How to make dabs at home? Step-by-step instructions

Would you like to create your swabs?

Follow our guide to dabbing and find step-by-step instructions on how to make your weed wax at home without blowing anything up.

What is a dab?

A dab is any form of cannabis concentrate and is usually equivalent to about one hit.

Cannabis concentrates are substances in which valuable parts of the cannabis plant, including cannabinoids and terpenes, have been isolated, extracted and concentrated into an oil or wax.

Since dabbing is most commonly associated with cannabis concentrates, we refer to this dosage as dabs.

What is dabbing?

Dabbing is the process of heating and inhaling vaporized cannabis concentrates or extracts.

Dabbing uses a heating device, such as a Dab RigE-Rig or Evaporator.

The most common type of dabbing involves directly heating the nail or banger of a dab rig using a blowtorch and then inhaling it.

Depending on the consistency, some dab wax can also be sprinkled into a bowl of flowers or into a joint for smoking.

However, dabbing with wax offers the strongest and most intense experience.

Dabbing is undoubtedly one of the most effective methods of dosing cannabis. The cannabinoids in weed wax are highly concentrated and the effects can be felt within a few seconds of inhalation.

Dabs can contain up to 80–90% of the plant’s main psychoactive cannabinoid, THC.

For comparison: raw cannabis flowers contain a maximum of about 30% THC.

Therefore, when consuming dabs, always remember to start with a low amount and take it slow.

Especially with concentrates, it can easily happen that you accidentally take more than intended, which can lead to unpleasant side effects.

What different types of dabs are there?

Dabs are an extremely versatile method of consuming cannabis, offering a variety of textures, colors, flavors and uses.

Fortunately, there is a wide selection in the pharmacy.

The most popular forms of cannabis concentrates include:

Cannabis oil

Cannabis oil, sometimes called distillate, is a thick, oily liquid. Because it is so runny, it is not the best material for dabbing.

However, it is commonly used in vape cartridges and is great for cooking edibles. Oils are also a good base for isolating certain cannabinoids.

wax

Wax is a collective term for several different types of swabs that are soft and pliable.

This includes different qualities and consistencies, such as Budder, Sugar Wax, Crumble and Honeycomb.

It is most commonly obtained through a butane extraction process and is very versatile.

In addition to dabbing, waxes can be mixed into joints, blunts or pipes to increase their potency.

Budder

Budder is considered the cleanest and most effective concentrate on the market.

On average, you can expect 90% THC and 99% purity.

The manufacturing process is labor-intensive because it has to be whipped several times during preparation.

The end product is a cream or golden colored mass with the consistency of butter.

On the other hand, budder is more expensive than most other concentrates due to the amount of work required and the incredible potency.

Crumble

A crumble is a loose, dry extract that breaks apart easily when handled.

It is usually yellow, although it is not uncommon to find a dark dab wax as well.

Because it breaks so easily, it is more difficult to handle.

One advantage is that you get good effectiveness for a relatively low price.

It may surprise you to know that crumble is made in the same way as shatter, to some extent.

However, it remains in the vacuum oven for longer at the end of the process.

That's why it's so dry and crumbly.

However, due to the particularly low moisture content, it is almost insensitive to mold infestation.

Diamonds

So do the dab extracts in your dabbing device have to be full spectrum?

Not always. Diamonds are similar to crystals in their purity.

But instead of being a full-spectrum extract, they consist of a single cannabinoid such as THC or CBD.

Due to their purity, the crystals can shine similarly to a diamond.

Because diamonds are isolates, they contain little to no aroma or terpenes.

For this reason, they are often mixed with terp sauce when dabbing.

How to Make Homemade Dabs: Alcohol Extraction

Note that isopropyl alcohol is not safe for human consumption and even food-grade ethanol should not be consumed in high concentrations.

Also, both compounds are highly flammable, so if you can't use them safely, use a 190-proof grain alcohol (like Everclear) instead.

Okay, warnings aside, you will need the following:

• cannabis
• Isopropyl alcohol 99% or higher or highly concentrated food grade ethanol
• Glass jar with airtight lid
• Coffee filter or a sieve
• Glass container for evaporation
• spatula
• Parchment paper

Step-by-step instructions

Step 1: Break your cannabis into smaller pieces to increase the surface area and allow for more efficient extraction.

