Dabbing is a method of consuming cannabis concentrates that has evolved significantly over the past decade.
Modern extraction technologies now enable the production of a wide variety of potent and aromatic dabs with diverse consistencies.
For those new to dabbing cannabis concentrates, it can be a bit overwhelming.
This comprehensive dabbing glossary, updated regularly, will help you understand the lingo and trends of dabbing.
Dabbing Glossary A to Z (updated June 26, 2023)
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This term is a nod to the world of dabbing. When you flip it upside down, it looks like the word ‘oil’. It’s a code for dabbing, similar to how 420 is associated with smoking cannabis. Dab enthusiasts even celebrate “Dab Day” on 7/10 (July 10th) each year due to the rising popularity of dabbing.
Alcohol Extraction
This is a technique used to extract THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis, using alcohol as a solvent.
Banger
These are attachments, usually made of quartz, that connect to a dab rig. They’re heated using either a torch or an eNail to vaporize cannabis concentrates. Bangers come in a variety of styles and sizes, with flat-top bangers being particularly popular.
Banger Hanger
This is a popular type of dabbing device, designed to hold the banger (the part of the rig where the concentrate is placed).
Blasting
This is a colloquial term for the process of extracting cannabis concentrates using butane. The term likely originates from the potential risk of explosion associated with this method.
Boro
Short for borosilicate, this term refers to a type of glassware used in the dabbing process. Items like bongs, water pipes, and rigs are often made from borosilicate glass due to their ability to withstand the high temperatures associated with dabbing without cracking or breaking.
Butane Extraction
This is a method used to create cannabis concentrates, where butane is used as the solvent to extract THC.
Butane Hash Oil (BHO)
This is a type of cannabis concentrate that boasts high potency. It’s created by using butane as a solvent to extract the desired compounds from the cannabis plant. The resulting product can take on various forms, such as oil, wax, shatter, and live resin, among others.
Butane Torch
A butane dab torch is used to heat the dab to a temperature where it vaporizes and can be inhaled.
Butter, Budder, Badder
These terms refer to the consistency of certain cannabis concentrates, which can resemble the texture of butter.
Cannabinoids
These are the compounds found in cannabis and hemp plants. The most well-known cannabinoids are THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). While THC is known for its psychoactive effects, CBD is often associated with a more relaxed and clear-headed experience.
Carb Cap
A carb cap is a tool used to control the airflow around domeless nails and bangers during the dabbing process. It functions similarly to a lid on a boiling pot, allowing the dab to vaporize at lower temperatures.
Chazzing
Chazzing is when your quartz nail has carbon build-up and collects burnt-on resin. This makes your dab nail look discolored and also will affect the flavor of future dabs you take with the banger.
Cold-Start Dab
Also known as a “Reverse Dab”, this method involves applying the concentrate to the nail before heating it.
CO2 Extraction
This is a technique used to create cannabis concentrates, where carbon dioxide is used as the solvent to extract THC.
Concentrate Pipe
This is a type of pipe specifically designed for the consumption of cannabis concentrates.
Crumble
This term is used to describe a type of cannabis concentrate that has a crumbly texture.
Dab Mat
This is a silicone mat used to provide a stable base for a dab rig on a table, preventing it from slipping or tipping over. It also provides a nonstick surface in case you drop or spill any of your cannabic concentrates.
Dab Pen
Dab pens are vaping devices designed for the consumption of dabs, which are concentrated forms of cannabis. Their unique feature is that you can fill them with any type of dabs you’d like as opposed to a vape pen that requires a pre-filled cart.
Dab Rig
This is a device, typically made from heat-resistant glass, used for dabbing. It resembles a bong, but instead of a bowl, it features a nail made from quartz, titanium, or ceramic. The nail is heated with a butane torch, and users apply the dab to the hot nail, inhaling the vaporized cannabinoids and terpenes.
Dabber Tool
This is a long, thin tool used to handle cannabis concentrates. It helps users dose their supply and apply it to the hot nail. Dabbers can be made from various materials, including stainless steel, glass, and titanium.
Dabs/Concentrate
These terms refer to various types of extracted cannabis resin, such as shatter, wax, and live resin. The act of consuming these concentrates is known as dabbing.
Diamonds
THC diamonds are crystalline structures that form during the curing process of sauce concentrates under specific heat and pressure conditions.
Dome
This is a part of some dabbing devices, designed to contain the vaporized cannabis concentrate.
Downstem
This is a tube that directs vapor from the nail to the chamber of the dab rig.
Ear Wax
This is a slang term for cannabis concentrates, derived from the resemblance of certain concentrates to ear wax.
E-Nail
An electronic nail, or eNail, is a device that heats the banger to a set temperature. Instead of using a torch, users can use a digital control box that heats a coil. E-nails are safe to use and allow users to maintain consistent temperatures for dabbing.
Errl
This is a slang term for cannabis concentrates.
Extraction
This is the process of removing the resin from the cannabis plant. Solvent-based extractions use substances like ethanol, butane, or carbon dioxide to separate the psychoactive compounds from the plant. The resulting resin can vary in potency, texture, consistency, and form.
Glycerin Extraction
This is a method of creating cannabis concentrates, where glycerin is used as the solvent to extract THC.
Grade 2 Titanium
This is the highest quality and safest type of titanium used for dab nails.
Ground Joint
This term refers to a set of a male inner piece and a female outer piece that form an airtight seal, helping to direct vapor into the dab rig.
High Terpene Full Spectrum Extract (HTFSE):
These are top-tier concentrates that extract a high amount of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids from a strain. HTFSE are believed to offer more balanced effects, fewer side effects, and more relief. They come in a syrupy and crystallized mixture of consistencies.
