Best Temp to Dab Diamonds An Ex-Budtender Explains
The temperature you dab concentrates at will make or break your experience, significantly affecting potency, flavor, and overall effects.
If you want to master the art of dabbing THCA, it’s vital you know the best temp to dab diamonds.
I took my first dab over 10 years ago now and have learned dialing in the ideal dab temperature is essential.
There’s definitely a sweet spot and I’m going to help you find it, so keep reading!
Key Takeaways
- Temperature plays a huge role in dabbing diamonds, influencing the entire experience, including both potency and flavor.
- The best temp to dab diamonds is between 350-450 °F (177-232 °C), as lower temps won’t produce much effect and higher temps can destroy the compounds responsible for the effects.
- Using an electric dab rig or pen can make it easier to dial in the right tempreature compared to using a traditional dab rig.
Best Temperature to Dab THCA Diamonds
Knowing the best temperature to dab diamonds is crucial because it has everything to do with the experience you’ll have.
Inhaling THCA dabs at a temperature that’s too low won’t give you much of an experience at all. Dabbing at a temperature that’s too high will burn the extract and destroy the THCA responsible for getting you high.
Because THCA diamonds are practically pure THC, however, they don’t contain the terpenes that give dabs their distinct, bold flavor. This makes gauging the best temp to dab diamonds a lot easier.
While dab temp all comes down to personal preference, I’ve found that the best temp to dab pure THCA diamonds is between 350-450 °F (177-232 °C).
If you’re going for those aromatic flavors concentrates are famous for, you can add terps to your diamonds, creating what’s known as diamonds and sauce. Keep in mind that this will change the ideal dabbing temp.
Terpenes are delicate and require precise temperatures to bring out their full essence. The best temp to dab diamonds and sauce is between 315- 400 °F (157-204 °C), as these lower temps help preserve terpenes for the most flavorful experience.
Low Temp VS High Temp Dabbing
So, now that you’re aware that temperature is crucial to the whole experience, what’s the difference between low temp VS high temp dabbing?
I mentioned that dabbing at too low a temp won’t produce any real effects and dabbing too high will basically ruin your diamonds.
Let’stake a deeper look at low temp and high temp dabs to gain a better understanding of each.
Low Temp Dabs
Low temp dabs are taken at a temperature between 300-450 °F (149-232 °C). Anything below 300 °F usually isn’t hot enough to produce any effects.
They tend to be more popular with regular dabbers, as they preserve the flavor of the concentrate and aren’t as harsh as high temp dabs.
Dabbing concentrates at a lower temperature also makes your product last longer, as you’re not burning through it so quickly.
High Temp Dabs
High temp dabs are taken at temperatures above 450 °F and no more than 900°F. Go above this and your product will be completely ruined.
Anything above 600 °F is considered very high, which can make for great vapor and thick clouds but harsh hits.
High temp dabs produce less residue than low temp dabs, which makes cleaning your dab rig easier. But you’re going to burn through a lot more product burning at higher temps compared to lower temps.
How to Dab THC Diamonds
If you’re wondering how to dab THC diamonds, you’ve got a few options. Some are easier than others, however, for dialing in that ideal dab temp.
In my experience, each method has clear pros and cons, which all come down to the user’s personal preferences and desires.
Standard Dabbing
Standard dabbing refers to taking dabs with a traditional dab rig. Typically, this method is used by experienced dabbers who are comfortable heating their concentrates with a torch.
A traditional dab rig is usually made of glass or silicone. It has an attachment known as a “nail” where the concentrates are placed and held in a glass bucket known as a “banger.” They also contain a carb cap, which traps the heat and helps the concentrate vaporize efficiently.
Note: The words “nail” and “banger” are often used interchangeably.
Here’s a quick step-by-step to taking the standard dab:
- Heat the nail/banger with your torch for about 30-45 seconds (no more than 60 seconds), then let it cool for slightly less than one minute.
- Once the banger has slightly cooled, add the concentrate directly to the nail with a dab tool.
- Immediately cap it with the carb cap, then spin it on top of the nail. This helps distribute the concentrate evenly over the nail.
- Gently sip from the mouthpiece, slowly pulling the vapor into your lungs until all the concentrate has been vaporized.
Standard dabbing offers an intense experience, full of flavor and potent effects.
That said, standard dabbing isn’t the easiest dabbing method for those new to dabbing. Getting the temperature right can be tricky, and applying your dabs to the banger can get messy.
Using a standard dab rig is best for consumers who have experience taking dabs
Cold Start Dabbing
Cold start dabbing can be a bit easier for newbies. Concentrates are added to the nail when it’s cold, and the banger is then heated up with the torch.
- Place a small amount of the concentrate on the nail before applying any heat.
- Gently heat the banger with the torch, until you eventually see the extract begin to bubble. This is your clue that it’s reaching the boiling point and heat should be removed.
- Immediately cap the nail/banger with the carb cab and gently pull your hit.
When it comes down to nailing the best temp to dab diamonds, cold start dabs will typically get you to that ideal temp with less effort than standard dabbing. And it tends to be easier than heating the banger beforehand.
That said, cold start dabbing only works for small dabs. Putting larger dabs on a cold banger makes it difficult for the entire dab to completely vaporize.
Other Ways to Dab Diamonds
There are other ways to dab diamonds that don’t involve a traditional dab rig. Using a torch can be intimidating, especially if you’re new to taking dabs.
You can skip the steps above (and significantly simplify the process) by using an electric dab rig. They’re much easier to use, all you have to do is set the desired temp and you’re good to go.
You can even get a hybrid setup by investing in an eNail kit, which is perfect for temp control and convenience. An eNail is basically an electric attachment that fits onto your dab rig like a regular nail or banger, where you can set your desired temperature without using a torch.
A
Wrapping Up
Knowing the best temp to dab diamonds is vital for having the best experience possible.
Go with a temperature that’s too low, and you’re not going to feel any of the potent effects that make THCA diamonds one of the most popular concentrates on the market. Burn your diamonds too hot and you risk destroying your dabs.
Hitting that ideal 350-450 °F diamond dab temp takes some practice and knowledge of how to use a traditional dab rig. Using an electric dab rig or pen makes dialing in the best dab temp much more straightforward.
Once you’ve mastered locking in the best dab temp, you’ll be able to enjoy your diamond dabbing experience to the fullest.