Can You Dab Distillate?

Dabbing is one of the most preferred ways of consuming cannabis in the form of vapor. The main appeal of this consumption method is the highly concentrated THC, which may lead to potent highs. When paired with distillate, it can have an even greater effect. This brings us to the question: how can you dab distillate effectively?

Distillate is a highly concentrated form of THC oil. Through distillation, you extract a single cannabis compound (THC or CBD) for vaping, dabbing, smoking, edibles, etc. Below, we’ll answer whether it’s possible to dab distillate, explain the whole process, and include some smoking tips and tricks.

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Can You Dab Distillate?

First, let’s explain what dabbing is. Dabbing involves inhaling concentrates through a dab rig. These concentrates are high in THC or tetrahydrocannabinol since the goal of this consumption method is to deliver a swift and strong high.

By heating the concentrates, they undergo decarboxylation. This activates the inactive compounds in weed and releases their high-inducing effects. 

So, concentrates are simply cannabis extracts stripped of impurities and high in active cannabis compounds. Distillate is also considered a concentrate because it can be defined as a pure THC or CBD mass. Thus, you can dab distillate, but it can be an intricate process. Here’s what it looks like:

Process of dabbing distillate

Before you start, ensure you have all the equipment necessary for dabbing. You will need the following items: 

• Distillate

• Dab rig

• Nail

• Dabber or syringe

• Heat source

So, can you dab distillate from a syringe? A dabber is a cleaner way to scoop up and apply distillate to the nail because you don’t have to touch it. However, a syringe is convenient because it allows you to fill it with distillate and apply as much as you want. 

You’ll have to heat the nail of the dab rig and add distillate to it, turning it into vapor. Start by getting a heat source like a heating torch, e-nail (electric nail heater), lighter, etc.

Nail types

You should get a nail – here are a couple of choices: 

• Quartz - If you want a medical-grade material that doesn’t release toxins when heated and maintains maximum flavor. It heats up in a few seconds but is very prone to breaking.

• Ceramic - If you want a great taste and a material that’s also medical-grade. This type of nail takes over half a minute to heat up, and afterward, it’s hard to tell whether it’s hot because it doesn’t glow orange like the others.

• Titanium - If you tend to drop things and want a nail that’ll survive a fall. This type of nail can carry toxins if it doesn’t come from a reputable source since it isn’t medical-grade. It will take 15-25 seconds to heat up.

Heat the nail according to the type of material, and then add the distillate. Use a dabber or syringe to extract some distillate and place it on the nail. Place the carb cap on top, and you’re good to go. 

Dosing considerations

One thing you should know about distillate is that it’s difficult to achieve a perfect dosage. The good thing is that once you do it a couple of times, you can gauge how much is enough. For starters, add distillate the size of a grain of rice or smaller and increase the dosage very slightly the next few times you dab.

Make sure to inhale slowly, gradually, and at intervals. The faster you inhale, the quicker you’ll experience a high. However, you don’t want it to happen too rapidly as it may have unwanted effects like coughing or choking.

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Benefits of Dabbing Distillate

Can you dab distillate and get benefits you otherwise wouldn’t if using a different method? Dabbing distillate poses certain advantages you can’t get out of other forms of cannabis:

High potency and purity

So, what do the strength and purity of distillates contribute to? It’s the process involved in the extraction referred to as short-path distillation. 

This extraction method removes the terpenes—which grant the aroma—along with any impurities, leaving only highly concentrated THC or CBD. The result is a clean paste that resembles the appearance of honey. 

This is also why distillates might boast as much as 90% THC – much more than your typical potent strain. Dabbing weed with a high concentration of cannabinoids means you might get a high in record time, saving you cannabis in the long run. 

Flavor and terpene preservation

Since all compounds contained in cannabis are isolated during the process of distillation, manufacturers can handpick the terpenes they want in their distillates. Smoking terpene-rich cannabis enhances the whole dabbing experience and may have anti-inflammatory effects. 

Moreover, you can have terpenes that smell musky, earthy, lemony, or like specific flowers. This also means you get to choose what you want the weed to taste like. 

Long shelf life

You can purchase distillate and ration it for a year because it's in its purest form. The only way you’d shorten its shelf life is by adding it to baked goods.

More discreet

Dabbing distillate doesn’t smell as much as smoking marijuana. So, if you have any concerns about leaving traces of marijuana consumption, you won’t have this problem with distillate.

Considerations and Tips

Before you purchase distillate and start dabbing, we’ve prepared some tips to help you prepare the right way:

Quality and sourcing

Since creating distillate is a highly delicate process, it’s important that the seller is experienced in weed extraction and sells pure cannabinoids. Otherwise, you’ll have difficulty inducing a potent high.

Thus, choosing a marijuana dispensary plays a vital role in the quality of your distillate. Here are some things to check off before settling with a seller:

• Make sure the seller prioritizes quality over various products.

• Look into the quality of the weed vendor; find as much info on the growing process and their farm (if they have one). If not, try to find their distributor and get info on them.

• Ensure the offered brands are reputable and sell quality cannabis.

• Go for a dispensary that lets you choose the THC level and gives you flavor and terpene options.

• Read customer reviews – they’ll reveal individual experiences with the brand and any positives or negatives you should know.

• Check for lab testing results – this will help you verify the distillate's potency and quality.

• Avoid too low prices – it’s a tell-tale sign of low-quality cannabis.

Temperature control

Lack of temperature control in dabbing distillate may hinder the taste of the cannabinoids and additions like the terpenes and flavor profile. For this reason, you should know how to properly heat the nail to 300-450 °F. 

We already mentioned how long it takes to heat each type of nail, but the tell-tale sign that it’s good to go is if the nail is red. After heating it, let it cool down for about a minute. You’ll know you’ve got the temperature right once the distillate pools at the bottom of the dab rig, spreads evenly, and starts to evaporate. 

Note: You’ll know the nail is too hot if the distillates evaporate all at once, giving you one big hit. The whole process should be slow-building. If it’s too cold, on the other hand, the distillate won’t budge.

Can You Dab Distillate Carts?

Carts or cartridges are smoking devices that come pre-filled with weed concentrate – all you have to do is attach one to a battery and start smoking. So, yes – you can dab distillate carts because you smoke them as you would a dab rig. 

We don’t recommend opening the cart to take out the concentrate since they’re not designed for it. Plus, you may be unable to extract the cannabinoids. 

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Conclusion

Can you dab distillate? Yes, you can dab distillate like any other type of concentrate. The only difference is that distillate has a sticker, a more liquid form that requires temperature control to apply heat that will effectively turn it into vapor. 

To start dabbing distillate, you’ll need a dab rig, a nail, a dabber or syringe, and a heat source. Heat the nail until it turns red hot, apply a rice-grain-sized amount of distillate, and start inhaling as it becomes vapor. Take long and even drags for a slower but potent high. 

Also, there are many benefits to using distillate this way, like high purity levels, taste and smell preservation, and discreetness. You should have no problem learning how to dab distillate if you follow our tips and tricks above!