Bigger isn’t always better. In this case, we’re talking about dab rigs, so don’t get your hopes up. Giant bongs are great for collecting tons of filtered weed smoke and taking huge rips. But dabbing is a different story. Real dab lovers are more concerned about savoring all the terpene flavors than getting a ton of THC at once, which dabs will provide anyways, and mini dab rigs satisfy this in a fun-size package.
Why are mini rigs better for dabs?
Terpenes start degrading as soon as they touch the air when they’re vaporized. Less air inside the rig leads to more flavorful dabs! With a mini rig, you preserve as many delicate terpenes as possible. For dabs, it’s not as effective to milk your hit in the rig for a long time, like it can be when using flower in a bong.
What kind of mini rigs are best?
Glass rigs are going to be the best for preserving terpenes, but of course, the type of glass depends on what you want from your dabbing experience.
Quartz Mini Rigs
If you’re really going for the maximum flavor, quartz is ideal. Quartz glass has a huge coefficient of expansion, which means it will heat up quickly and retain heat for longer. Quartz, especially in the form of a mini rig, is great for cold-start dabbing. This technique involves heating the banger with your torch after loading your concentrates. This allows the dab to melt at the very lowest temp possible, preserving more of the terpenes. Our favorite quartz mini rig is the Ooze Toxic Barrel Mini Rig, which is great for those who prefer the cold-start method and are looking for very flavorful, delicious dabs.
Borosilicate Glass Mini Rigs
Mini rigs made of borosilicate glass are better for those looking for a super potent, intoxicating hit. These tend to be more intricate pieces with features like recyclers and percs that add extra filtration and cool down the vapor further. Since these features pull the smoke through the water and air more rapidly, they travel further through the rig. This type of mini rig is great for hot-start dabbing, where the banger is heated up with a torch before the dab is dropped into the banger, instantly vaporizing. These glass rigs tend to make the dab less flavorful overall, but will create a stronger hit. Borosilicate mini rigs are great for those who prefer the hot-start method.
Pro tip: the Ocean Recyclers each have a recycler loop that extends out the back of each piece. This makes for a perfect little handle to hold the rig while you’re dabbing!
Think of a mini dab rig like a scotch glass for whiskey lovers. It accentuates all the notes and flavors so you can get the most out of every hit! Check out our mini rigs here and level up your dabbing experience.