Do dab pens smell? How long does the smell last?

As the use of cannabis extracts becomes more popular, the demand for discreet and convenient consumption options also increases.

Dab pens, also known as wax pens, have become a popular choice for those looking for a convenient, discreet and user-friendly method of consuming cannabis.

Those who start dabbing for the first time often have questions, including about the smell that comes with dab pens.

You don't want others to know you're using cannabis. You want to be discreet and maintain your privacy. Do dab pens smell? How long does the smell of weed last?

In this article, we'll give you a better understanding of how strong dab pens smell compared to other ways to consume cannabis, and give you some pro tips for reducing their smell.

What are dab pens?

A dab pen is an electrical device that allows the user to heat cannabis concentrates, convert them into vapor, and inhale them.

However, unlike vape pens, which vaporize cannabis oil or dry herbs, dab pens only vaporize waxy cannabis concentrates.

Most dab pens are rechargeable and may have built-in or removable batteries that power the coil-equipped atomizer.

You can simply load your concentrates into the heating chamber, press the button and a small coil is ignited, vaporizing your dabs and wax so you can consume it with ease.

Dab pens fit easily in your pocket and are discreet for a quick hit whenever and wherever you are.

What are dabs?

Dabs are highly concentrated forms of cannabis that come in a variety of textures.

Including solvent-based products such as butane hash oil (BHO) in the form of wax, shatter or budder, as well as solvent-free cannabis concentrates such as rosin.

Dabs are extracted from the cannabis plant using a solvent such as butane, propane, hexane, supercritical carbon dioxide or ethanol, or using a solvent-free extraction method such as ice water extraction or rosin pressing.

The resulting oils can contain between 60% and 90% THC – sometimes more – and therefore offer a much more potent product than regular cannabis flowers.

Do dab pens smell?

Some people who are new to dabbing assume that dab pens don't give off any smell because dabbing produces vapor and not smoke. However, this is a misconception because the vapor still contains smells.

Dabs contains the same terpenes that were present in the cannabis it was extracted from, which is what makes it so distinctive.

The strength and type of scent are largely determined by the hit size, the specific type of wax, and where you smoke.

Fortunately, even in its worst form, wax concentrate does not have an overpowering odor, but is usually very faint.

When you exhale the vapor, it evaporates extremely quickly. If you hold it in your lungs for several seconds, the exhaled vapor is not visible at all.

The smell also doesn't stick to your hair, clothes, or the room you smoke in, so people won't know you've been vaping weed.

Comparison with a Dab Rig: Portable dab pens are much smaller than dab rigs and don't produce as big clouds, meaning they don't smell as strong as dabbing from a rig.

Comparison to smoking: The smell produced by dab pens is typically less odorous, less intense, and less pungent than the smell produced when smoking flower with a hand pipe or joint.

Dab pens work by heating cannabis concentrates to a temperature that vaporizes the active ingredients like THC and CBD, but does not cause combustion.

When you smoke cannabis, a large part of the smell is caused by the burning plant material.

The intense heat, usually over 200 °C, burns the terpenes and other substances, creating a strong, strong-smelling smoke when smoking marijuana.

In addition, the smoke usually remains floating in the air for a few seconds after exhaling, which is clearly noticeable.

Dabbing sessions tend to be much shorter than smoking sessions because wax-based concentrates are much more potent than dry herbs. You can get the desired effect in just a few hits and then the session is over.

What does the vapor from a dab pen smell like?

You may be wondering what the vapor from a dab pen smells like. The exact smell depends on the cannabis concentrates used. Different cannabis concentrates contain different terpenes.

The type and intensity of the smell depends on the composition and amount of terpenes (the more, the stronger the smell). The many terpenes in nature can create scents in weed that range from earthy to cheesy to fruity-citrusy, etc.

Linalool: a lavender and slightly spicy scent
Humulene: a woody, earthy smell
Alpha-pinene: a pine and sage scent
Limonene: a citrus scent
Myrcene: a fruity, musky, spicy smell
Beta–Caryophyllene: an earthy, spicy smell

Furthermore, skunk smells in cannabis are not caused by terpenes, but by sulfur-based compounds.

Three Factors That Affect the Smell of Dab Pens When Dabbing

The aroma that cannabis gives off, as well as how long it stays in the environment, depends mainly on the temperature of your dab pen, your type of wax, and the location where you smoke.

1. Wax type

Terpenes are responsible for the scent of almost all flowers. Cannabis produces over 140 different terpenes. These terpenes occur in different concentrations in different cannabis strains.

Each strain and dabber type (shatter, crumble, etc.) contains a unique terpene blend, which explains why the smell is different depending on what you're dabbing.

The quality of your concentrates plays a big role in the smell they produce. The better your product, the stronger the smell will be because the terpenes and other compounds were not destroyed during processing.

For example, if you have higher quality live resin, it will smell awfully strong, but the more processed distillate (hash, BHO, budder, honey oil, etc.) will definitely have a less strong smell.

2. Temperature

Temperature plays an important role in steam and therefore also in the smell.

When you dab at a higher temperature, the vaporizer will typically atomize the cannabis concentrates faster, producing more vapor and therefore more flavor.

On the other hand, at lower temperatures you can be more discreet.

3. Environment

When you dab outside, the smell of cannabis may disappear as soon as you exhale it, especially if it's a particularly windy day.

In a well-ventilated room (e.g. with lots of windows) it can disappear after just five to ten minutes.

In a closed room, you may have to wait thirty minutes for the smell to completely disappear from the room.

How to reduce the smell of dab pens?

If you want to dab cannabis concentrates undetected, there are a few things you can do to lessen the smell or make it go away faster.

1.Clean your dab pen

Using your dab pen frequently can cause cannabis residue to build up, which can keep the smell in your device fresh.

Cleaning your dab pen not only helps it function properly, but also removes any lingering odors from your last high.

2. Dab outside

As mentioned above, dabbing outdoors can eliminate the smell of cannabis more efficiently.

This is because the steam can escape more quickly in the open environment.

3. Cover up the smell

If you find while dabbing that the aroma is still too strong for your taste, light a scented candle, spray some perfume or air freshener, or open a bag of popcorn to mask the smell.

Diploma

If you need to keep your cannabis use secret for some reason, dabbing can be a good option.

Dab pens have a distinct smell. However, this smell is less pronounced and dissipates much faster than when smoking flower.

With proper precautions, the dab smell can disappear almost instantly, making it a great option for discreet smoking or in an apartment.

Of course, if you really want to keep your consumption discreet, there are even better options. Opt for a drink, edible, or tincture to get high without any smell or obvious signs.