Dabbing is a great way to enjoy a variety of THC concentrates. Learn how cold-start dabbing and hot-start dabbing work and discover which technique works best for you.

Cold Start Dabs vs. Hot Start: A Guide

Cannabis concentrates are commonly enjoyed by dabbing, the method of placing cannabis concentrates on a super-heated surface called a “nail” or “banger” to instantly vaporize it. However, as more people adopt the practice, they have experimented with new dab techniques, and “cold start dabbing” (or “reverse dabbing”) is a popular way to experience dabbing’s potent effects.

Whether you’re new to dabbing or an old pro, knowing the difference between a cold and hot start will let you tailor your smoking experience to best fit your needs. In this blog, we'll cover the tools you need for dabbing, how to dab with a cold or a hot start, and the benefits and drawbacks of each technique.

The Basics of Dabbing

In the cannabis world, dabbing has become the go-to way to experience your favorite concentrates in their most pure and potent form. Unlike traditional smoking methods, dabbing produces a cleaner, more flavorful vapor, free from the combustion of plant material, providing users with a purer ingestion of THC.

Equipment You Need for Dabbing

To dab, you’ll need the appropriate tools. 

• Dab rig: Similar to a bong, a dab rig is a smoking apparatus designed specifically for cannabis concentrates.

• Nail (or banger): Made of materials such as quartz, titanium, or glass, the nail is the surface on which the concentrate is placed and vaporized.

• Torch: A butane torch is used to heat the nail to the desired temperature.

• Dab tool: An elongated pick used to handle concentrates or oils. 

• Carb cap: Dab rigs often feature water filtration systems to cool and filter the vapor, creating a smoother inhalation experience. A carb cap is used to cover the nail after applying the concentrate, helping to control airflow and vaporize the concentrate more efficiently.

How to Hot Start a Dab

If you’re new to dabbing, it’s best to start with the tried-and-true hot-start method before venturing into cold-start dabbing. Just follow these steps:

• Heat the nail: Use a torch to heat the nail or banger of your dab rig until it’s visibly hot.

• Cool down: Let the nail cool for about 45 seconds to a minute. This step is crucial to achieving the right temperature: hot enough to vaporize the concentrate without overheating it, which ensures a smoother experience.

• Apply the concentrate: Using a dab tool, apply a small amount of concentrate directly onto the nail inside the dome. The amount should be no more than a crumb to start, especially for beginners.

• Inhale slowly. Cover the nail with a carb cap, if available, then inhale through the dab rig's mouthpiece. The carb cap helps regulate airflow and maximizes vapor.

• Exhale and enjoy: After inhaling the vapor, exhale immediately. You should feel the effects quite quickly due to the high potency of the concentrate.

• Clean the nail: After use, wipe the nail with a cotton swab to remove any residue and preserve the flavor for the next dab.

The Pros and Cons of Hot Starting

Dabbing with a hot start ensures that all of your concentrate is vaporized, leaving almost no residual oil and reducing waste. It’s a convenient and relatively easy way to enjoy concentrates.

However, a lot of cannabis enthusiasts argue that while dabbing with a hot start produces a quick, potent hit, the terpene flavors are often lost. When using a hot start, there’s also a risk of overheating your nail and ending up with a burnt-tasting inhale.

How to Cold Start a Dab

Whereas hot starting involves heating the nail or banger before adding the concentrate, cold starting, or “reverse dabbing,” refers to placing the concentrate on the nail or banger before heating it. This technique is gaining popularity for its ability to enhance flavor and provide a smoother dabbing experience.

To cold-start a dab, follow these steps:

• Prepare your equipment: Ensure your dab rig, nail or banger, and dabber tool are clean and ready for use.

• Apply the concentrate: Use your dabber tool to place a small amount onto the unheated nail or banger.

• Cover with a carb cap: Place a carb cap over the nail or banger to control airflow during heating.

• Heat the nail/banger: Using a torch, gently heat the nail or banger until the concentrate begins to melt and vaporize.

• Inhale: Once vapor begins to form, inhale through the mouthpiece. Rotate the carb cap to enhance vaporization and airflow.

• Finish the hit: Continue heating and inhaling until the concentrate is fully vaporized. Avoid overheating to maintain flavor and smoothness.

The Benefits of Cold Start Dabs

People often choose to cold-start their dab to experience more flavor. Research shows that lower initial temperatures preserve more terpenes and can result in a more flavorful hit. In addition, gradual heating reduces the harshness often associated with high-temperature dabs.

The Disadvantages of Cold Start Dabs

When cold-starting your dab, it can be difficult to master the technique and achieve the optimal temperature each time. If done incorrectly, you could end up with excess sticky concentrate residue. This technique is best suited to someone who has already mastered hot-start dabbing.

Which Method Should You Use?

Now that you know the differences between hot and cold starting, how do you decide which method to use?

Bottom line: both techniques will effectively vaporize your concentrate and create an enjoyable dabbing experience. The most important difference you can make to improve your dabbing routine is to use high-quality concentrates with appealing terpenes, flavor profiles, or strains.

FAQs About Cold Start Dabbing

Do Cold Start Dabs Get You Higher?

Cold-start dabbing is good for preserving flavor, but the jury’s out on whether it gets you higher. Cold-start dabs do preserve more terpenes, which can enhance the overall potency of THC through the entourage effect. This can lead to a different type of high – one that many people find more well-rounded and enjoyable.

Can I Use My Regular Dab Rig for Cold Start Dabs, or Do I Need Special Equipment?

You don’t need any additional equipment to get started cold dabbing – the same tools you use for hot starting will work just fine. However, it’s more important to have a carb cap when cold-starting because vaporization takes longer, and you don’t want any of it to go to waste. 

Can You Cold-Start a Dab without a Carb Cap?

You can cold-start a dab without a carb cap, but it’s not ideal. That’s because carb caps help restrict airflow, which helps the concentrate vaporize more efficiently. Without a carb cap, some of the concentrate may not vaporize completely and instead get stuck to the nail. Incomplete vaporization can also reduce the flavor and potency of the dab.

What Temperature Should I Aim for When Performing a Cold-Start Dab?

The ideal temperature range for a cold-start dab is 315°F to 450°F. This temperature range efficiently vaporizes the concentrate without burning off the terpenes. Cooler temperatures generally produce a smoother hit, while hotter temperatures result in more vapor production. The ideal temperature also varies depending on what sort of concentrate you’re using. With practice and experimentation, you’ll find what works best for you.

Explore Sunnies Concentrates

Explore a diverse range of premium and pure concentrates from Sunnies. Extracted from our sun-grown cannabis cultivated in our Dutch style greenhouse, our concentrates deliver elevated cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids that preserve true-to-strain potency and flavor. Find a dispensary near you to shop for concentrates and start dabbing!