Different Types of Wax Dabs
Wax Dabs… if you haven’t heard of them, it’s about time you have. Using wax dabs is the most effective and quickest way to experience the benefits of the cannabinoid of your choice. You can find Delta 8, Delta 9, Delta 10, THC-O, and more in your favorite type of dab wax. Oh ya, wax dabs come in many different forms, it’s up to you to decide which type is your favorite.
What Are Dabs?
Dabs, or wax dabs as some say, simply put, are concentrated forms of cannabis. They can also be called extracts or concentrates. They are considered “dabs” when they are used by “dabbing”. There are some extracts and concentrates that aren’t consumed through dabbing, those are called kiefs, tinctures, etc.
Dabs are created by first putting the cannabis plant material through an extraction process that removes trichomes. Trichomes are small and super fine outgrowths of the plant (such as the “hair” on the plant) that contain cannabinoids and terpenes. The end product is a “dab”. The extraction process can happen in a multitude of ways, the way it happens, plus post-extraction refining, determines what the consistency of the dab will be.
The name or type of dab is based on what the consistency of the extraction is. There are quite a few different types of wax dabs, with plenty of nicknames on top of that. A lot of types of dabs overlap a little bit, as well.
Types of Dabs
When it comes to dabs, there are many different types with lots of nicknames, as well. These concentrated forms of wax dabs are usually named for the texture of the wax. Like I mentioned before, the types seem to overlap a little and it can be a bit confusing, but let’s look at some more common types that you may find online or at your local shop.
Shatter
One of the most common types of dabs and one of the most pure of all smokable forms of cannabis concentrates is shatter. Shatter is named due to its fragility. Shatter is hard and breaks easily, like thin glass. It is usually gold or amber in color. The way to smoke shatter is like any other form; you scoop up a small amount of shatter and dab it onto the nail of your rig.
Crumble
Crumble is a unique cannabis concentrate. It has a crumbly texture and can also go by other names such as plain crumble, crumble dab, or crumble wax. It’s consistency is almost fudge-like in the way that when you break apart fudge, the insides are crumbly but still stick together. Crumble wax can be a range of colors from yellow to light orange to light brown. Crumble has been known to be the strongest of the concentrates, which means it’s more potent for the user. To smoke, of course, is the same as shatter - scoop up a small amount of the crumble and dab it onto the nail of your rig. Again, as with fudge, it holds together enough to scoop.
Budder/Badder
Budder, also known as batter or badder, seems to be the most desirable form of concentrate. Budder is another high-potency dab type that is also extremely clean, meaning it is very pure. When looking for high-quality budder, look for a beautiful amber color. Budder holds the same consistency as… yup! You guessed it - butter, it is light and airy. Another reason budder is so desirable is because of its smooth consistency, which makes it super easy to dab. Again, scoop the budder and dab it onto the nail of your rig in order to dab this form.
Sugar Wax
Sugar Wax is pretty similar to shatter due to how it is extracted. The color is also reminiscent of shatter due to its yellow-ish and amber range of colors. However, Sugar Wax is richer in flavor and easier to handle because of its thick consistency that sticks more easily than other forms of dabs. Of course, the name lends to how the texture is, so Sugar Wax has the same texture as wet sugar. As with other dabs, the scoop and stick method is the same when it comes to dabbing your product.
One funny, but not-so-funny thing to point out about this form of dabs is that you should absolutely NOT confuse it with sugar wax used for removing hair. Please don’t smoke that. And please don’t use sugar wax dabs for removing hair. That is the end of my PSA.
Pull ‘n’ Snap
Pull ‘n’ Snap, or taffy, dabs have the consistency as taffy, as you may have already guessed. It is glossy, flat, and dark gold in color. It also has about the same potency as shatter, but definitely easier to handle and more malleable. Dabbing pull ‘n’ snap is the same as other forms. First you must pull off the piece or pieces you want to smoke and then put them on the nail of your dab rig. There’s a chance you may pull off too much, but you don’t have to smoke all of the dab that is on your rig, you can always clean off the excess of what you haven’t used.
Rosin
Rosin is a solventless extract, which means it isn’t made with a solvent or chemical, such as butane or propane. It is considered to be one of the purest types of concentrates and cleanest because it isn’t made with chemicals. Rosin looks like thick, crumbly toffee in a lighter brown color. The texture and color sets it apart from its other dab siblings. As with most other forms of dabs, scoop your rosin out and dab it onto the nail of your dab rig. Rosin is also unique for the fact that it can be easily baked into a cannabis edible or added to a bowl or bong.
Live Resin
Different from rosin, live resin is made using solvent butane. The reason it is called “live resin” is because it is made from fresh frozen cannabis plants instead of dried plant material. Live resin is viscous and one of the easiest to dab, scoop and stick to the nail of your dab rig, like the other types. The color is reminiscent of honey, golden in nature. Live resin is also known to be more aromatic than other types of dabs. Another fun fact is that there are vape pens made from live resin.
Terp Sauce
Terp sauce, also known simply as sauce, is a very goopy, sticky, and amber in color concentrate that is very flavorful. Sometimes it does contain diamonds, making it semi-granular at times. Terp sauce is unique because it contains larger amounts of terpenes than other forms of dabs. Because it is goopy in nature, it’s a little harder to dab, but the spoon of your dab rig comes in handy in this case.
Diamonds
As mentioned in the terp sauce section, diamonds are mainly made of one cannabis compound, making it an isolate, vs the other extracts that lean more towards full-spectrum extracts. You see diamonds in terp sauce because that’s the more common way diamonds are dabbed. Usually, on their own, diamonds don’t contain a lot of terpenes nor are very flavorful. Sometimes diamonds are referred to as crystals or crystalline, which makes them look like light gold rock candy. It is uncommon to dab them in this form, they are usually added to terp sauce, but it isn’t impossible. Like with shatter or pull ‘n’ snap, you have to break off the pieces you want to use, scoop them and dab them onto the nail of your dab rig. Again, not the easiest or most common way, but it is doable.
