Keeping your dab rig clean is a priority. You’ll need a few essential tools to keep it in good shape, including Q-Tips, cotton swabs, a dab torch, and rubbing alcohol.
Regular cleanings prevent brown residue from accumulating in your rig. Plus, stagnant water in a bong can be home to bacteria and yeasts that can affect your vapor.
Carb Caps
The fitting carb cap can make all the difference in a dab session. These little dab rig accessories are designed to fit over a nail or banger and allow airflow through the carb hole while keeping the concentrate and heat inside for a great experience.
Many carb caps are available, including ones with a universal titanium design that fits a wide range of nails and bangers. Others are made for specific bangers like the bucket style and allow you to control the direction of airflow through the carb hole. Some even have a design that creates a vortex in the banger, swirling the air and concentrates around like a tornado to provide a more evenly heated experience.
Cleaning your carb cap regularly is just as crucial as cleaning other rig parts. A cleaning solution targeted explicitly for dabbing will help keep it clean while not damaging your glass hardware. Isopropyl alcohol mixed with coarse salt is a good option as it will loosen any gunk stuck in hard-to-reach areas while the rough texture of the salt scrubs it away.
Nails
Cleaning a dab rig and its accessories can feel like a chore, but it’s vital for maximizing the life of your equipment and ensuring that you always get flavorful hits. Besides looking gross, a banger weighed down with charred residue can no longer function effectively and may crack or break when reheated.
A dab rig’s nail is the removable part the concentrate is dropped onto to vaporize and inhale. It can be made of glass, quartz, ceramic, or titanium and withstand high temperatures. A titanium nail is the most durable and will resist warping and damage when reheated.
The cleaning process is relatively simple if you have all the right supplies. You’ll need your dirty rig and nail, a torch, rubbing alcohol, coarse salt, a plastic bag or container, and cotton swabs. Cover all of the attachment pieces in your cleaning solution and shake well. Once your rig is clean, rinse it thoroughly to remove any remaining solution and dry it completely before using it again.
Dome
If a dab rig is appropriately cleaned after each session, the dabs’ residue can protect the equipment and make it less efficient. Regular cleaning and maintenance also help maintain a dab’s flavor and consistency and keep it smelling fresh.
Various dab rigs are available to consumers, including basic three-piece glass rigs and electronic e-nails. Regardless of the type of dab rig that you have, it’s essential to know how to clean it.
Bangers
Dab rigs can get messy, so cleaning them regularly is essential. This helps maintain fresh flavors in your dabs and makes your rig more efficient. The cleaning process also prevents excess residue from clogging up your dab rig.
Unlike bongs, dabs are inhaled directly from a nail (a banger). A nail is a ceramic or quartz piece that holds a concentrate and heats up to vaporize it. A good dab rig nail will be well-made and durable. Some are made of titanium, while others are made out of quartz.
Regardless of the material, a quality dab nail should efficiently heat up and cool down quickly. It should also be sturdy enough to hold a lot of heat. Like a regular cigarette bowl, it must be cleaned thoroughly after every session. Dirty rig water can harbor germs, including bacteria, fungus, and yeasts you don’t want to inhale. Soaking the rig’s nail in a cleaning solution helps remove gunk and leftover debris.
Glass
A dab rig is a type of water pipe that allows users to consume oils, waxes, and concentrates without combustion. They come in various shapes and sizes and are made from solid and durable materials like borosilicate glass.
The most common type of dab rig includes at least one slide piece or glass attachment that fits into the receiver on the top of the device. This can be a nail, banger, or bucket, depending on what kind of dabbing experience you prefer.
Other popular types of dab rigs include e-nails, electronic devices that heat up automatically to the perfect temperature for dabbing. These are convenient, portable, and a safer torch alternative.
When cleaning a dab rig, it’s essential to cover all attachment pieces with isopropyl alcohol to prevent the alcohol solution from evaporating too quickly. Adding coarse salt to the solution is also a good idea, as it can help break down residue and make it easier to wipe away. You can even soak your attachments in hot boiling water to loosen harsh residue and make it easier to remove.
