What is a dab rig?
A dab rig is a small water pipe made for vaporizing concentrates. It looks like a compact bong but has a nail or banger where the bowl would be. The nail is heated with a torch (or built-in heater in an e-rig), then concentrate is applied with a dab tool. The vapor travels through water for cooling before you inhale.
Glass dab rigs vs electric rigs (e-rigs)
Traditional glass
Classic rigs use a quartz banger or titanium nail and a butane torch. They offer the most flavor control, artistic glass designs and lower entry cost, but they take more practice and gear to use well.
Electric (e-rig)
E-rigs heat electronically with precise temperature control. They are portable, beginner-friendly and eliminate the torch, but they cost more and rely on battery life.
Choosing your first rig
- Start small: Smaller rigs preserve flavor better than large bongs.
- Quartz banger: Best flavor and easy to clean. Look for 25mm or 30mm buckets.
- Percolation: A simple single perc or fixed stem is easier to maintain than a complex multi-perc rig.
- Torch: A refillable butane torch with a stable flame is essential for glass rigs.
Cleaning and maintenance
Clean the banger after each dab with a cotton swab while it is still warm. Rinse the glass with isopropyl alcohol and coarse salt weekly. A clean rig tastes better and lasts longer.
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