If you are interested in smoking concentrates, or want a better way to consume them, dab rigs (aka. dab pipes, dab bongs) are the way to go. There's a lot to cover with dabbing but once you have it down, it'll be a breeze.
How do I choose a dab rig?
Aside from the obvious factors of personal taste and cost, which should always be considered, there are multiple functionality factors to consider. The best dab rigs will combine all of these factors into a perfect daily driver. First and foremost is size. If you want your concentrates to be as potent as possible, a smaller dab rig is the way to go. It is believed that more filtration will dilute the dabs slightly, so a smaller piece with only one perc might be best for you. However, if you're looking for smooth hits that will be easier on the throat and lungs, a bigger piece is going to cool your smoke more.
You should also consider percolation style. A one-chamber dab rig with a simple perc is going to deliver strong hits. With each perc, your hit gets cooler and smoother. Percs with larger or less numerous holes, like a stem perc or matrix perc, won't filter quite as much as a more thorough perc, such as a honeycomb or fritted disc perc. More chambers and perc with smaller holes will guarantee you a silkier vapor.
Although arguably not as important as the previous two points, glass thickness is definitely something to keep in mind. The standard thickness for dab rigs is 3mm. This will be a decent piece, but something with 4mm, 5mm or thicker glass will be increasingly more sturdy. Especially with a hot torch around the rig, you may want to consider a thicker piece for dabbing than you would use would use as a bong.
How much water do you put in a dab rig?
This is an easy one to answer. To fill your dab bong properly, you need enough water to cover each percolation hole. After that, the general rule of thumb is to add an additional 1/2" of water. Using too little water will result in an improperly filtereded hit, and too much could cause your dab pipe to overflow when you take a drag. Most importantly, change the water regularly to experience the freshest hits possible!
What do you need to start dabbing?
There are a couple more smoking accessories you need to get started on dabbing with a pipe, aside from the dab rig itself. A basic setup consists of a dab rig, dab nail (also called a banger nail), dabber and torch. This will be enough to get you started, but a couple extra additions can really ramp up your dab game. Consider adding in a carb cap for controlled airflow, and a silicone container for storage and easy scooping of your wax. To a beginner it may seem like a lot, but these tools are all extremely accessible online and only make the experience more enjoyable.
At the end of the day, your dab setup is a matter of personal preference, and should be something you enjoy using. Everything you need can be purchased online and delivered right to you. Whenever you're ready, this guide has hopefully given you the confidence you needed. Happy dabbing!
