What Are Cannabis Concentrates and How Do You Use Them?

Concentrates Are Everywhere — But What Are They?

Shatter, wax, live resin, diamonds, rosin… concentrates have become one of the biggest parts of the cannabis market, but for a lot of people they’re still a mystery.

If you’ve ever looked at a gram of golden, glassy shatter and thought, “Cool… but what do I do with this?” — you’re exactly who this guide is for.

Let’s break down what cannabis concentrates are, how they’re made, how they work, and the easiest ways to use them.

What Are Cannabis Concentrates?

Cannabis concentrates are products made by extracting the most valuable parts of the plant — cannabinoids (like THC + CBD) and terpenes — while leaving behind the plant material.

The result is a more potent, more flavourful, more refined version of cannabis.

Most concentrates sit between 60–95% THC, depending on the type.

Why People Love Them:

• Stronger effects

• Robust flavour and aroma

• Fast onset

• Smaller doses needed

• Cleaner experience than burning flower

If flower is like fresh fruit, concentrates are like jam, juice, and candy — different textures, different strengths, same plant.

Types of Cannabis Concentrates (Explained Simply)

Not all concentrates are created the same. Here’s what you’re actually looking at when you shop:

Live Resin

Fresh-frozen cannabis extracted to preserve terpenes.

Texture: Saucy, sugary

Flavour: Extremely loud

Best For: Dabs, vape carts

Live resin is known for its big, bold terp profile — think maximum flavour.

Shatter

A brittle, glass-like extract.

Texture: Hard, breakable

Flavour: Clean, smooth

Best For: Dabbing, hot knives, vaporizing

Shatter snaps clean and hits strong.

Wax / Budder

Whipped or creamy concentrate.

Texture: Soft, buttery

Flavour: Moderate–high terpene levels

Best For: Dabbing, mixing with bowls/joints

Easy to handle and beginner-friendly.

Rosin (Solventless)

Pressed using only heat + pressure — no chemicals.

Texture: Sticky, soft, sometimes gooey

Flavour: Pure and terp-heavy

Best For: Dabs, premium vaping

Rosin is a craft favourite for its cleanliness and natural profile.

Diamonds

Crystalline THCA with terp sauce.

Texture: Hard crystals in syrup

Flavour: High potency but not as loud as live resin

Best For: Dabs, mixing

Diamonds hit extremely hard — like the espresso shot of concentrates.

How Do You Use Cannabis Concentrates?

Let’s break it down by method.

1. Dabbing (Most Common Method)

Dabbing vaporizes the concentrate instantly on a hot surface.

You’ll need:

• A dab rig (or e-rig)

• Quartz banger

• Torch/electric heat

• Carb cap

• Dab tool

How to dab:

1. Heat your banger until it glows.

2. Let it cool 25–45 seconds.

3. Scoop a tiny dab (grain of rice size).

4. Drop it in while inhaling.

5. Spin the carb cap.

6. Clean the banger with a cotton swab.

Best for: live resin, rosin, diamonds, wax, shatter.

2. Vaping Concentrates (Simplest Method)

You can use:

• 510-thread concentrate carts

• Disposable live resin pens

• Cartridge-compatible batteries

• Dab-capable dry vaporizer devices

This is the easiest way to enjoy concentrates with no torch, no rig, no setup.

Best for: live resin carts, diamonds carts, distillate carts.

3. Hot Knives (Old-School, Works In A Pinch)

Heat two metal butter knives on a stove, then press the concentrate between them and inhale.

It works — but not recommended for flavor or safety.

Best for: shatter, wax, rosin.

4. Adding to Bowls or Joints (Beginner-Friendly)

Just sprinkle a small amount on top of your flower.

• Wax mixes easily

• Shatter can be broken into tiny flakes

• Live resin can be smeared

• Diamonds can be crushed lightly

This boosts potency and flavour without needing special tools.

How to Use Live Resin (Quick Guide)

Live resin is one of the most popular concentrates right now. Here’s how to get the best experience:

For Dabbing

• Use low–medium heat (400–500°F) to protect terpenes

• Take small dabs — it’s strong

• Keep your banger clean for max flavour

For Vaping

• Use a live resin pod or disposable

• Keep the battery fully charged

• Avoid cold temps (live resin thickens in cold weather)

For Mixing With Flower

• Add a small amount to the inside of your joint or sprinkle on top of a bowl

• Don’t overdo it — the potency spike is real

Which Concentrate Is Best for Beginners?

Easiest:

✔ Live resin carts

✔ Wax

✔ Soft rosin

✔ Infused pre-rolls

Most advanced:

⚡ Diamonds

⚡ High-potency shatter

⚡ Solventless rosin dabs

Start small and work your way up.

Tips for Safe & Enjoyable Concentrate Use

• Start with a tiny amount

• Keep tools clean

• Avoid extremely high heat (burns terpenes + throat)

• Store concentrates in the fridge only if recommended by the producer

• Don’t mix concentrates with alcohol

• Use quality gear for better flavour

Final Thoughts

Cannabis concentrates offer some of the most flavourful, potent, and refined experiences available. Whether you're dabbing live resin, vaping diamonds, or sprinkling a little rosin into a joint, each type brings something unique.

You don’t need to be an expert to enjoy concentrates — just start small, choose quality products, and experiment until you find what fits your style.

If you’re curious about trying them, Steady Eddy’s always has fresh drops of live resin, shatter, rosin, and infused pre-rolls to explore.