Dabbing Temperature Guide: How to Low-Temp Dab

Cannabis concentrates like oil, wax, shatter and crumble are extracted from the trichomes, or crystals, found on the cannabis flowers or buds. Aside from the rosin technique, in which oils are squeezed out of cannabis using nothing more than pressure, the extraction process requires the use of solvents like butane or carbon dioxide to produce potent oils with high levels of THC.

Dabbing requires heating a nail, and touching — or dabbing — the concentrate onto it, rather than placing it directly under a flame as one would with dry herbs. When concentrates make contact with the hot surface, they vaporize. In this article we’ll look at the differences between high and low temperature dabs, and what is the best dab temp for flavorsome, potent hits.

Click here to jump straight to our recommendation for the best dab temp, as well as how to heat your banger to the perfect dab temp.

High vs. low-temperature dabs

While using a nail that’s not hot enough will waste concentrates by causing them to puddle and pool on its surface, a nail that’s too hot will cause the concentrates to burn, resulting in degradation. As well as destroying its flavor, overheating a concentrate will destroy the terpenes.

The Yo Dabba Dabba Mini Digital eNail fits any size of joint

THCA is a natural part of the cannabis plant that, upon the application of heat, changes into THC, a component responsible for getting you high. This process occurs when doing a dab. It’s important to know, however, that if the nail is too hot when dabbing, the concentrate’s THCA can degrade into cannabinol (CBN) and wind up as reclaim. Although CBN has some psychoactive properties, it’s only 10% the strength of THC. Researchers believe CBN causes grogginess as well as dizziness and disorientation in users.

Unfortunately, the most common mistake made by dabbers is to overheat the nail by waiting for it to glow red before hitting it. A blood-red glow indicates a dab temperature of 1075°F, while a faint-red glow indicates 930°F. High-temperature dabbing occurs at any temperature higher than 600°F and is just as wasteful as dabbing at too low a temperature. Aside from ruining the taste of the concentrate, which starts happening when nails are heated above 570°F, excessive heat will waste concentrates by causing it to quite literally burn up.

Benefits of low-temperature dabs

Low-temperature dabs optimally occur between 400 and 500°F, and you can find the best eNail temp for you with some trial and error. Dabbing at a temperature any lower than that can result in the nail not being hot enough to vaporize the concentrate, causing it to go to waste by pooling up on the nail, bubbling and dissipating. Dabbing at low-temperatures is beneficial for a variety of reasons. Aside from enhancing the flavor of the concentrate by not burning away the terpenes, low-temperature dabbing preserves every part of the oil — including the THC, meaning each hit will be powerful and savory. Use a carb cap when experimenting with low-temperature dabs to produce twice as much vapor and get the most out of every hit.

The medium temperature for dabbing is around 525°F.

What is the best dab temp?

Dabbing temperature diagram showing the activation temperature for common cannabinoids and terpenes.

The best temperature for dabbing is anywhere between 450 and 550°F. This is the temperature for an ideal low-temp dab which preserves terpenes and fully vaporizes your concentrate, leaving behind minimal mess and the best flavors. Temperatures lower than 400 degrees will waste concentrates by not fully vaporizing them, and dabs over 600 degrees will also waste concentrates by burning them. A medium temp dab occurs at 525 degrees, but this temperature is still hot enough to boil away some of the terpenes that make your concentrates taste good and feel more potent. That said, if you’re trying to get the best dab temps, stay between 450 and 550°F and never hit it higher than 600°F.

Terpene boiling points

In order to understand how to achieve the perfect dab temp, it’s important to be aware of the terpenes in your extract. Terpenes are the aromatic chemical compounds found in the resinous glands, trichomes, of cannabis flower buds. These crystals produce precursor compounds such as THCA and CBDA to major cannabinoids such as THC or CBD, respectively. THC and CBD have relatively high boiling points when compared to most terpenes found in cannabis. That means that in order to activate some cannabinoids, you may lose out on aromatic terpenes in the dabbing process. Here are the boiling points of the most commonly found terpenes in cannabis:

• Beta-myrcene: 334ºF
• Beta-caryophyllene: 320ºF
• Humulene: 388ºF
• Limonene: 349ºF
• Alpha-pinene: 311ºF
• Terpinolene: 365ºF
• Linalool: 388ºF

Researchers have uncovered over 200 terpenes in the cannabis plant, each with their own aroma, effect, and boiling point. When manufacturers extract cannabinoids and terpenes from raw cannabis material to produce concentrates such as shatter and wax, terpenes can be destroyed during the process due to the high heat and pressure techniques used.

How to achieve the best dab temp

Dabbing concentrates provides you with a potent headrush and flavorful aroma, but there are certain ways to optimize your dabbing experience. One of the most crucial steps in taking a dab is knowing the best dab temp and how long to heat your nail before applying your concentrate. More often than not, first-time dabbers will wonder how long to heat a nail or banger, and how long to let it cool down.

1. Consider the components in your setup

The dab rig, nail, and heating element all affect the speed at which your nail heats up and cools down, so it’s important to take them into account when trying to find the perfect temperature. Blowtorches come in all shapes and sizes. Traditionally used for home repairs or culinary purposes, blow torches have helped dabbers get their nails hot enough to dab. You can choose from a small and compact one to a sleek and stylish one to a desktop torch built to last. Each torch allows you to heat your dab nail manually, but some are faster at it than others.

The following factors can also affect how long you have to heat your nail:

• What the nail is made of (quartz, ceramic, titanium)
• Quality of the nail
• Size of nail
• The thickness of the nail
• Consistency of concentrate

Be sure to consider the above factors when choosing how long to heat your nail.

