Dab Rigs for Concentrates, Glass Mini Rigs to E-Rigs

Dab Rig or E-Rig: Which Setup Suits You?

A traditional dab rig pairs a borosilicate glass chamber with a quartz banger and a butane torch: you heat the banger, drop in your concentrate, and cap it to pull the vapour through water. That hands-on process gives you full control over heat and timing, and many people prefer the ritual of it. An e-rig swaps the torch for an electronic heating element, so you dial in a temperature and wait for the coil to do the work. If you want consistency without the faff of a torch, or you're new to dabbing, an e-rig is worth a serious look. Both styles use water filtration to cool the vapour before it reaches you.

Mini Rigs, Recyclers, and Pocket Bubblers: Size Matters

Smaller rigs keep the vapour path short, which generally means a more concentrated flavour hit. They're also a lot easier to stash away. The tiniest pieces sit at the pocket-bubbler end of the scale, handy for a low-key sesh at home or on the move. Recycler and incycler designs loop the water through a second chamber, which can smooth out the hit further and reduce splashback, worth considering if you find standard rigs a bit harsh. Joint size matters too: most mini rigs run a 10 mm joint, so double-check your banger or nail matches before you buy.

Bangers, Nails, and Carb Caps: Getting the Accessories Right

The banger or dab nail is the bucket you heat to vaporise your concentrate. Quartz is the go-to material because it holds heat well and doesn't affect flavour. A carb cap sits over the banger once you've loaded it, restricting airflow so the vapour forms at a lower temperature. Low-temp dabs preserve more of the terpene profile, which is where most of the flavour lives. A dab tool lets you handle sticky concentrates (wax, shatter, rosin) without losing half of them to your fingers. If your rig didn't come with a banger, check the joint size (10 mm or 14 mm) before picking one up separately.

Rosin Press Bags: If You're Making Your Own Concentrates

Rosin press bags are a different part of the workflow: they're used to filter plant material when you're pressing your own rosin at home, before you ever load a rig. Each bag carries a micron rating, which tells you how fine the filter mesh is. If you're buying a rig and concentrates separately, you may not need press bags at all. But if you're pressing your own material, check the micron rating on the listing before you order.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use my dab rig banger with a bong, or are they different fittings?

It depends on the joint size. Most mini dab rigs use a 10 mm joint, while many standard bongs run a 14 mm joint. The two aren't interchangeable. Before buying a banger or nail separately, check the joint size listed on your rig's product page. Getting this wrong is the most common compatibility mistake, and it's an easy one to avoid.

How do I clean a dab rig to stop residue building up?

Rinse the chamber with warm water after every sesh to stop concentrate residue hardening inside the glass. For a deeper clean, isopropyl alcohol works well on borosilicate glass: leave it to soak, then rinse thoroughly. Quartz bangers benefit from a quick wipe with a cotton swab while still warm. Regular cleaning keeps flavour clean and extends the life of the piece.

What's the difference between wax, shatter, and rosin, and does it matter which I use in a dab rig?

All three are concentrates that work in a dab rig, but they handle differently. Shatter is hard and glass-like, wax is softer and easier to scoop with a dab tool, and rosin is a solventless extract pressed from plant material. The consistency affects how you load the banger, but any standard quartz banger can handle all three. Your carb cap and temperature control matter more than which concentrate you choose.