Beginner's Guide To Dabbers: What You Need to Know

Dabbers are becoming increasingly popular for using cannabis concentrates, thanks to their ability to deliver potent, flavourful hits. Whether you're new to dabbing or just curious about how dabbers work, this guide will go through everything you need to know. From understanding what a dabber is to learning the basics of using dabbers, we'll cover the different types of tools, how to get started, and tips for beginners to have a smooth, enjoyable experience.

At ICE Headshop, we stock an exciting range of dabbers, including glass, titanium, ceramic varieties, and high-quality dabber accessories. Take a look today, and don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about products in our online headshop.

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a natural compound found in cannabis plants, including hemp. Unlike THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), another well-known cannabinoid, CBD does not produce psychoactive effects, meaning it won't get you high. Instead, CBD is well-known for its potential therapeutic benefits, which include promoting relaxation, reducing anxiety, and alleviating pain and inflammation, all whilst being non-psychoactive.

Hemp flowers, also known as hemp buds, are the flowering tops of the hemp plant. These flowers are rich in CBD and contain only trace amounts of THC, making them ideal for those looking to enjoy the benefits of CBD without the psychoactive effects of THC.

Hemp flowers are harvested, dried, and sometimes ground for use in various CBD products, including teas, oils, and edibles. When brewed into tea, it's thought that hemp flowers can help relax the body and mind, support a good night's sleep, and offer relief from discomfort and stress.

You can buy CBD tea bags from our range of CBD drinks, or you can buy CBD hemp flowers and make CBD tea at home to your exact tastes and preferences.

When looking at how to make CBD tea at home, it's essential that

As stated, dabbers are used to apply cannabis concentrates like wax, shatter, and oils to a heated surface, typically as part of a dab rig setup.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on using dabbers and how the process works:

1. Heat the nail or banger: First, heat the nail or banger with a butane torch, which vaporises the concentrate. Heating times vary based on the material, but a general rule of thumb is that it should be hot enough to vaporise the concentrate without burning it.
2. Cooling time: After heating, let the nail cool for a few seconds to reach the desired temperature. Overheating can burn the concentrate, producing harsh hits, while underheating won’t fully vaporise it. Proper heat management ensures smooth, flavourful vapour.
3. Apply the concentrate: Once the nail or banger is at the right temperature, use a dabber tool to scoop or pick up the concentrate and carefully apply it to the heated surface. As the concentrate touches the surface, it vaporises almost instantly.
4. Inhale the vapour: While applying the concentrate, inhale the vapour through the mouthpiece of the dab rig. Inhaling slowly allows you to control the intake and enjoy the full flavour and effects of the concentrate.
5. Exhale and clean: After inhaling, exhale slowly and enjoy. Clean the nail or banger with a cotton swab to remove any residue and maintain the quality of your dabbing setup.

It's important to note that heat management is crucial in dabbing, as different concentrates have ideal vaporisation temperatures. Dabbing at a high temperature can degrade the concentrate's quality, while a low temperature may result in wasted product.

When it comes to dabbing, the type of dabber you use can significantly impact your experience. As mentioned, there are two primary categories: dabber tools and dabber devices. Both have pros and cons, depending on the concentrate you use and your preferences.

Dabber tools are simple, handheld instruments for handling and applying concentrates to the heated nail or banger. These tools come in various shapes and styles to accommodate different types of concentrates:

• Scoopers: Ideal for softer concentrates like wax or budder. Their rounded or spoon-like ends make it easy to scoop and apply these more malleable substances.

• Pointers: Pointed dabber tools are perfect for handling harder, brittle concentrates like shatter. Their sharp tips allow you to pick up and precisely place small amounts of these tougher substances on the heated surface.

• Scrapers: Designed for stickier concentrates, scrapers have flat, often sharp edges that can gather and handle thick oils or resin. These are also useful for getting every bit of concentrate from a container.

Each type of dabber tool is best suited for specific consistencies, ensuring you handle your concentrate effectively without waste.

