Download Article
A beginner’s guide to one of the most popular marijuana concentrates on the market
Download Article
Whether you’re expanding your marijuana repertoire or you’re simply curious about what that thick glassy stuff is behind the counter at the smoke shop, you may be curious about shatter. Shatter is a type of THC concentrate—a specially processed form of marijuana that is highly potent. In this article, we’ll break down what shatter is, how you smoke it using a rig, and what you can do to consume it if you don’t actually have the proper equipment (which isn’t that big of a deal!).
How Do You Smoke Shatter
- Shatter is typically smoked out of a dab rig, a type of pipe that’s similar to a bong.
- Use a butane torch to heat shatter in a rig. Traditional lighters won’t get it hot enough for full flavor.
- If you don’t have a dab rig, you can smoke shatter out of a vaporizer, in a joint, or in a pipe.
- Shatter is a highly potent substance—it’s much stronger than traditional flower—so go slow if you’re new to concentrates.
Steps
Section 1 of 5:
Smoking Shatter with a Rig: The Ideal Method
-
Set up the rig. If you don’t have one already, buy a dab rig designed specifically for concentrates like shatter. Connect the nail, which is the stem that holds the concentrate, to the body of the rig (there should be no wobbling, so insert it further if it won’t hold steady). If your rig has a water chamber (most rigs do), fill it with room-temperature water up to the hash mark. [1] X Research source
- Using a traditional rig (also known as a “dab rig”) is widely considered to be the most effective way to consume shatter in terms of THC extraction and flavor.
-
Heat the nail for 30 seconds, then let it cool for 60 seconds. Use a butane torch to heat the nail. Move the torch back and forth underneath the nail’s platform or tip to make it exceptionally hot. After 30 seconds or so, shut the torch off and wait about a minute for the heat to dissipate and spread out evenly along the nail.
- If you end up getting super into concentrates, there are electronic dab rigs you can buy that don’t need a torch! They’re kind of pricey for a beginner though, so start small to confirm dabbing is right for you, first.
Advertisement -
Apply the shatter to the nail using the dabber. The dabber is the small shovel-like item that came with your rig. Put a piece of shatter on it and then scrape the shatter onto the nail. Drop the shatter inside and it will immediately begin to vaporize.
-
Cover the nail with the carb cab. The carb cap is the little fixture that sits on top of the nail. As soon as the shatter begins to heat, put the carb cap on top of the nail to prevent any fumes from escaping. This also makes it possible to actually smoke the shatter—without the carb cab on you’ll be sucking too much air through.
-
Hit your rig to “take the dab” but exhale immediately. Inhale the smoke into your lungs and then let it go. Don’t hold it in for more than three seconds. Dabs are not like smoking flower where holding the hit in creates a stronger high. In fact, if you hold the smoke in your lungs for more than three seconds, the lack of oxygen combined with the dab high will make you extremely lightheaded and you could pass out. [2] X Research source
- How many hits should I take? Start with just one. Concentrates are much stronger than traditional flower. Don’t try to show off by doing too much and don’t try to ghost the hit or anything. Just see how you feel after a single hit; it’s likely that hit contains as much THC as a full joint.
-
Use a cotton swab to clean out the nail (optional). If you wait for the rig to cool all the way, the shatter residue from your dab will harden in the nail. This isn’t a big deal—you can heat it again to smoke it—but it may not be as flavorful and enjoyable as the shatter was when it was fresh. To prevent this, use a cotton swab to rub up any shatter residue in the nail before it dries. [3] X Research source
- Keeping your rig clean:
If you ever want to completely clean the nail, let it cool and then soak the nail in rubbing alcohol. Scrub it with a paper towel or cloth, then rinse it off under water.
- Always use totally fresh water, too! Don’t leave the used water in the water chamber. It can grow bacteria and get kind of gnarly over time.
- Keeping your rig clean:
If you ever want to completely clean the nail, let it cool and then soak the nail in rubbing alcohol. Scrub it with a paper towel or cloth, then rinse it off under water.
Advertisement
Expert Q&A
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement
Video
Tips
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Warnings
- Do not smoke shatter if you have no experience with marijuana. It’s too strong for you to have a pleasant time. [14] X Research sourceThanks
- Do not try to “ghost” shatter hits or hold the hit for more than 3 seconds or so. You do not get more THC from holding concentrate hits longer the same way you do with flower. [15] X Research sourceThanks
-
Thanks
Advertisement
References
- ↑ https://www.happyvalley.org/resources/how-to-use-a-dab-rig/
- ↑ https://cannabisnow.com/dabbing-dos-donts/
- ↑ https://lightshade.com/dab-rig-cleaning-101/
- ↑ https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/are-weed-vape-pens-safe-202125/
- ↑ https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/Vaping%20and%20Marijuana%20Concentrates-2020.pdf
- ↑ https://trovecannabis.com/how-to-roll-an-infused-joint/
- ↑ https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-medication/cannabis/personal-use/accessories-inhalation.html
- ↑ https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-medication/cannabis/personal-use/accessories-inhalation.html
- ↑ https://www.michigansthumb.com/greenstate/article/an-ode-to-hot-knives-honoring-the-og-dab-on-7-10-18192659.php
- ↑ https://www.kitsap.gov/hs/Documents/Dabbing%20Flyer%202016.pdf
- ↑ https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-medication/cannabis/about.html
- ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/chrisroberts/2020/06/16/science-reveals-the-cannabis-industrys-greatest-lie-youre-buying-weed-wrong-and-so-is-everyone-else/
- ↑ https://www.seattleweekly.com/food/cooking-with-cannabis-concentrates/
- ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/23/well/mind/teens-thc-cannabis.html
- ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/23/well/mind/teens-thc-cannabis.html
- ↑ https://www.cbsnews.com/news/legal-weed-map-states/
About This Article
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 534 times.
Advertisement