How to Use a Nectar Collector

You’ve heard of dab rigs, maybe even electric dab rigs. But there’s one other way you can enjoy your concentrate that few people ever get the chance to try - the unique nectar collector! It’s truly unlike anything else out there, and today, we’ll show you how to use a nectar collector. 

This one-of-a-kind dabbing device is handheld. You heat the tip (or turn it on to activate the tip) and touch that tip directly into your concentrate while you inhale the vapor through the other end. You’ll sometimes see them called a dab straw. Sometimes they have water chambers, and in other cases, it’s a dry type of dabbing experience.

We’ll cover everything you need to know to understand what makes these dabbing tools so cool. You’ll also discover the #1 selection right here at Badass Glass, from all the top brands!

Key Takeaways

• A nectar collector is among the most popular types of portable dabbing devices.
• Using a nectar collector is easy. Touch the heated tip into your concentrate while inhaling.
• Quartz tips are better for flavor chasing, but ceramic tips heat more evenly and hold flavor longer. Titanium tips are most durable.
• Set aside a little bit of concentrate rather than sticking the tip into your entire collection. It’s easy to overdo it with nectar collectors.
• Badass Glass has the premier selection of nectar collectors online.

Nectar Collector Overview

You’re familiar with the basic mechanism of a dab rig, right? Instead of a bowl and a lighter, you heat a nail using a torch. Then you literally “vaporize” the concentrate in that nail (or banger, whatever you want to call it). 

A nectar collector is the most stripped-down version of a dab rig. It’s perfect for dabbing on-the-go. You don’t bring the concentrate to the nectar collector, either - you bring the tip of the nectar collector right to the concentrate!

It’s a very hands-on experience. You decide exactly how much material you want to vaporize, much like you would with a normal dab. Set it aside and then slurp it up! You can stop as soon as you’ve had enough. This way, you don’t waste any extract like you might if you took too big a dab.

The terminology gets used loosely. You'll see nectar collector, honey straw, and dab straw thrown around as if they're the same thing. The whole nectar collector vs dab straw distinction is mostly about whether the piece includes a water chamber (nectar collector) or not (dab straw). But for all intents and purposes, figuring out how to use a nectar collector is the same. 

Parts of a Nectar Collector

Most nectar collectors consist of 3-4 main components. The tip is what you actually press into the concentrate after heating it up. You’ll find three main types of tips:

• Quartz: Just like we prefer quartz bangers, we think quartz tips are the way to go. They deliver unparalleled flavor purity, and they heat really fast. They’re just a bit more fragile.
• Ceramic: More even heating and generally associated with more affordable nectar collectors. The temperature holds longer, so you can go in on your concentrate for longer. It just takes a little longer to reach temperature. 
• Titanium: Nearly indestructible and the fastest heating potential, but a lot of people say they notice a metallic-like taste at higher temperatures (go figure!).

The body is tube-shaped. It’s usually made of glass, sometimes silicone. It connects the tip to the mouthpiece, which sits at the opposite end since nectar collectors are straight (basically the same shape as a steamroller pipe if you’re familiar with those).

Some of these pieces have a water chamber as well. This cools the vapor before it gets to your lungs and gives you an experience that’s closer to that of a legit dab rig. But the two pieces are still very different. Learn more in our nectar collector vs dab rig comparison.

Benefits of Nectar Collectors

There’s a reason you’re here to learn how to use a nectar collector. It’s a really fun way to enjoy your concentrate, especially on the go. Benefits include:

• Portability: Way easier to travel with a nectar collector than a full rig, banger, and torch. Electric models are even more travel-friendly.
• Less waste: You touch the heated tip to exactly the amount of concentrate you want to consume. Nothing puddles up in the banger as it cools down, like a dab rig. 
• Simpler setup: Assemble the pieces, heat, and dab. Super short learning curve.

Manual vs Electric Nectar Collectors

There are technically two types of nectar collectors: manual and electric. 

