Not to be confused with your weed pen that has a cartridge filled with concentrate. These are two different devices and are used in completely different ways. They can be described as a mix between a convenient handheld vape and a standalone dab rig setup. Being so new to the scene, let us welcome you to everything you ever wanted to need and know about a cannabis dab pen.

Purpose of a Dab Pen

Understanding the intended use of a dab pen

If you have ever found yourself sitting down in front of your dab rig thinking, "Man, I wish I could take this with me", just know that you've been heard! There is no use of a blow torch or fragile glass setup. Although there is a variety of different dab pen styles popping up, the mechanics are all quite the same.

Using the same concept as THC vape pen, a battery is used to electronically heat up a chamber where you place the concentrate. The difference here is that a dab pen uses concentrates in their semi-solid state in a container, whereas vape pens use more of a liquid concentrate already pre filled into a cartridge.

Design Elements of a Dab Pen

Dab pens typically have similar parts, but they vary in their appearance, brand, and how they work. Each dab pen has a section where you can put the wax, badder, shatter, or other concentrate you like. There's also a battery that powers the heating part, which is usually rechargeable with a USB cable.

When you turn it on or take a puff (in some cases), the heating part starts and turns the cannabis concentrate in the section into vapor. The vapor then goes through to the mouthpiece, where you can easily breathe in the cannabinoids.

Key components of a dab pen

• A chamber or coil for heating the wax

• A mouthpiece for inhaling the vapor

• A battery for powering the device

• Three main components: battery, heating chamber, and mouthpiece

How Dab Pens Work

For those of you who have experience with e-cigarettes, these devices work in comparison. You'll have no problem with directions when it comes to operating these things. For the rest of you whose majority of smoking experience is with a lighter, here are a few tips and tricks on how dab pens work.

1. It might sound like a broken record, but you need to make sure your dab pen is fully charged before you use it for the first time. This will not only allow you to experience the device at its top performance but it is also going to make your dab pen last it's entire optimal life.

2. Now that it's all charged up, usually indicated by a green light, you're going to load up the goods. An amazing motto to live by... "A little dab will do ya". While it might be tempting to pack as much concentrate into the chamber, your better off not filing the chamber to the brim.

3. You did it! Your dab pen is ready to be turned on and fired up. Many dab pens work by pressing a button in a sequence of 3 to 5 times or by pressing and holding down for a few seconds. Other models that are buttonless will be ready to go right away.

4. Quality dab pens come with a temperature adjustment features. The ideal temperature for dabbing falls within the range of 315°F to 450°F (157°C to 232°C). Lower temperatures typically result in a smoother and more flavorful vapor, whereas higher temperatures can lead to a more potent effect, though the flavor may not be as optimal.

5. It's more than likely that your device has a "firing time limit", meaning it will only let you inhale for a maximum of 10 seconds. This makes sure that you don't consume too much at once and also prevents the device from malfunctioning and continually firing.

6. For dab pens that do have a power on/off option, you need to shut off the device between uses. Trust us, it's not just good practice, it's a huge rule in dab pen safety.

Wax Pens vs. Vape Pens

From the outside, vape pens and dab pens look very similar. When you compare them side by side, it can be difficult to spot the differences. Both are typically designed to be small and convenient for easy carrying, but their internal workings are where they diverge.

Vape pens are made to be used with cartridges or pods filled with oils and other substances. These oils are drawn into an atomizer, turned into vapor through heating, and then inhaled.

Dab pens, on the other hand, do not use cartridges. Instead, they allow users to place "dabs" or concentrated oils and wax directly onto a heating coil. The coil then heats the dabs into a form that can be inhaled.

The main difference between wax pens and vape pens

• Wax pens are designed for wax concentrates, while vape pens are for e-liquids

• Wax pens offer more control over the vaping experience and can handle a wide range of different concentrates and extracts

Features to Look for in Most Dab Pens

There are a few key characteristics to consider when choosing a dab pen that only the insiders and experienced users know. A couple of features will forever change your dabbing sesh.

• Safety features like an automatic shut-off

• Easy-to-clean and disassemble

• Temperature and voltage adjustments (labeled as "variable voltage")

• Portable and discreet enough to fit in your pants pocket

Atomizers and Coils

These are the two major components in a portable dab pen. Starting with coils, quartz is the most popular. Ceramic coils will give your a smooth vapor that's full of flavor, plus they last for months longer than other coil options.

The atomizers is a small heating element that transforms solid wax or concentrate into vapor. Typically, the atomizer is a small heating element constructed from materials such as cotton or ceramic.

Most dab pens are equipped with a dual quartz rod atomizer, often featuring a wire coil wrapped around it. When the battery sends electricity through the coil, it heats up and vaporizes the concentrate.

The material and heat retention capability of the atomizer can impact the speed and efficiency of vapor production. Additionally, the atomizer’s resistance, measured in ohms, can influence the overall performance of the device.