High Temperature Vs. Low Temperature Dabbing

High Temperature Dab

High-temperature dabbing gives you thicker smoke clouds. You will feel the effects really quick. With high temps, you will also be able to consume all your concentrate.

While it's true that some dabbers enjoy dabbing at high temperatures, too much heat can make oils smell and taste unpleasant. Some oils like coconut oil produce harmful toxins such as acetaldehyde when heated at extreme temperature. Acetaldehyde has been said to be a group 1 carcinogen, which causes cancer.

When you dab at a high temps., you may inhale other carcinogenic compounds such as benzene and naphthalene. These are released when plant oils face extreme heat.

According to a 2001 study on the effect of vaporization conducted by the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) in collaboration with Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), vaping at 365℉ (185℃) helped to prevent the release of benzene, toluene, and naphthalene. However, the compounds were produced when the temperature increased to 392℉ (200℃).

Another downside of high temp dabbing is that you get less flavor with short dabbing sessions. The higher the temperature, the more taste you lose. High-temperature dab is also harsh when inhaled and can cause sore on your throat and lung.

Low Temperature Dabs

Unlike high temps, low-temperature dabbing offers many benefits. It will provide flavorful and smoother hits while extending your dabbing session. Low temperatures also helps prevent irritation in your throat and lungs, reducing the risks of a burn.

While low temp produces less vapor, it doesn’t release as many harmful toxins. There is little risk of inhaling compounds like benzene and toluene which can cause health issues. Low temperature are generally a more healthier way of consuming concentrates.

Different Temperatures

Here are the different dabbing temperature ranges.

0-300°F: Very Low Temp

Dabbing at this temperature range will produce minimal vapors from your concentrates. Here you’ll be sacrificing quantity for great taste, so keep in mind you won’t be able to dab all the wax that drops on your nail. The nail will most likely cool down and leave residue.

315-450°F: Low temp

This is the perfect range where you achieve maximum flavor while vaporizing almost all the concentrate on the nail. This spot gives you a tasteful and smoother hit which has minimal effect on your throat and lungs. These are the ideal low temperatures for dab rigs.

450-600°F: Medium temp

This range is between vaporization and combustion. It’s perfect for those who like to get the effects quickly without sacrificing too much flavor.

600-900°F: High temp

Dabbing becomes more intense at this range. Your nail turns red hot, and your concentrate will likely combust. This temperature produces thick and hot smoke which can burn your throat and lungs. Here you will be sacrificing taste and effect as you will lose some of the other active ingredients.

900+°F: Extremely high temp

Dabbing becomes very unpleasant and dangerous at this range. We don’t recommend it.

Dabbing with an e-Nail

You face the risks of going above the ideal temperature range when you use a torch to heat it up. As we discussed, we don't want the nail to become too hot. However, using an electronic nail (e-nail) gives you full control over your dabbing temperature and experience. E-nails help you maximize the full potentials of the terpenes in your concentrate by maintaining a low temp. E-nails can last for hours as they usually require little power for operation. This makes it possible for you to enjoy multiple dab sessions without burning your concentrate.

What exactly are enails?

An e-nail is usually a metal box that features a port for a heating coil, a power switch, and a PID controller that helps to gauge the temperature of the coil. You can turn on the gauge separately from the heating coil to prevent burn. Coils usually have two sizes - 16mm and 20mm, and each coil works with nails designed for its size.

There are also portable enails that work and look like dab pens. These enails usually come with glass attachments that function as the dad rig, providing filtrations and cool vapors.

Although the enails tend to be more expensive than the standard dab nails, they can be a great choice if you want to get the best from your herbs