Manual nectar collectors require you to source a separate butane torch so you can heat the tip. This creates some guesswork with temperature. You have to time how long you heat and how long you wait after that before touching it to the concentrate. 

Electric nectar collectors have a built-in heating element that gives you unparalleled control over temperature. One example of this is the Lookah Seahorse King. You get three voltages to choose from, so whether you’re chasing flavor or clouds, you can do it.

Whatever style you end up going with, though, it’s important that you know how to use a nectar collector so you can actually make the most of it. We’ll walk you through it below!  

How to Use a Nectar Collector: Step-by-Step Guide

Here’s a step-by-step guide to using a nectar collector - assuming you’re using a traditional style. Steps 2 and 3 are condensed into just the press of a button if you’re using an electric model.

Step 1: Lay Out Your Concentrate

Decide how big a dab you want to take. Scoop a little concentrate onto a heat-resistant surface. We recommend either a glass dish or a silicone dab mat. DO NOT dab straight from the jar. You’ll end up taking too much. You could also end up damaging the container it came in. 

Make sure you have all your other dab essentials within reach: torch, dab tool, and a cotton swab for cleanup.

Step 2: Assemble and Heat the Tip

Make sure everything is properly connected if your nectar connector is a multi-piece unit, as many are. The tip should sit firmly in the body - no wobbling.

Hold the torch flame to the tip until you see it starting to glow red. This should be around 20-45 seconds. It depends on the material your tip is made from, of course. Be aware that ceramic tips won’t glow as noticeably as quartz or metal. 

You can use the back of your hand to decide when the tip is hot enough - get within an inch or so of the tip and if you feel the heat, you’re probably good to go. Wait 5-10 seconds for the tip to cool. Otherwise, you could end up scorching the concentrate. No fun.

Step 3: Touch the Tip to Your Concentrate and Inhale

Now for the fun part. Hold your nectar collector at an angle with the mouthpiece to your lips. Lower the tip to the heated tip to the face of your concentrate. Don’t press down. Just touch gently. 

The vapor will begin traveling up through the body and into your lungs as the tip makes contact. You can slowly move the tip across the concentrate instead of holding it in one spot. This way you don’t burn through too much material and once. You get a much more even vaporization this way. Think of it like painting across the surface rather than drilling into it. 

Step 4: Exhale and Assess

Make sure you put the nectar collector down on a heat-safe surface with the tip pointing away from you (and others) so you don’t accidentally bump into it while it’s still hot. Exhale, wait, and decide if you’re in the sweet spot before you go back for more. 

Step 5: Clean the Tip and Put Everything Away

It’s best to wipe off residual concentrate with a cotton swab while the tip is still slightly warm (not scorching hot, obviously). Keeping the tip clean after each session goes a long way in preventing buildup, so your next dab tastes just as amazing. 

Tips For Your First Time Using a Nectar Collector

There you have it, how to use a nectar collector! Here are a few more tips on using a nectar collector the first time so you can enjoy the experience: 

• Start with a rice-grain-sized bit of concentrate so you don’t overdo it.
• Let the tip cool after heating. You don’t want to go in while it’s too hot, or you’ll scorch the terpenes and end up in a coughing fit.
• Use a silicone mat or glass dish to slurp up your concentrate. A lot of people find a silicone mat is easier to scrape clean, and you don’t have to worry about it cracking.
• Slowly inhale. You’re sipping, not chugging. Hitting too hard can waste concentrate.
• Rotate the tip across the surface instead of parking it in one place. 
• Clean after every session so you can enjoy the next dab to the fullest. The more daily maintenance you do, the less intense cleaning you’ll have to do.

Shop the Best Selection of Nectar Collectors Online at Badass Glass!

Whether you’re looking for a new manual nectar collector or an electric dab rig, your search ends here at Badass Glass. We’ve curated an unparalleled collection from the top brands the industry has to offer. Shop the full selection today, or get in touch with our customer service team for a personalized recommendation on the right nectar collector!