Most Popular Types of Dab Rigs
Yabba-dabba-do! Dabs are the latest and greatest when it comes to living the high life. Sure, you can puff on one of those convenient dab pens. But to really taste the full flavor of the wax you need a proper dab rig.
But there’s so many ways to make a dab rig, how is a stoner supposed to choose one? No worries, fam. Here’s the low down on the types of dab rigs.
6 Different Types of Dab Rigs
Before we do a dabbing deep dive, let’s take a look at what these all have in common. All of these dab rig parts will allow you to vaporize concentrate. It doesn’t matter if you prefer wax, oil, or honey. All of the pieces will get the job done.
Where things differ is in how this is accomplished. When it comes to dab rigs, you have options in terms of material, percolation, and how the rig is heated.
Some rigs you heat with a blow torch, but others use electronic heating units. Let’s look at our most popular dab rig types.
1. Glass Dab Rigs
Alright let's start with something we all know and love: glass. A glass dab rig is the most common type of dab rig. They come as big or as small as you like.
When it comes to dab rigs, it's important to use good glass! To get a good dab, you need to heat the banger or nail with a blowtorch. This is why that part is always made of a heat resistant material.
To make the dab rig even stronger, bong makers usually make them out of borosilicate, aka scientific glass.
Why Choose A Glass Oil Rig?
Glass dab rigs are best for dabbers who:
- Enjoy the familiarity of glassware
- Want a sturdy rigs that gives good hits
- Enjoy various smoke diffusion methods
- Enjoy the flavor of the various concentrates
- Like recollecting the oil to smoke again
Overall, glass is a great choice for newbies and seasoned stoners alike. The only thing we dislike about glass is it gets dirty quickly. If you’re particular about getting a nice, clean hit, glass can be high maintenance.
That said, a rinse of rubbing alcohol will make your glass rig spiffy and new.
2. Silicone Dab Rigs
If you're looking for an indestructible rig, you gotta go for silicone. Silicone rigs are inexpensive and can take a beating.
They're also easy to break down and store if you want to take your rig on the go. Silicone has the added advantage of being dishwasher safe.
Why Choose A Silicone Dab Rig?
Silicone dab rigs are best for dabbers who:
- Are looking for a bargain but still want a rig that slaps
- Need a rig that isn’t going to break
- Hate cleaning rigs and would rather throw it in the dishwasher
- Want a colorful rig with some creative flare
- Need a travel-friendly rig
Now here’s our main gripe with silicone: you can’t taste the vape as much. Silicone dab rigs also tend to lack percolators.
Though we do carry a silicone dab rig with percs, it doesn't come close to the kind of percolation you can get with glass.
Silicone is ideal for the dabber on the go who prefer a rig to a pen. Its colorful and indestructible nature also makes it popular among festival goers. Wooks go wild when you bust out a rig at your camp.
3. Recycler Rigs
If you're looking for the smoothest dab possible, you gotta go for a recycler rig. It's called a recycler because of how the design works. It cycles the vapor through the percs multiple times before it gets to you.
A recycler is a serious rig! The smallest start at 8 inches, and most feature intricate glass designs.
Recycler rigs are for people who are ready to drop some serious cash on a top of the line rig.
Why Choose A Recycler Dab Rig?
Recycler dab rigs are best for dabbers who:
- Want a top of the line dab rig
- Appreciate artistic glassword
- Require the smoothest dab possible
- Seek a custom made glass rig
The only downside of recycler dab rigs is they are not cheap. They are typically made of scientific glass, so they tend to be strong.
Still, if the thought of an expensive rig breaking on you sends shivers up your spine, you're better off getting a silicone dab rig.
4. Mini Dab Rigs
A mini dab rig is exactly what the name implies. It's a dab rig, only smaller. Your typical mini dab rig stands under 7 inches tall.
They can be made out of either scientific glass or silicone.
They may be small, but they are mighty. Dabs from a mini rig get the vapor nice and concentrated, so it really slaps.
To make up for the small size, they tend to have a lot of curves to cool the vapor down.
Why Choose A Mini Dab Rig?
Mini dab rigs are best for dabbers who:
- Are looking for a cheaper rig that still has a lot of percolators
- Have a smaller shelf space to keep their rig
- Prefer a more concentrated dab
- Find smaller pieces cute
They’re not as impressive as some of the larger rigs, but we all know size isn’t everything.
