Exploring the Different Types of Wax Dabs: A Complete Dabbing Guide

The practice of dabbing has grown increasingly prominent in the cannabis world, and at the forefront of this trend is the wax dab.

Did you know, for instance, that 58% of participants reported trying dabs at least once, according to a national survey in the U.S.? With its ever-growing popularity, options can become overwhelming. Ever wonder how shatter differs from crumble, or why some wax concentrates hit so much stronger than others?

Whether you're an occasional dabber or a daily indulger, this guide will take you through the many types of wax dabs available and help you find the one that fits your preferences.

What is Dabbing?

Dabbing is a method people use to take in cannabis concentrate, and the process has become popular in a very short time. In essence, it means you inhale cannabis extracts which get vaporized and give a super potent experience.

So, what does the term "dabbing" mean? This is the term for heating concentrated cannabis products, such as wax or even shatter, on a hot surface known as a "nail." The nail gets to heat at a temperature ranging between 400 to 600 degrees Fahrenheit or even higher and causes the concentrate to vaporize. The vapor is inhaled through what is called the dab rig, which looks something similar to a small water pipe.

The term "dab" is derived from the sticky consistency of most concentrates. Because of this tackiness, the product must be " dabbed" onto the heated nail to be consumed.

Dabbing has become more popular due to the stronger hit it provides than other methods of cannabis consumption. Actually, over 45% of cannabis consumers consistently use dabbing as their primary method. To a cannabis newcomer, though, it can be very overwhelming because of its potency. Experienced users find this strong effect very appealing and pleasurable during a dabbing session.

But where is the difference between a dab rig and a bong? Mainly, this comes down to the nail, whereas in a bong a bowl is utilized for cannabis flowers, a nail for concentrates would replace it in the place of a rig.

Cannabis Concentrates, Extracts, & Dabs – What’s the Difference?

Cannabis concentrates, extracts, and dabs are all terms that often get used interchangeably, but they each refer to different aspects of cannabis consumption. Understanding these differences can help clear up confusion and improve your overall cannabis experience.

Cannabis Concentrates

Cannabis concentrates are any cannabis products that have been processed to contain a higher concentration of cannabinoids like THC or CBD, as well as terpenes. The goal is to remove excess plant material, leaving behind the most potent, resin-rich components. Concentrates come in various forms, including oils, wax, shatter, and budder. These can be used for dabbing, vaporizing, or even cooking.

Cannabis Extracts

Cannabis extracts are a specific subset of concentrates. While all extracts are concentrates, not all concentrates are extracts. The key difference lies in how the concentrate is made. Extracts are typically produced by using solvents (like butane, CO2, or ethanol) or heat and pressure to "extract" the cannabinoids and terpenes from the cannabis plant. This results in a more refined product that can be in the form of oils, shatter, wax, or live resin, among others.

Dabs

A "dab" refers specifically to a small amount of cannabis concentrate or extract that is vaporized using a dab rig. While concentrates and extracts can refer to the substance itself, a "dab" is the act of taking a small, controlled hit of that substance. Dabs are often more potent than traditional flower consumption due to their higher concentration of cannabinoids, making them an appealing option for experienced users looking for stronger effects.

What About Oil & Hash?

When it comes to cannabis, the terms "oil" and "hash" can also be a bit confusing. Let's break them down:

Cannabis oil is a concentrate with a smooth, oily consistency. It’s commonly consumed through vape pens, and it can also be added to edibles for a more discreet way of consuming cannabis. One of the reasons cannabis oil is so popular is its convenience, as many users prefer it for easy, on-the-go consumption.

Hash is one of the oldest cannabis concentrates, and it's essentially a refined form of cannabis. It’s made by compressing the trichomes (the resin glands that contain cannabinoids and terpenes) of the plant. There are different methods of making hash, such as pressing it with a knife or using a technique called bubble hash, which involves water and ice to separate the trichomes. Hash is usually smoked on its own or added to joints for an extra kick.

While “oil” and “hash” have distinct meanings, there’s some overlap in how people use these terms. For example, the cannabis community celebrates Oil Day on July 10th—though it’s not just about cannabis oil, it’s a day to celebrate all types of cannabis extracts. Interestingly, many people use the term “hash” to describe dab extracts like wax and shatter.

What are the Different Types of Wax Dabs?

When it comes to cannabis concentrates, wax dabs are among the most popular options. With their wide range of textures, flavors, and potency levels, there's a wax dab for everyone. But what exactly are the different types, and how do they vary? Let’s break it down.

Cannabis Oil

Cannabis oil is a must-mention for any concentrate list. It's versatile, easy to use, and great for vaping, cooking, or taking sublingually. However, it’s not the best choice for dabbing due to its runny texture. While cannabis oil is typically not used for dabbing, it serves as a fantastic base for creating other concentrates. Over 80% of older adults in Canada report using cannabis oil for its smooth consistency and wide range of uses.