Honeycomb
This term is used to describe cannabis extracts that have a soft, porous texture similar to that of a honeycomb.
Ice Hash
This is a type of cannabis concentrate created using ice water to separate the trichome glands from the plant material.
Ice Wax
Also known as water hash, this is a type of cannabis concentrate made using ice water.
Inserts
These are small dish-like containers made of quartz that go inside a dab nail. Inserts provide a layer of separation between the oil and heat, allowing for a more even distribution of heat.
ISO Oil
This is a term for cannabis concentrates made using isopropyl alcohol as the solvent.
Joint Size
This refers to the diameter of the joint on a nail or rig. The most common sizes are 10mm, 14mm, and 19mm.
Knife Hits
This is an older method of consuming dabs, which involves heating two knives and using them to vaporize the concentrate.
Liquid Gold
This is a slang term for cannabis concentrates, derived from the golden appearance of many concentrates.
Live Resin
This is a type of cannabis concentrate rich in terpenes, made from fresh, frozen cannabis buds. The buds are immediately frozen after harvest to retain more of their volatile terpenes. Live resin has a high terpene level but is not considered an HTFSE. It has a viscous consistency.
Low-Temp Dabs
This method of dabbing at temperatures between 500º and 650ºF allows users to vaporize more of the terpenes compared to higher temperatures, which can burn off these aromatic compounds and waste the wax.
Nails
These are attachments for a dab rig that are heated before applying the concentrate for vaporization. Nails come in many different styles and sizes and are commonly made from quartz, titanium, and ceramic.
Nug
This term refers to the flower of the cannabis plant, which contains a high concentration of THC.
Nug Run
This term refers to cannabis concentrates made exclusively from the flower of the cannabis plant.
Oil
This term covers a wide range of cannabis products including vape oils, tinctures, and other liquid cannabis concentrates. Oils can be vaporized or ingested in food or drink.
Oil Rig
This is another term for a dab rig, likely derived from the fact that dabs are sometimes referred to as oil.
Percolator
Also known as a perc or diffuser, this is a component within a dab rig designed to diffuse the vapor into smaller bubbles for better water filtration, resulting in smoother, cooler hits.
Pull-and-Snap
This refers to cannabis extracts that have a consistency akin to taffy. These extracts are flexible but may break or “snap” when pulled too hard.
Pressed Hash
This term refers to cannabis concentrates that are extracted mechanically, often resulting in a solid, pressed form.
Propane Hash Oil (PHO)
This refers to concentrates made using propane during the hydrocarbon extraction process. Propane has a lower boiling point than butane, making it a good choice for terpene extraction. A blend of propane and butane solvents can also improve the extraction of cannabinoids and terpenes.
Purge
This is the process of eliminating solvents used in the extraction process. It’s crucial for safety, as high levels of residual solvents can be harmful if consumed. Always ensure your product has been lab-tested for safety.
Quartz
This is a highly durable, heat-resistant material often used in dabbing equipment. Quartz bangers, carb caps, and inserts can enhance your dabbing experience.
QWISO
Short for Quick Wash Isopropyl Alcohol, this is an extraction technique that uses isopropyl alcohol to produce a quick extract. Only pure isopropyl alcohol should be used with dried flowers.
QWET
Short for Quick Wash Ethanol, this is an extraction technique that uses ethanol to produce a resin extract. Ethanol is capable of removing trichomes from the plant, even with a quick wash.
Reclaim
This term refers to the residue left over after dabbing, which can be collected and reused.
Resin
Also known as sap, this refers to the resinous part of the cannabis plant, which is rich in THC.
Reverse Dab
This is a method of dabbing where the concentrate is applied to the nail before it is heated. It is also referred to as “cold-start dabbing“.
Rosin
This is a type of solventless concentrate made using cannabis flower, hash, or kief. The material is placed in a machine that uses heat and pressure to separate the cannabis resin from the plant matter.
Seasoning a Nail
This term refers to the process of applying cannabis concentrates to a “nail” to prepare your dab nail for dabbing. Seasoning your dab nail is a critical part of getting the most out of your dab nail.
Shatter
This is a type of cannabis concentrate that has a glass-like consistency and a translucent amber appearance.
Solvent
These are specific chemical compounds, such as butane, alcohol, or propane, utilized in the extraction process to separate and collect cannabinoids and terpenes from cannabis plants, thereby producing concentrates.
Solventless
This term refers to cannabis concentrates that are produced without the use of chemical solvents. Instead, these concentrates are made using heat, pressure, and water.
Sugar
This term describes a type of cannabis concentrate that has a wet, granulated texture similar to sugar. It’s typically extracted chemically from either dried flowers or fresh frozen cannabis plants.
Terp Pearls
These are small balls, usually made from quartz or ruby, that spin inside a dab nail to help disperse concentrates and ensure even heating distribution.
Terpenes
These are compounds found throughout the plant kingdom that play a significant role in warding off predators and attracting pollinators. For humans, terpenes are what we smell when we break apart a sticky and dense bud.
Titanium
This is a common metal used for dab tools including nails, carb caps, and dabbers. Titanium can withstand very high temperatures without breaking. Grade 2 titanium is the most common and safest type used for dabbing tools.
Vape Oil
This term refers to cannabis concentrates that are designed to be vaporized in a vape pen or similar device.
Vapor Rig
This is another term for a dab rig, which is a device used to vaporize and inhale cannabis concentrates.
Vapor Straw
This is a simple, one-piece glass device used to inhale cannabis concentrates. It’s often used for its simplicity and ease of use.
Wax
This is a type of cannabis concentrate that has a sticky, wax-like texture. It’s one of the many forms that cannabis concentrates can take, and like other concentrates, it’s used in the process of dabbing.
