Terpene pearls | LOOKAH

Terp pearls – what are they and how are they used?

Terpene beads, sometimes called “dab beads,” are small balls placed at the bottom of a banger to distribute and concentrate heat.

In this article, you'll learn everything you need to know about these little beads and how they can help you get consistent dabs and flavor from your device.

As the extract market grows and dabbing becomes more popular, there are many new devices and accessories to discover. One such item is the terp pearl.

The mechanics and technique of dabbing are constantly evolving. Consumers want the smoothest hit with maximum flavor.

Dabbing isn't as simple as heating the nail to the highest temperature, melting the wax, and inhaling. It's a complex technique that determines the strength and flavor of each dab.

What are terpene pearls?

Terbeads are tiny spheres about 4-6 mm in size made of borosilicate glass, quartz or other materials. They are placed inside your banger to improve the overall experience by evenly distributing the heat and concentrate. This in turn ensures consistent results and optimizes flavor at lower temperatures.

Terpene pearls are sometimes called “banger pearls” or “dab pearls.”

Do terpene pearls melt?

Some terpene pearls may deform or melt if exposed to extreme heat for long periods of time.

Your dab beads may also be subjected to thermal shock. Thermal shock occurs when a sudden change in temperature (from hot to cold or vice versa) causes stress in a material. This will result in a sudden crack or shattering of the pearl. This is most common with brittle materials such as ceramics.

A popular method for cleaning turpentine beads is to use a butane torch. So be careful when cleaning. Like dab bangers, terpearls come in different sizes and materials. Just like with crackers, their material ultimately determines their durability – something we'll get into later in this article.

Why use terpene pearls for dabbing?

As soon as you apply heat to your Dab Nail or Quartz Banger, it will immediately begin to cool down.

Even with a high-quality quartz burner, some parts of the surface cool faster than others. Terpe pearls can help solve this problem.

The terpene beads rotate around the inside of the banger, helping to distribute the concentrate evenly so that it comes into contact with the entire surface of the banger.

This means that the concentrate will evaporate evenly as the banger cools evenly.

This avoids concentrate puddles and optimizes vaping. The concentrates are constantly moving. Therefore, avoid the hottest spots on the banger and vape more thoroughly, avoiding burning in certain hot spots.

Most terpenes have low boiling points and burn at higher temperatures. This means that the flavor will be affected if dabbing is done at temperatures above 216°C (~420°F).

Terpene pearls allow you to prepare larger pieces at lower temperatures without losing flavor.

Another particularly cool advantage is that you can watch the beads spin as you dab.

Different types of terpene pearls

The different materials used to make dab beads or terpene beads vary in price and design. To help you figure out which one is best for you, we'll provide you with a breakdown of what you can expect for each type.

Quartz bead:

Most bangers are made of quartz, and for the same reason, quartz beads are often a good choice. They offer a good balance of cost, durability, and heat retention. Quartz is also somewhat resistant to thermal shock, meaning your beads can easily be cleaned with a torch or in isopropyl alcohol.

Ceramic bead:

Ceramic beads have similar heat retention to quartz beads. Some believe that they preserve the excellent taste of the concentrates. Like ceramic dab nails, ceramic beads are difficult to keep clean and are the most delicate of all the options. Ceramic beads are unsuitable for cleaning burners because they can crack when exposed to direct heat. Allowing them to cool completely is the safest way to preserve them and keep them intact. However, over time it becomes difficult to maintain them.

Borosilicate bead:

Borosilicate glass beads are inexpensive and offer good all-round performance.

They provide sufficient surface area and spin for evaporation. However, borosilicate glass beads do not retain heat well. There is also a risk that they will deform or melt at sustained high temperatures.

Ruby and Pearl:

To be clear, these are not natural rubies – they are lab-made and have the same properties as natural rubies. These pearls have excellent heat retention and ensure the best flavor. However, since they are susceptible to thermal shock, care must be taken when cleaning them. Plus, red makes the rotation look great. Ruby beads are also UV reactive and sparkle under blacklight.

SIC bead:

These beads are made of silicon carbide, which has excellent heat retention and conductivity, making it good for flavor preservation. SIC beads are incredibly resistant to thermal shock. Therefore, they can be easily cleaned with a butane torch or alcohol. All in all, they are ideal beads for any dab rig.

How to Use Terp Pearls

Terp pearls are suitable for use with bucket-shaped bangers. As they rotate, they distribute heat from the surface they are moving on.

You should also use a carburetor cap to control airflow. To get the most out of the beads, a bubble cap, directional cap, or twist cap works best. Add a few beads to your banger and heat it with your butane torch. Allow it to cool to your desired temperature and then take your dab as usual.

When picking up or moving Ho-Terp pearls, it will be easier for you to use a dab claw. This adjustable dab tool is ideal for picking up dab beads or small lumps of cannabis wax.

The prongs on the arms are adjustable and can extend over the bead before snapping into place to grip it securely.

How many terp pearls should I use?

We recommend using 1 or 2 beads. This seems to produce the best spin. Any more and they tend to interfere with each other, turn poorly or slide around.

Why is my terpene pearl not spinning?

You may be using the wrong type of carb cap.

When using terp pearls to achieve spin, directional airflow caps are required to create the spin. If carb caps are not an issue, it may be time to give your pearls and banger a good clean. Over time, the residue will create friction that prevents the pearl from spinning freely.

Are terpene pearls worth it?

If you want to get the most out of your dabs, investing in terpene pearls is worth the investment, especially if you prefer big hits at lower temperatures. Terpene pearls also come in different materials and styles that allow you to personalize your setup, so you can find ones that fit your dab rig setup.