For quick and easy enjoyment of cannabis concentrates, nothing beats a dab pen. These little devices make it simple to enjoy concentrates without a glass rig or blow torch—just dab, inhale, and go. If you’re interested in upgrading your session to include a dab pen, read on to learn everything you need to know about using one.
What Is A Dab Pen and How Does It Work?
A dab pen (sometimes called a “wax vaporizer”) is a handheld, portable device that allows you to vaporize cannabis concentrates anywhere, anytime. Dab pens are a convenient way to consume extracts like wax, live rosin, live resin, shatter, badder, or budder. With a dab pen, you don’t need any of the traditional dab gear, such as a glass water paper, a nail, or a blowtorch.
A dab pen has three main parts: the battery, the heating chamber, and the mouthpiece. The battery gives the device power and typically uses a USB cord to charge. Some dab pens allow you to adjust the temperature range while others have one setting: on and off.
The heating chamber, or the atomizer, is where the concentrate is heated to vapor. Most dab pens use conduction heating, which means you place the concentrate directly onto the heat source. Less commonly, some models use convection heating, which means vaporizing the concentrate through the movement of hot air over it, rather than direct contact with the heating element.
Once activated, simply inhale on the mouthpiece to consume the vaporized extract.
Why Use A Dab Pen?
Portable and Discreet
Unlike the old way of consuming concentrates, dab pens are both portable and discreet. These little devices fit easily into a pocket or a purse, unlike a water pipe and blow torch which take up considerable space.
Dab pens are also discreet. Vapor produces far less odor than smoking does, and the aroma doesn’t linger, making your vape sesh less noticeable to people in the area. If you want to get the effects of THC quickly but keep your consumption on the down low, consider using a dab pen.
Potency
Concentrates are rich in THC and flavor. Most types of concentrates range from 60% to 95% THC content, with many exceeding 90% THC easily. If you have a high THC tolerance or are a medical patient who needs potent, fast-acting relief, concentrates deliver.
Ease of Use
Compared to the old form of dabbing, dab pens couldn’t be simpler to use. You just drop the concentrate in the chamber, activate the device, and inhale. There’s no fuss, no blowtorches, and no smoke to give you away.
Versatility
Most dab pens work with all types of concentrates. If you’re new to concentrates and want to sample a wide range, a dab pen effortlessly vaporizes them all. On the other hand, if you’re a long-time concentrate lover with an appetite for different types of extracts, a dab pen allows you to easily enjoy them all.
How To Use A Dab Pen
Dab pens make concentrates incredibly simple to enjoy. Here’s how to use one.
Step 1: Dab Pen Assembly
Your dab pen will likely come in three pieces: the battery, the chamber, and the mouthpiece. Assemble these according to the instructions in your dab pen box, or check out the brand’s YouTube channel for a walk-through.
Step 2: Customize Your Settings
Some dab pens only turn on and off while others offer a range of customizable settings, including the temperature and airflow. If your dab pen has customizable settings, try it on the lowest or second lowest setting first. Don’t jump right to the highest temperature setting.
Step 3: Loading Your Concentrate
Using a dab nail (a tool for scooping concentrate) place a small amount of concentrate in the chamber of your dab pen. Place the concentrate in the center of the chamber and avoid wiping it against the side.
Some dab pens do not have a chamber: instead, you place the coil down directly on the concentrate. These are typically called dab straws, but otherwise function the same as dab pens.
Step 4: Inhale, Exhale, Enjoy
Turn your dab pen on. Most pens will n
otify you once they reach temperature with vibrations or flashing lights. Inhale slowly and firmly through the mouthpiece, letting the vapor reach your lungs, and then exhale.
Start low and go slow with new dab pens and concentrates. Dabs are highly potent forms of cannabis, and a little goes a long way.
Step 5: Cleaning, Daily Maintenance, and Extended Maintenance
Don’t let a dirty dab pen sit. Once you’ve finished your sesh, grab a cotton swab to clean any remaining concentrate residue from the chamber. If it’s too sticky or hardened, dip a small amount of isopropyl alcohol on the cotton swab and try again, or soak it in a small container of isopropyl alcohol. Be sure not to soak the battery of the device by mistake.
Let the chamber air out completely if you use isopropyl alcohol so you can’t taste it in your next sesh.
Letting concentrate residue sit in your dab pen gunks it up and keeps it from functioning as well as it can. It can also ruin the flavor of your next dab sesh and even change the experience.
Types of Dab Pens
Entry-Level Dab Pens
Entry-level dab pens are under $100 and easy to use— just load, heat, and inhale. Most entry-level dab pens don’t have customizable features like temperature and airflow, but some may have two or three preset temperature settings.
Advanced Dab Pens With Features
For the advanced dabber are dab pens with customizable features. These pens may be slightly more expensive than entry-level ones, but in exchange, you have more control over the temperature of your pens and even the level of airflow coming through the mouthpiece.
Multi-Use Devices
Some dab pens also double as dry herb vaporizers. These devices often have a larger chamber for loading and separate holding compartments for concentrates versus flower. Dab pens that double as dry herb vaporizers are often more expensive but also allow you a wider range of use.
Dab Pen Models
The Terp Pen Nectar Collector by Boundless
This dab pen, designed for concentrates only, is perfect for microdosing extracts. It is both thin and lightweight, making it easy to take on the go. With a long battery life and a durable stainless steel body, the Terp Pen will be your go-to dab pen for years to come. Technically, this is a dab straw, as it lacks a loadable chamber and you put the coil directly on the concentrate.
Buy The Terp Pen by Boundless at Queen City
Puffco Peak Pro
A high-end electronic dab rig with precise temperature control and Bluetooth connectivity. It features a ceramic bowl, customizable LED lights, and a rechargeable battery that provides about an hour of use. The device offers a premium concentrate consumption experience with advanced heating technology.
G Pen Roam
A portable, water-filtered vaporizer designed for concentrates with a compact, discreet design. It includes a quartz chamber, adjustable temperature settings, and a borosilicate glass water bubbler for smoother hits. The device is known for its durability and easy-to-clean components.
Dr. Dabber Switch
A versatile electronic dab rig that can handle both concentrates and dry herbs. It offers 25 different heat settings, a fast 5-second heat-up time, and a long-lasting battery that provides up to 150 hits per charge. The device stands out for its induction heating technology and multi-functional design.
Dab Pen FAQs
Are Dab Pens Safe?
Yes, dab pens are safe to use, keeping your fingers away from the heating mechanisms at all times. They may even be safer than the traditional form of consuming concentrates, which involves a blow torch.
How Long Does A Dab Pen Battery Last?
The battery life of your dab pen varies by brand and how frequently you use it. Most dab pens have a battery life that lasts around a week, although this will be less if you use it multiple times per day.
Can I Use Flower In A Dab Pen?
No, dab pens are not meant for cannabis flower. Some dab pens are designed to double as dry herb vaporizers, but most are designed specifically for cannabis concentrates.
How Do I Choose The Right Dab Pen?
There are many options for dab pens. Narrow your selection by how often you’ll use it, how much you’re willing to pay, and research reviews from other concentrate consumers on the best dab pens.
The Royal Selection of Dab Pens at Queen City
Dab pens are perfect for the modern concentrate lover, combining technological advances with high-quality cannabis concentrates for an ideal consumption experience. If you want to try a dab pen, need help choosing between dab pens, or troubleshoot with your pen, stop in to Queen City today; we’re happy to help.