2. Know your heat-up and cool-down times

How long you need to heat a nail before taking a dab depends on a variety of factors (like the ones mentioned above) including your preferred dabbing temperature. High-temperature dabs start at 750ºF. You can tell a nail is too hot if it’s glowing red. Low-temperature dabs happen between 500 and 650ºF. Each type of temperature comes with its own pros and cons.

Consult this table when you purchase a new quartz banger to get an idea of what your heat-up and cool-down times should be.

3. Use an eNail for complete temperature control

Using an electronic nail takes all the guesswork out of dabbing. Simply plug the eNail into the wall, set the desired temperature, and wait a few seconds for it to reach the predetermined temperature. The eNail’s temperature will remain constant until it is unplugged or switched off, creating a more relaxed dabbing experience for whoever wants to dab without the tedious use of a torch. With an eNail, users can experiment with a range of temperatures to see what works best with different concentrates, while discovering their own personal preferences.

Take a look at our selection of eNails here.

How to gauge the temperature of your nail

Temperature control is crucial to taking the perfect dab. Below are a few helpful ways to gauge your temperature, whether you want high, mid, or low-temperature dabs.

Dab thermometer gun

A dab thermometer – also known as a dab temperature reader or an infrared temperature gun – is a device that  allows you to accurately read the temperature of your nail in real time. Some of them touch the surface of your nail directly, while others use infrared technology to measure how hot your nail is from a safe distance without the risk of getting burned. There are various dab thermometer devices that vary in price, size, speed, accuracy, and temperature range, and they’re great for helping you take some of the guesswork out of finding the perfect temperature to take a dab

Terp Timer by Octave

The Terp Timer by Octave is one electronic device used to show the temperature of a nail or banger in real-time. You can simply set your target temperature, and the device will beep when that temperature is reached, letting you know the perfect time to drop in your dab. Just set it about an inch under your nail and use the light to let you know where to target the sensor after you heat it up to get a perfect flavorful dab time after time.

Wrist check

Over time, you’ll develop a better handle of your dab rig, heating and cooling lengths, and overall flow. Experienced dabbers can use their wrist to check for the ideal temperature range. After heating a nail for about 20 seconds, you can get your dabber and carb cap ready while the nail cools. Place your wrist slightly above the nail without touching it to test for heat. The nail is a dab-able temperature when a heat sting is no longer present when placing your wrist over the nail.

Timer

An analog or digital timer can be useful if you want to estimate the rate of heat loss in your nail or banger. A small sand timer, watch, smartphone, or kitchen timer can allow you to follow timing recommendations. For low-temperature dabs, torch your nail between 15 to 40 seconds and allow it to cool for 30 to 40 seconds. A timer gives you an exact representation of the elapsed time so you can zero in on the best dabbing method for you.

eNail

The safest and most effective way to consume dabs is with an electronic nail (eNail). An eNail provides users with precise control over the nail’s temperature by use of a heating coil and digital control box. The coil connects the eNail to the digital controller that powers the unit and sets the temperature. While a more hefty investment, eNails provide fast heating and consistent temperatures for flavorful hits without the fuss. The eNail’s digital display can give users an exact temperature reading.

5 tips for enjoying low-temp, terpene-rich dabs

While some users prefer the big clouds they get with high-temperature dabs, other users prefer to revel in the aromatic mix of terpenes that feature fruity, earthy, spicy, and other herbal scents. For terp-hunters looking to savor every nuance and undertone from their extract, these tips and tricks can make finding and maintaining the right temperature easier and more enjoyable.

1. Use an eNail

When it comes to a heat source, there are two options: a torche or eNail. Electronic nails use electric coils to heat the surface of the quartz banger to a precise dab temperature. This level of control means you don’t need to worry about how long to heat up a dab rig as you do when using a butane torch.

Keep in mind, there may be a slight difference between the temperature of the coil, and that of the nail. It typically varies about 15-20 degrees.

2. Add terp pearls

Terp pearls, also referred to as dab pearls or terp balls, are another invaluable low-temp dabbing tool. They’re made out of heat-resistant materials like quartz or ruby and distribute the heated extract more evenly for maximum vaporization. Users can place terp pearls in their bangers before or after heating and they’ll spin around and agitate oils, perfect for ensuring efficient vaporization at low temperatures.

3. Try an insert dish

Quartz inserts are an effective way to achieve a low-temperature dab. Not only do inserts improve heat retention, but they also act as a barrier and keep your nail like-new.

Quartz inserts are small, bucket-like dishes that can be dropped into the banger after heating to slow down the vaporization process. The heat from the nail transfers slowly to the insert giving concentrate users an extremely flavorful first draw that is also forgiving.

4. Master the art of cold starts dabs

Cold start dabs or “reverse dabbing” may not be the go-to choice for most dabbers, but it’s a successful way to slowly heat an extract without overdoing it. Basically, an extract is pre-loaded into a room-temperature banger and topped off with a carb cap. Then, the nail is heated.

Heating can take up to 10 seconds or until the wax begins to bubble and vaporize. Cold start dabs are a quick and easy way to take a low-temperature dab for cannabis users in a rush.

5. Know your nail

For users without a fancy eNail, torching requires trial-and-error to hit low temperatures. It’s all about how long a nail is heated and how long a user allows it to cool down before taking a dab. During this window, there can be a lot of room for error. Heat guns can be used to get a more accurate reading, but this also requires some finessing.

Many low-temp dabbers recommend heating the nail for at most 30 seconds and letting it cool for about 20 seconds. Start with these recommended times and adjust as needed.

Getting the perfect low-temperature dab isn’t easy on the first try, but with practice, it can become second nature. Use these low temp tips to get the most out of your extract, avoid wasting your product, and protect your banger.

Let us know in the comments: What’s your favorite way to low-temp dab?