best to start with lower temps. The thick smoke produced from higher temps can cause throat pain and coughing. Also, you could potentially burn off some of the THC and terpenes.
Best Dab Temperature
One common question amongst people who dab is, “What is the best temperature for dabbing?” Different temperatures produce different effects. Depending on your preferences, you may wish to dab at a high or low temperature.
High-temperature dabs produce immediate and potent effects that only take a few minutes to activate. Low-temperature dabs produce more moderate effects and gradually over time.
To discover which method you prefer, don’t hesitate to experiment with both. That way, you can find the perfect dab temp for you. Here are some temperature ranges to try:
500-540°F
This temperature range is ideal if you want to savor the terpene profile of whatever concentrate you are dabbing. Lower temperatures are perfect for hashes without solvent. Hash rosin and ice wax are a couple forms that don’t require a lot of heat.
However, these forms don’t operate in the same way that hydrocarbon extracts do. Hydrocarbon extracts undergo a de-waxing process. With de-waxing, the fats and lipids are removed from the cannabis to purify the concentrate.
Hash forms that are less processed tend to leave some residue after a dab. This isn’t a problem, but it’s worth mentioning. Simply wipe with a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol to remove the residue.
You can lower your temperature range even more if you like. However, you should note that one byproduct of lower temperatures is puddling. Puddling is when a small pool of hash oil that didn’t vaporize collects on your nail.
Many people don’t mind this. Puddling can be a sign that you haven’t created the combustion of any non-essential compounds in the concentrate. On the other hand, some people think it’s wasteful. The 500-540°F range should prevent puddling while still delivering flavorful hits.
545-570°F
This temperature range is what most people call the sweet spot. If you don’t have an e-nail, you should consider getting one. They can give you an accurate temperature reading for the heater coil. This way, you can track your temperatures to obtain the perfect dab temp.
This range is particularly useful for hydrocarbon extracts like sugar resin, honey crystal, shatter, and live resin. Dabbing these substances in this temperature range will fully vaporize the concentrate and maximize the intensity of the effects. At this range, you shouldn’t have any issues burning the terpenes, which are heat sensitive.
Over 600°F
While it is less common, sometimes people opt for a hotter dab. Isolates like crystalline THCA and CBD are a couple of the substances for which you may want to use a hotter temperature. Again, this comes down to preference. There are a few reasons why hotter temperatures are great for these types of concentrates.
THCA is the chemical precursor to THC. To obtain the euphoric effects for which THC is known, THCA must be converted to THC through a process called decarboxylation. This process occurs naturally when cannabis flowers dry. It is also used when making edibles from concentrates. Using heat, you can expedite the process.
When dabbing substances like crystalline THCA, the heated nail creates the decarboxylation process. This conversion is still possible using lower temperatures, but it is much faster with higher heat.
Summary
To discover what temperature range you like best, experiment with different styles of dabbing. What works for some people may not work for you. That’s why it’s essential that you develop your own preferences to find the best dab temperature and to truly master the art of dabbing.