Put away those blowtorches and nails—there’s now an easier way to dab your dankest concentrates. Although dab pens may be portable, don’t let their small size fool you; these discreet, handheld vaporizers have enough power to shatter your shatter in seconds.
If you’re a relative beginner to concentrates or vaporizing cannabis in general, there’s no need to feel intimidated—you can kick back and relax while taking your concentrate game to a whole new level without all the muss and fuss of a dab rig and torch. Learn all about dab pens, including:
- What makes dab pens different from vape pens?
- How to clean and maintain your dab pen
- The types of concentrates you can use in a dab pen
….and so much more! By the end of this post, you’ll be ready to stock your stashbox with the highest-quality concentrates for your new favorite device.
What Is a Dab Pen?
If you’re new to dabbing concentrates, you’ve probably asked yourself, what is dabbing anyway? Dabbing is a way to consume cannabis concentrates, such as budder, shatter, and wax. When a small amount of concentrate is dropped in a rig for vaporization, it’s called a “dab.”
A traditional dab rig is a tabletop device resembling a bong, where a cannabis concentrate is placed on a “nail” and then heated with a small blow torch, which allows the user to inhale vapor through the mouthpiece.
Before dab rigs, concentrates were typically consumed by placing them on a pin under glass or heating two knives over a stove—called “hot knifing”—and putting the concentrate between the two heated knives for vaporization. Both of these methods have distinct drawbacks, such as wastefulness, inferior flavor, and the risk of burns.
While not meant to replace traditional dab rigs, dab pens have revolutionized the world of concentrates, making dabbing easier and more accessible to beginners. Also called “concentrate pens,” “wax pens,” or “wax vaporizers,” dab pens are portable devices that vaporize concentrates with electronic heating elements, eliminating the need for a blow torch.
How Does a Dab Pen Work?
Dab pens work when the battery is turned on through draw-activation or with a power button, triggering the heating element in your unit. Once your dab pen reaches the right temperature through time or immediate draw, all you have to do is inhale and enjoy.
Though there are many different types and designs of dab pens on the market, most of them are built with the same key components:
- Chamber or Atomizer: Where you place your chosen concentrate.
- Cap: Covers the chamber to keep your concentrate from leaking out.
- Heating Element: The mechanism used to vaporize the concentrate—it’s usually in the form of a coil made of ceramic or quartz.
- Battery: Dab pens typically come with rechargeable batteries and a USB cable.
- Mouthpiece: Where you inhale the vapor.
- Power Button: Though some are draw-activated, most dab pens have a power button.
As technology booms, vaporizers are becoming more advanced, with many on the market that allow you to control the temperature of the heating element for a customized vaping experience. Some dab pens and vaporizers pair with mobile apps that let you change the lights on your device or set temperature alerts.
Dab Pens vs Carts or Vape Pens
Though dab pens use technology similar to vape pens, they have one significant difference: dab pens don’t require cartridges. One of the pros of dab pens is that they allow you to customize your experience and avoid the expense of buying replacement cartridges, making them arguably better for the environment as well.
All-in-one vape pens and cartridges are also pre-filled, so it can be hard to gauge the overall quality of concentrate used. Dab pens, on the other hand, give you complete control over what you put into them, meaning you can choose the concentrate type and experience of your choice.
How To Use a Dab Pen: Step-by-Step Guide
You can use a dab pen to consume almost any type of cannabis concentrate that isn’t in pure liquid form, such as RSO or CBD oils. Rosin, hash, budder, wax, shatter, and live resin are all excellent choices, and you can find quality concentrates of all kinds at our family of Michigan dispensaries. Once you stock up, you’re ready to start sampling.
Dab Pen Instructions
- Charge the battery.
- Remove the cap and unscrew the chamber.
- Place your chosen concentrate in the chamber.
- Reattach it to the pen and replace the cap.
- Power the unit on according to the manufacturer’s instructions, either with a button or through draw activation.
- Adjust the settings if your dab pen has temperature control buttons.
- Inhale slowly through the mouthpiece and release the power button when you’ve had enough.
- Exhale and relax.
- Turn the dab pen off and replace the cap.
Do Dab Pens Smell?
Generally, consuming concentrates with a vape pen produces a much subtler scent than smoking flower or even dabbing cannabis concentrates with a rig, and the vapor from a dab pen can smell even less than the vapor from a vape cartridge or pen since dab pens tend to use purer extracts with no added flavorings. That said, you should still avoid using your dab pen in areas where smoking and vaping are prohibited.
