The Different Types of Dabs

If you are new to the dabbing scene, there is a lot of new information to take in and process. Things can get a little confusing with all the new dabbing terminology, dabbing devices and various forms of hash to dab. Luckily, we are here to help you learn about dabbing! One of the most frequently asked questions by both new, and even veteran dabbers, is:

"What is the difference between wax, shatter, oil, nectar, etc.?"

This is a very common question about dabbing. There are many different looks, forms and types of hash you can dab. Here we provide a breakdown of the most common forms of hash to dab as well as provide photos of the hash described.

Wax

Wax

Wax is probably the most common form of BHO (butane hash oil) in the dabbing world. Wax can range in color from dark brown to yellow to almost white; ideally you're looking for a light yellow product. Wax to dab also comes in a few different textures such as flake or honeycomb. While most wax is probably perfectly healthy for you to consume, some are dubious of it and feel that butane is actually nucleated and chemically-bonded into the product, hence making it unhealthy.

Bubble Hash

Solventless, Ice Wax, Water Hash, Bubble or Full Melt

All of the above titles fall under the same category - hash that has been extracted using ice and cold water. Some dabbers feel that this method of extraction is the most pure, healthy and flavorful way to extract hash. Since the hash is being extracted with water rather than a chemical solvent, it is a more natural product to dab. Solventless will look similar to sand crystals and has a very distinct, flavorful smell.




Shatter

Shatter

Shatter is considered the dab connoisseur's hash extract of choice. Shatter is BHO made in a similar fashion to wax, with a few differences in technique. Shatter can range in color from dark brown to yellow. Ideally, you do not want any shatter that is very dark; a nice golden amber to yellow-colored shatter is what you're usually looking for when purchasing quality shatter. Color is not the biggest indicator of quality shatter though; what you need to look with quality shatter is a stable (not goopy or very sticky), clear product. If the shatter has a cloudy texture or lots of bubbles, it can be an indicator of impurities. Read below for tips to easily tell if you have impure shatter.

Budder

Budder

Budder can be nearly identical to wax. Budder, however, is purged using only heat, with no added vacuum pressure. Many high-end dabbers shy away from budder for the same nucleation and bonding reasons as wax -- and possibly to a greater extent. Budder can be very flavorful since the terpenes are never subjected to vacuum pressure, but it may also be impure. Steer clear of budder that looks exceptionally goopy or shiny - the moisture or shine is most likely butane.



Dry Sift

Dry sift is hash extracted using agitation and screens and no solvents at all. The process involves taking trichomes or kief and carefully running them over special screens in order to extract only the trichome heads. Since the trichome heads are what truly hold the flavor and effect, dry sift hash can be amazing and incredibly tasty to dab. Since dry sift is more labor-intensive with a steeper learning curve, it is far less common to find than other hash types.

Golddust, Moondust, Rockbudder, Etc.

These are brand names for hash extracted in the same or at least a similar process. This process is unique to a handful of places. It is made in a similar fashion to shatter, but no heat is ever added and the hash is purged over the course of several days. The result is a fine powder that will turn to shatter if heated. It is supposed to have some of the highest THC levels of any concentrate, but there is loss in flavor, according to some.

No matter what you are dabbing on, there are a few rules of thumb you can follow to make sure you are only ingesting the safest hash products possible.

• If the hash sizzles, don't dab it! While it is possible to have a dab sizzle as a result of moisture or water, a sizzling dab is usually indicative of butane still trapped in the product. You do not want lungs full of butane! If you purchased hash that sizzles from a dispensary, take the product back - they should not be selling products like this!

• Flame up - hell no! This might go without saying, but if there is any combustion when the hash product touches your hot dabbing nail (not red hot!), throw it in the garbage can immediately.

• Strange taste? Not worth it. Does the hash have a plastic or chemical taste to it? Unless the product you're dabbing passes all the other tests with flying colors (color, stability, etc.), it probably isn't worth, or safe to be, dabbing.

• Practically giving dabs away? Good dabs aren't easy or cheap to make. If someone is offering you an unbelievable deal on some hash, there might be a reason for it.