Wax

Wax is one of the most common types of dabs and for good reason. Its soft, sticky texture makes it perfect for dabbing. Created through extraction methods that use solvents like butane or CO2, wax is a potent form of cannabis. It includes various types, such as sugar wax, budder, crumble, and honeycomb. Wax is highly concentrated, delivering intense effects, and is ideal for those looking for a manageable yet potent dab.

Shatter

Shatter stands out among wax dabs with its glass-like, brittle texture. It’s transparent and hard, cracking into pieces easily, which is how it got its name. Shatter is made by purging extracts in a way that results in a solid, pure concentrate. While it’s one of the purest forms of wax with high cannabinoid concentrations, it can be tricky to handle due to its brittle nature. Dabbers love to shatter for its clean flavor and potency, but be cautious when breaking it up.

Sugar Wax

Sugar wax is recognized by its grainy, sugary appearance. It’s created when extracts accidentally crystallize, and it’s known for its high terpene content. This gives it a flavorful, aromatic experience that’s popular among dabbers. Its texture also makes it easy to portion out, offering a satisfying balance of potency and flavor.

Budder

Budder is one of the purest and most potent concentrates available, with THC concentrations that can reach up to 99%. The consistency of the budder is smooth, like butter, which makes it easy to scoop with a dab tool. This is achieved by whipping the extract during the purging process. Budder has a creamy appearance and delivers a powerful, flavorful experience. The only downside? It’s usually more expensive than other concentrates.

Crumble

Crumble lives up to its name with its dry, crumbly texture. It’s one of the easiest wax types to handle, although it can be a bit messy. Crumble is made by removing most of the moisture from the concentrate, leaving a powdery, brittle texture that’s simple to break apart. For ease of use, crumble is ideal, but be sure to use it on a clean surface to avoid spills.

Pull ‘n’ Snap (Taffy)

Pull ‘n’ Snap, or taffy, is a wax dab with a taffy-like, stretchy texture. It’s named for how you handle it – you pull it and snap it into smaller pieces. Taffy comes in various colors and has a unique texture compared to shatter, staying flexible at room temperature rather than shattering. While it's easy to work with, it can become sticky in warmer conditions, so handle it with care.

Diamonds

Diamonds are high-purity crystalline extracts, typically made of THC or CBD, and are known for their shiny, crystal-like appearance. Unlike other dabs, diamonds are isolates, meaning they lack terpenes and flavor. While this may sound unappealing to some, diamonds can be combined with terp sauce to boost flavor and aroma, creating a potent and flavorful experience.

Honeycomb

Honeycomb wax is known for its unique texture, resembling the porous structure of a honeycomb. This is achieved by using low-pressure extraction, allowing air to create tiny holes in the concentrate. Honeycomb has a potent, flavorful profile and is often more flavorful and aromatic than other concentrates.

Rick Simpson Oil (RSO)

If you’re looking for a high-THC extract with medicinal benefits, Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) is a top choice. Made from female cannabis plants with a THC content of at least 20%, RSO is a thick, sticky oil that's ideal for medicinal purposes. It's often used to treat conditions like chronic pain and cancer. While it’s usually consumed orally or topically, RSO can also be dabbed for a potent effect.

Crystalline

Crystalline extracts are among the purest forms of THC or CBD, often reaching 99% purity. They come in a powder or crystal form and are used in combination with other concentrates for dabbing. Crystalline lacks the rich flavor and terpenes found in other extracts, so it’s typically paired with other concentrates or terpenes to create a more balanced experience.

Terp Sauce

For those who love the flavor, terp sauce is a must-try. This syrupy concentrate is made by separating terpenes from cannabinoids during extraction, resulting in a sauce-like consistency. Terp sauce enhances the flavor of dabs, making it a popular addition for those looking for a flavorful, aromatic experience.

Live Resin

Live resin is a concentrate made from fresh, flash-frozen cannabis plants. Unlike other concentrates, live resin is made without drying or curing the plant material, which helps preserve the natural terpenes and cannabinoids. This results in a flavorful, aromatic concentrate with a sap-like consistency that’s perfect for dabbing.

Other Popular Concentrates

Most dabs are made using chemical solvents, such as butane and propane. Some are solventless, but these tend to be more rare and expensive. The extraction process takes place in a lab with the help of professional chemists who make sure that the final product does not contain any solvents and is thus safe to consume.

Not all concentrates depend on chemical extraction processes. In reality, some utilize simple physical processes combined with exact temperature control to create truly exceptional results.

Dry-Sift Hash

Dry-Sift Hash is one of the oldest and most straightforward types of cannabis concentrates. It is made by sifting dried cannabis through fine screens to separate the trichomes from the plant material. The result is a fine, potent, powdery concentrate. It is usually pressed into small bricks and can be smoked, vaped, or added to joints for an extra kick. Want to dab it? You can mix it with a bit of resin, but traditionally, Dry-Sift Hash is preferred to smoke.