Why Is My Dab Pen Not Working?
Dab pens aren’t perfect, and you can run into a few common issues when using them, including clogging, dead batteries, and improper storage. Thankfully, you can use a few tips and tricks to keep your dab pen working efficiently.
How To Properly Charge a Dab Pen
Since some dab pens can last a week or more on a single charge, it’s easy to forget to recharge them, and there’s nothing more disappointing than loading up a dab pen chamber with an exciting new concentrate only to find that your battery is dead. The total duration of a dab pen battery’s charge depends on several factors:
- The quality of the dab pen
- Frequency of use
- Maintenance habits
- Battery age
Charging a dab pen is typically as simple as connecting the USB cable to a computer or a wall outlet adapter. The USB cable will connect to your dab pen with a similar type of plug that you would use for your cellphone, or they may have a standard 510-threaded end that screws into your battery.
We recommend charging your battery at the end of each day to ensure it’s ready for your next dabbing session.
How to Unclog a Dab Pen
If you’ve used vape carts before, you’re probably familiar with clogged vape pens and the frustration of them not functioning properly. Unfortunately, dab pens can also get clogged up and stop working.
To unclog a vape or dab pen, you can try heating it or blowing into it while it’s empty to encourage the sticky concentrate to loosen. However, adopting regular maintenance and cleaning habits is the best defense against clogging problems.
Properly Store Your Dab Pen
The best practice for storing your dab pen is to keep it upright in a cool, dry location away from any light or heat source. This will keep the concentrate within the pen fresh, and the upright position can reduce the chances of clogging.
Dab Pen Maintenance
With proper maintenance, a high-quality dab pen can last for years, and along with the helpful tips listed above, you should be giving your dab pens a regular cleaning. Plan to clean your dab pen every 10 – 15 sessions (or sooner if it looks like it needs it) to prevent clogs, ensure optimum flavor, and extend the life of the unit.
When you fill the chamber for your next sessions, avoid overloading it, as spillover can get sticky and damage the heating element.
How To Clean a Dab Pen: Step-by-Step Guide
Properly cleaning a dab pen will first require some supplies:
- A small jar or glass container
- Warm water
- Cotton swabs
- Rubbing alcohol
- Paper towels or lint-free cloth
Instructions
- Separate the chamber (atomizer) and mouthpiece from the battery.
- Place the chamber and mouthpiece in a small jar or glass, cover them with warm water, and let them soak for at least 30 minutes—do not soak the battery.
- Rinse the mouthpiece and chamber and let air dry.
- Dip the cotton swab in the rubbing alcohol and carefully wipe away any residue inside the mouthpiece and the chamber.
- Once the alcohol has evaporated, carefully reassemble your dab pen. The fit should be snug but not too tight—over tightening can cause damage.
- Wipe the outside of the pen with alcohol.
- While it’s still empty, heat your dab pen for a few seconds to evaporate any remaining alcohol.
- Load the chamber back up and enjoy!
Note: Though regularly cleaning a dab pen can keep the taste of your vapor fresh, if you notice that your pen continually tastes bad after a thorough cleaning, it may be time to replace the atomizer.
How Much Is a Dab Pen?
Today, you’ll find a wide range of dab pens on the market, from affordable beginner models to high-end units with advanced functions, but the most important tip is to purchase your dab pen and concentrates from a reputable dispensary. Cheap concentrate pens bought from corner stores or black market sources can be of questionable quality.
When shopping for a dab pen, ask yourself a few questions first to see what direction you want to go regarding quality and usability. These questions include:
- How often do you plan to use your dab pen?
- What types of concentrates do you prefer?
- What’s your budget?
- How important are customizable features and temperature controls?
If you’re a beginner or on a strict budget, consider purchasing a basic dab pen, which can range between $20 – $40. Seasoned concentrate consumers may want to spring for a higher-end model with advanced functions, which start at around $60 and can go up to $100 or more.
Load Up Your Dab Pen With Quality Concentrates from Exclusive
Has learning about dab pens intrigued you? You’re in the right place! At Exclusive, we’re dedicated to sourcing only the best Michigan-grown cannabis products, including quality concentrates to fill up your dab pens. Head to the Exclusive dispensary closest to you, or browse our online menus for a huge selection of premium vape pens and potent concentrates.
Want to take a deeper dive into cannabis concentrates and dabbing technology? Check out our informative blog for more information, download our mobile app, and sign up for our Exclusive VIP Program.
