There’s a lot of debate surrounding dab temperature, and it isn’t just hot air. Dialing in the right amount of heat is just as crucial to your vape session as the strain of concentrate you choose. With every degree you add to your dab nail, you affect the flavor and potency of your hit.
You’ve spent plenty of time choosing a dab rig and experimenting with extracts. Now, it’s time to perfect your process! We’ll explore the ideal dab temperature by considering personal preference and science. Once you dial in your perfect temperature, you’ll experience a new level of buzz in your rips!
What Are Terpenes?
Have you ever wondered what makes different cannabis strains smell and taste unique? It doesn’t have anything to do with the levels of THC or CBD. Instead, it comes from chemical compounds called terpenes. Your dab temperatures have a direct effect on terpenes.
Terpenes are present in many plants, but they play a special role in cannabis. Not only do they give different strains their aromas and flavors—but they’re also part of the entourage effect: the unique psychoactive effects that come from the combination of CBD, THC, and terpenes.
While scientists believe that there may be 200 different terpenes, here are several of the most common:
- Caryophyllene: Many studies show it could be effective for managing anxiety and depression.
- Pinene: Some preliminary research suggests this piney terpene might have anti-cancer properties.
- Humulene: Also found in ginseng, humulene has been part of folk remedies for centuries.
- Limonene: Besides a pleasant citrus aroma, some research suggests limonene could help prevent cancer and anxiety.
- Linalool: With a pleasantly floral note of lavender, this has the potential to help fight stress.
- Myrcene: Also found in mangos, myrcene is antibacterial and might have sedative effects.
Why Dab Temperature Matters
In short, dab temperature matters because it affects terpenes. Different terpenes have unique boiling points. Considering these boiling points when dialing in your ideal dab temperature will help you use the most concentrate without diluting the extract’s flavor.
If you heat your rig too low, you risk wasting precious wax. Alternatively, if you overheat the nail, you can burn the terpenes to the point of dilution and minimize the benefits of the entourage effect. Dab temperature is all about finding that sweet spot.
The Ideal Dab Temperature
While there’s plenty of science behind the ideal dab temperature, it’s also important to consider the user’s preference. Some of us might want our vaping sessions to be as foggy as the Caterpillar in Alice in Wonderland. Other cannabis connoisseurs will relish a lower temperature to revel in the unique flavor of the wax.
Let’s explore how low, medium, and high-temperature dabs differ. Understanding their differences will help guide you as you experiment with dialing in your perfect dab temperature.
Low Temperatures
If you’re a flavor-crazed concentrate lover, low-temperature dabs are ideal to maximize the flavor of your terpenes. These temperatures are generally between 400-500°F. Lower temperatures allow the extract to vaporize while still keeping the terpenes intact.
Low temperatures also yield smoother hits. This mellow vapor is especially helpful for novice users or those with lung sensitivity. It’s important to remember that the psychoactive effects will also be less pronounced at lower temperatures.
Even though the melting point of concentrates can be as low as 350°F, you’ll want to hit at least 400°F to avoid a puddle of wasted wax. While a small pool of oil is common with low-temp dabs, you don’t want to waste your concentrate completely.
Mid Temperatures
Vaping at 500-545°F is the classic middle ground in the vape world. This dab temperature sacrifices a little bit of the terpenes’ flavor but unleashes more vapor. The psychoactive effects of the concentrate will hit you harder, and the smoke produced will be thicker.
The real benefit of this temperature is minimizing waste while maintaining taste. Many people vape because it’s a money-saving, efficient way to consume THC. If that’s you, then low-temperature dabs might seem too wasteful. Middle temperatures offer a sweet spot between enjoying terpenes and getting the most from your concentrate.
Temperatures below 545°F are especially ideal for solventless extracts like rosin, wax, and hashes.
High Temperatures
Not for the faint of heart, temperatures between 550-600°F leave little wax wasted. This level of vapor is thick and hits instantly, making it ideal for no-nonsense vape sessions and dizzying, euphoric highs.
This higher dab temperature will lack the nuance and flavor of lower temps because the heat will burn most of the terpenes away. 600°F is approximately 200°F hotter than most terpenes’ boiling point.
While the hits will be thick and the psychoactive elements will hit harder, the vapor will also be harsher. Because of the heavy high and harsh hits, this is not the ideal dab temperature for novice dabbers or those with sensitive lungs.
Avoid Dangerously High Temperatures
Dab temperatures over 600°F are dangerous. Users should avoid this extreme heat. While this level of heat has a cult following because it provides thick clouds and a fast-acting high, the smoke is harsh and can cause heavy afterburn of the throat and lungs.
Not only will you lose all the delicious terpene flavor, but you’ll also risk completely burning your extract. In extreme cases, high levels of heat can even create new chemical reactions with your extract. These new chemical reactions have the potential to be toxic and carcinogenic.
Anything over 600°F isn’t an ideal dab temperature. In fact, it’s a health risk. We highly recommend avoiding these extreme temperatures.
The Heat Is On
Your dab temperature is crucial to any excellent vaping session. Whether you want thick, cloudy pulls or nuanced, flavorful puffs, the key is to balance the heat with the terpenes. An ideal dab temperature takes trial and error, which means lots of buzzy practice!
If you’re running low on concentrates, restock at Rose Collective. Our Venice Beach dispensary offers a large selection of award-winning products and personalized customer service. This is why we were voted the best dispensary by LA Weekly!
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