Yes - I did show restraint by not making a “diamonds are a girl’s best friend” joke, because diamonds are EVERYONE’S best friend in this instance.
For an even more in-depth look at wax dabs, dabbing, and more, try out this blog here.
How To Use Wax Dabs
Dabbing is the term used to describe when you use dabs. The process can be explained simply; you heat the dab wax and then you inhale the vapors with a special instrument, usually a dab rig or dab pen. This is about the same concept as vaping. The vapors created by heating the wax are then inhaled by the consumer (you).
The amount to use depends upon you. Your tolerance, body type, body weight, what you’ve eaten, and a whole plethora of other things factor into how much you should use. The general suggestion is to use no more than a crumb of wax, see how you feel and react, and adjust from there. Everyone is different and every body is different - I will tout this in every single blog I write about cannabis consumption.
There are a lot of special types of equipment to dab. How you use the dab device depends on… well, the device! There are a lot of options for devices to dab out there. We currently carry the Yocan Magneto Wax Pen and definitely stand by it! One of the downsides of using dab rigs is that they aren’t convenient, so you can’t really carry them with you. The Yocan Magneto Wax Pen is perfect for when you’re wanting to be on-the-go and getting the benefits of your dabs.
This particular pen is extra convenient as it comes with a bottom chamber that holds your wax, so you don’t even have to carry around your dab container. To use this pen, you can check out the product itself for full step-by-step instructions.
The Benefits of Dabbing
Dabbing may seem intimidating, but the benefits vastly outweigh the learning curve. Whether you are using Delta 8, Delta 10, etc., etc. for health benefits or only recreationally, you can still benefit from dabbing.
Dabbing versus using other products such as edibles and topicals can be more beneficial to you. Dabbing gets the cannabinoid concentrate into your bloodstream faster, more efficiently, and more potently. When compared to gummies or other edibles, the edible has to go through your metabolism process, which reduces potency. With dabbing, the dabs bypass your metabolism processes and create a stronger experience. Dabbing is also fast-acting, there is no waiting 30 minutes to an hour in order to start to feel the effects. Especially if you’re using these products recreationally, dabbing is the fastest way for you to get your experience.
Another benefit to dabbing is that it is smokeless and almost odorless, especially compared to smoking flower or even vaping. With dabbing there are no pieces of flower that can make its way into your lungs. Dabbing has also been shown to be cleaner than vaping, as well.
Dabs can come in different strains and in different cannabinoids. You can experience your favorite Delta 8, Delta 10, HHC, and other strains with dabs. Of course, the benefits of your choice of cannabinoid will transfer through the dabs, as with other types of products.
Delta 8 Dab Benefits
- Neuroprotection
- Stress and anxiety relief
- Appetite stimulant
- Reduce nausea and vomiting
- Promote better sleep
- Pain relief
- Anti-tumor
- Promote focus and concentration
Delta 10 Dab Benefits
- Pain relief
- Appetite stimulant
- Motivation
- Increased energy
- Uplifting
- Relaxing
HHC Dab Benefits
- Chronic pain management
- Reduce nausea and vomiting
- Reduce anxiety
- Promote deeper and more restorative sleep
Of course, there are other cannabinoids that you can find in dabs. You will experience the benefits of your specific cannabinoid and can possibly find those in dabs.
Dabbing, though, in general has its own benefits compared to other product types. Dabs, like vaping, come in different strains. Finding the strain you enjoy is one major benefit of dabbing, as you can control which effects you want to lean towards given the appropriate strain. For example, if you want a more relaxing vibe, look for Indica-dominant strains. If you’re looking for something uplifting, check out the Sativas, and so on. If you’re not sure where to start with strains, you can expect strains to act about the same across the different cannabinoids. I suggest to check out our products in the cannabinoid you prefer, then search for your strain using this website to learn more about the effects of the certain strains. You can find Delta 8 dabs here, Delta 10 dabs here, and HHC dabs here.
Another major benefit at the time of writing this article is that we can ship dabs and the dab pen. As of 10/21/2021 the USPS and other major carriers have banned the shipment of vaping products. So, if you’ve been a fan of vaping but can’t get your products anymore, dabs is an easy parallel that is legal to ship.
Dabs We Carry
We carry a nice assortment of dabs in different strains, this ensures that you will be able to find the perfect product for you. If you don’t see anything you like or aren’t sure, feel free to contact us (details below) and we are happy to help you out. We also continue to grow our brands and products, so if there’s something particular you enjoy, let us know in the comments! We love adding new products to our already great selection.
Currently, we carry fun strains of Delta 8, Delta 10, and HHC dabs. These dabs are sugar wax dabs. We believe these are some of the easiest to dab, especially for beginners. Enjoy Hemp Living Delta 8 dabs in fun strains such as Blue Widow and more. Some Hemp Living Delta 10 dabs showcase strains like Maui Wowie and Lucky Charmz. Finally, Hemp Living HHC dabs have many strains, with customer favorites like Cherry Pie.
Let us know which ones you like best!
Which Type of Dab Wax Do You Want to Try?
Are you ready to make your way around the world of dabbing, dabs, and dab rigs? We know it can get pretty confusing out there, that’s what we are here for! If you’re ready to start dabbing, but you aren’t sure where to start, what strain to get, just contact our team! Contact us here. We are excited to help you on your dab journey and ready to answer any questions you may have!