Rosin

Rosin: Rosin is perfect for those who avoid any kind of solvents. It is made through the process of pressing cannabis buds between hot metal plates under high pressure. This extracts a rich, sticky oil that cools and solidifies into resin. Since no chemicals are used to produce it, Rosin is being promoted as a pure, natural product with a strong terpene profile and potent effect.

Bubble Hash

Bubble Hash is another favorite made using ice water and a set of mesh bags. Gently agitating cannabis in ice-cold water dislodges the trichomes from the plant material. These are then filtered through mesh bags, which yield a very high-quality concentrate. Why the name "Bubble Hash"? It bubbles when heated-a sure mark of its purity and quality.

Nug Run vs. Trim Run Wax Concentrates

If you're into wax concentrates, you might have probably heard of "nug run" and "trim run," but what is the deal with those terms, and why should you care?

Nug run wax is made from the best part of the cannabis plant: the buds, or "nugs." Since buds are full of trichomes tiny, crystal-like structures that carry the good stuff, like cannabinoids and terpenes-nug run wax tend to be a lot more potent and flavorful. But of course, quality comes at a price, so nug run wax tends to be more expensive.

On the other hand, trim run wax is made from the waste of the plant material, such as leaves and the smaller portions of the buds. Instead of getting rid of them, they are used to make another batch of concentrates altogether. It is not as strong or flavorful as Nug Run, but still manages to deliver a worthwhile experience, especially if you are looking for something on the cheap side. Don't get worried; it's still strong enough for casual dabbers to enjoy.

The main difference? Taste and potency. Nug run concentrates are a lot more flavorful and aromatic, while trim run extracts can contain more chlorophyll, giving them a much sharper, sometimes harsher, taste.

The Extraction Process & How Concentrates Are Made

Ever wondered how simple cannabis buds turn into top-notch concentrates? There are several ways to make this happen, and we’re here to break it down.

Butane Hash Oil (BHO) Extraction

BHO (Butane Hash Oil) is one of the most popular methods for making cannabis concentrates. The process uses butane as a solvent to extract the good stuff from the plant. Products like taffy, crumble, or budder are often made this way.

So, how does it work? It starts with spraying the cannabis buds with butane, which pulls out cannabinoids and terpenes. Then, they use a reactant to get rid of any leftover butane, leaving behind a sticky, amber-colored substance that can be refined into wax, shatter, or oil.

Important note: butane is highly flammable, so this extraction method is done in controlled, professional environments.

Supercritical CO2 Extraction

When it comes to producing top-tier shatter, supercritical CO2 extraction is the way to go. Why? CO2’s super cold temperature is perfect for pulling out the purest flavors and cannabinoids from the plant. This process leaves you with a clear, rock-hard sheet at room temperature.

Fun fact: CO2 extraction is one of the safest and cleanest methods since it doesn’t involve any toxic solvents.

Water & Ice Extraction

Water and ice extraction (also known as bubble hash extraction) is a solvent-free method that uses cold water and ice to separate trichomes from the plant. It’s a popular choice for making hash and ice wax. To do it, cannabis is soaked in ice water and then filtered through several mesh screens.

The best quality extracts from this method tend to be lighter in color. Darker extracts often have more plant material, which can affect the flavor. Plus, this method is considered one of the purest since no solvents are involved.

Acetone & Alcohol Extraction

While less common than butane or CO2, acetone and alcohol are also used as solvents in cannabis extraction. These solvents dissolve cannabinoids and terpenes, but they can also pull out other compounds like chlorophyll, which can change the flavor and color of the concentrate.

To make this happen, cannabis material is soaked in acetone or alcohol to dissolve the compounds, and then the solvent is evaporated, leaving the concentrate behind. Just make sure there’s no leftover solvent because acetone and alcohol can be harmful if consumed.

Fun fact: alcohol extraction is often used to make tinctures or Rick Simpson Oil (RSO).

Dry Sieving

Dry sieving is one of the oldest methods of cannabis extraction. It involves shaking cannabis through a series of screens to separate the trichomes. At home, this is like collecting kief from the bottom of your grinder.

In commercial settings, dry sieving is a bit more advanced, using multiple screens to refine and purify the product. The result can be pressed into hash or used as an additive in joints.

Dry Ice Extraction

Dry ice extraction is similar to water and ice extraction, but instead of ice water, you use dry ice (frozen CO2). It’s pretty simple and can even be done at home!

Here’s how it works: cannabis material is placed in a container with dry ice. When you shake the mixture, the trichomes break off and separate from the plant. The trichomes are then collected through a mesh bag or screen, leaving behind a powder with a rich cream or golden color.

Conclusion

The world of wax dabs is full of options, and that’s what makes it so fun! Did you know that most dabbers prefer shatter for its strength and clarity, or that budder is loved for its smooth, creamy texture? It’s all about finding what suits your vibe.

So why not try out different types of wax dabs and see what your new favorite is? Start experimenting and find the wax dab that gives you the experience you’re looking for.