🔥 Dabbing 101 – Finding the Perfect Temperature

So… What Is the Right Temperature for a Dab?

If you’ve ever taken a dab that was so hot it made your eyes water and your soul briefly leave your body, you already know that temperature matters.

Dabbing is all about balance, flavour, smoothness, vapour density, and potency all shift depending on how hot your surface is. Get the temperature right, and you unlock everything your concentrate was meant to offer. Get it wrong, and you’re wasting terpenes… and good money.

Here’s how to dial in the perfect dab.

What Is Dabbing?

Dabbing is the process of vaporizing cannabis concentrates, like shatter, wax, crumble, rosin, diamonds, or live resin, on a heated surface, usually a quartz banger, nail, or e-rig atomizer.

Why people love it:

• Faster, stronger effects

• Cleaner, smoother vapour

• Way more flavour from terpenes

• You only need a small amount

It’s a stronger experience than smoking flower, so beginners should always start small.

Why Dab Temperature Matters

Concentrates are full of cannabinoids and terpenes, and each compound vaporizes at different temperatures. Hit them too hot and you burn everything away. Go too cold and you barely get a hit.

Finding the right temperature gives you:

• Better flavour

• Smoother hits

• Stronger effects

• Less waste

• Less throat burn

• More terpene expression

The goal is to vaporize, not scorch.

The Dab Temperature Breakdown

Every dab sits somewhere on the low → medium → high heat spectrum. Here’s how each range feels:

🌡️ Low-Temp Dabs (315–450°F / 157–232°C)

What it feels like:

Smooth, flavourful, easy on the lungs.

Best for:

Live resin, live rosin, terp-heavy concentrates.

Pros:

• Amazing flavour

• Preserves terpenes

• Soft and smooth vapour

Cons:

• Lighter clouds

• Can leave “puddles” in the banger

Low-temp is where you taste everything, citrusy limonene, piney pinene, spicy caryophyllene… all of it stays intact.

🌡️ Medium-Temp Dabs (450–600°F / 232–315°C)

What it feels like:

A balance of flavour and intensity. Not too harsh, not too soft.

Best for:

Most shatters, sugars, waxes, resins.

Pros:

• Great flavour

• Strong vapour

• Hits harder than low-temp

Cons:

• Slight terpene loss

This is the sweet spot most dabbers settle into.

🌡️ High-Temp Dabs (600–900°F / 315–482°C)

What it feels like:

Thick, heavy clouds and instant impact.

Best for:

Heavy hitters, diamonds, THCa.

Pros:

• Massive vapour

• Fast, strong effects

Cons:

• Harsh

• Burns terpenes

• Can irritate the throat

High-temp hits hard, but your flavour definitely takes a back seat.

How to Dab (Step-by-Step)

Whether you’re using a torch or an e-rig, the process is simple:

1. Heat the banger until it's glowing red.

2. Let it cool for 25–45 seconds (depending on thickness).

3. Pick up a small dab, think grain of rice.

4. Drop it into the banger while inhaling.

5. Cap it with a carb cap for better vapour.

6. Exhale slowly.

7. Swab the banger with a cotton swab and ISO while warm.

A clean banger = better flavour every time.

Best Temperatures for Different Concentrates

Each type of concentrate has its sweet spot:

• Live Resin: 400–500°F

• Live Rosin: 350–450°F

• Shatter: 500–600°F

• Wax/Crumble: 450–550°F

• Diamonds: 500–650°F

• THCa Isolate: 550–650°F

The fresher and terp-rich your extract, the lower you should dab it.

FAQ: Quick Answers for New Dabbers

What temperature should beginners use?

Around 450–550°F. Good balance of flavour and comfort.

Why does my dab taste burnt?

Your banger was too hot. Let it cool longer before dabbing.

Can my dab be too cold?

Yes, it won’t vaporize properly. It’ll taste amazing but hit weak.

Why is my banger getting black?

You’re dabbing too hot or not cleaning it after each use.

Final Thoughts: Find Your Perfect Dab

There’s no universal “best dab temperature.” Everyone has their own ideal zone based on how much flavour, vapour, and intensity they want.

Start low, experiment, and adjust until you find that sweet spot where everything feels smooth, tasty, and satisfying.

If you’re looking for fresh concentrates or gear to dial in the perfect dab, Steady Eddy’s always has new drops on deck, from live resin to quartz bangers and e-rigs.