Step 2: Dry thoroughly in the oven for 20 minutes.

Step 3: Freeze the cannabis and alcohol for four to six hours to preserve the terpenes and prevent some compounds from dissolving in the alcohol.

Step 4: Place the cannabis in the glass jar and pour alcohol over it so that the flowers are completely covered.

Step 5: Close the lid and swirl the mixture for 30 seconds.

Step 6: Strain the mixture into the second glass container.

Step 7: The liquids now contain all the compounds extracted from the plant material.

Step 8: Allow the alcohol to evaporate completely and naturally from the mixture at room temperature.

Step 9: You can also speed up the process by using a warm water bath or a double boiler.

Never use an open flame near the mixture (remember, alcohol is flammable!).

Step 10: Once the alcohol has completely evaporated, you can scrape the residue onto a bowl lined with parchment paper and store it in an airtight container.

Always work in a well-ventilated area and keep alcohol away from open flames.

Of course, do not smoke while working!

How to Make Homemade Dabs: Ice Water Extraction

Another relatively simple method for making cannabis wax at home is the so-called ice water extraction. This involves freezing the trichome heads and separating them from the whole flowers.

Ice water extraction is similar to alcohol extraction, but uses ice as a solvent and preparing the swabs requires a little more time and effort.

Dabs made through ice water extraction are called bubble hash and are well worth the effort.

For the absolute best results, make sure the water you use and even the air around you are as cold as possible during the process.

If time permits, you can pre-freeze your weed in the freezer before starting.

You need:

• cannabis
• 10 to 15 pounds of crushed ice or ice cubes
• Large bucket
• Stirring spoon
• Bubble bags or sieve
• Water
• Parchment paper

Step-by-step instructions

Step 1: Freeze your cannabis for a few hours.

This preserves the terpenes and makes it easier to separate the trichomes.

Step 2: Stack the bubble bags or screens in the bucket, starting with the finest mesh at the bottom.

Step 3: Fill the bucket with ice and water and let it get as cold as possible to make the trichomes brittle.

Step 4: Add the frozen cannabis to the mixture.

Step 5: Make sure the plant material is completely submerged.

Step 6: Stir the mixture with your spoon for about 20 to 30 minutes.

Step 7: This movement causes the trichomes to dissolve and be collected in the sieves.

Step 8: Allow the mixture to settle and then carefully remove each sieve, starting from the top.

Step 9: The top screen contains the least pure form of hashish, while the finest screens have the best quality.

Step 10: Place the collected trichomes on parchment paper and let them air dry for a few days.

You can also speed up the drying process by using a dehydrator on a low setting.

You have bubble hash!

How to Make Homemade Dabs: Flat Iron Extraction

To be safe, the best way to make dabs at home is to use the rosin method.

Not only is rosin easy to make, it also requires no solvents and only takes a few minutes.

Honestly, making rosin with cannabis is almost too good to be true, but it is.

You need:

• 2+ grams of your favorite high-quality weed
• Flat iron or hair straightener
• Potholders or protective gloves
• Razor blade, spoon or knife
• Non-stick parchment paper

Step-by-step instructions

Step 1: Heat the iron to approximately 82°C to 104°C (180°F to 220°F).

Step 2: Cut the baking paper to about the size of your hand.

Step 3: Pick a nice, juicy bud.

Step 4: Fold the paper in half so that the nug is in the middle.

Step 5: Iron the paper and press the nug as flat as possible.

Step 6: You will hear the fizzing sound of the nug, which means the swabs are melting and fusing onto the paper.

Step 7: Hold the iron for 20 to 60 seconds, being careful not to accidentally steam the parts.

Step 8: If you see smoke or steam, the heat is too great.

Step 9: When finished, carefully remove the paper and collect the rosin with a swab or spoon.

You are done!

It takes a while to get the hang of the rosin pressing method and you may end up damaging or wasting a flower bud or two.

However, once you master the technique, it's the easiest and fastest way to achieve some top-notch dabs!

Diploma

Now you have all the info you need for DIY dabs.

Keep in mind that dabs are not for the faint of heart, as the cannabinoid content in concentrates and extracts is very high.

That's why it's important to start with a low dose and increase the dose slowly – even a small amount goes a long, long way.

Note that while some dabs can be easily made at home, most extraction methods should be left to the professionals.