In recent years, electronic dabbers (e-rigs) have become a popular alternative to traditional dab tools. E-rigs are electric devices that heat concentrates at precise temperatures without a butane torch. These devices simplify the dabbing process and are particularly appealing to beginners due to their ease of use.

E-rigs often come with preset temperature settings, making it easier to dab at the ideal temperature for your concentrate. This eliminates guesswork with heating, reducing the chance of burning your concentrate or not getting a full vaporisation. Unlike manual dabbers, which require you to heat a nail or banger with a torch, e-rigs heat up on their own, making the process safer and more convenient for new users.

Whether you prefer the traditional approach with manual tools or opt for the convenience of an e-rig, each type of dabber has its advantages, depending on your skill level and preferences.

Start by boiling 2 cups of water in a teapot or saucepan. Add a tablespoon of a fat source such as coconut oil, butter, or milk, which is crucial as CBD is fat-soluble and needs fat to bind to for effective absorption.

Once the water is boiling, reduce it to a simmer. Add the decarboxylated hemp flowers to the water-fat mixture. Allow the mixture to simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure the CBD infuses well into the water.

Unlike smoking, where it's difficult to measure exact quantities, dabbers allow users to portion out specific amounts of concentrate. This precision ensures that you get the exact dosage you want, which is especially important for those who use CBD concentrates for medical purposes. Dabbers let you regulate the intensity of each hit, tailoring your experience to your desired effects.

To maximise the potential benefits and flavour of CBD tea, start with high-quality hemp flowers that have been third-party tested. This ensures the product's purity and CBD content. Adding a fat source like coconut oil, butter, or milk enhances CBD absorption, making your tea more effective.

It's also recommended to control the water temperature carefully, simmer rather than boil to preserve the CBD's efficacy, and allow the tea to steep for at least 15-20 minutes to ensure a robust infusion.

You can also customise your CBD tea to suit your taste preferences and make sure that drinking CBD tea is an enjoyable experience.

Try adding your choice of herbs and spices:

• Mint
• Chamomile
• Cinnamon
• Ginger

These can provide additional health benefits and enhance the flavour.

You can also try using different types of tea leaves as a base, such as green tea for its antioxidants or black tea for a rich, robust flavour, which can change the tea's character.

Natural sweeteners like honey, agave syrup, and lemon or vanilla extract can further enhance the taste without overpowering the hemp flowers' natural flavour.

Using dabbers also brings out the purity and full flavour of cannabis concentrates. As the concentrates are vaporised instead of burned, dabbing produces smoother hits without the harshness associated with combustion. This vaporisation preserves the terpenes, the aromatic compounds in cannabis responsible for the rich flavours and aromas. It allows the full taste profile of concentrates to be enjoyed, offering a cleaner, more refined experience.

If you're new to using dabbers, starting with some basic steps is essential to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

• Start small: If you're new to dabbing, always start with a small dose of concentrate. Increasing the amount in later hits is easier than taking too much at once.
• Control the heat: Timing is everything. Let the nail cool slightly before applying your concentrate. Too much heat can degrade the flavour and produce harsh vapour, while too little heat might not effectively vaporise the concentrate.
• Pace yourself: Dabs tend to be potent, so take your time. After your first try, wait a few minutes before deciding whether to take another.

You should also not skip clean-up. Forgetting to clean your nail or banger after each session can lead to buildup, which affects the flavour and makes future dabs less enjoyable.

In the UK, CBD products must contain less than 0.2% THC to be legal. This ensures that the products do not have psychoactive effects. Purchasing CBD hemp flowers from reputable suppliers who provide third-party lab testing to verify the THC content and overall quality is important. This ensures compliance with legal standards and guarantees that you are consuming a safe and effective product.

Please see individual product pages for more information on the law, compliance and CBD hemp flowers.

Ready to enhance your dabbing experience? ICE Headshop offers a wide range of high-quality dabbers and accessories. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, our selection of durable and reliable dabbers will help you get the most out of your concentrates. Explore our collection today and order online for fast delivery and secure packaging.

Can't find what you're looking for? Contact us, and we'll see how we can help.