We love mini dab rigs because they can be less expensive without sacrificing any percolators.
5. E-Rigs
Let's be honest: dabs are great, but not every stoner can be trusted with a blowtorch.
If you've got that friend that you just don't trust with a blowtorch, you can pass them an electronic dab rig.
E-rigs also have better temperature control than anything you heat with a blowtorch. Some let you control the exact degree you heat the wax.
They have rechargeable batteries and are rather easy to clean.
Why Choose An E-Rig?
E-rigs are best for dabbers who:
- Want something convenient that heats up quickly
- Desire temperature control over their various oils, waxes, and honeys
- Take their dab rig on the go
- Are looking to pay for a mid-price rig
If you like the convenience of a dab pen but still want to hit a rig, get an E-Rig. It gives you convenience without sacrificing flavor. Modern models have batteries that can last over eight hours on a charge.
6. Nectar Collectors
If a dab rig and a dab pen had a baby, the Nectar Collector would be that child. Well, maybe the E-rig would be their big brother.
They both capture the best of both worlds, depending on what you like in a dab. An E-rig can give you all the convenience of an electronic heating unit in a dab rig.
The Nectar Collector, also known as a Dab Straw, has the portability of a pen, but you still get to use a blowtorch.
Nectar Collectors are pretty new. They only came on the scene in 2011. They’re basically a straw made of glass, quartz, or silicone. To take a dab with the nectar collector, you heat up one end of the straw.
You then gently place the red-hot tip into your unit of wax or oil. Taking a hit with one of these might make you feel like a hummingbird, hence the name.
Why Choose A Nectar Collector?
Nectar Collectors are best for dabbers who:
- Like the convenience of a dab pen but still want to use a blowtorch
- Want to be able to take their dabs camping or to concerts
- Want something that’s easy to clean
- Are looking for a bargain rig
There's only one real downside to Nectar Collector. The very simple design means it lacks percolators. So if you’re a bit sensitive to dabs, you might want to reach for the recycler rig.
FAQ About Dab Rigs
We know this stuff can get a bit confusing. Here’s a few of your burning questions answered.
What’s the difference between a dab rig and a bong?
The simplest answer is a bong is for smoking herbs and flowers, and a dab rig is for vaporizing concentrate. To smoke flowers, you only need to combust the dry plant material, so a bong has a bowl. Concentrate needs to be heated to a much higher temperature to vaporize.
So a dab rig will have either a banger or a nail made of heat-resistant material. Instead of using a lighter, you take a blowtorch and heat the unit until it's red hot, then you take your dab.
There are also rigs that feature electronic heating units. They give you precise temperature control.
But to get back to basics: bongs are for flower, dab rigs are for wax.
Can I use my bong for dabs?
You sure can! You'll just want to make sure you're using the right equipment. If you have a glass bong, you can usually find an accessory to make it dab-friendly.
Most stoners get at least a quartz banger to go on their prize glass.
Remember, vapor is hotter than smoke. For this reason, we recommend using these accessories on a multi-chamber bong.
You'll want the vapor to be nice and cool before it hits you.
What’s the best size dab rig?
Ok, it's kind of a lawyer answer, but it depends. The perfect size dab rig entirely depends on your needs and desires as a dabber.
If you want something that's going to live on your shelf and never leave your home, go big!
The bigger the rig, the more it can do with percs. But if you're a frequent festival goer and want to be able to do dabs from your tent, you'll probably prefer an E-rig or a Nectar Collector.
What type of rig is best for dabs?
We’ve walked you through the wonderful world of dab rigs. We know what you’re thinking. Which rig is our top choice?
We’re crazy about our Diamond Glass Recycler with Matrix Perc. We go by the philosophy that if you’re going to get a rig, it’s worth getting a good one.
That’s why we reach for the recyclers every time we’re purchasing a rig. This one has 360 matrix percs that the vapor cycles through twice before reaching your lips.
You can’t get a smoother hit for a better price.
We hope this article helped you understand more about dab rigs. No stoner’s glassware collection is complete without one.
We know it can be overwhelming. But when you know your needs as a dabber, finding the right rig is a breeze!